Best Overall
Farrow and Ball Full Gloss Paint
- It’s an expensive-looking paint that is washable, wipeable, water-resistant, and retains its bright color and shine for years
It’s an expensive-looking paint that is washable, wipeable, water-resistant, and retains its bright color and shine for years
- It’s on the expensive side compared to the other paint on our list.
It’s on the expensive side compared to the other paint on our list.
If you were ever on the fence about whether to paint your kitchen cabinets, one look at the luscious range of paints from Farrow and Ball will sway your decision to a massive yes. Known for its array of high-quality colors and supreme finishes, the company also provides affordable samples so you can do a little test patch before you commit. This high gloss option is our top pick overall as it provides a professional finish that will look like the cabinets came already lacquered from the factory.
It has a water-based finish that is also suitable for outdoor cabinets, and you can even paint over metal cabinetry and wood. It’s water resistant, won’t flake or peel over time, and will retain its bright and luminous color for up to six years. The paint is washable and wipeable, so keeping your cabinets clean will be a breeze. There are over 130 beautiful colors to choose from, and the paint is also highly rated for indoor air quality.
Product Details: Size: 0.6 and 1.3 gallons | Finishes: 10 | Number of Colors: 132 | Dry Time: Dries in two hours, then re-apply a second coat four hours later | Primer Required: Yes
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ERIC BROCKOB
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ERIC BROCKOB
Best Acrylic
Beyond Furniture Paint
- No sanding or priming needed—this paint covers any marks effortlessly for a professional finish.
No sanding or priming needed—this paint covers any marks effortlessly for a professional finish.
- You might need three coats to cover dark marks and get a smooth and even result.
You might need three coats to cover dark marks and get a smooth and even result.
This highly-rated acrylic paint from Beyond Paint is an all-in-one primer, color, and sealant, meaning you can bypass the priming stage altogether. While it is on the expensive side, this paint does save you from having to invest in a sealant or primer. Unless your cabinets look rough, you won’t have to strip or sand them. As a result, it’s an all-around time saver for anyone who wants a quick and fuss-free kitchen cabinet refurb. It’s also easy to keep clean with just a damp sponge.
It comes in 20 colors, which isn’t a great deal, but there’s enough variety to suit all styles. Though it says it’s a gloss, the finish is more of a sheen, bordering on matte, and it can last for years without chipping or peeling. The paint doesn’t need stirring—it’s ready to go as soon as you get it. It covers unsightly marks like a dream and provides a professional-looking end result.
Product Details: Size: 1 gallon | Finishes: Gloss | Number of Colors: 20 | Dry Time: Dry in two hours, re-coat in three hours | Primer Required: No
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ERIC BROCKOB
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ERIC BROCKOB
Best Budget Acrylic
Diamond Hard by Majic Interior Exterior Acrylic Satin Paint
- It’s scratch-resistant, so it can stand up to daily use.
It’s scratch-resistant, so it can stand up to daily use.
- There are limited color options.
There are limited color options.
If you have a preference for acrylic paint for your cabinets but don’t want to pay premium prices, we recommend the Diamond Hard by Majic Paints Repurpose Interior Exterior Acrylic Satin Paint. With just one quart priced under $15, you can easily paint a small kitchen without splurging.
We appreciate that this paint is durable, scratch-resistant, and will adhere to surfaces without the need for sanding or priming. While there are only 10 color options, they are certainly attractive ones for any kitchen or bathroom cabinet. With a smooth satin finish and durable formula, we think that it’s a standout and definitely the best budget acrylic paint for cabinets.
Product Details: Sizes: 1-2 quarts | Finishes: One | Number of Colors: 10 | Dry Time: Dries in one hour, then re-apply a second coat in eight hours | Primer Required: No
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ERIC BROCKOB
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ERIC BROCKOB
Best Alkyd
Behr Semi-Gloss Enamel Paint
- It’s a mildew-resistant paint that’s easy to clean at a reasonable price.
It’s a mildew-resistant paint that’s easy to clean at a reasonable price.
- It needs a good primer and prep of cabinetry before application.
It needs a good primer and prep of cabinetry before application.
With the durability of oil-based paint and ease of use, and quick drying time, of a latex version, the Behr Premium Hybrid Urethane Alkyd Semi-Gloss Enamel Paint provides the best of both worlds. It’s suitable for applying with either a brush, nap paint roller, or an airless sprayer and goes on smoothly. It’s dry to the touch in just over two hours, but you should wait up to eight hours before applying a second coat for the best outcome.
