Is Matt or soft sheen better for kitchen?

Author: Nathen Ortiz  |  Last update: Sunday, May 4, 2025

Finishes with a bit of shine like soft sheen are usually destined for wet areas in the kitchen or bathroom, because they resist moisture and wipe clean easily.

What is the best sheen for a kitchen?

Recommendation: For most kitchens, a semi-gloss finish is the best choice. It strikes the perfect balance between durability, ease of cleaning, and aesthetic appeal. Satin finishes are also a good choice if you prefer less shine, while gloss finishes are great for a more modern, high-impact look.

Should kitchen cabinets be shiny or matte?

For most kitchens, a semi-gloss finish is the best choice. It strikes the perfect balance between durability, ease of cleaning, and aesthetic appeal. Satin finishes are also a good choice if you prefer less shine, while gloss finishes are great for a more modern, high-impact look.

What sheen should a kitchen ceiling be?

Normally, ceilings should be a flat paint, walls an eggshell paint, trim can be either satin or semi-gloss paint. But in bathrooms and kitchens, ceilings, walls and trim should be wither satin or semi-gloss.

Should I use matte or satin finish for kitchen?

Recommendation: For most kitchens, a semi-gloss finish is the best choice. It strikes the perfect balance between durability, ease of cleaning, and aesthetic appeal. Satin finishes are also a good choice if you prefer less shine, while gloss finishes are great for a more modern, high-impact look.

Paint Sheen Differences Explained In 5 Minutes

What is the most durable kitchen finish?

Polyurethane: A type of varnish that is made from a mixture of resin and polyurethane. It's the most durable type of wood varnish, and it's also resistant to water, scratches, and fading.

What are the pros and cons of Matt kitchen cabinets?

This type of kitchen finish is great because it is relatively cheap, very durable, and is extremely resistant to delamination. For this reason, this option is attractive for those looking to renovate their kitchen for the long-term. The downside to matt laminate is that the surface could be a little smoother.

Can you use Matt paint on kitchen ceiling?

The issue with using retail matt, contract matt, or vinyl matt emulsion on a kitchen ceiling is that it remains porous. This means it is absorbent and won't stand up to steam and other contaminants. You should therefore use durable emulsion on a kitchen ceiling.

What is the best paint for kitchen walls?

Acrylic paint has all of the fantastic qualities you need in paint for your kitchen walls that will provide longevity.

Is Matt or soft sheen better for ceilings?

Matt or low sheen (3-5% sheen) - the most popular and widely used finish. It's suitable for most interior wall applications including ceilings. Soft or mid sheen (7-10% sheen) - works in areas of high moisture which need a more durable finish.

Should a kitchen backsplash be glossy or matte?

Both offer classic design styles, but their finishes significantly impact the overall feel of your space. Matte finishes, with their light-absorbing texture, foster a warm and inviting atmosphere. Glossy tiles, on the other hand, reflect light, making your kitchen appear brighter and more spacious.

Should kitchen cabinets be flat or satin?

Satin finishes have a lower shine and more of a matte finish, which makes them less prone to showing scratches and wear but may be a bit harder to clean. For high-traffic areas like the kitchen or bathroom, a satin finish may be a better choice as it's more durable and easy to clean.

Are matte kitchen cabinets hard to clean?

They can be more difficult to clean

Wiping them with a damp cloth can also sometimes leave streaks, so extra care and attention will be needed when it's time to clean them. For best results, use a microfibre cloth to clean your matt kitchen cabinets.

Is soft sheen good for kitchens?

A soft sheen paint is ideal for those high-traffic areas of your space that should be maintenance-friendly, such as kitchens and kids bedrooms, allowing for cleaning without having to compromise on durability.

What sheen does Joanna Gaines use on kitchen cabinets?

SEMI-GLOSS

Glossy and sleek, this sheen shines, but does not compete, allowing other colors near it to have their moment. Ideal for: Cabinets.

Is gloss or matt better for kitchens?

Matt finish kitchens are great for making kitchens seem smaller than they really are. The high gloss kitchen does the opposite. Your kitchen will appear more spacious by reflecting light, making it an ideal choice for a high gloss small kitchen.

Is matt paint ok for a kitchen?

That is where durable matt emulsions come in, such as Crown Trade Clean Extreme Scrubbable Matt & Dulux Trade Diamond Matt, that offer added durability in a matt finish. This added durability allows them to be repeatedly wiped without causing damage to the paint, which is perfect for hallways, bathrooms & kitchens.

What paint sheen is best for kitchens?

Since kitchens are such a busy part of a home and often need extra cleaning, a satin or semi-gloss finish is the best options. Satin and eggshell finishes are commonly believed to be the same, but in fact, satin is a bit shinier. Satin finishes are easy to clean and good at standing up to mildew, stains and dirt.

What is the most popular paint finish for kitchen walls?

5 Most Commonly Used Paints
  • Water based Paint. About 3/4 of the paint purchased by consumers is water based, often referred to as latex paint. ...
  • Oil based Paint. ...
  • Elastomeric Paint. ...
  • Enamel Paint. ...
  • Dual-component Paint (Epoxies and Urethanes)

What is the best paint to use in a kitchen?

Kitchens can often be a moist environment as a result of steam from food and cleaning, so it's important to choose durable paints that can resist stains and moisture. In most cases, the best type of paint for kitchens is an interior acrylic paint that is washable and moisture-resistant.

What sheen to use on kitchen ceiling?

For kitchens and bathrooms, you may want a more washable paint finish. Choose an eggshell or satin paint over a flat paint.

What is the best paint for kitchen walls and ceilings?

Tried and tested brands, like Dulux, are popular with tradespeople. Opt for trade Vinyl Silk, Soft Sheen, Diamond Matt emulsion and Easycare kitchen paint. These Dulux paints are designed to withstand the moisture of kitchens and bathrooms. Moreover, they can be wiped down and are tough and durable.

Is matte or satin better for kitchen cabinets?

A satin cabinet finish is more long lasting and provides slightly less reflectiveness. Such features gives the material a brighter finish compared to matte. When applied to kitchen custom cabinets, it will result in a soft, silky, and a little glowy appearance.

What kitchen cabinet never goes out of style?

Shaker-Style Cabinets

Known for their simple design and recessed-panel doors, Shaker cabinets have been in style for more than 100 years. Shaker cabinets are popular in farmhouse kitchens, but they also work with a variety of home decor styles.

What is the most popular finish for kitchen cabinets?

Semi-Gloss Finish

As the most popular sheen, semi-gloss provides your kitchen cabinets with a nice shine that is not overbearing.

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