The best kitchen cupboard paint

Looking to refresh your kitchen but don’t want to undergo a full renovation? Whether your budget won’t stretch that far or you live in a busy household and a full refurbishment would be too disruptive, sometimes a full refresh is out of the question. But that doesn’t mean there aren't other ways to spruce up your culinary space without spending too much time, effort and money.

Painting your kitchen cupboards is a budget-friendly and transformative option that’ll take little effort but will make all the difference to the heart of the home. However, to achieve the best results, you’ll need to carefully consider which paint you opt for. Let’s delve into what makes good kitchen cupboard paint and what we recommend for durable and professional-looking results.

Why use specialist kitchen paint?

Kitchen cupboards go through a lot of wear and tear, frequent handling, moisture, heat, grease and so on. With that in mind, you need a paint that can adhere properly while under these conditions. Standard paint often doesn’t hold the same properties as specialist kitchen cupboard paint that provides a long-lasting, smooth coverage that won’t get chipped, marked or scratched with ease.

Specialist paints are also advised when painting glossy surfaces like melamine and MDF, as they’ll still adhere exceptionally well.

Best paint for kitchen cabinets: oil-based vs. water-based

There are advantages and disadvantages to using oil-based and water-based paints for kitchen cabinets. Which you opt for will depend on how long you’ve got to decorate, and your personal preferences.

Oil-based paints

Advantages

Offer a smooth, durable finish
Have good opacity, meaning minimal coats still offer good coverage

Disadvantages

Take longer to dry than water-based paints
Likely to yellow over time
Can exude strong, sometimes unpleasant odours
Harder to clean-up and remove

Water-based paints

Advantages

Offer minimal odours or VOC
Easy to apply
Faster at drying due to their thinner consistency

Disadvantages

Usually not as hard-wearing as oil-based paints
May require more coats for even and opaque results
Don’t always self-level the same as paints made with oil, potentially causing brush strokes when applying

What properties are needed for kitchen cupboard paint?

The best kitchen cupboard paint will hold certain properties that ensure maximum adhesion, full coverage and longevity. Here’s an insight into each property and why it’s necessary:

Durability: paint for kitchen cupboards needs to be durable so that when handling and cleaning them, they’re less prone to chips and scratches.
Ease of application: specialist paints will be easy to apply as they’re designed for that specific surface. They usually offer a low-drip formula, fast drying times and even self-priming capabilities, depending on which you opt for.
Grease resistance: you’ll need a paint that’s resistant to grease, especially for a busy room that’s dedicated to cooking.
Low VOC/odour: naturally for all indoor paints, it’s important to look at their VOC and odour levels. Kitchen cupboard paints will be minimal, so you can continue using your kitchen as it dries.

Choosing the right sheen for kitchen cabinet paint

Another thing to consider when choosing kitchen cupboard paint is the sheen. While a semi-gloss is often recommended for cleaning, durability and aesthetics purposes, satin and gloss can add an eye-catching sheen without compromising on ease of maintenance. We wouldn’t recommend matte as this finish can be easily scuffed and marked, therefore making it unsuitable for a busy kitchen.

Our recommended kitchen cupboard paints

See our recommended kitchen cupboard paints below for the ultimate finish.

Dulux cupboard paint

We offer a selection of Dulux cupboard paint, specifically formulated to adhere to cupboards. 10 times stronger than traditional water-based paints, these durable kitchen cabinet paints don’t require an undercoat on most surfaces, making the painting process quicker and easier. These tough and hard-wearing paints are often available in a satin finish, a mid-ground between gloss and matte. What’s more, they’re grease and moisture-resistant, and available in a range of neutral shades for a calming effect.

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Jasmine White Shop now

Pure Brilliant White Shop now

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Ronseal One Coat

Specifically designed for cupboards, doors and wooden furniture, this paint does exactly what it says on the tin. All you need is one lick of paint on lighter coloured surfaces for fantastic opacity, and it’ll be touch dry in as little as 4 hours. These are low odour, moisture-resistant and water-based paints that are less likely to be scratched or scuffed compared to standard water-based paints. We’d recommend using Ronseal One Coat for quick transformations with minimal fuss, but still with the reliability of strong adhesion.

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Gloss White Shop now

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Wickes multi-surface paint

Our multi-surface paints and specialist furniture paints are an excellent choice for full coverage, but at an affordable price. You guessed it, these affordable high-quality kitchen cabinet paints are suitable for painting several different materials, making it convenient when touching up various areas of the home. It’s also quick-drying, self-priming and durable, even in busy households.

Gloss White Shop now

Satin White Shop now

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Wickes furniture paint

Or we have our line of furniture paints, specifically designed to transform and upcycle furnishings, including kitchen cupboards. Using a chalky finish for a sleek and modern touch, these paints are self-undercoating, quick to dry and even washable, which is ideal for kitchens where spillages are a common occurrence. An easy-to-clean kitchen cabinet paint for contemporary homes.

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Choosing a suitable kitchen cupboard paint is essential for long-lasting results and a finish that’s flawless and hard-wearing. Choose from 3 of the best kitchen cupboard paints we offer, based on your budget and desired outcome.

Need guidance on the process itself? Discover our guide on how to paint kitchen cabinets and cupboards.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, but you’ll need to use a paint specifically designed to paint gloss surfaces, or one that’s at least multi-purpose.

We recommend using a paintbrush of your desired size. There’s also the option of a paint roller, which is great if you’re removing the doors prior to painting them.

What kitchen cupboard paint colour you opt for will depend on the rest of your décor and your personal preferences. If you have brighter walls, a neutral shade will work well, and it’ll allow you to switch up the colour of the walls with ease. If you want to make a statement, opt for black or a deep blue for boldness.

Dulux cupboard paint is a popular choice for a satin finish. It’s stronger than usual water-based paints, meaning it offers great coverage without a primer.

Opt for a paint that’s known for its high opacity so that you can cover the dark surface with minimal coats. You can still go for a lighter coloured kitchen cupboard paint, even when applying to dark surfaces. This’ll brighten and modernise the space.

We recommend an acrylic wood primer with high opacity, but if they’re pre-painted, you might only need to sand the surface down.

Small kitchens benefit from light-coloured kitchen cabinets, especially as they're the main focal point of the room. This brightens up the space and can create the illusion of more space.