This paint comes in either a satin finish or a semi-gloss, and both types clean up easily with just soap and water. In addition to your cabinets and trim, it's also suitable on other surfaces, such as brick, cinder block, stucco, and plaster. You can also apply this paint to aluminum, wrought iron, and wallpaper.
Product Details: Size: 1 quart, 1 gallon, and 5 gallons | Finishes: Semi-gloss and satin | Number of Colors: 34 | Dry Time: Dries in two to four hours, re-coat in four to eight hours | Primer Required: Yes
Best Oil-Based
Behr Behr Oil-Base Semi-Gloss Enamel Interior/Exterior Paint
- It’s a high-gloss oil-based paint with a superb finish at a reasonable price.
It’s a high-gloss oil-based paint with a superb finish at a reasonable price.
- While this might be a good paint for your cabinets, it is an oil-based paint. This means it will take longer to dry due to the high levels of VOCs.
While this might be a good paint for your cabinets, it is an oil-based paint. This means it will take longer to dry due to the high levels of VOCs.
Ranked as the most trusted American paint brand, it’s no wonder why Behr appears twice on our list. This mildew-resistant paint is suitable indoors and outdoors and can protect your cabinets from scratches and rust. It can be used on wood and metal cabinets and is perfect for trims and siding. The finish looks professional and easy to apply with a brush, roller, or sprayer.
You’ll need a primer before using this on your cabinets, and if prepped, the result is a high-gloss and durable finish that will look new for a long time. Two coats are recommended for the best outcome, and once applied, cabinets are super simple to keep clean with your regular kitchen sponge. It’s even resistant to kitchen chemicals if you ever need to go over them with a more hard-working cleaner. It comes in the same colors as the company’s Alkyd Semi-Gloss Enamel Paint, so there’s something for everyone.
Product Details: Size: 1 quart, 1 gallon | Finishes: Semi-gloss | Number of Colors: 34 | Dry Time: Dries in two hours, re-coat in four hours | Primer Required: Yes
Best Latex
Valspar Satin Cabinet and Furniture Paint Enamel
- It provides a factory-like finish with no brush marks and offers 1,000 tint options.
It provides a factory-like finish with no brush marks and offers 1,000 tint options.
- It can only be used on wood and needs four to eight hours between coats.
It can only be used on wood and needs four to eight hours between coats.
This satin paint achieves factory-like results and is suitable for wooden cabinetry and furniture. Not only does this paint look great, but it is durable, resistant to stains, scuffs, and scratches. The paint goes on smoothly, doesn’t leave brush marks, and is designed not to fade over the years. The formula, although water-based, is oil-enriched for a more hard-wearing finish.
This enamel paint has a satin finish and is washable with soap and water. Once you’ve painted your cabinets and they’re dry, you can scrub them clean, and the paint will stay intact. The paint comes in this brilliant bright white that can be used as it is, or Lowe’s allows you to customize the color and sheen with around 1,000 tint options. It’s suitable for use with a brush, roller, and paint sprayer.
Product Details: Size: 1 quart, 1 gallon | Finishes: Flat, satin, semi-gloss | Number of Colors: Tintable to 1,000+ colors | Dry Time: Dries in two hours, re-coat in four to eight hours | Primer Required: Yes
Best Chalk Paint
Shabby Chic Chalk Based Furniture Paint
- Requires hardly any prep work, and there’s no need for primer or base coat
Requires hardly any prep work, and there’s no need for primer or base coat
- This paint is expensive if you have lots of cabinets to cover, and you need to apply a protective top coat.
This paint is expensive if you have lots of cabinets to cover, and you need to apply a protective top coat.
Chalk paints have become an increasingly popular choice for kitchen and bathroom cabinets thanks to their superior coverage, low VOCs, and durability. Many people view chalk paint as excellent choice for cabinets, as it requires little to no prep work before you can get started. The Shabby Chic Chalked Furniture Paint comes in a selection of 30 colors, and all you have to do is clean the surface to start. This water-based paint is non-toxic and has very little odor.
