What is the best paint finish for a kitchen
David Edwards
Published Apr 18, 2026
Since kitchens are such a busy part of a home and often need extra cleaning, a satin or semi-gloss finish is the best options. Satin and eggshell finishes are commonly believed to be the same, but in fact, satin is a bit shinier. Satin finishes are easy to clean and good at standing up to mildew, stains and dirt.
Should I use eggshell or satin paint in kitchen?
When it comes to kitchens, you definitely want a paint finish that can handle a little water, soap, and elbow grease. This makes satin or semi-gloss paint finishes a perfect choice. A satin finish is often used interchangeably with an eggshell finish, but it actually has a little more of a sheen to it.
Is eggshell paint OK for kitchen?
Use eggshell paint in the kitchen for walls farthest away from the stove. Eggshell is durable and washable without showing many imperfections. In fact, the sheen level is much like that of an actual eggshell. Satin paint is also a nice option, especially for walls nearest the stove and food preparation areas.
What's better semi-gloss or eggshell?
Semi-gloss also dries harder, lasts longer, and is overall more durable than eggshell. … If you’re needing to paint your cabinets, the trim in your home, or even the doors, semi-gloss is yet again a better choice than eggshell. Like eggshell paint, semi-gloss is easy to clean.Is satin or eggshell better?
Often confused with other finishes, the difference between eggshell and satin paint is that satin delivers a higher gloss, while offering better stain resistance and durability than lower sheens, including eggshell. Satin paint is ideal for areas that crave definition.
Which paint finish is best?
Satin. Perhaps the best all-around player when it comes to durability. The look: Right in the middle of the sheen spectrum, a satin finish is more light-reflecting than eggshell without appearing as shiny as semigloss. The Lowdown: Hides imperfections like bumpy walls reasonably well, and it’s easy to clean.
What kind of paint should you use in a kitchen?
Professionals recommend satin/eggshell or semi-gloss on kitchen walls and semi- or high-gloss on kitchen ceilings. Any of these will provide excellent protection and make cleaning dirt and grease as easy as possible.
What is the most popular interior paint finish?
Satin: Satin finishes are the most common interior paint finish. They have a velvety sheen and are easier to clean than flat and eggshell paints, which makes them a great choice for high-traffic areas like kitchens, playrooms, family rooms, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.What sheen do you paint kitchen cabinets?
While there are many types of paint to choose from, the best paint for kitchen cabinets is typically semi-gloss, gloss or satin. Matte is not practical in kitchens and baths where you will need durable paint you can easily clean.
Why is my eggshell paint shiny?The shiny reflective property of a paint’s sheen comes from a reflective particles in the paint. The more layers that are put on, the more light gets reflected back to the viewer. It’s odd that this has happened with a low sheen; I have seen this with satin and eggshell quite a bit myself.
Article first time published onDoes eggshell paint wipe clean?
Eggshell finish “It is the easiest paint to wipe clean and is great for all areas of the home, including bathrooms and kitchens,” she says. “I only use a gloss or semi-gloss paint on base, case, trim, and cabinetry.”
Is satin finish good for kitchen cabinets?
The partially-glossy aesthetic of satin paint is normally reserved for walls, but satin can make a great finish for kitchen cabinets if paired with the right handles and fittings for the room.
What finish is used on kitchen cabinet?
Oil-based polyurethane will give your cabinets a lustrous finish, deepen the wood’s color, and work well with almost any wood species. Needing three or four coats to ensure the maximum durability, semi-gloss finishes may take on a plastic-like finish, which some homeowners do not like.
Is Sherwin Williams satin the same as eggshell?
Satin and low-lustre paints have a slightly higher sheen than eggshell finishes. Paints in this category are warmer and provide a greater appearance of depth than flat paints. They also resist stains better than flat paints.
Is Sherwin Williams paint better than Benjamin Moore?
When it comes down to Benjamin Moore vs Sherwin Williams, they’re both great brands. When it comes to the paint quality it’s not about the brand but about the actual paint. Both have lower and higher quality paints. Benjamin Moore tends to be more durable and touch up better.
How do you pick a paint sheen?
There’s a basic rule of thumb to follow when choosing paint sheens: The higher the sheen, the higher the shine — and the higher the shine, the more durable it will be. Flat paint has no shine; high-gloss is all shine. In between are eggshell, satin, and semi-gloss, each with its own practical and decorative job to do.
