Kitchen surfaces take a beating from grease, steam, oil spills, and food splatter, so you need a paint that is up to the challenge. Knowing the best kinds of paints for kitchen walls is key to achieving a kitchen that is durable, washable, and will stay attractive for a long time.
Types of Paint
Paint Color
Below are several factors to consider when picking colors:
- Think about what you’re trying to achieve. Do you want it to be clean and bright? Consider white, off-white or a bright color. Do you want it to feel warm? Perhaps a muted color? Or perhaps you prefer bold colors and contrast. Choose darker colors.
- If you have an open concept, your kitchen colors should complement the adjacent rooms to create visual synergy and flow.
- Don’t know what colors to pick? Observe what color palettes are already in your kitchen (like a countertop or backsplash).
- Balance lighter and neutral colors. For instance, if you have an off-white marble countertop, add some contrast with blue cabinets and neutral walls.
- When in doubt, paint your kitchen white; it always feels the cleanest. However, consider an off-white shade, as pure white may be too harsh.
Base
Picking the correct base is vital. If you have the wrong base, your color palette will look less vibrant, and your paint will peel or flake sooner than you’d like.
There are three bases to pick from: oil, water, and shellac.
- Oil-based paint: Also known as alkyd paint, oil-based paint is more durable than water-based paint. It’s cleaned with solvents like spirits or paint thinner. However, it emits volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which cause health risks, leading it to fall out of favor compared to…
- Water-based paint: Also called latex paint, water-based paints clean up with soap and water and have less odor than oil-based paints. Newer water-based paints are just as durable as older oil-based paints, so using one will give you the same benefits as oil-based paints but without the drawbacks.
- Shellac: These paints are recommended for high-trafficked kitchens because they are some of the more durable paint options. However, it emits a strong smell and is difficult to clean up. Because of this, ask your local paint supplier for tips if you plan to DIY with shellac paint.
Different Finishes
Once you pick the type of paint, the sheen, or finish, is next. A paint’s sheen makes kitchen walls and cabinets easier to clean. However, not all finishes suit a high-traffic area like a kitchen; we’ll mention the best paint finishes below.
Pro Tip: Different areas may require different finishes, so don’t be surprised if you use more than one.
High-gloss
After it dries, high-gloss paint provides a very durable finish, becoming easy to clean and stain-resistant. Its shine gives the kitchen a luxurious and dramatic effect.
However, high-gloss paint takes a long dry time. It also shows flaws and brush marks on the wall surface, and the gloss fades over time. Thus, it looks best with the help of a professional painter who pays attention to detail.
Semi-gloss
Though not as shiny as a high-gloss finish, semi-gloss is still durable, scuff-resistant and protects against stains. As a result, it’s one of the most popular choices among homeowners. Though it does show surface flaws, its gloss doesn’t fade over time.
Satin/Eggshell
Compared to glossier finishes, satin/eggshell finishes don’t shine as much but show fewer imperfections. It’s easy to clean and protects against mildew, dirt, and stains. However, its softer finish makes it less moisture-resistant than glossier paints, so don’t use it on high-moisture areas like a backsplash.
Satin and eggshell finishes are so similar in look and durability that people can’t differentiate between the two. The main difference is that a satin finish is glossier, while an eggshell finish is more flat.
Flat/Matte
A flat/matte finish has no shine, making it a solid choice if your wall has imperfections. However, this makes it the hardest to clean due to its lack of durability. Use flat/matte paint only if your kitchen walls don’t get a lot of action.
Chart
The paints go from most flat to glossiest, going left to right.
| Flat/Matte | Satin/Eggshell | Semi-gloss | High-gloss | |
| Open area kitchen | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Confined/small kitchen | ✔ | |||
| Lots of cleaning | ✔ | |||
| Doors | ✔ | |||
| Kitchen Cabinets andWoodwork | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Trim | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Walls | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Backsplash | ✔ | |||
| Ceilings | ✔ | ✔ |
Kitchen Cabinets
A kitchen painting project may include your cabinets. Since kitchen cabinets are frequently used and cleaned, high-gloss, semi-gloss, and satin are the best finishes.
Before buying paint cans, understand what kind of cabinets you have. Painting wood or laminate is more complex than painting walls. Also, see if you must prime, clean, and prepare your wood. Finally, empty all your kitchen cabinets and remove all hardware from cabinet doors.
Sanding
You should sand before you paint. Though you CAN paint without first sanding, we don’t advise it because applying good paint over old paint may cause the new coat to chip or flake soon after it dries. Use steel wool or fine sandpaper to prep your cabinets before applying primer.
Primer
Primer ensures your new coat of paint will stick to the cabinet. Any water-based primer will work just fine. However, if your cabinets have a medium-density fiberboard (MDF), use an oil-based primer instead. Sand after applying primer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What colors should I not paint my kitchen?
Don’t paint it darker shades of green, blue, red, or purple; it will cast a shadow on food and darken the space.
What color kitchen is timeless?
White. It works for any style kitchen.
What backsplash doesn’t go out of style?
Checkerboard patterns don’t go out of style, so give one to your backsplash to give your kitchen a more traditional appeal.
The Final Word
Painting a kitchen can be daunting, but it will give it that extra bit of pizzazz while making sure it stands strong even with all the cooking you’re doing. If you have any questions, contact one of Paint Gnome’s pros to receive a quote.
Main Photo Credit: Jon Rehg / Canva Pro / License
