How to Paint a Galley Kitchen

Select a light paint color for the kitchen's walls and cabinets. Paint the cabinets and walls in the same color, such as white, for a contemporary look, or choose a light shade for the cabinets and a different light shade of your favorite color for the walls. For example, paint the cabinets white and choose light teal for the walls to brighten up the space.

Tape around doors, windows or cabinets with painter’s tape to prevent the paint from getting on surfaces where you don't want it. Spread a plastic sheet over the countertops and floor to avoid splashing.

Remove the cabinet doors and hardware to repaint them, if desired. With a synthetic paintbrush, paint the cabinets with a high-gloss latex paint. Latex paint is easy to wash and is resistant to grease and water. Keep your brush strokes even, and prevent dripping by painting from top to bottom.

Patch any imperfections on the wall, as needed, with drywall mud and a putty knife. After patching, sand the area with a medium grit sandpaper thoroughly to smooth the repair, as high-gloss paints show any imperfections easily. You can use a semi-gloss paint to minimize the look of imperfections, though it won't stand up to grease and the high traffic found in a kitchen as well as high-gloss.

Paint the walls with the desired color using a roller. Start from the top of the walls near the ceiling and move down to the countertop or floor. Add a second coat after the first one dries to ensure uniform coverage.