How To Choose The Right Paint For Your Kitchen Cabinets
We have talked a lot about your kitchen cabinets and how they are the focal point to the heart of your home. This is the easiest way to give your kitchen a whole new look on a budget. Our last blog talked about easy ways to paint your cabinets and how to make them look professional. In today’s blog, we are going to talk about how to choose the right paint for your kitchen cabinets.
1. Understand the Unique Needs of Kitchen Cabinets
Cabinets get a massive amount of use, and therefore are subject more to wear and tear. With constant exposure to moisture, grease, grime, and cleaning chemicals, your paint will need to be durable.
Durability: Find a paint that is specifically formulated for use in high-traffic areas or even specifically for cabinets.
Washability: There should be mention of resistance to fading or peeling from repetitive cleaning.
2. Choose Between Latex and Oil-Based Paint
To pick the best paint option you will need to know the differences between latex and oil-based paint.
Latex Paint:
- Has low VOCs(volatile organic compounds). This makes it eco-friendly and better for indoor use.
- Easy to clean with dish soap and warm water.
- Works best with a bonding primer for adherence.
Oil-Based Paint:
- Ideal for high-use areas because it creates a hard, smooth and durable finish.
- Holds up better to stains and scratches. It does require mineral spirits for cleaning.
- Higher VOCs and takes longer to dry. This paint will require adequate ventilation.
Pro Tip: Higher-end advanced formula latex paints like acrylic or enamel hybrids offer the durability of oil-based paints with the convenience of water-based cleanup.
3. Pick the Right Finish
The overall look and functionality of your cabinets are dependent on the finish you choose.
- Matte: You are less likely to see a matte finish on cabinets because it absorbs stains and is more difficult to clean than other finishes.
- Satin: Great finish if you have a less busy kitchen. Softer feel with decent washability but not the best.
- Semi-Gloss: Reflects a lot of light. Makes cabinets look bright and vibrant. It is very easy to clean and highly durable.
- High-Gloss: Bold, ultra-smooth finish. Requires a very focused prep work to ensure a flawless surface.
Pro Tip: Semi-gloss is the most popular finish for kitchen cabinets because it strikes a balance between durability and beauty.
4. Consider Specialty Cabinet Paint
Try looking for manufacturers that offer paint specifically designed for cabinets. These paints include built-in primers, extremely good adhesion, and extra durability. This makes it easier to get great results and simplifies the overall process. The Four Seasons Interior & Exterior painting company uses mostly Sherwin Williams products and the occasional product from Benjamin Moore.
5. Pay Attention to Color and Trends
By painting your cabinets, you are setting the tone of your whole kitchen style. While neutral tones like white, gray, and beige are timeless, bold choices with deep colors like navy blue, emerald green, and black are becoming popular. This increased popularity is the result of people going for a more dramatic and memorable feeling for their homes.
To be safe, test small spots on your cabinet to check the color in different lighting. It always looks different from the store to the home and from the color swatch to the real application.
Pro Tip: Consider two-tone designs with darker colors on the lower cabinets and lighter tones on the upper cabinets to add dimension
6. Use Primer for Better Results
To ensure adhesion use a bonding primer even if you are using a “paint and primer in one” product. This separate bonding primer will make the finish more durable and virtually guarantees adhesion.
Do some research on tinted primer if you are transitioning from dark to light color cabinets. This will help you use less coats of paint.
7. Where to Shop for Cabinet Paint
We like Sherwin-Williams, which you can find at most home improvement stores. Around Lake County, OH, there is Lowes, Home Depot, Menards, and more. All of these stores carry trusted name brands of paint in their locations.
Final Thoughts
The difference between your kitchen cabinets lasting years in great condition or chipping and fading is the choice of paint and finish. By considering durability, finish, and color trends, you will make sure you are completely happy and your kitchen makeover looks incredible. You can also remain confident your cabinets will withstand the wear and tear of normal kitchen use.
You can always call Four Seasons Interior & Exterior Painting to check with local experts for things like color consultation or a free estimate for the job to be completed by seasoned professionals. This is something that can be done well DIY with the right paint, the right prep, and a lot of patience. Follow the steps in our DIY guide and you can make your kitchen look like it came straight out of a magazine!
