What is the best sheen for kitchen cabinets?

Author: Tomasa Jones PhD  |  Last update: Tuesday, June 28, 2022

While there are many types of paint to choose from, the best paint for kitchen cabinets is typically semi-gloss, gloss or satin. Matte is not practical in kitchens and baths where you will need durable paint you can easily clean.

Is semi gloss or satin 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.

What is the most common paint finish on kitchen cabinets?

Satin. Satin finish is the most popular type of interior paint. Satin paint's velvety sheen makes it better suited to high-traffic kitchens than eggshell or matte finishes.

Should cabinets be matte or glossy?

Since glossy finishes are the quickest to show scratches and stains, matte finishes are ideal for those who want to hide their furniture's imperfections. On the other hand, cabinets with a matte finish absorb light instead of reflecting it. As a result, this finish will not help your space feel bigger.

How do professionals paint kitchen cabinets?

How To Paint Kitchen Cabinets Like A Pro In 9 Steps
  1. Assess the condition of your kitchen cabinets. ...
  2. Remove and label the doors and drawer faces. ...
  3. Put down drop cloths. ...
  4. Clean the cabinets. ...
  5. Lightly sand your cabinets. ...
  6. Prime your kitchen cabinets. ...
  7. Inspect the primer. ...
  8. Paint your kitchen cabinets like a pro.

Cabinet Finish Options

Is semi gloss too shiny for kitchen cabinets?

If you're looking for a luxurious finish that makes your kitchen feel cozy, then eggshell finish is the best. It is also easier to clean and can better hide scratches and dirt. However, if you want a safe finish which makes the kitchen space seem larger, then semi-gloss is your friend.

What type of paint should you use on kitchen cabinets?

Acrylic latex-based paint is durable and easy to clean up. With latex paints, always follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding cure time. A gloss finish will make your cabinets sheen, but it may show a lot of dings or mistakes. Semi-gloss or satin finishes are typically used for kitchens.

Is Eggshell paint good for kitchen cabinets?

Paint finishes come in gloss, semi-gloss, satin, eggshell and matte, any of which can be used on your cabinets. Gloss and semi-gloss - Both create a shiny appearance, making them great for trim. They wipe up quickly and easily, which can make them attractive for some busy kitchens.

Should cabinets be eggshell or satin?

Eggshell paints are however a bit more resistant to wear and tear. They're probably best suited for walls and ceilings in rooms that receive low traffic. Satin: This is a perfect balance that offers the best of both worlds. It provides an elegant and versatile kitchen cabinet finish that is perfect for active kitchens.

Is satin or eggshell better?

Of the two, satin is more durable and is slightly less likely to scuff or mark than eggshell and it's easier to clean when it does get marked. This makes it a better choice, especially for woodwork such as painting skirting boards, than eggshell for high traffic areas like hallways and living rooms.

Is eggshell finish OK for kitchen?

Lowest paint sheen recommended for kitchens is eggshell. If you do not fry a lot, and/or have an open space floor-plan for kitchen, dinning room, eating area, eggshell paint sheen works well.

How do I get a smooth finish on kitchen cabinets?

How To Get A Smooth Finish When Painting 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 difference between cabinet paint and regular paint?

The two primary differences between oil-based paint and latex-based paint on kitchen cabinets are final texture and dry time. Oil-based is more traditional and popular with purists who like the “painterly” look of brush marks, while latex gives a more consistent finish.

How can I paint my kitchen cabinets without brush marks?

If your cabinets are stained, apply at least two coats of quality primer. For me, there's nothing better than BIN, Zinsser's shellac-based pigmented primer. It dries fast and flat, without brush marks (unlike most oil-based primers). You can buy it at home and hardware stores, as well as online (view on Amazon).

How many coats of paint do I need for cabinets?

Two coats of paint are essential for cabinets—you're building a surface. By the way, to get the nicest finish, use a brush, a 2- to 2 1/2-inch fine bristle brush. Whatever paint you use, ventilate the room—direct a fan out the window—and wear the masks they sell in paint stores.

Can I use regular wall paint on cabinets?

Can I Use Regular Paint To Paint Cabinets? Painting wood cabinets is the best option, but painting any surface that can be scuffed with sandpaper is also possible. Cabinet paints can be used to give your cabinet a smooth finish, but you should use a high-quality paint. Vinyl is not the best choice for your paint.

What paint does Joanna Gaines use on cabinets?

Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines Trim, Door + Cabinetry Interior Paint is a water-based acrylic product designed for surfaces such as kitchen and bathroom cabinets, trim, window frames and doors. It offers the hardness of a traditional oil-based paint in an acrylic formula.

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.

Should you paint cabinets with a brush or roller?

Cabinet Painting with a Roller & a Brush

On the fronts and backs of drawers and doors, you can use a roller. This will apply the paint in a more smooth and even manner and is much faster than only using a paint brush. Then, use a brush for touching up small areas or for hard-to-reach spots.

What is the best paint finish for a kitchen?

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.

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.

What sheen do interior designers use?

Eggshell. Havenly interior designer Melissa Wagner always recommends clients use satin or eggshell finishes, as “they're middle-of-the-road and aren't as 'controversial' as gloss or flat finishes.”

What paint finish do designers use?

Eggshell is always an interior designer's preferred paint finish, which is why our founder, Nicole, an interior designer, chose this as our ultimate finish for walls. The name eggshell stems from the fact the finish appears mostly flat with just a touch of luster... similar to a chicken egg!

Is Sherwin Williams satin and eggshell the same?

Satin and low-lustre paints have a slightly higher sheen than eggshell finishes. Paints in this category are warmer and provide a greater appearance of depth than flat paints. They also resist stains better than flat paints.

Is Benjamin Moore or Sherwin-Williams better?

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.

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