There are many types of paint to choose from, but the best paint for kitchen cabinets is semi-gloss, gloss or satin. Matte is not practical in kitchens and baths where you will need durable paint you can easily clean.
Natural light: Gloss cabinetry will magnify the natural light in your kitchen. Matte finishes soften the appearance of the cabinetry while adding depth and dimension. High-gloss cabinetry can make the room feel brighter and larger than it really is; in rooms that don't have great natural light, this can be a plus.
Kitchen Size
The larger the space, the more likely it is that a glossy finish will help reflect light and provide an overall brighter feel to the room. On the other hand, if your kitchen is on the smaller side, then matte paint can be a great choice to add some texture and depth to your cabinets.
Concealing: Matte finishes are great if you're the kind of homeowner who doesn't want to be cleaning cabinet surfaces of smudges, stains and scratches too often. These kinds of marks show up more often with gloss finishes, but matte finishes show subtler appearances and do not reflect light in the same way.
Thanks to it's reflective qualities, gloss kitchen doors are often the choice for smaller kitchen spaces where you need to induce a feeling of space where there may be less available. With the light absorbing matt, on the other hand, the walls close in, the space feels darker and smaller.
Disadvantages of high gloss kitchens
Since marks are more visible, you may need to wipe them a little more regularly. This can be annoying if you're constantly leaving fingerprints on the doors, but it's quick and easy to fix – especially if they're handleless.
High gloss cabinets are popular in contemporary kitchen design due to their modern and sleek appearance. Their stylish appearance, paired with vast customization options, allows homeowners to achieve a personalized and sophisticated kitchen décor.
Alkyd paints are your go-to product if you want to paint kitchen cabinets like a professional. Alkyd paint is not typically used on walls but is commonly used on metal or wood and cabinets. It is a good choice for cabinetry because it has a hard and durable finish.
There are many types of paint to choose from, but the best paint for kitchen cabinets is semi-gloss, gloss or satin. Matte is not practical in kitchens and baths where you will need durable paint you can easily clean.
“Oil-based paint is the preferred formulation for cabinets due to its leveling qualities while painting, and stain-resistance and clean-up once they're in use,” says Hathaway. “Latex paint offers easy cleanup but doesn't have the ease of care that oil-based paint offers.”
Lighter colours reflect more light, so the lighter the colour, the higher the reflection of light. That is why white is the most in-demand colour choice for gloss kitchens. High-gloss kitchen cabinets are easy to clean, and homeowners will appreciate it!
A glossy finish will come with an ultra-smooth, shiny appearance. It's also very colour rich and vibrant. Whereas matte paper gives off a duller, more subtle finish. Therefore, the content and images on a glossy finish will strike the audience more effectively.
One of the reasons why a matt finish is highly sought-after by homeowners is because imperfections are not as noticeable on the surface. This means fingerprint marks, scratches and others will not easily be noticed unlike in a glossy finish.
However, thanks to advanced technology in premium paints, matte finishes are now as durable as gloss finishes, meaning they can be used in any room – even humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms.
With frequent exposure to water, humidity, and cooking grease, a durable and washable finish is critical. The best paint finish for kitchen cabinets is typically semi-gloss or high-gloss. High-gloss finishes are extremely durable and, when professionally applied, have a sleek sophisticated look.
Overall, the best finish for painting cabinets is semi-gloss. It ensures maximum durability and is ideal for high moisture areas like bathrooms and basements. I have painted all the natural oak cabinets in my home in a variety of colors using semi-gloss.
Tip: Emerald® Urethane Trim Enamel, Gloss, Semi-Gloss or Satin Sheen is among the best paint for kitchen cabinet top coats because it has excellent flow and leveling characteristics, which means a smooth and durable finish on cabinets, doors and trim.
Whether or not you sand the cabinets before painting, you will want to use an interior enamel paint designed for cabinets, doors, or trim. Most cabinet paints are satin or semi-gloss.
Always sand down before applying any layer of paint. Sanding can remove any stray brush marks and smooth the surface so that your next layer of paint coats smoothly.
The Cons of a Gloss Finish
While gloss kitchens are easier to clean, they also need to be cleaned more often as those dirty marks and fingerprints will show up more easily. Another downside, particularly with acrylic gloss units, is that they're quite easy to scratch.
High gloss cabinets have been one of those outdated kitchen trends for a long time. Though some people believe that it will come back, it seems not very likely in the near future.
Glossy Kitchen Cabinet Design
High-gloss finishes will never be outdated or go out of style or trend in 2023.
It Shows Imperfections
Especially when it comes to hiding preexisting blemishes on the walls or ceilings. Because there's an accelerated amount of sheen, you will be able to see the imperfections. That being said, they're easy to clean, so if you bump or scuff a high gloss paint, it'll be easier to scrub off.