How To Paint Built In Cabinets Black (With White Back)

I have been loving the black and white (tuxedo) cabinet kitchen trend, and wanted to transfer that style into the living room. So I started off by adding black removable wallpaper to the back of our bookcase. But now I wanted a different kind of tuxedo look – with the back part white and the outer portion black. And that’s why I ended up with this new black and white built in/bookcase makeover! Let’s get to it! How To Paint Built In Cabinets Black (With White Back).

Scroll to the very end for Before & After Pictures.

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How To Paint Built In Cabinets Black (With White Back)

Here are the supplies I used for this project.

*** I did want to mention that I probably should have primed the built in first. I had a short window to paint, and got lazy!!
So, I highly recommend that you add a primer first.

I used oil-based paint because our built in was previously painted with it.

You can use latex paint ONLY if you’re previous paint on your built in was painted with latex. 😉

Supplies:

1 Quart Oil-Based Satin Sherwin Williams Black Magic (SW 6991)
1 Quart/Gallon Oil-Based Primer
1 Angled Paint Brush (*2nd paint brush optional)
small roller brush, handle, & tray
refills small roller brushes
plastic/cardboard boxes
scissors
paper towels/wax paper (shelves)
canvas drop cloths
painter’s tape
paint brush cleaner
ladder/step stool

How To Paint Built In Cabinets Black (With White Back)

Let’s do a before picture so you can see what I was working with.

Before picture with shelves.

As you can see from the pic below, our built in bookcase is inset.
That means it has a edge running around it = a little trickier/more work.
Just wanted to mention that here so it makes sense when the prepping/taping part begins.

Ok, let’s get to the 5 easy steps and How To Paint Built In Cabinets Black (With White Back)!

How To Paint Built In Cabinets Black (With White Back)

5 Steps:

Prep/Tape Bookcase
Prep/Tape Shelves
Prime Bookcase/Shelves
Paint 1st Coat Black
Paint 2nd Coat Black

Step 1: Prep/Tape Bookcase

As always, I have a lot of pictures – sorry! I am a visual learner, so that’s how I like to do these tutorials.

For this step you will:

remove all shelves and hardware
wipe down your bookcase and shelves
prep/tape top part of the bookcase with plastic
prep/tape bottom part with cardboard
prep floor with drop cloths

The first thing you will do is remove the shelves and hardware.

Then I highly recommend wiping everything down with a rag just to get all of the dust off.

This next part is time consuming – so just relax. It’s better to prep correctly, than to have to re-paint things after.

Prep/tape top part of the bookcase with plastic.

You will put your painter’s tape behind that front trim edge, and go all the way around with the tape (both sides, top, and bottom).

The tape and plastic will go inside of the bookcase (because you are only painting the trim).

Then you will add your plastic piece and secure it to that same piece of tape, or just add another piece of tape to it.

Make sure that the plastic is NOT directly touching the that outer trim piece – or it will stick to your paint.

Now, that I’m looking at the pic below I can see that I also used some packing tape to help secure it. LOL!!

Once the inside is taped off, you will tape off the base TOP and the outer portion of the bookcase.

NOTE: I wanted the top part of my cabinet base WHITE (so that all of the shelves + base top) would be white.

Shown below with the blue tape and arrow.

For the bottom cabinet part, I decided to use old broken down cardboard boxes and slide them behind the doors.

Just measure that area, and cut out a cardboard piece that fits inside it.

Step 2: Prep/Tape Shelves

I separated these first two steps because the shelves are prepped a little differently.

You can use tape with paper towels or wax paper – whatever you have on hand.
I started with wax paper, and then went to paper towels because the wax paper made them slippery (when carrying to our garage).

These shelves will also take awhile to prep.

I just wanted to be honest on this part – because you will probably be a little ticked off at me when prepping. 😉

My shelves had an extra “lip” on the front portion, so the prepping took me longer than expected.

Hopefully your shelves are just one solid piece, and if so will make your life much easier!!

Here is a closeup pic of the lip – or “L” at the edge or our shelves.

If you have room in your garage, this is where I recommend setting up your shelves for painting.

I propped them up with some old paint cans and this worked great.

Yay! It’s finally time to begin priming/painting!

Step 3: Priming

*I did not do this step, but I should have.

Usually I don’t prime before I use oil-based paint. But since they sprayed our built in and shiplap wall (and didn’t hand paint it), the surface was VERY slick.

So, I could tell when I started painting that the paint wasn’t adhering exactly like I thought it should, but I had already started.

Moral of this lesson – It is probably better to just go ahead and use primer 1st.

***Let primer dry overnight.

Step 4: Painting 1st Coat

Now it’s time to begin painting.

Basically you will use your paint brush to get into the smaller areas (cracks and grooves).
And then use the roller brush in the open areas and larger portions (like the lower cabinets).

Why use the roller brush:

It leaves no brush marks, and makes the paint look sprayed on.
If you like the hand painted look, omit the roller brush.

I started this first area with the paint brush.

And then when I got to the middle trim area, I used the roller brush.

Here is the middle trim area.

This is what it will look like with the top part done.

And here it is after the bottom portion is done. Make sure to leave the doors open for drying.

I used the roller brush for the shelves, and it made the process so much easier!

***Let 1st coat dry overnight.

Step 5: Paint 2nd Coat

For the second coat, I used the paint brush for the smaller areas again.

But then I tried to roll any area I could with the roller brush so it would leave a smooth, flat finish.

TIP: Use a piece of cardboard when rolling by a wall – so that paint doesn’t splatter from the roller brush.

I couldn’t take a pic holding the cardboard and roller brush (haha!!), but you can see that the finish with the roller brush covers those brush marks.