With so many people opting to paint their cabinets as a budget-friendly way of renovating their kitchen, the market for suitable paints has expanded in recent years. But if this is a project you’ve never tackled before, the range of available options can be daunting.
There’s a lot to think about, including the material your cabinets are made from, the type of finish you want, your budget and how busy your kitchen is on a daily basis. All of these considerations should be factored into your decision so that you end up with the kitchen that you want and which will last for years to come.
Below, painting and decorating expert Pat Gilham at MyJobQuote.co.uk goes over everything you need to know about choosing the best paint type for your kitchen cabinets…
What paint types can be used on kitchen cabinets?
So, what type of paint can you use on your kitchen cabinets? Well, while there are many different paint finishes, there are only two distinct types of paint for this kind of project: water-based and oil-based.
Of course, within these two categories, there is a wide range of specific paint types used for different surfaces and projects.
Both oil-based and water-based paints can be used on kitchen cabinets. However, water-based or latex paint is currently the most popular. This is due to its fast drying time and the ease of cleaning the brushes, rollers and any accidental spills. Water-based paints also have fewer fumes and lower levels of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, than oil-based paints.
Oil-based paints have become less commonly used as they are trickier to get a good finish with, if you’re not a professional decorator. They also have a tendency to yellow over time – something water-based paints don’t do.
Things to consider when painting kitchen cabinets
Before choosing between a water-based and oil-based paint, you’ll need to decide what finish you want. This is more than an aesthetic choice, as the type of finish will also act as protection for your kitchen cabinets.
Finishes
Within the market of kitchen cabinet paints, you can choose from various finishes. These range from a high gloss to a super flat matt.
Many gloss finishes are oil-based. This type of paint is hard wearing and thicker than water-based, so it will fill in any minor dents or scratches on your cabinets. However, it does take longer to dry, and most have a strong odour. But you will typically need only one top coat.
There are water-based gloss finishes which have acrylic or latex as binders. These are easier to use and give excellent coverage, as well as having lower levels of VOCs.
A satin finish will give your kitchen cabinets a light sheen, making them easy to clean and providing just enough light reflection. Water-based satin paint is one of the most popular choices for this type of project due to its durability, quick drying time and low ongoing maintenance.
Although many people equate satin with an eggshell finish, the two are different. Eggshell has a slightly flatter appearance than satin, hence its name, as it has a similar finish to the surface of an eggshell. It is a useful choice when you want to have slight light reflection, and it can effectively hide minor imperfections in the cabinet surfaces.
Matt finish is completely flat and has no light reflecting quality at all. As a choice for kitchen cabinets, it does look high-end and stylish. However, it is not really scrubbable, and in a high-traffic and busy area like the kitchen, that characteristic of a paint finish is important. A matt paint will show up any finger marks and grease stains more readily than other finishes.
Having said that, chalk paint is one of the most popular choices for renovations, and it has a super matt finish. It produces a beautiful rustic look to your kitchen cabinets and is available in a wide range of colours. But bear in mind that this is not a durable or resilient finish and is very susceptible to stains and scratches.
Application method
The best application method depends largely on the type of paint you are using – water or oil-based – and whether you are doing the work yourself or hiring a professional decorator.
Traditionally, people have used a brush when working with oil-based paint, particularly those with natural bristles. But you can also use a high-density closed foam roller to give a smoother and even finish. These leave no texture, give good even distribution of paint and are easier for a DIYer to use.
A short pile roller is needed for smooth surfaces such as kitchen cabinets and works well with all water-based paints. You can also use synthetic brushes with these types of paint, particularly for working around mouldings on cabinet doors.
Spray painting kitchen cabinets is a great way to get a smooth and even finish. But it does require a lot of preparation, and you need to be quite proficient with the sprayer to get a good result. Some sprayers may require you to thin oil-based paints before use.
Surface type
The material that your kitchen cabinets are made from will influence the best type of paint to use. Not all cabinets are the same, and there are a variety of materials used in their construction.
One of the most popular materials for cabinet carcasses is veneered or laminated chipboard. Sometimes the doors are made from this material, too, although often they are constructed from MDF. Chalk paint is frequently used on veneered chipboard, typically in two coats. MDF can be primed with a water-based primer and then painted with an acrylic or latex paint.
Other kitchen cabinets are made from solid wood, and these are arguably easier to paint than veneer, laminate or MDF. For the longest-lasting and most durable finish for timber cabinets, use a good quality oil-based paint. For bare or stripped-back wood, apply an appropriate primer and undercoat first.
