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.
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.
We recommend two of the best paints for kitchens: Dulux Trade Diamond Matt and Crown Trade Clean Extreme.
Because of its durability, many people choose a satin finish for bathrooms, kitchens, and kids' rooms. Satin is also a popular choice for trim, especially if you want to emphasize the architecture of a space.
The special ingredient that makes Dulux Easycare the best paint for kitchens. Our Easycare Kitchen wall paint resists all sorts of everyday cooking stains. The special ingredient is a grease-proof formula that stops greasy splashes soaking in.
Avoid using eggshell paint in high-contact, high-traffic areas such as door and window trim, baseboards, cabinetry, and doors. It's best to use semi-gloss paint in these areas.
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.
4 Colors to Avoid When Painting Your Kitchen
Allen agrees, noting that very bright and bold colors, such as red or orange, should be avoided, as they can be overwhelming for the space. Allen also notes that homeowners are better off skipping the darker hues.
'Satin finishes have a subtle sheen that adds depth to the surface while still maintaining a smooth appearance. This makes satin finish an excellent choice for kitchen walls, where frequent cleaning and occasional splashes are common. '
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.
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.
Standard emulsion wall paint doesn't always stand up to the kind of moisture and oily marks you'd get around the cooking and sink areas, so it's often sensible to choose a specific Kitchen paint. Kitchen paint has a Soft Sheen finish, which makes it slightly shiny and more durable.
Pros: A satin finish reflects more light than matte and stands up well to washing. You can use this finish in high-traffic areas such as a bathroom, the kitchen, and a kid's room as well as on trim and molding throughout the house.
Kitchen paint is designed to be more durable and long–lasting in humid environments. It resists peeling, cracking, and blistering, ensuring a more resilient finish in comparison to regular paint.
While there is no best way to clean walls before painting, most walls can be washed using a sponge and warm water. For surfaces that have exposure to oil or grime, like kitchen walls, wash with a solution of water and grease-cutting detergent and follow up with clean water to remove any residual cleaning agent.
Use satin or eggshell finishes for kitchen walls. Aim for a subtle sheen that adds warmth. Prioritize paints formulated for high-traffic areas. Ensure ease of cleaning and maintenance.
Soft grey is the ideal neutral colour for kitchens if you want to keep the design timeless yet modern, as it's more muted than other monochrome shades like black or white. Pale yellow or mustard will warm up any kitchen and bring a subtle hint of colour to the space.
Beige: The Neutral Backbone of Any Room
This versatile neutral never goes out of style because it effortlessly complements any space while adding warmth and balance. Its ability to blend into different décor styles has made it a go-to for creating cozy, welcoming rooms.
Duration Home® Interior Acrylic Latex
Transform your kitchen with Duration®, the best paint for kitchen cabinets, walls, and high-traffic areas.
In 2024, we're seeing a lean towards warmer greys that add a cozy feel to the kitchen. In fact, Sherwin Williams has named "Upward," a soft, midrange blue with gray undertones, as its 2024 Color of the Year.
Go with Light Colors
White kitchens are very trendy right now, but they offer more benefits than just being beautiful. Light colors are more reflective than dark colors and they will make your kitchen appear bigger as well as more open and airy.
I always, always, always recommend to my customers a high-grade washable flat, even in bathrooms and kitchens, though if any room in the house is going to get satin or eggshell (for the added washability), I would suggest only the kitchen, unless there is a great deal of natural light.
Behr makes highly rated, award-winning paints, stains, and more that deliver superior value at every price point so everyone can transform their space into the look they want with the colors they love.
Flat paint soaks up light and hides imperfections, while satin paint reflects light and may highlight them. Satin paint is best for smooth walls with no imperfections. Flat paint is best for bedrooms, offices, and calm spaces. Consider how you use the space and how frequently you clean the walls before deciding.