What sheen is best for kitchen walls?
Since kitchens are such a busy part of a home and often need extra cleaning, a satin or semi-gloss finish is the best options. Satin and eggshell finishes are commonly believed to be the same, but in fact, satin is a bit shinier. Satin finishes are easy to clean and good at standing up to mildew, stains and dirt.
What is the difference between satin and semi-gloss finish?
The main difference between satin, semi-gloss, and gloss paint is the sheen, with each option being progressively shinier than the last. While semi-gloss and gloss generally offer higher levels of durability, satin still stands up admirably to wear and tear. As a result, beyond sheen, they are highly comparable.
Is satin or semi-gloss better for kitchen cabinets?
While satin finishes tend to be fairly durable in high traffic areas, they’re not as durable and versatile as semi-gloss against mildew and mold. Kitchen cabinets in high moisture environments can, therefore, do better with semi-gloss paints.
What color paint hides imperfections best?
Satin paint is similar to eggshell, but it stands up well to moisture and is the best choice for hiding problems in a heavily used area. Semi-gloss and high-gloss paint are extremely reflective. Both tend to highlight imperfections rather than hiding them.
Is flat or eggshell paint better?
Using flat paint means less work for builders and painters. BUT, flat paint is recommended for ceilings and very low traffic areas for a reason. It’s not as durable or easy to clean as eggshell or other higher sheen paints. … Eggshell paint cleans easier, covers better, wears better, and lasts longer than flat paint.
Should wall paint be flat or satin?
If you are working with a new wall, professionally finished with a perfectly smooth surface, satin paint is a great option. However, if there are any imperfections in the surface, such as bumps, cracks, or holes that have been filled but still are visible, flat paint is a better choice.
How do I get a smooth finish on kitchen cabinets?
- Do Your Prep Work. …
- Use A Good Primer. …
- Use A Paint Sprayer. …
- Choose Lacquer Paint. …
- Purchase A High-Quality Paintbrush And Foam Roller. …
- Apply With A Brush And Finish With A Roller. …
- Layer Several Thin, Even Coats. …
- Sand Lightly Between Coats.
What is the new color for 2020?
Ahead of the start of a new era that will no doubt bring intense new challenges, the Pantone Color Institute has announced that its 2020 Color of the Year is PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue, a deep blue shade that’s at once comforting and relatable.
Which is easier to clean eggshell or satin?
The glossier satin sheen translates to a slicker surface that’s slightly quicker and easier to wipe clean of dust, dirt, mildew, and mold. Eggshell requires more elbow grease to get clean because it has more pigments, and the coarse pigment particles make for a rougher surface.
How do I get a good finish with eggshell paint?
- Choose the Right Roller Sleeve.
- Keep the Roller Loaded.
- Roll in a Single Direction.
- Keep a Wet Edge.
- Apply at Least Two Coats.
- Check the Results With a Work Light.
Is eggshell the same as flat?
Sometimes called satin finish, eggshell has slightly more luster than a flat finish, but you won’t be left with shiny walls. It also resists stains better than flat and can be wiped with a wet rag. Eggshell finishes are often used in bathrooms, kitchens, kids’ rooms, and other high-traffic areas.
Is eggshell a color or a finish?
The term eggshell may be used to describe the color of the average chicken’s egg, but when it comes to paint this term is more aptly used to describe the finish rather than the color. Paint finishes are categorized by the amount of gloss or sheen they project and each one is suitable for a variety of applications.
What is eggshell paint good for?
When and Why to Use Eggshell Paint Eggshell paint sheen works especially well for walls in bedrooms, living rooms, hallways, offices, and finished basements. It can even be used in higher traffic spaces such as kitchens and bathrooms or children’s rooms, though satin is a more durable choice.
What paint is easiest to touch up?
The good news is that flat paint is easy to touch up. Matte paint is not recommended for bathrooms and kitchens, but it is ideal for living room walls, ceilings, bedrooms, and walls which have many imperfections. An eggshell finish has low sheen and is highly washable.
What do professionals use to paint kitchen cabinets?
We usually use professional-grade lacquer because it has a lovely, silky-smooth feel to it, and is what cabinet manufacturers use. We think it’s the best paint for cabinets, hands-down (although there are some great pro-level water-based options as well).