The Best Type of Paint for Kitchen That Lasts 10+ Years
When selecting the right kind of paint for kitchen areas, it’s not just the color that will matter. The nature of kitchen paint is such that kitchen walls, ceilings, cabinets and trim take a lot of punishment with grease, moisture and steam, cooking food spills, and vigorous cleaning. You need a paint finish that will allow for repeated washing and cleaning and will also contribute to a clean and inviting kitchen appearance.
What kind of paint for kitchen areas can you best choose? The general recommendation is washable paint with a satin or semi-gloss finish, although wall paint may work better with one finish over another.
In this guide you will learn the best kind of paint for kitchens, how particular finishes perform and how to select kitchen wall colors.
Which Type of Paint Is Best for Kitchens?
The type of interior paint best suited for kitchens demands strength and the ability to withstand constant scrubbing, stains and steam without sacrificing aesthetics. Surfaces in the kitchens will endure consistent daily wear; walls and other elements will require periodic wipe downs.
When considering which paint type for kitchens, search for paint solutions that offer these:
- Resistance to moisture and steam.
- Surface cleanliness and stain removal capacity.
- Resistance to grease and cooking splatters.
- Durability over time.
- The right aesthetic for your surface.
- Compatibility with underlying material.
Kitchen Paint Finish Comparison
Paint Finish | Durability | Moisture Resistance | Cleaning | Best Uses |
Satin | High | High | Very Good | Kitchen walls and dining areas |
Semi-Gloss | Very High | Excellent | Excellent | Cabinets, trim, high-splash areas |
Gloss | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Doors, trim, selected accents |
Chalk | Moderate | Low | Limited | Decorative accents and furniture |
The best type of paint for kitchen walls depends on how much moisture, cooking activity, and cleaning the surface experiences.
1. Satin Paint: A Great Choice for Kitchen Walls
Satin is one of the most popular kitchen wall finishes. It has enough sheens to give off an almost imperceptible glow, reflecting some light without highlighting imperfections in the same way high-gloss paint can.
It seems to suit many homeowners in giving them the best of both worlds.
Advantages of Kitchen wall paint in satin:
- Easy to wipe down and clean.
- Deals with general kitchen dampness.
- Smooth attractive sheen
- Hides surface imperfection in walls more than gloss.
- Can endure areas of heavy use.
Satin would be beneficial on a kitchen wall or kitchen space where you need to provide durability without an overwhelming amount of shine.
If you are painting your kitchen walls, satin would most likely be a reasonable decision for you to make when selecting paint for this purpose.
2. Semi-Gloss Paint: Durable and Easy to Clean
A second durable and easy to clean finish is the semi-gloss. The more reflective shine means it’s also a bit more resistant to moisture and will easily wipe down.
Semi-gloss is a great option when the area will experience a splash or may get messy more frequently.When and where to use semi-gloss paint.
Think semi-gloss for the following areas:
- Kitchen cabinets
- Doors
- Baseboards
- Trim
- Areas near the sink
- Splashing zones
When to Use Semi-Gloss Consider using this in a: Kitchen cabinets Doors Baseboard trim Around sinks High-splashing areas When homeowners look for kitchen cabinet paint, for instance, using good quality enamel or acrylic paint that has a semi-gloss can produce a hard and cleanable finish.
3. Gloss Paint for High-Wear Surfaces
Gloss paint is noticeably glossy, and results in a hard, extremely wipeable finish. Because gloss stands up to water and repeated scrubbing, it is very practical for some features within the kitchen.
However, the reflective quality of gloss does tend to highlight defects in the walls, such as chips and scratches, so gloss works best applied to small areas, rather than the whole kitchen.
Gloss is best suited to use on:
- trim doors
- feature some
- cabinet
Front areas in the kitchen that receive a lot of wear and tear If you need a wipeable finish, but don’t want a lot of shine, use semi-gloss.
4. Chalk Paint for Decorative Kitchen Features
Chalk paint gives a matte and powdery finish which can come in handy when implementing an English country or rustic style. It would be functional for pieces of furniture, accent pieces, or specific cabinet projects.
On the other hand, because chalk paint isn’t exceptionally resistant to moisture and grime you wouldn’t typically use chalk paint on frequently used or handled pieces unless you want to add an additional protective layer to it, nor would I use it on kitchen walls or frequently used areas.
What Type of Paint Is Best for Kitchen Cabinets?
Kitchen cabinets are frequently handled throughout the day. Doors and drawers are often opened, while the surface of cabinet doors or fronts are exposed to grease, steam, cleaners, etc.
For these reasons you’ll need a tougher paint than your standard wall paint on cabinets.
Enamel or Acrylic latex paint of good quality is usually the best bet when painting cabinets and I would stick with a semi gloss finish.
Acrylic Latex Paint
Acrylic latex paint is water-based and does not generally produce a smell compared to oil based paint. It is quick drying when painted on a prepared surface.
The correct bonding primer is required for very smooth surfaces like laminates or existing finished cabinetry.
Oil-Based Paint
Oil-based paint produces a hard durable surface that has always been recommended for high use surfaces. Typically, it takes longer to dry and is an even higher contributor to smell than acrylic latex paint.
Enamel Paint
Enamel paints produce a hard-wearing surface that withstands everyday abuse. Enamel paint can either be water-based or oil-based depending on the particular type purchased.