The paint provides a distressed finish which is very “in” at the moment in the world of interiors, and, as opposed to other types of paint like oil-based options, the brush strokes are slightly visible to compliment the shabby chic look. To keep its durability and make it suitable for kitchens, you’ll have to provide a tougher outer layer, by applying a wax top coat, like the Shabby Chic Multi-Surface Sealant or Valspar’s Chalky Clear Sealing Wax. The wax takes a long time to cure (a full 24 hours), but the final result can last for years.
Product Details: Size: 0.07 gallons | Finishes: Matte | Number of Colors: 30 | Dry Time: Three hours | Primer Required: Yes, unless used on wood
Best for Laminate
Cabinet Rescue Laminate Cabinet Paint
- It dries quickly and is ideal for elevating laminate cabinets.
It dries quickly and is ideal for elevating laminate cabinets.
- If your laminate cabinets are peeling or damaged, they’ll need to be repaired before applying this paint.
If your laminate cabinets are peeling or damaged, they’ll need to be repaired before applying this paint.
As our pick for cabinets that are laminated, the Cabinet Rescue can glide on your cabinetry effortlessly and securely adhere even without using a primer. It’s one of the fastest drying paints available in this category as you only have to wait two hours before applying a second coat—meaning you can get your whole kitchen refurb done in a day. The paint is mildew resistant and easy to clean with soap and water.
The coat dries hard and is resistant to chipping, staining, and smudging, and it won’t go yellow over time. A single one-quart pot can cover up to 100 square feet making this option economical too. The Cabinet Rescue has an eggshell sheen, and while it's suitable for countertops it doesn't state whether the paint is food-grade or not. So, it's best to stick to just going over cabinets with it.
Product Details: Size: 0.25 gallons | Finishes: Factory like | Number of Colors: Tintable to 1,000+ colors | Dry Time: Dries in one hour, re-coat in two hours | Primer Required: No
Best Value
Clare Interior Paint
- It doesn’t require a primer.
It doesn’t require a primer.
- Their color collection is not as large as other popular brands.
Their color collection is not as large as other popular brands.
Paint for cabinets should be carefully selected on its quality and overall value. We appreciate the Clare Interior Paint not only for its price point but for its high-quality formula.
We think it’s more than worth the value considering it has zero VOCs and is self-priming, so you won’t need to purchase one separately. Plus, it’s also GREENGUARD Gold Certified, which means this paint meets a set of pre-determined standards to ensure it emits fewer pollutants.
Although Clare’s selection of 75 colors is smaller compared to other brands, we appreciated the creative color names and that you can choose from three size options: gallon, quart, and swatch.
Each paint is available in two finishes: trim paint, which is a semi-gloss finish that is recommended for cabinets and doors; and eggshell, which is suited for any interior surface, particularly walls.
We like that the dry time after painting cabinets is reasonable (between 30 and 60 minutes), and you can also pair your paint with the mini paint kit, which includes an angled brush, disposable plastic tray, and roller frame with two microfiber covers, to paint your cabinets with ease.
Product Details: Sizes: Swatch, quart, gallon | Finishes: Two | Number of Colors: 75 | Dry Time: Dries within an hour, then re-apply a second coat in two to four hours | Primer Required: No
Best Luxury
Farrow and Ball Interior Paint
- There are several colors to choose from and it’s resistant to flaking and fading.
There are several colors to choose from and it’s resistant to flaking and fading.
- If your cabinets need more than two coats, you’ll need to invest even more in this pricey paint.
If your cabinets need more than two coats, you’ll need to invest even more in this pricey paint.
If you’re looking to splurge on some high-quality paint to go with your freshly sanded-down cabinets, then you'll love Farrow and Ball Interior Paint. With more than 130 colors to choose from (including sample options), you can transform your cabinets and create the kitchen of your dreams.
We specifically recommend the full gloss finish as the best luxury paint for cabinets that, when applied correctly and maintained over time, is resistant to water, flaking, peeling, and fading for up to six years. If you prefer a more matte finish for your cabinets, then the modern eggshell or estate eggshell finishes are the options for your space.
Farrow and Ball’s paints are water-based, so they are relatively fast-drying and have low odor and low VOCs. Each gallon of paint is up to $150, which is quite an investment especially if you’re in need of more than one to paint your cabinets. However, we think these will be worth the cost for those who want durable, luxury paint.
Product Details: Sizes: 0.75 and 1 gallon | Finishes: Eight | Number of Colors: 132 | Dry Time: Dries in two hours, then re-apply a second coat four hours later | Primer Required: Yes