The Best Paint For Kitchen Cabinets

Take on this home-improvement project with help from a paint pro.

Never underestimate the power of paint: You can forgo a major kitchen remodel by repainting existing cabinets. A fresh new paint color can makeover the space and bring boring cabinetry back to life. For the best results, it's crucial to prep your cabinets with a deep clean to remove any built-up grease and grime. Then determine the type of paint that will work best in a high-traffic, splatter-prone kitchen. Navigate the paint store with the help of a pro. Rick Watson, director of product information and technical services at Sherwin-Williams, offers his expert advice for picking paint for your cabinets. Plus, we provide inspiration that will help you select the best color for your cabinets.

Related: 102 Beautiful Kitchen Ideas To Help You Plan Your Dream Space

Meet the Expert

Rick Watson is the director of product information and technical services at Sherwin-Williams.

Pick A High-Sheen Finish

"We've always recommended egg-shell, semi-gloss, and gloss wall finishes in the kitchen, since durability is essential in a place with moisture and high traffic. Paints with a higher gloss/sheen will generally be easier to clean. Most stains wipe clean with water or mild soap," Watson said.

While eggshell paint is suitable for kitchen walls, you'll probably want something more durable for your cabinets. Consider these pros and cons when choosing a paint finish:

• Satin paint: Satin finishes have a bit more sheen and durability than eggshell, but a softer shine than gloss paints. Satin paint does a better job of hiding imperfections than higher gloss finishes.

• Semi-gloss paint: A popular pick for kitchen cabinets, semi-gloss is a very durable finish with high stain-resistance. These paints reflect more light and have a brighter, cleaner appearance.

• Gloss paint: The most durable and long-lasting of finishes, gloss paint will give your cabinets a rich and deep or bright, shiny look. Imperfections are the most obvious with a gloss finish, so excellent prep before painting is a must.

Choose The Best Type Of Paint

Now that you've decided on a finish, you still need to choose which type of paint you want to use. Each has advantages or disadvantages in durability and ease of application:

• Acrylic paint: Latex paints are inexpensive, quick, and easy to apply, but not all are suitable for kitchen cabinets. Make sure you choose a high-quality, durable acrylic-based latex paint if this is the way you want to go. Sensitive to the stinky fumes from other paints? A water-based acrylic paint is less likely to bother you.

• Alkyd paint: The enamel-style finish of alkyd paint falls somewhere between latex and oil, but is actually a resin. Alkyd paint typically levels better than latex (which means fewer brush marks) and dries harder, but may require a little more time to dry between coats. Nowadays, many alkyd paints are formulated for easy clean up with soap and water. They also have less odor than oil paint.

• Oil paint: Traditionally, oil paint was the top choice for cabinets because of its smooth finish and superior durability. But these high-gloss paints are more difficult to apply. They require solvent for cleaning up and a long dry time, and can fill your kitchen with fumes.

As for Watson's personal recommendation? "Many people request the use of a latex finish, for that reason I recommend [Sherwin-Williams] Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel in Gloss, Semi-Gloss or Satin," he says. "This product has excellent flow and leveling characteristics for a smooth and durable finish on cabinets, doors and trim."

Prepare Your Cabinets Before Painting

Watson warns that any cabinet surface that isn't completely clean, dry, sanded, and primed can affect how long your paint lasts.

"Prep is key to any paint project, including kitchen cabinets, and I always recommend starting with a clean, dry, dull, and sound surface," Watson says. "After removing the hardware, I recommend that the cabinets be thoroughly cleaned with a good cleaner or degreaser to remove all grease and oils that normally build up on kitchen cabinetry over time."

"Next, apply a test sample of a primer in an inconspicuous area (if the cabinets are previously finished or are laminate). Once you have established good bonding or adhesion, you can prime the entire surface."

Now that you've prepped your cabinets, it's time to pick a paint. Below we've listed 10 of our favorite paint colors for kitchen cabinets to inspire you.

Our 10 Favorite Paints For Kitchen Cabinets

Benjamin Moore Alaskan Husky (1479)

Picking the right shade for your cabinets is up to you, but you can't go wrong with a crisp, classic white to make your room look clean and bright. To add subtle depth and richness, put the lightest color on the walls, one shade darker on cabinets, and then one more shade darker than the cabinets on the ceiling. In this kitchen, Benjamin Moore's Horizon, Alaskan Husky (1479), and Sleigh Bells are all from the same paint card.

Benjamin Moore Ballet White (OC-9_

White might be classic, but it can also feel stark in a kitchen. For more warmth, choose an ivory like these cabinets painted in Benjamin Moore's Ballet White (OC-9). If you want more spice, an accent like this citrusy green backsplash will do the trick.

Benjamin Moore Gray Owl (2137-60)

Pick a neutral with a soothing undertone, like the quiet gray of Benjamin Moore Gray Owl (2137-60). Here, the color adds a touch of softness to an open shelving unit with a chicken wire screen. A gentle gray-beige can have the same effect on your entire kitchen.

Sherwin-Williams Clary Sage (SW 6178)

Looking for an understated green to freshen up the kitchen? These cabinets were painted in Sherwin-Williams Clary Sage (SW 6178) and then brightened with brassy hardware. You'll feel right at home chopping your vegetables from the garden.

Sherwin-Williams Meander (SW 9522)

When choosing a cabinet paint color, it's never a mistake to turn to the local landscape. The soft, nature-inspired hue of Sherwin-Williams Meander (SW 9522) falls somewhere between tan and sage. The dark backsplash tile gives this breakfast nook in our 2023 Idea House a more polished look, but these cabinets would be equally at home in a farmhouse kitchen.

Benjamin Moore Newburyport Blue (HC-155)

Shake things up with a bold blue shade. A deep, character-building blue allows whites and stainless steel to pop. After a couple gallons of Benjamin Moore's Newburyport Blue (HC-155) on the cabinets, this kitchen transformed into a friendly and colorful space for the entire family.

Sherwin-Williams Tricorn Black (SW 6258)

For a bold accent color, try Sherwin-Williams Tricorn Black (SW 6258). The deep charcoal shade is painted here on the lower cabinets. The paint draws attention to the deep-gray veins in the waterfall countertop, while providing a stunning contrast to brass finishes.

Benjamin Moore Kensington Green (710)

Choose a vivid contrasting color for your island, like this one painted in Benjamin Moore Kensington Green (710). The mod color coordinates perfectly with 1950s-style lighting and furnishings. It also adds a spark of fun to the kitchen.

Sherwin-Williams Tinsmith (SW 7657)

Looking to bring calm to a chaotic kitchen? This soft gray hue from our Crane Island, Florida Idea House certainly has that effect. In the realm of grays, Sherwin-Williams Tinsmith (SW 7657) has slightly cool undertones that gently contrast with wood flooring and sepia accents.

Sherwin-Williams Pewter Green (SW 6208)

The earthy gray-green of these kitchen cabinets is as soothing as a walk in the woods. Sherwin-Williams Pewter Green (SW 6208) could be just the color you need for your cabin or mountain home. Complement this color with dark wood finishes and splashes of gold.

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