Kitchens. For kitchens, we recommend semi-gloss or satin paints. Satin is a great choice as long as you have a backsplash surrounding surfaces that may be splattered by water or grease. If you don't have a backsplash in these areas, we recommend a semi-gloss for better durability and easier cleaning.
Satin and eggshell paint finishes work well for kitchen walls, while semi-gloss proves best for kitchen cabinets.
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 for painting over walls with surface imperfections. The best sheen is a personal preference.
However, if you want a highly reflective finish that will make your kitchen feel more spacious, glossy is the way to go. If you prefer a slightly more subdued shine that's still highly durable, then semi-gloss is the better option.
Semi-gloss paint enriches the color you choose to paint your cabinet, making it a perfect choice for lighter colors. Satin or eggshell paints, like matte, are typically not the best choice for kitchen cabinets. The flat finish makes the paint harder to clean and maintain.
Go for the gloss.
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.
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.
There are a few different options when it comes to kitchen cabinet finishes. The most popular finish is paint, followed by stained wood, and then laminate. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks, so it's important to choose the option that best suits your needs.
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.
The most durable kitchen cabinet finish is a catalyzed conversion varnish. This is the most durable finish available for wood. It's chemical and moisture resistant, making it easy to clean. It's also more flexible.
Kitchen Trends to Avoid: Gloss Kitchen Finishes
Today they are more often overlooked in favour of matt or textured surfaces. The main reason for this is that gloss kitchens can quickly look dated; their appearance is often less fresh and modern compared with matt kitchen doors which provide timeless, lasting elegance.
Matte cabinets are typically easier to clean because they are less prone to scratches and fingerprints. If you have small children or pets, it's probably best to go with matte cabinets. But be sure to check for heat resistance; vinyl laminates can give you a beautiful smooth finish, but some have poor heat resistance.
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.
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.
So what is the best paint for kitchen walls? If you've got a tight kitchen, always go for a Soft Sheen Kitchen paint for the best durability. If you've got a bigger kitchen, think about a Soft Sheen finish around sinks, cookers and prep areas - but you should be fine with a normal Flat Matt paint in more open areas.
SEMI-GLOSS
pros: Reflects a significant amount of light and is easy to clean. cons: Reveals every imperfection in your walls, every brushstroke, and the frequent “orange-peel finish” of a roller brush. where to use it: It's ideal for doors, trim, casework, bathrooms, and kitchens.
They were used in modern kitchens with a space-age aesthetic – but it was a style that fell out of fashion for the flattest, most-matte cabinetry styles which are, by in large, still in fashion today. However, we're now starting to see high gloss return to kitchen design, albeit in a different form.
'High gloss cabinets are a trend that has come and gone,' says Andrea Rodman, 'they have a strong dated feel. Softer matt finishes take their place as the more desired look. ' Not only have matt finishes replaced gloss as the choice du jour, but unique textured finishes have become increasingly popular.
CONVERSION VARNISH vs LACQUER
For the best custom cabinet finish, our choice is Conversion Varnish (CV) over Lacquer, and here's why… The CV topcoat is extremely durable and easy to clean. It is resistant to heat, water, wear, solvents, acids, and alkalis.
Gloss Finish
Both modern and on-trend, high gloss cabinets give your kitchen a luxurious look and feel.
White is still the most popular kitchen cabinet color in 2023 and beyond. However, we are seeing a shift towards warmer and more natural tones. We cover the best colors for cabinets from Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams like Simply White, Dove White, and Chantilly Lace.
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.
1. Appearance: Satin is a low-sheen alternative to semi-gloss, which will reflect more light off its surface. If you are painting interior walls across large windows, a satin paint can soften the glare of sunlight entering the room.
Semi-Gloss Paint
Semi-gloss is available in most Benjamin Moore interior paints, but we especially love the look of Advance® Interior Semi-Gloss (793); it cures to a smooth, furniture-like finish, and its glossy look makes it one of the best paint finishes for kitchen 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).