Melamine wardrobe doors: attempt to paint or replace?

3 years ago

Hello,
we have huge very good quality (sturdy build) wardrobes in our daughters room. But they are boring and old fashioned....gold trim comes off but damaged surface slightly.
it is worth trying to sand, prime and paint a melamine surface? or is it difficult to get a good finish?
Would it be more satisfying to replace with mdf doors and prime and paint those instead, is this more likely to give a good finished result?
thanks

Comments (7)

Sonia
3 years ago
I’m a fan of painting and it is a good budget option. However, it depends on the style and condition of the wardrobes you have. Could you share a picture?
Ruth House
Original Author
3 years ago
they're huge floor to ceiling fitted. flat slab doors except for this fiddly trim. the interiors are reasonable wood effect. the far left double is too close to doorway so we plan to take that out. The far right single is nicely shelved so I was considering taking the door off altogether to have as open bookshelf... what do you think?
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Prior to adding any trims to the door, use a small piece of trim, attach it to the door with double stick tape on the hinge side and check to see that the door opens. It might not! Attaching trim to the door is more than just cutting the trim, no? I can give you a more detailed set of instructions if you decide to go that route...but I'm for painting the wardrobe (and all the woodwork in the room) white.
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Dear Éilíse Sullivan, the mahogany wardrobe looks like a great project! The image is too small for me to see the details of it; it looks like has glass/metal door at the top part and design details on the draws. If you send me a better quality image and with the door closed I can visualised it for you in any other colour you like if it helps. Replacing part of the furniture (glass) with solid panels covered in wall paper or fabric, using decoupage for the inside of the drawers or muted colours on the outside and brights on the inside ... are all possibility depending in which room you want to place it and what you are going to use it for. Are you going to do it for yourself, just for fun or to sell/present? I would paint the back panel in a darker colour, also the inside of the wardrobe part and all the horizontal and vertical straight lines to frame the different units: draws, 'open shelf' cabinet at the top and door. I would go for wall paper on the inside of the draws, something sympathetic with the darker tone on the back panel ... the handle can stay or be replaced (I need a closer look); they can really give a wist to the furniture if changed. For the choice of colours ... it really depend on where it goes and what you want to do with it. The room's images you posted are quite different in style. You could try to 'blend' the piece in to the room's design scheme by choosing complementary colours or go the opposite and bring in a bold statement. I like bold statements! I found this link with fab images that may help you see how a furniture with more details then a plain one will looks once painted: http://www.pippajamesoninteriors.co.uk/2011/design-post/a-guide-to-shabby-chic-furniture-painting/ Also have a look at this company https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jay-Co/100811059987662?sk=timeline it may inspire you to take a different direction! Have fun and please post an 'after' pic when done, really curios to see the final result! Elena Jackson - Interior & Design
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Ruth House
Original Author
3 years ago
identical in other bedroom but taking the gold strips off caused damage no matter how careful we were. would this be fixable or better to just dump the doors and fit new ones?
PRO
Kensworth Interiors
3 years ago
I think realistically the doors look like they need replacing. If the wardrobes themselves are in good condition then salvaging them will save a lot of money. Effectively the new doors would give the look of a brand new fitted bedroom for a reasonable price.
Ruth House
Original Author
3 years ago
thanks Kensworth Interiors,

I think you're probably right, don't mind spending on replacing doors if it gives a better end result.

next question is what material should I get for the new doors? is mdf a good option because its cheap but is it easy enough to prime and paint? or would I better off with real wood e.g. pine maybe? I don't really know. my daughter wants specific colour and geometric pattern so needs to be paintable.
Robert Goult
3 years ago
Hi Ruth, The most cost effective way to achieve what your after is to opt for a paintable vinyl mdf door. We get these type of doors made to measure. They come in a abundance of styles and easy to paint but will give a professional finish to the job.
Sonia
3 years ago
I think a good carpenter could make new doors (probably mdf) for you and fit them. He could either fit ready made that he cuts to fit, or fits ones ready to paint.

Melamine wardrobe doors: attempt to paint or replace?

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Sonia

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Melamine wardrobe doors: attempt to paint or replace?

Comments (7)

Sonia

Ruth HouseOriginal Author

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Sonia

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Ruth House
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