N
The Global Insight

What is the best paint sheen for kitchen cabinets

Author

John Johnson

Updated on April 22, 2026

Glossy finishes are often the best for kitchen applications. However, if you’re not a fan of shinier walls, then satin or matte sheen would be best. A matte sheen is also ideal if you’re painting over walls with surface imperfections.

What paint finish is best for kitchen cabinets?

Semi-gloss: This is the best choice when painting kitchen cabinets. Because it has some sheen, semi-gloss paint will help reflect light and be more durable in the long run, which is important in a kitchen environment.

Is satin or eggshell better for cabinets?

Kitchen cabinets painted with a satin finish add depth to the space and will hold up over time. … Satin has a slightly higher sheen than eggshell, meaning that it is more reflective and more durable. APPEARANCE: While satin finishes do have a degree of luster, they are more commonly described as a glow than a shine.

Is satin or semi gloss better for kitchen cabinets?

While satin finishes tend to be fairly durable in high traffic areas, they’re not as durable and versatile as semi-gloss against mildew and mold. Kitchen cabinets in high moisture environments can, therefore, do better with semi-gloss paints.

Should cabinets be eggshell or semi gloss?

Higher-gloss finishes stand up better to daily use and are far easier to clean without dulling the color over time. So skip matte, satin, and eggshell finishes in favor of semi gloss or high gloss. If you choose to paint the interiors, use an eggshell finish, which stands up well to the weight of heavy dishes.

Is semi-gloss good for kitchen cabinets?

Semi-gloss finishes boast a sleek, highly radiant sheen and can showcase a room’s architectural details. This finish is best for high-traffic areas, like bathrooms, kitchens, foyers, and mudrooms. It’s also suitable for cabinets or built-ins, trim, and doors.

How do I get a smooth finish on kitchen cabinets?

  1. Do Your Prep Work. …
  2. Use A Good Primer. …
  3. Use A Paint Sprayer. …
  4. Choose Lacquer Paint. …
  5. Purchase A High-Quality Paintbrush And Foam Roller. …
  6. Apply With A Brush And Finish With A Roller. …
  7. Layer Several Thin, Even Coats. …
  8. Sand Lightly Between Coats.

What is the most durable kitchen cabinet finish?

Waterborne UV finishes are the best quality for creating the most durable cabinetry. With its eco-friendly composition, and fast-drying features, waterborne UV cures are the top of the line cabinet finish in the marketplace. Whatever finish you choose, add a polyurethane varnish on top.

What finish to use on cabinets?

Oil-based polyurethane will give your cabinets a lustrous finish, deepen the wood’s color, and work well with almost any wood species. Needing three or four coats to ensure the maximum durability, semi-gloss finishes may take on a plastic-like finish, which some homeowners do not like.

How do you pick a paint sheen?

There’s a basic rule of thumb to follow when choosing paint sheens: The higher the sheen, the higher the shine — and the higher the shine, the more durable it will be. Flat paint has no shine; high-gloss is all shine. In between are eggshell, satin, and semi-gloss, each with its own practical and decorative job to do.

Article first time published on

Is eggshell paint OK for kitchen?

Use eggshell paint in the kitchen for walls farthest away from the stove. Eggshell is durable and washable without showing many imperfections. In fact, the sheen level is much like that of an actual eggshell. Satin paint is also a nice option, especially for walls nearest the stove and food preparation areas.

What is the best paint for kitchens?

  • Dulux. Easycare Kitchen Matt Emulsion Paint.
  • Ronseal. Satin Tile Paint.
  • Colours. Kitchen Matt Emulsion Paint.
  • Ronseal. Anti-Mould Paint.
  • Rust-Oleum. Kitchen Worktop Transformation Kit.
  • Dulux. Quick Dry Satinwood Paint.
  • Johnstone’s. …
  • Rust-Oleum.

Is egg shell good for kitchen cabinets?

Paint finishes come in gloss, semi-gloss, satin, eggshell and matte, any of which can be used on your cabinets. … Satin and eggshell – Both have a very slight shine and they hold up well to cleaning. Matte/flat – Reflects little light, making it great for covering up imperfections on the surface.

Is high gloss paint good for kitchen cabinets?

High gloss paint is often the go-to product when it comes to cabinets. Higher glosses translate to lower surface porosity, so stains and fingerprints don’t stick as easily. … Advance Interior behaves like an alkyd, or oil-based, paint but is a water-based paint. This allows you to clean up with warm water.

