Best Paint for Kitchen Cabinets: How to Choose the Perfect Finish

Enhance your cooking space with the finest cabinet paint. Learn the best best paint for kitchen cabinets choices for long-lasting finishes, and find out tips for selecting and applying paint to get a professional finish.

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As the heart of the home, the kitchen plays a significant role in determining how your home feels and functions. A tremendous way to transform a kitchen, or really any space, is by replacing the cabinetry. Whether you’re sprucing  up your old cabinets with a coat of paint or replacing them altogether, the type of paint you choose to cover your cabinet surfaces can make all the difference. The best paint for kitchen cabinets is a durable, smooth, hard finish that will dry quickly and provide good wash ability. Kitchen cabinets are subjected to oils, sticky fingers, and more, which is why a good  paint job is wholly necessary.

In  this guide, we will take you through everything you need to know to select the best paint for your kitchen cabinets. From paint types to apply to tips for brightening up,  we’ll guide you to the best kitchen paint finish that’ll make your kitchen look great and also stand up to everyday life.

best paint for kitchen cabinets
best paint for kitchen cabinets

Why it Matters to Choose the Right Paint for Kitchen Cabinets

Between spills, heavy use, and general wear and tear, cabinets can  often take the brunt of it. Whether from people  and pets, spills from food and conditioners, or just moisture on the tile, it must withstand harsh conditions. The perfect paint can help protect your cabinets from chipping, warping, or fading issues while allowing you to give them the aesthetic  upgrade you’ve always dreamed of. Here is why selecting the best paint is so  important:

Durability: The ideal paint will be able to withstand repeated cleanings as  well as common kitchen conditions, such as cooking spills and foot traffic. Heavy-duty paint that won’t chip, scratch, or fade. This premium paint also prevents accidental chipping, scratching, or fading to keep your  cabinets looking gorgeous for years.

Looks, Looks, Looks: Painting is  a great way to update and even completely change the look of your kitchen cabinets. Whether you’re after a modern look  or a more traditional, rustic feel, paint can do wonders to complete the look of your kitchen with your cabinets.

Easy Cleanability: The cabinetry must allow  for easy cleaning. A paint that resists stains and smudges will make your kitchen cabinets look new while saving  you the hefty price of a renovation.

Cheap Kitchen Redecorating: Applying our grey kitchen cabinet stickers is one of the quickest, easiest, and most affordable ways to give your kitchen a whole new look (don’t forget  about forgetting about your bathroom walls!). Old  cabinets are perfect for creating patterns and are prime candidates for a new coat of high-quality paint.

Different Types of Paint for Kitchen Cabinets

Before  leaping these recommendations, it is essential to understand the various kinds of paint for kitchen cabinets. There are benefits to each type, and the right one for you will  depend on two things: 1) your personal aesthetic preference and 2) how you plan to use the ring.

Latex Paint (Water-Based)

Pros: Latex  paint is easy to work with and dries relatively quickly. The use of water as a solvent means you have minimal odour and can clean up with water. It also tends not to be yellow over the years, unlike  oil-based paints.

Cons: Latex paint may be relatively challenging compared tough  compared to other types of paint, but it still may not be as tough as many oil-based paints. However, for most kitchen uses,  it is fine if used correctly.

Best for: Homeowners seeking a fast-drying,  eco-friendly option that leaves no texture behind. It comes in  Holistic Finish, which includes matte, satin, and semi-gloss finishes.

Oil-Based Paint

Benefits: Rightly popular for its toughness and shiny, smooth Finish,  oil-based paints have a lifespan that puts most water-based paints to shame. They give a tough, durable finish that  resists stains and scuffs.

Cons: The strong fumes and lengthy drying time are  significant drawbacks for oil-based paints. It’s also more challenging to clean  brushes and tools, as most oil-based paints require solvents such as turpentine or mineral spirits.

Ideal use: Kitchens that  experience high traffic, where durability is the primary goal, and a polished finish is desired.

Chalk Paint

Pros: People adore chalk paint for  its antiqued look. It  adheres to various surfaces without sanding and/or a primer and can be distressed for a distressed, shabby-chic look.

Cons: Chalk paint might not be as hardy or  water-repellent as other options. It does require a sealed top coat to withstand  a kitchen environment.

Best for: Anyone  seeking a touch of distressed, vintage style. It would work well in a cottage  or farmhouse-style kitchen.

Spray Paint

Pros: Spray paint yields a clean, uniform coating with no visible brush  marks. It’s great for  achieving a cropped and professional look with minimal effort.

Cons: The biggest drawback of spray paint is the mess, and that’s another personal  health risk that comes with poor ventilation. It provides insufficient coverage and requires multiple coats  to achieve a good finish.

Best for:  Homeowners seeking a fast, even finish — and who are willing to invest the necessary time in preparing the area.

Hybrid Paints (Water Based Enamel)

Pros:   Hybrid paints are as durable and cleanable as oil-based paints but are just as easy to use and apply as water-based ones. They offer a  durable finish with less odour and shorter drying time than oil-based paints.

Cons: Similar to epoxy paints, these are typically more expensive than regular latex paints; however, the high-quality  Finish and lasting durability are worth the extra cost.

