The kitchen has long been considered the heart of the home. But when an outdated design or run-down appearance has you shooing guests away while you cook, painting may be the quickest, most budget-friendly makeover solution.
In 2022, the average American household that underwent a kitchen renovation spent upwards of $40,000 for their remodel, according to HomeAdvisor, with high-end renovations topping more than $100,000. However, a kitchen refresh doesn’t have to drain your bank account, especially if it’s aDIY project. The key? Focus on your cabinets.
Cupboards have the greatest visual impact in any kitchen, so if they look outdated, the rest of the space does, too. They also tend to be the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel. But typically it’s not the integrity of the cabinet itself that’s the problem—it’s the aging exterior. That’s why simply rehabbing cabinets with paint could help you skip the renovation and save you thousands.
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According to cost data from home services booking platform Angi, homeowners can expect to pay anywhere from $175 to $3,000 for a pro to paint their kitchen, depending on the size of the kitchen or square footage; the national average was $897. Doing it yourself will cost you a fraction of that—requiring just the cost of materials and some sweat equity. Coupled with new knobs or handles, either route will deliver a big impact as long as your cabinets are still structurally sound and in good condition—no rotting or warping.
If painting cabinets sounds suitable for your kitchen, choosing the right formula is the key to success.Bill Carroll, PhD, an adjunct professor at Indiana University with expertise in industrial chemistry, recommends speaking to a sales associate to help narrow your selection. Still, it helps to know some basics before you shop. Here’s what we learned from experts.
Which Paint Types Work Best for Kitchen Cabinets?
Paints labeled for cabinets are the best choice. Formulated with higher levels of resins than traditional wall paint, cabinet paints are more suitable for high-touch areas that can easily get dirty or greasy; they’re also more resistant to scratches, staining, and fading. While CR hasn’t tested paints specifically designed for cabinets, we do have options in our comprehensive paint ratings, featuring formulations that can work for the job; we’ve included an example below. Cabinet-friendly paints generally fall into one of these three categories.
Acrylic-based latex paints: These have a sturdier finish, which makes them much easier than traditional wall paint to wipe clean, says Fara Iman, a DIY expert who showcases her avid furniture-flipping and cabinet-finishing projects with her almost 400,000 followers on TikTok. That’s because acrylic is a binder that helps paint adhere to surfaces and maintain their luster over time, says Blake Gillespie, PhD, associate professor of chemistry at California State University Channel Islands, in Camarillo. “The more binder, the more durable and harder the finish.”
Water-based alkyd paints: These paints have the durability of oil-based paints (see below) without the off-gassing. Monica Mothershead, senior merchant of interior paint at Home Depot, says that the new water-based alkyd paints—a hybrid between oil and acrylic—are growing increasingly popular, thanks to their quality, durability, and cost-effectiveness. What’s more, these formulas are said to level better than acrylic, dry harder, and achieve a more vibrant color. Because they’re waterborne paints, cleanup involves soap and water rather than solvents—a selling point for many DIYers. Popular formulas on the market include Benjamin Moore Advance, Sherwin-Williams ProClassic, and Behr Alkyd Enamel.
Oil-based paints: These also have a strong binder, which makes this category the hardest, most durable paint choice for cabinets, Mothershead says. But experts tend to not recommend them because they also release potentially toxic volatile organic compounds—not a good idea for the kitchen. In addition, Li Wang, who oversees paint testing at CR, says these aren’t easy to clean and take a longer time to dry. “As the quality of water-based paints has improved a lot, the oil-based paints have lost their position in the marketplace,” Wang says.
Finding the Right Finish
Whatever formulation you choose, find one in a finish that will enhance the look of your cabinets and can withstand cleaning. Here are your options.
High-gloss: This super-shiny option is the most durable and stain-resistant of the finishes; it also avoids scratches and dents more easily. If you are an avid cook who likes a highly reflective look, this may be the way to go. The only downside is that it tends to highlight even minor cosmetic imperfections, so this sheen is ideal for cabinets that are in very good to excellent condition.
Semi-gloss: It reflects a fraction of the light that high-gloss finishes do, but the subdued luster can still make colors look more vibrant. A semi-gloss finish is ideal for the kitchen because it cleans easily and withstands years of use. It also resists mold and mildew.
Satin: This finish is less likely to show any scuffs and is easier to clean than an eggshell finish. This increased resistance against wear and tear makes it more durable in the kitchen. It is also less prone to staining than an eggshell sheen but, like gloss paints, can be easily wiped clean. Consider this sheen if you’re looking for a happy medium between glossy and matte.
Eggshell: If semi-gloss is too shiny but you still want some luster, Mothershead suggests trying an eggshell finish. This paint finish has a slight sheen and stands up to scuffs and scratches better than flat paint. It’s a good option for those who want to avoid the shine of gloss paint but don’t want the low sheen and harder-to-clean properties of flat paint.
Don’t Forget the Primer
For best results, layer on a good primer before you start painting. “Primers are designed to bond really strongly both mechanically and chemically to the surface to create a more uniform look,” Gillespie says. “It also closes the surface so that you’re not worrying about how the paint itself is interacting with the surface.” Choosing the right one will ultimately depend on the material your cabinet is made from. Here’s some guidance on what to use with the most common cabinet materials.
Particleboard and medium-density fiberboard (commonly known as MDF) have a tendency, particularly if they’re not sealed very well, to absorb water. So use a solvent-based primer to help with adhesion.
Plywood is an engineered wood composed of thin layers of wood veneer. Apply an oil-based primer on these surfaces to achieve a professional and smooth look.
Natural wood requires a shellac or oil-based primer, or a high-quality latex primer. Different grains of wood interact with paint differently, but priming gives your chosen paint a consistent baseline. Experts suggest that if your wood is stained, or has a natural yellowish tone (like yellow cedar or poplar), pick a primer designed to also prevent any discoloration from showing through.
Laminate or melamine cabinets require a high-quality, water-based acrylic urethane primer or sealer. This gives the cabinet paint something to adhere to and eliminates the risk of paint peeling soon after it’s applied. Iman says that when painting these cabinets, you can get the same benefits of laying a primer if you use an acrylic or alkyd resin formula that includes a primer in the formula to help with adhesion.
Metal cabinets achieve their best finish when primed with a rust-protecting base layer. These primersstop rust and prevent corrosion—a common issue with metal—as well as bind to any existing rust, creating a stable surface for paint.
Tanya A. Christian
Tanya Christian joined Consumer Reports as a multimedia content creator in 2021, bringing with her more than a decade of experience in the home and lifestyle space. As a content manager for small kitchen appliances, home remodeling products, and the sleep category, she’s happy to provide readers with recommendations on great design, helpful cooking tools, and smart ways to achieve better sleep. Follow her on Twitter @tanyaachristian.
