A gloss finish is often preferred for modern kitchens due to its sleek and contemporary appearance. It adds a high-end, polished look to the space. while semi-gloss finishes are more traditional and classic.
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.
Increased Durability
The higher resin content in semi-gloss paints ensures that your cabinets will be able to withstand these conditions without showing signs of wear or damage. This makes semi-gloss finishes ideal for painting kitchen cabinets, where durability is crucial.
Cons: The Disadvantages of High-Gloss Kitchen Cabinet Doors
Because of its reflective property, light fingerprints, dirt, and even scratches can be easily spotted on these kinds of cabinets in comparison to matte or semi-gloss cabinets.
Acrylic Latex Paint: This is a popular choice for cabinets due to its durability, easy cleanup, and low odor. Look for a high-quality, semi-gloss or satin finish for a smooth surface and easy maintenance.
MAGNOLIA HOME BY JOANNA GAINES® TRIM, DOOR + CABINETRY INTERIOR SEMI-GLOSS PAINT 4.5 out of 5 stars, average rating value.
In 2025, high-gloss cabinets are setting the stage for sleek, modern kitchens. With their reflective surfaces and contemporary appeal, glossy finishes are a game-changer for homeowners seeking a modern vibe. Discover how Home Decorators Collection Cabinetry can help you achieve this cutting-edge look below.
The Cons of a Gloss Finish
Another downside, particularly with acrylic gloss units, is that they're quite easy to scratch.
Semi-Gloss Finish
As the most popular sheen, semi-gloss provides your kitchen cabinets with a nice shine that is not overbearing. Semi-gloss finishes like polyurethane are known for their easy application and high durability.
Tip: Emerald® Urethane Trim Enamel in Gloss, Semi-Gloss or Satin sheen is among the best paint for kitchen cabinets because it has excellent flow and leveling characteristics, resulting in a smooth and durable finish.
To sum up, a gloss finish will give your kitchen an expensive, sophisticated, and modern look. A matte finish is more subtle, soft, and cozy, and works well if your kitchen has a more traditional look. So, consider the style of your kitchen when deciding between gloss and matte cabinetry.
For those looking for paint rollers for a smooth finish, high-density foam rollers should be your first stop. While high-density foam rollers are great, they are not the only option. Lint-free short nap rollers are another excellent choice for achieving a smooth finish.
Things to consider
Kitchen cabinets are painted in industrial settings with industrial-grade paints and equipment that sprays the paint onto the wood surface with high velocity. It is usually lacquer or enamel-type oil-based paint and it might have undergone an additional curing process.
Wood, wood-laminate and metal cabinets usually can be repainted without difficulty. Plastic laminate cabinets might not accept a topcoat of paint — those that can be refinished often require special paints and techniques, and results can vary.
Once your cabinets are clean and dry, use a 100 or 150-grit sandpaper to roughen up the surface of the cabinets. Cabinet paint won't adhere properly to a smooth or shiny surface. You don't need to completely remove the prior finish, just rough up the surface enough to give the primer something to stick to.
Semi-gloss finish: While both gloss and semi-gloss finishes offer good durability, semi-gloss is often considered slightly more forgiving of minor scratches and wear due to its lower level of shine. It can withstand everyday use and cleaning without showing signs of wear as quickly as gloss finishes might.
The 'dated' high gloss kitchen is also being reimagined for 2025. Futuristic, space-age, glossy kitchens first gained popularity back in the '70s, with a small resurgence in the 2010s, before we all fell for the matte cabinet styles that are so popular today.
Semi-gloss sheen is a popular choice for kitchen cabinets as it has a moderate level of gloss and is fairly easy to maintain. It provides a subtle shine that adds depth and dimension to the cabinets, while still being relatively forgiving when it comes to scratches and cleaning.
Below, we discuss the best cabinet color options for a kitchen remodeling project for a beautiful aesthetic that's always on point. Arguably, the most timeless kitchen cabinet color is white. Bright white cabinets suit a variety of beautiful kitchens, including modern, contemporary, and farmhouse styles.
White kitchens remain an indispensable choice for renovations in 2024, combining versatility and timeless elegance. Our kitchen designers know how to maximize the potential of white kitchens to create spaces that suit all tastes, from classic to modern, trendy, and contemporary.
They reflect light well
One of the biggest benefits of high gloss kitchens is their ability to reflect light. Whether it's natural or artificial lighting, gloss kitchens can reflect light back into the room, making the space feel brighter and more open.
Beige is emerging as the new go-to neutral, adding warm and inviting tones to interiors. In this article, we'll explore why beige is taking over and how to use it in your home. Beige is replacing gray as a popular interior color, offering warmth and versatility for various design styles.
Blonde and mid-tone browns are classic choices that never go out of style. Bleached or super dark stains tend to wave with trends and can make a kitchen appear very dated when not in style. Avoid stains with a heavy undertone like red, orange, or grey as these will also wane with kitchen trends.
So, if you're thinking about a kitchen remodel, remember oak cabinets are far from being a thing of the past. With their timeless charm, myriad color options, and the ability to incorporate updates, these might just be the perfect choice for your dream space.