Best for:  People looking for a tough-as-nails finish, easy cleanup, and quick drying.

best paint for kitchen cabinets
best paint for kitchen cabinets

Top Selections for the Best Paint for Cabinets Kitchen

Now that we’ve learned about the types of paint, we can examine some of the best paints specifically  designed for kitchen cabinets. They tend to be extremely wear-resistant, have a nice finish, and  to apply.

Benjamin Moore Advance

Why It’s Great:  Benjamin Moore Advance is the highest-quality paint for kitchen cabinets. It’s  aIt’s a water-based enamel that provides a hard, durable finish akin to oil-based paint, minus the odour odours and long drying times. It offers a professional, smooth finish and is scratch  and scratch- and stain-resistant.

End Options: Satin,  Semi-Gloss, Gloss

Why This Is Great: Sherwin-Williams ProClassic is an ultra-durable interior acrylic enamel. It provides a flat, professional -quality finish that will not crack or wear. The paint levels itself, resulting in fewer brush marks and  a smooth finish.

Behr Premium Plus Ultra

Why It’s Great: Behr Premium Plus Ultra is an excellent option if you need  a smooth finish and are looking to keep costs down. It’s a paint-and-primer-in-one, so you’ll save time and effort, but it still covers well and resists stains.

Farrow & Ball Estate Eggshell

Finish Options: Eggshell

Why It’s Great: If you want a sophisticated, higher-and higher-end feature, Farrow & Ball  Estate Eggshell has a beautiful, luxurious finish. It’s great for  achieving a soft, timeless look and works well with both classic and modern kitchen styles.

Rust-Oleum Cabinet Transformations, 7.5homedepot.com, $70.10. BUY NOW. You’d never guess from looking at this photo, but Rust-Oleum Cabinet Transformations is a DIY product for cabinets  made from 80% recycled material.

Finish Options: Satin, Gloss

Why It’s Good: For homeowners who want to give their cabinets a facelift without professional help, Rust-Oleum Cabinet  Transformations is a DIY-friendly solution. The kit consists  of consists of a base coat, a bond coat, and a protect and shine top coat.

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best paint for kitchen cabinets

How to prepare kitchen cabinets correctly before painting 

Painting your kitchen cabinets: Preparation is the key to  a good-quality, long-lasting paint finish in your asparagus green kitchen. Take these essential steps to cleanse your  home correctly:

Remove All Hardware: Remove the handles, knobs, and hinges to prevent paint  from getting on them.

Wash the Cabinets:  Scrub them thoroughly to remove grease and dirt. Warm  water and mild detergent work best for this.

Sand the Cabinets: Use fine-grit sandpaper to lightly sand all surfaces, ensuring a  clean coat of paint.

Prime the Cabinets – Use a good-quality primer to help the paint bond with the surface and  ensure even coverage. This  isThis is particularly key if you’re changing the colour colour of your cabinets.

Paint the Cabinets  – Brush on two coats of your selected paint. Be sure to let each coat dry completely before  adding another one.

Seal the Paint: Apply a coat of sealer after your final coat of paint, especially if you’re using a matte or satin finish, as this will  add structure and strength to your cabinets.

How to upkeep Painted Kitchen Cabinets

After your cabinets are painted, you need to care for  them going forward. Here’s how to care for your painted  cabinets:

Maintenance: Clean cabinets with a  damp cloth to remove grease, dust, and grime. Avoid using anything  too harsh that could damage the paint.

Touch-Ups: Cabinets may develop minor scratches  or chips. Save a small amount of extra paint for  minor touch-ups.

Preserve the Finish: Store with cabinet liners to prevent the Finish from  coming into contact with the cabinet shelves.

best paint for kitchen cabinets
best paint for kitchen cabinets

FAQs

What is the most durable paint for kitchen  cabinets?

The  best paint to use for kitchen cabinets depends on your specific needs. Tough and slick,   water-based enamel paints, including Benjamin Moore Advance and Sherwin-Williams ProClassic, offer the benefit of an incredible shine, often even higher than that of oil-based paints. Oil-based paints result in a more rigid surface, but they  take a longer time to dry and make the room reek for days.

What kind of  paint do you use on kitchen cabinets?

Technically, you could use  your wall paint, but it’s best not to. Wall paint is not designed to withstand the  daily abuse that kitchens receive. Select cabinet-specific paints  that are durable and easily washable.

How long do painted kitchen cabinets  last?

Well-maintained painted kitchen cabinets can  last for 10 years or more. This guide shows you both how to clean  your cabinets and how to touch up the paint to maintain their good looks.

My kitchen  cabinets – do they need to be primed before painting?

Yes, you need  to tone down the kitchen cabinets if you want to maintain the paint and achieve a smooth finish. Priming is especially crucial if you are painting over a coloured surface, such as your cabinets, which were previously treated with a finish that might resist paint,  like laminate.

Conclusion

One of the most potent and budget-friendly ways to  change the look of a kitchen is to paint the cabinets. You’ll achieve a beautiful finish that lasts for years by selecting the right paint and taking a few simple steps to ensure it stays  perfect. Whether you prefer a traditional, vintage, modern, or  rustic appearance, there is a material available to completely transform your kitchen cabinets.