The Best Paint for Kitchen Cabinets

The good news is – you can easily update you kitchen with just a lick of paint, and what’s more, you can do it in a weekend!

The best paint for your cabinets will very much depend on what they are made of. You will need a different type of paint for wood, melamine or metal.

You will also have to consider the style of your kitchen, and make sure the type of paint finish you choose reflects the ambiance you have already built up, or wish to achieve.

PREPARATION

Melamine

If you have melamine cabinets, you will need to use a proprietary melamine primer first. This will give you a rough ‘key’ to work on when you apply your top coat. If you don’t use this, then your top coat will peel off very quickly.

Wood

Wood will need to be sanded down well with several grades of sandpaper, using the roughest first, and ending with the finest. You will then need to apply an undercoat suitable for use on wood.

Metal

Metal cabinets can be painted, but check the finish first. If you have a textured finish, then paint will look a little odd. If you have a smooth metal finish, and are convinced that painting it is the right choice, then scarify the surface and paint it with a metal primer.

TOP TIP

It is best to remove the cupboard doors before painting them. Take them outside and do them there so you don’t get spills indoors.

PAINT CHOICES

As the kitchen will inevitably get steamy, you should choose a speciality paint that has been designed for use in the kitchen or bathroom. This will repel the damp and keep your cupboard in good condition for longer. This usually comes in an egg-shell or satin finish.

If you want a smooth modern finish, you could choose a gloss paint. This will be more hard-wearing than an emulsion, but when it does get damaged it is harder to repair as it can chip. Gloss is the best choice for metal cabinets, and if you choose a pastel yellow, could be a good basis for a retro 1950s kitchen.

SPECIALITY FINISHES

You can now get paint in a variety of special finishes, but many of these aren’t suitable for use in the kitchen. Faux suede, for example, would not be a good choice. Rag rolling and sponging are also not suitable for kitchen cabinets – keep these effects for the walls.

Depending on the style of your kitchen, you might want to choose a crackle-glaze effect. This can be achieved easily with a kit that which can be bought from hardware stores. Don’t forget the top coat of varnish as this will seal the cracks against dirt and grime. This finish would suit a country style kitchen.

Trompe l’oeil finishes are great for one or two cabinets. You might choose to have your cabinets painted in a wood-grain finish, which is a great cover-up for melamine cabinets, especially if they have moulded edges. You could also choose to have some cabinets painted as if they have open fronts, and have them showing old-fashioned packets and tins inside. Again, don’t forget to use a clear varnish over the top.

Distressed finishes are very attractive, and suit both modern and traditional kitchens. If you do choose this finish, and choose a flaky paint, make sure that bits aren’t going to fall into your food. A sealant over the top will stop this happening, but can negate the effect of a chalky finish.

Limewash and wax is a very popular finish. If your cabinet has a wood grain finish, you can accentuate this by brushing it with a wire brush. Paint on white emulsion paint which has been thinned 50/50 with water, and let it dry. Wax the cabinets to seal- use lavender furniture wax for a great, subtle smell!

VARNISH TIP

It might seem like a good idea to use an all-weather varnish such as yacht varnish to protect your cabinets against steam etc, but there can be pitfalls in this. The varnish often has a yellow tinge, which can alter the colour of your paint. You will also find it very difficult to remove if you want to change the colour.

ECO THOUGHTS

When choosing paint for your kitchen, give a thought to the environment. Try to choose a paint which is water-based rather than oil-based. This will be better for you, as there won’t be fumes in your home, as well as better for the environment because it is a less intrusive production process.

Take time to choose the paint for your kitchen cabinets, and find one that suits your taste and the style of the house and you will be rewarded with hours of pleasure looking at them while you are in the kitchen with your family.