What paint finish for kitchen walls?

Author: Pearline Torphy  |  Last update: Monday, June 30, 2025

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 best finish paint for kitchen walls?

When it comes to kitchens, you definitely want a paint finish that can handle a little water, soap, and elbow grease. This makes satin or semi-gloss paint finishes a perfect choice.

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)

Is eggshell or satin better for kitchen walls?

Satin finishes have an average sheen, which tends to be slightly higher than eggshell finishes. A satin finish is easy to clean, making it suitable for high-traffic areas like the sink area, door, and kitchen island. This special paint finish is ideal if you are trying to brighten up your kitchen walls.

Is semi-gloss or satin better for kitchen?

Some people fear that semi-gloss paint is a bit too shiny for their liking and opt to go eggshell or satin in their kitchens or bathrooms, but for unparalleled protection and wipe-ability, semi-gloss really is the more thorough choice.

PAINT SHEEN GUIDE | What Paint Finish Should You Use? | How to Choose Paint

What paint is best for kitchen walls?

Kitchen Paint
  • Bestseller. ...
  • Zinsser Interior Perma White Matt. ...
  • Farrow and Ball Estate Eggshell. ...
  • Johnstone's Trade Acrylic Durable Matt Tinted Colour Match. ...
  • Little Greene Intelligent Matt Emulsion. ...
  • Johnstone's Trade Acrylic Durable Eggshell Tinted Colour Match. ...
  • Dulux Trade Diamond Matt Tinted Colour Match.

What is the most common sheen for kitchen cabinets?

INDUSTRY STANDARD FOR CABINETS

Typically most semi-custom and custom cabinet companies use about a 20 – 25 degree sheen as a topcoat finish. The result is what some might define as a semi-gloss finish.

What is the best paint for greasy kitchen walls?

Semi-gloss paints are highly resistant to grease and moisture, making them ideal for high-contact areas, while satin finishes provide a softer sheen and easier cleaning.

Can I use satin paint on kitchen walls?

Satin paint can be used in a variety of rooms around the house from living rooms and kitchens to bathrooms and hallways. This paint has a high level of durability and versatility, making it a popular choice for a range of surfaces and areas of the home.

Should I use matte or satin finish for kitchen?

Matte Finish: A non-reflective surface that absorbs light for a smooth, modern aesthetic. It's ideal for disguising fingerprints and minor flaws, making it both stylish and practical. Satin Finish: Offers a soft, pearl-like sheen that's not too matte, not too glossy.

Is eggshell ok for the kitchen?

Eggshell Paint Finish

This makes it a great choice for cabinets in high-traffic areas like a kitchen or bathroom. The slight sheen helps to protect the surface from scratches and dings. This makes it more resistant to wear and tear. Another benefit of eggshell paint finish is that it is easy to clean.

What paint finish do professionals use?

Eggshell Paint

Eggshell finish, perennially popular with professional and DIY painters alike, has a low-sheen reminiscent of flat or matte, but it is infinitely more durable than its namesake.

What is the most popular kitchen wall paint?

What are the most popular kitchen paint colors? Off-whites, neutrals, blues, grays and greens are all timeless kitchen paint colors. The color palette below brings together 12 of the best kitchen paint colors—all tried-and-tested hues that homeowners love.

What paint do most professional painters use?

Professional painters frequently utilize premium paints, such as Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams, for their work. Sherwin-Williams is widely regarded as one of the top paint brands, providing a broad range of premium quality paints, including environmentally friendly options.

What type of Sherwin-Williams paint is best for kitchen?

Oil/Alkyd. Good adhesion, excellent durability and stain resistance make Sherwin-Williams oil/alkyd-based paints excellent choices for trim in high-traffic rooms, such as kitchens and bathrooms.

Do designers use flat or eggshell paint?

Eggshell is always an interior designer's preferred paint finish, which is why we 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 satin or semigloss better for kitchen walls?

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 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. Remember, always use a water-based primer with your water-based acrylic paint for the best adhesion and long-lasting paint job.

Is satin or flat paint better for kitchen?

For low-traffic areas like bedrooms, go for flat or eggshell finishes. They're elegant and don't shine too much. But if you're tackling high-traffic spots like hallways or kitchens, satin or semi-gloss finishes are the way to go. They're durable and easy to clean, perfect for those inevitable messes.

Which paint sheen is best for kitchen and bathroom walls?

Tip: Eggshell vs. satin finishes. Both are both popular for high-traffic areas and are considered the best for painting walls. Experts recommend choosing satin over eggshell when painting areas exposed to moisture, like bathrooms and kitchens.

Should kitchen walls be washed before painting?

Cleaning walls and trim will remove grime, cobwebs, dust and stains that can prevent your paint from adhering. Use a mixture of lukewarm water and mild soap, gently rubbing in a circular motion.

What is better, eggshell or satin?

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.

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 eggshell good for kitchen walls?

Eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss paint finish works best on kitchen walls. Backsplash areas may benefit from semi-gloss or even high-gloss paint since they are likely to be scrubbed more often than other parts of the wall.

What is the best paint for a greasy kitchen?

Semi-Gloss Paint:

Semi-gloss finishes are durable, easy to clean, and resistant to moisture, making them ideal for kitchen environments.

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