MAGNOLIA HOME BY JOANNA GAINES TRIM & CABINETRY INTERIOR SEMI-GLOSS 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.
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.
While much of Joanna's kitchen follows her traditional earthy color scheme, the designer has injected a notably darker hue across her kitchen cabinets – a deep, dark blue, which contrasts strongly with the softer green shiplap walls and cream countertops.
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.
If you're looking for a finish that will shine and reflect light once it hits it, opt for a semi-gloss finish. As the most popular sheen, semi-gloss provides your kitchen cabinets with a nice shine that is not overbearing.
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.
Sherwin Williams – Alabaster
Joanna painted the main living areas of her own farmhouse Alabaster and she continually uses it in homes she designs on Fixer Upper as well. It's a great color to use on walls and trim both. We painted the shiplap in Mouse House this color.
Kitchen walls and especially kitchen cabinets require a paint finish that's tough, easy to wipe down, and attractive. Satin and eggshell paint finishes work well for kitchen walls, while semi-gloss proves best for kitchen cabinets.
For Trim. Joanna's favorite color for trim is the "True White" hue. Pair it with neutrals, bright colors, or dark hues—it literally goes with everything.
The Best Finish for Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchens are heavy-use areas. They require a finish that can hold up to spills, are durable, and are easy to clean. Therefore, you may choose something like a gloss finish as the perfect option for your kitchen cabinets compared to matte and satin.
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.
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.
Fixer Upper: Welcome Home Season 1 was released on the Magnolia Network in 2021 with 9 episodes. Joanna uses several of the paint colors from the Magnolia paint line in the renovations. They have all of the sources available on their website, which is super helpful if you want more info!
Another fun fact? Joanna Gaines has used Alabaster so much it's one of her favorite colors! She painted the main living areas of her own farmhouse Alabaster and she continually uses it in homes she designs on Fixer Upper as well.
Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines® Wood Stain delivers oil-like performance without the odor in a thick, fast-drying water-based formula. This product is available in a curated palette, hand-picked by Joanna Gaines to enhance the natural beauty of your interior wood surfaces.
Kitchen cabinets with a semi-gloss finish offer a balance between a matte finish and a high-gloss look. The Finish adds a subtle shine to the cabinets that aren't too overpowering, yet still provides a bright and clean feel to the space.
Satin-finish paint has more of a matte finish than high-gloss or semi-gloss options. A satin finish keeps the pigment of the paint color true to its original hue but is shinier than a matte paint or a flat paint.
'The main differences between eggshell and satin are the level of sheen and durability,' adds Helen Shaw, director at Benjamin Moore. 'Satin is more reflective and delivers a glossier finish. It has better stain resistance and durability than lower sheens, including eggshell.
Joanna loves using grays in her homes for the main living spaces. Some of her favorites are Sherwin Williams Mindful gray, Oyster Pearl, and Passive Gray. Repose Gray is one shade lighter than Mindful and would look fabulous for an open living space.
Ever since Joanna Gaines (HGTV's Fixer Upper) used SW Alabaster for her farmhouse living room, it has been a go-to paint color for shiplap.
Sherwin-Williams Dover White SW6385
This is Erin's go-to white paint, and the one she most often use on the trim (below) of her own home. 'It makes any room feel warm and crisp,' she says. You can buy Dover White at Lowes.
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.
Always choose Satin, Semi-Gloss or High-Gloss instead of Flat or Eggshell paint sheens for cabinetry and woodwork. These three sheen options are available in Benjamin Moore ADVANCE Interior Paint; this high quality paint is our top choice for its furniture-like, smooth finish.
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.