Painting Our Linen Closet (in 6 Easy Steps)

I have been working on updating our girl’s Jack and Jill bathroom, one step at a time. I wanted everything a fresh white to match our trim downstairs. So I started with painting the bathroom vanities first, and have now moved on to the linen closet. And I am really happy with how it turned out! So excited that I decided to do a organization makeover too (coming soon)! Let’s get to it. Painting Our Linen Closet (in 6 Easy Steps).

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Painting Our Linen Closet (in 6 Easy Steps)

Let’s go over some paint choices before you begin.

Paint Choices

Normally – I would have done latex flat (ceiling), latex satin (walls), latex semi-gloss (trim, shelves) oil-based semi-gloss (door).

But who wants to use 4 different types of paint?

So I decided to use oil-based semi-gloss paint for all (ceiling, walls, trim, shelves, and door). This way I would only have need one type of paint.
If you decide to use latex, I would use semi-gloss sheen for all.

Here are some factors to help you choose which paint is best for you.

#1) Oil-based

Pros:

more durable
will adhere better
cleans off easier (scuff marks, etc.)
will last longer

Cons:

harder to paint with (sticky),
clean up requires oil-based cleaner
longer drying time
stronger fumes

#2) Latex paint

Pros:

the fumes are not nearly as strong as oil-based paint
it is easier to work with (not as sticky)
cleans up with soap and water
and dries faster

Cons:

not as durable as oil-based paint
will not clean off as easily (scuff marks, etc.)

End Result:

Basically, this will be personal preference for you.

I really, really do not like painting with oil-based paint – but I love how it looks/functions when it is done.
So, it you like latex paint – then use it!

Just do whatever works best for your project – no pressure!

Ok, now let’s move on to the supplies used for painting our linen closet.

Painting Our Linen Closet (in 6 Easy Steps)

Supplies:

angled paint brush – set here
roller brush and tray – (refills here, kit here – w/paint brushes)
*paint (oil-based semi-gloss SW Snowbound)
*brush cleaner – here or here
painter’s tape
drop cloth
409/sponge/rag
step ladder

*If you use oil-based paint, you will need an oil-based cleaner for your brush & hands.

**(If you use latex paint, you will only need soap and water).

Ok, carry on to the 6 easy steps.

Painting Our Linen Closet (in 6 Easy Steps)

6 Steps:

Clean and Prep Area
Paint Inside Top Shelf/Ceiling
Paint Inside Shelves/Walls
Paint Inside Trim
Paint Outside Trim
Paint Door(s)

Time Frame:

Paint time: ~2 1/2 hours to paint 1st coat, 2 hours second coat
2 day project
+ 2 day wait time (letting paint dry/curing) before putting things back into closet.
4 days total

Ok, carry on to the 6 easy steps.

6 Steps

Step #1: Clean and Prep Area

The first thing you will want to do is remove everything in your linen closet.
Then you will give your closet a very good clean – inside and out.
Next you will prep your painting area.

I used 409 and a sponge to get all of the grime left by our girls.

Then set up your painter’s drop cloth + painting supplies, and get your painting clothes on.

And our area was very tight.
So this project was extra fun 😉 LOL!
You’ll notice it when I start painting this door in step #6.

Step #2: Paint Inside Top Shelf/Ceiling

Now it’s time to paint.

You will want to begin painting inside the linen closet – top shelf back wall first.

This is what I recommend:

(1) Paint the corners and edges on tops, sides, and bottom (at ceiling, walls, & shelf).
(2) Next use your roller brush for all of the other areas (ceiling, walls, & shelf).

Here is a better picture showing the ceiling. I could not hold my phone and roller brush at the same time, so hopefully you get the idea!

And here is a picture with the walls and top shelf painted, but not the second shelf.

This one will be out of order – just because you will want to paint the inner wall/upper trim now – so you can put your step ladder away (if needed).

Sorry for the bad picture – but hopefully you can see what I’m talking about.

Step #3: Paint Inside Shelves/Walls

This step will be used for the other shelves – kind of like rinse and repeat.

This is what I recommend:

(1) Start with the corners and edges again – using your paintbrush.
(2) Then paint underneath your shelf – using your roller brush.
(3) Next paint the walls and top of your shelf – using your roller brush.
(4) Then paint the shelf edge – with your paintbrush, then roller brush (both).

Edges & Corners.

Underneath Shelf.

Walls

Top of Shelf

Edge of Shelf Using Paintbrush

Edge of Shelf Using Roller Brush

Rinse and Repeat for the remaining shelves.

Step #4: Paint Inside Trim

Depending on what your linen closet looks like, you might need to add this step along with each shelf.

Our linen closet is so tight, that I had to paint the inside trim as I was going from shelf to shelf (otherwise I was leaning into my freshly painted shelf edge – ugh)!

And once all of the inside trim is painted, you will need to paint your baseboard also (if you have one).

Step #5: Paint Outside Trim

You’re on the home stretch – hang in there!!

This is what I recommend:

(1) Start with the upper corners and edges – using your paintbrush, then roller brush.
(2) Then paint the middle portions – using your paintbrush, then roller brush.

Step #6: Paint Door(s)

Last step!

This is what I recommend:

(1) Start with painting the inside portion of the door(s) first – paintbrush, then roller brush.
(2) Then paint outside portion of the door – same method.

With paintbrush.

You can tell how tight our area is in the picture below – but at least it was the last step – lol!!