Are you looking to give your kitchen a quick and easy makeover? Painting your kitchen cabinets is a low-effort, affordable way to elevate the appearance of your kitchen space. Before customizing kitchen cabinets for optimal storage organization, a few coats of the right paint can make a dramatic difference. But what is the best cabinet paint for kitchens?
There are various factors to take into consideration when determining the best paint for kitchen cabinets. Explore this in-depth guide on the best paint to paint kitchen cabinets with, and get ready to transform your cooking, eating, and entertaining space.
Best Paint for Softwood Kitchen Cabinets
Softwoods are the woods that come from evergreens, such as spruce, cedar, and pine. This type of wood tends to be smooth.
When choosing a paint for your softwood kitchen cabinets, find one that is durable, has a smooth finish, and offers excellent adhesion to the wood surface. Consider consulting with a paint professional at a local home improvement store for personalized advice based on your specific needs and preferences.
Here are paints that work well on softwood cabinets:
- Acrylic paint: This paint is easy to work and dries quickly. It is excellent for softwood because it is durable and offers good adhesion and elasticity.
- Oil-based paint: These paints provide good adhesion and durability. The finish is smooth and resistant to wear and tear. Keep in mind that oil-based paints take longer to dry and have a strong odor.
- Latex paint: This water-based paint is easy to clean and low on odor emissions.
When reviewing the descriptions of acrylic vs. oil vs. latex paint, it is easy to see why oil has become a less common paint for interior projects. Most people these days opt for acrylic or latex.
Acrylic paint is often considered the best paint for kitchen cabinets made from softwood, as it has excellent durability and elasticity, which can help prevent cracking and peeling. Before embarking on the softwood painting project, be sure to clean, sand, and prime the cabinets for better paint adhesion.
Best Paint for Hardwood Kitchen Cabinets
Paints for kitchen cabinets are generally formulated with higher levels of resins than traditional wall paint. This helps prevent dirt, scratching, and staining on high-touch areas. Hardwood tends to be more resistant to wear and tear than softwood, allowing for a wider range of paint options.
While latex, acrylic, and oil-based paint work well on hardwood, water-based alkyd paint is the premier choice for hardwood kitchen cabinets. This type of paint is durable, like oil-based paint, without the off-gassing. Consider alkyd paint as a cross between acrylic and oil paint. This type of paint will not fade and dries harder, making it an excellent option for high-touch areas.
What Paint Finish Is Best for Kitchen Cabinets?
Paint finish options are matte, semi-gloss, gloss, and satin. Avoid matte paints for kitchen cabinets because this finish is challenging to clean.
Semi-gloss is one of the most popular choices for paint finish on kitchen cabinets because it offers durability and resistance to fading from sunlight exposure. It’s versatility and easy-to-clean surface also make semi-gloss a popular choice for many rooms in the house. Semi-gloss paint enriches the color you choose to paint your cabinet, making it a perfect choice for lighter colors.
Satin or eggshell paints, like matte, are typically not the best choice for kitchen cabinets. The flat finish makes the paint harder to clean and maintain.
Next Step: Custom Shelves and Pull-Out Drawers
Once you’ve finished painting, the next step is to look into custom shelves and pull-out drawers. Schedule a consultation with your local Shelf Genie® team, and our designers will come to your residence and work with you on a real-time 3D rendering of your custom shelves. You’ll get to keep your design and adjust it at any time before installation. Our experts will arrive at your door to install high-quality and long-lasting shelves. Since most of the work is done prior to the installation appointment, about 98% of installations only take one day. We back all our services with the Neighborly Done Right Promise™.
Book an online appointment with Shelf Genie for a collaborative experience that will transform your kitchen into an organized space with more storage and better accessibility.
