Selecting the perfect paint color for your kitchen can be an absolute dilemma. There are several options, and you want your space to look its best.
To help narrow down your choices, you must first consider your overall kitchen design and the type of surface you’re painting on.
Kitchens are usually high-traffic areas, so you need to consider the tendency for water and food to splatter all over. As a result, for walls near the sink, it is a good idea to choose a satin, semi-gloss, or high-gloss finish that will make it easier to wipe away lint.
On the other hand, kitchen cabinets are a whole different ball game. Since they are mostly made of wood, they require paint and sheen with advanced technology to laminate the wood finishes.
Choosing the best type of paint for kitchen walls and cabinets doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
This article will shed light on the common types of paint and sheen and the best type of paint for your kitchen walls.
Types Of Paint Sheen
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While choosing the color of your kitchen walls is important, choosing the right type of paint sheen is equally crucial to safeguarding your kitchenware.
Typically, paint sheens are characterized by how glossy they are. There are 5 types of paint sheens:
High-Gloss Paint
This is the shiniest option and highlights architectural features, handrails, and columns. It is extremely durable and easy to clean. However, the downside is that blemishes on the surface or in the paint can be easily spotted.
If you choose to go ahead with high-gloss paint, hire a professional painter to do it for you.
Semi-Gloss Paint
This variant is commonly used in rooms with high moisture and humidity, which makes it a great option for kitchens. They bring a bright, shiny finish to the walls and are often the go-to choice for final touches around doors, windows, and more.
Semi-gloss sheens are also dirt and scuff-resistant, making them easy to clean.
Satin Or Eggshell Finish
Satin sheens have the least shine or glossy finish compared to the other options. However, they are also the most popular option for wall paint because they are exceptionally durable and hide most blemishes.
Some companies also offer eggshell sheen in place of satin sheen. But, many reputable paint sellers sell them separately. The key difference between eggshell and satin sheen is in their finishes. Eggshell has a matte finish, while satin sheen leaves a glossy look.
Flat Or Matte Finish
This type of paint sheen has a matte finish. With this come certain disadvantages. Because they lack a shiny look, they can be unforgiving to splatter. They are challenging to clean, which doesn’t make them a viable option for kitchen spaces.
What Is The Best Type Of Paint For Kitchen Walls?
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For kitchens, the two types of paint to choose from are oil and latex paint. Oils paints are generally water, dust, and dirty resistant and are fairly easy to clean and maintain. However, oil paints are popularly used on cabinets, doors, windows, and more.
Latex paint, on the other hand, is mostly used on kitchen walls and offers a number of different finishes.
Since the kitchen is a high-traffic area with a lot of different moving pieces, it is important to safeguard your walls and surrounding areas. While the primary use of the kitchen is largely the same, the frequency of use and the standards of cleanliness to be maintained should be factored in when choosing the best type of paint for kitchen walls.
Fortunately, paints come in a number of finishes, each serving a unique purpose. When choosing which type of paint to use for your kitchen wall, the bottom line should always be how easy it will be to clean it.
Paints with matte finishes are harder to clean and are unforgiving when it comes to revealing oil splatters. Oil finishes are glossy and can be easily cleaned. Now, if your kitchen is an extremely busy part of the home, consider a satin or semi-gloss paint finish. They are effortless to clean and are dust- and dirt-resistant.
But the downside is that glossy paint finishes will reflect light and change the entire look and feel of the space. However, glossier finishes do a better job of hiding dents and damage on a kitchen wall.
Ultimately, it would help if you remembered that kitchen walls are prone to getting wet and stained. Choosing quality paint with a desirable finish will protect your wall from gradual wear and tear and keep it looking plush over extended periods.
If you are repainting your kitchen walls, ensure that you use the same type of paint that is already on them. For instance, if you previously used latex paint, you will need to, once again, use latex paint. If you use oil paints, you will quickly notice your wall paint chipping and peeling.
Lastly, it is important to consult with professionals in your paint store to understand the best type of paint for kitchen walls that will give them that much-needed lift and protect them in the long term.
