How to paint a built-in wardrobe

A built-in wardrobe is painted like any large door: clean, sand, apply primer and give two coats of enamel. The difference lies in the size and the clearing out. You have to empty the wardrobe, protect your clothes from dust and give the paint time to harden before using the doors again.

Preparing the space and the clothes

Take out the clothes and move them to another room. Sanding dust gets into everything and the smell of paint lingers in fabrics. If you cannot empty it completely, cover whatever remains with old sheets or plastic.

Take off the doors, if possible. Number them with tape and mark each hinge. If the doors are sliding, remove the tracks too only if it is easy. Otherwise, protect them with masking tape.

Cleaning, sanding and filling defects

Clean the doors and the interior with degreaser and a damp cloth. Pay attention to the areas touched by hands. Leave to dry well.

Sand to remove the shine. If the wardrobe is laminated or has a plastic-coated finish, an adhesion primer is essential. Without it, the paint may peel with use. Fill scratches and holes with filler, then sand and wipe off the dust.

Tip: In very old houses, paints and varnishes may contain lead. Assess the risk before sanding. Wet sand, avoid spreading dust and wear a suitable mask. If in doubt, seek advice.

Painting inside and out

Decide whether to paint only the outside or the inside as well. Painting the inside refreshes the look and helps mask smells, but it is more work. If you paint the inside, start there.

  1. Paint the inside first: top, sides and shelves, working from top to bottom.
  2. Leave to dry for the time stated on the tin.
  3. Paint the doors lying flat, starting with the recesses and then the flat parts.
  4. Apply the second coat, after sanding lightly with very fine sandpaper.

Inside, a water-based paint is a good choice: it has less smell and dries faster. Avoid closing the wardrobe straight away, because the smell gets trapped.

Letting it harden before use

This is the most common mistake. The paint is touch-dry in a short time, but takes much longer to harden. If you put the clothes away and close the doors too soon, the shelves may stick to the clothes and the doors to the frame.

Leave the wardrobe open and ventilated for a few days, if you can. Only then put the clothes back. If you have to use it earlier, line the shelves with loose paper or fabric.

Refit the hinges and handles only when the paint is properly hard. Tighten the screws carefully so as not to crack the paint around the holes.

Day-to-day care

For the first few weeks, clean only with a soft cloth, dry or slightly damp. Avoid harsh products. Fingerprints are normal on dark paints, so choose a matt or satin finish, which shows them less.

Tip: If the wardrobe smells of damp, find the cause first. Paint over it will not fix mould or water ingress. Deal with the problem before painting.

See also