Is it better to roll or brush paint cabinets?

For wood, brushing is fine, but you may want to hire a professional for a good finish. Using a roller to paint cabinets is a lot faster than brush painting, however, the fabric on the roller will create a ‘bobbly’ texture on the surface. The texture a roller puts on cabinets makes it unsuitable for gloss paint.

What paint does Joanna Gaines use on cabinets?

Joanna Gaines shared her favorite kitchen paint color combinations based on her Magnolia Home line with the paint brand KILZ, and her picks will give any space a cozy atmosphere. All of Joanna’s favorite color combos have one aspect in common: They include white.

How do you avoid brush strokes when painting cabinets?

PAINTING CABINETS – when painting kitchen or bathroom cabinets, we suggest that you use a lint free roller to paint the flat surface areas on the cabinets. This helps to reduce any potential for brush strokes.

Which is better satin or semi-gloss paint?

Semi-gloss paint has a bit more sheen than satin. It’s also more resistant to moisture than other finishes, making it ideal for areas like bathrooms and kitchens. Semi-gloss is also a good option for trim and molding because it will stand out against walls painted with eggshell or satin finishes.

What is the difference between satin and semi-gloss finish?

The main difference between satin, semi-gloss, and gloss paint is the sheen, with each option being progressively shinier than the last. While semi-gloss and gloss generally offer higher levels of durability, satin still stands up admirably to wear and tear. As a result, beyond sheen, they are highly comparable.

Do you need special paint for kitchen cabinets?

Choose a high-quality paint. Special cabinet paints are available that provide a smooth finish, but any high-quality paint should work. Make sure your paint is acrylic, not vinyl. Acrylic latex-based paint is durable and easy to clean up.

What do pros use to paint cabinets?

We usually use professional-grade lacquer because it has a lovely, silky-smooth feel to it, and is what cabinet manufacturers use. We think it’s the best paint for cabinets, hands-down (although there are some great pro-level water-based options as well).

How long does paint on kitchen cabinets last?

When considering painting your cabinets versus replacing them, one major question you should ask is “How long will my painted cabinets last?” With proper care for your cabinets, you can expect them to last 8-10 years.

Do painted white cabinets last?

Under normal conditions, we fully expect our painted cabinets to last anywhere from 8-15 years without needing a fresh coat of paint.

Which paint finish is best?

Satin. Perhaps the best all-around player when it comes to durability. The look: Right in the middle of the sheen spectrum, a satin finish is more light-reflecting than eggshell without appearing as shiny as semigloss. The Lowdown: Hides imperfections like bumpy walls reasonably well, and it’s easy to clean.

Is matte or eggshell better?

When comparing eggshell vs matte paint, eggshell is slightly more reflective and a bit more durable. In contrast, matte paint tends to hide imperfections better than eggshell paint. Flat paints – are fine for ceilings and low-traffic areas like bedrooms.

Is Sherwin Williams paint better than Benjamin Moore?

When it comes down to Benjamin Moore vs Sherwin Williams, they’re both great brands. When it comes to the paint quality it’s not about the brand but about the actual paint. Both have lower and higher quality paints. Benjamin Moore tends to be more durable and touch up better.

Is satin finish good for kitchen cabinets?

The partially-glossy aesthetic of satin paint is normally reserved for walls, but satin can make a great finish for kitchen cabinets if paired with the right handles and fittings for the room.

Why does my eggshell paint look shiny?

The shiny reflective property of a paint’s sheen comes from a reflective particles in the paint. The more layers that are put on, the more light gets reflected back to the viewer. It’s odd that this has happened with a low sheen; I have seen this with satin and eggshell quite a bit myself.

Does satin paint wipe clean?

Satin paint has some sheen to it, and is an excellent choice for hardworking rooms, like kitchens and bathrooms. It stands up exceptionally well to scrubbing and regular cleaning.

Is Soft sheen paint suitable for kitchens?

Depending on several other conditions, you may be able to use vinyl matt emulsions, vinyl soft sheen (satin) paints or specially-formulated bathroom/kitchen paints. … It is often beneficial to choose matt paints for the ceiling of your bathroom or kitchen.

What is the difference between paint sheens?

Simply put, paints with a sheen reflect light and paints without a sheen absorb light. … Flat or matte paints absorb more light than they reflect, so they have no sheen. Semi-gloss and gloss paints reflect light, giving them a bright, shiny finish.