Paint on a prepared surface is necessary no matter which type you choose. Make sure you clean, sand where necessary, and apply a suitable primer in order for a successful result.
Don’t Skip the Primer
Primer helps paint “stick” to the surface and is very important when painting laminated surfaces, glossy surfaces, or previously finished cabinets.
It is never advisable to use “regular” flat wall paint on cabinets. It marks easily and is difficult to clean and still be a beautiful finish.
What Is the Best Kitchen Ceiling Paint?
Kitchen ceilings generally do not get as much contact as walls or cabinetry. However, they are still exposed to the conditions of a kitchen, including steam and humidity.
When choosing kitchen ceiling paint, be sure to take into account how much steam or humidity is generally produced in the kitchen and in what condition your ceiling currently is.
An interior ceiling paint designed for the purpose should give your ceiling a clean look, as well as protection against the typical conditions of the room. In rooms in which considerable steam is produced or which could be particularly prone to this concern, use paint formulated for this purpose and proper ventilation will be even more important.
A soft, low sheen will help reduce the appearance of minor flaws.
How to Choose Kitchen Wall Paint Colors
Besides selecting the right finish for the walls, you also need to choose a color that complements each and everything in the kitchen.
There are certain aspects of the kitchen that need to be considered while selecting a kitchen wall paint color: cabinets, countertops, floor, the amount of light and the dimensions of the room.
Light Colors
White, cream, pale gray, and lighter colors could make a kitchen feel larger and brighter; for small rooms with insufficient natural light these kinds of paint can seem ideal.
Warm Neutral Colors
Beige, warm grays, taupes and similar neutral colors could make a kitchen feel warm while at the same time are quite versatile when working with wooden cabinets and natural elements.
Bold Colors
Dark shades like deep blue, dark gray, green will produce a bold and stunning effect on the kitchen wall. You don’t need to be daring enough to paint the whole kitchen with such color; an accent wall should be enough.
Match the Color to Existing Features
Before selecting a kitchen wall paint color, check all the fixed materials in the kitchen, such as:
- Color of the cabinet
- Countertop
- Backsplash
- Floor color
- Appliances colors
- Amount of light and artificial light in the kitchen
You need to check paint colors under different light to see the real look and effect of the color during the whole day.
Should You Hire a Professional Painter for Your Kitchen?
Painting a kitchen wall might appear easy however it takes quite a bit more than just slathering paint onto the wall to get a professional look.
Proper prep could include anything from cleaning grease and residue from the cabinets to repairing dings, sanding the wall, protecting counters and cabinets with tape, primer, and possibly several coats of paint.
Benefits of Hiring a Professional
The advantages of hiring a professional are:
- A smoother, even finish
- Proper surface prep
- Crisper painting around cabinets and trim
- The right colors and finishes from a pro
- The right products for walls, ceilings and cabinets
- Less interruption of your typical life.
While the costs of painting your kitchen yourself can make it financially viable DIY in certain instances complicated cabinetry and projects, especially with lots of detail, might take significantly longer than anticipated.
Professional Kitchen Painting in San Diego
Are you a Spring Valley or San Diego resident wanting to spruce up your kitchen with little effort on your end?
San Diego Custom Painting specializes in professional painting services for homeowners in the entire San Diego county hoping for their next kitchen remodel or a bit of a kitchen update without having to do all the dirty work themselves!
The list below only represents some of our many different services;
San Diego Custom Painting also paints:
kitchen walls (including baseboards and trim), kitchen ceilings, interiors of Homes, office buildings, or even business commercial space, as well as many other paint jobs in residential or commercial properties throughout San Diego county.
The colors, finishes and brand name of the materials selected can make a huge difference in appearance and the durability.
Color selection tips are always free of charge from San Diego Custom Painting.
How to Get the Best Results From Your Kitchen Paint
Even when you use a paint suited for kitchen surfaces, a poorly prepared application will prevent the paint from achieving a good, reliable surface.
First, before painting:
- Remove all dirt, grease, and grime;
- fill or repair any damages;
- degloss and sand any overly shiny sections;
- properly prime surfaces with a compatible base layer;
- shield counters, ovens and refrigerators;
- use equipment and brushes suited to the paint chosen;
- enable adequate time to properly air dry paint coats;
- apply subsequent coats to ensure seamless distribution of the finish.
Properly coating the surfaces and walls can significantly impact the overall look and serviceability of the paint.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the best paint for your kitchen requires considering all your surfaces and their environments – whether they need to stand up to moisture, lots of cleaning, daily wear and tear, existing surface condition, or a certain level of sheen.
Satin is often a go-to for walls in many kitchens, balancing both looks and longevity. Semi-gloss can work on kitchen cabinets and trims, while glossy is reserved for the small accents.
Chalk paint can work great on decorative elements.
When picking out kitchen wall paint colors , you’ll likely need to coordinate with the tones in your existing cabinetry and countertop first.
If you are looking for a painter in Spring Valley or need to paint a home in the greater San Diego area, and need your kitchen’s walls, ceiling, cabinets, doors, or trim painted, San Diego Custom Painting is here to assist you.
If you are looking to enhance your kitchen with a new look and need assistance with painting in or around San Diego, contact San Diego Custom Painting to set up your free quote!