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The Best Paint for Bathroom Cabinets: A DIY Guide

0 · Mar 21, 2023 · Leave a Comment

The best paint for bathroom cabinets is a toss-up between latex and hybrid alkyd enamel paint. I decided to go with a hybrid alkyd enamel.

There are a number of reasons I painted my bathroom cabinets with this type of paint and part of it was personal preference. Read the rest of this blog to see which one is right for you.

What Types of Paint Can You Use for Bathroom Cabinets?

Choosing the right type of paint for your bathroom cabinets is crucial to having a professional-looking paint job that will last for a long time.

There are several options, and some are definitely better choices than others. 

When painting anything in the bathroom, it’s important to consider that your painted surface will be exposed to damp warm air, as well as chemicals such as fragrances, hair spray, deodorant, and cleaning supplies to name a few.

You need to choose a paint that is durable enough to tolerate all those conditions.

Latex and hybrid alkyd paints are great for this environment. If you want to use something like chalk paint or milk paint, you’ll need to carefully apply a couple of coats of a good water-resistant sealer. Otherwise, your paint job will start to deteriorate fairly quickly.

Another thing to consider when you’re planning your bathroom painting project is that this will likely take you a few days.

It’s not several days of constant hard work, but the primer (if using) and paint will need time to dry between coats. Some paints, such as oil-based paints, take considerably longer to dry than other types of paint.

If you’re applying a sealant after the paint, you’ll need to allow another day or two for that to dry, also.

If you have a second bathroom, you might want to use it exclusively while you’re working on this project. Otherwise, just be super careful around the wet paint, and realize that it might take the paint a little longer to dry if the bathroom is getting steamy from hot showers. 

Oil-Based Paints

Oil-based paints are durable, and stain resistant, and the colors last a long time without fading or yellowing.

However, there are some drawbacks to oil-based paints.

They take a really long time to dry, and because of their high VOC (volatile organic compounds) content, they have an odor.

Unfortunately with oil-based paints, that “new paint smell” can last for several days, up to a week. You absolutely need to be outside or in a very well-ventilated area when painting with oil-based paints.

If you’re working in a small space (and most bathrooms are going to be fairly small), there are better paint choices that will give you excellent results.

Latex Paints

Latex is the most common type of paint you’ll find in home improvement stores for any interior painting project. The colors and finish are comparable to oil-based paints.

The biggest difference between latex and oil-based paints is that latex paint has a much faster drying time, and while it still has some odor it’s not nearly as strong as the smell of oil-based paints.

Latex paints are a budget-friendly option as well.

Because most major paint manufacturers sell latex paints, you’ll find the most color choices at affordable prices.

Hybrid Alkyd Enamel Paint

Hybrid alkyd enamel paints combine the best features of oil-based and latex paints together. Hybrid alkyd paints are water-based like latex paint but contain alkyd resin pigments like oil-based paint. With this type of paint, you get beautiful colors and an appearance similar to oil paint, with a low VOC content and durability like latex paint.

Hybrid Alkyd paints are virtually odorless and clean up easily with soap and water. As this type of paint is becoming more prevalent, you’ll have no trouble finding it in a variety of finishes, and in nearly as many colors as latex paints.

They are another budget-friendly option, with pricing similar to most brands of latex paints.

Chalk Paint

We all love chalk paint, right? It’s so trendy right now, and there are so many beautiful colors available. It’s being used by professional interior designers and DIY enthusiasts to create lovely and unique looks for any home.

However, chalk paint probably isn’t the best choice to use on bathroom cabinets. The biggest reason for this is that chalk paint is prone to chipping.

Even with a good sealant or chalk paint wax, chalk paint’s durability might not stand up to the amount of moisture that it will be exposed to in a bathroom. Chalk paint, even with sealant, won’t stand up to the amount of cleaning that a bathroom needs, also.

Milk Paint

Milk paint is another type of paint that is becoming increasingly popular in home design.

With milk paint, you can achieve will a velvety matte finish similar to chalk paint, but milk paint is a more durable choice than chalk paint for cabinets.

It will still need a good sealant, preferably two or more coats. Milk paint actually becomes stronger over time, but for even more durability you can mix in a bonding agent for a super-tough finish.

Even with a bonding agent and sealant, milk paint can be prone to scratching and scuffing on areas that are touched or moved often. It’s not the worst choice for your bathroom cabinets, but you’ll still have to be careful with it. For bathroom painting, milk paint is better than chalk paint.

Milk paint is sold in powder form, so you can mix it with water to get just the quantity you need.

The powdered form has a long shelf life, so you won’t have to worry about disposing of leftover paint. You can keep the powdered paint in an airtight container and it will be handy if you have to do any touch-ups after a while.

Best Finish For Bathroom Cabinets

The finish of your paint choice is an important consideration for any room project. You want to have at least a little bit of a glossy sheen to your paint finish.

A surface with some shine to it will be easier to clean, and it will stay looking new for a longer period of time.

I prefer a semi-gloss finish for the bathroom, although a satin finish looks great if you want your cabinets to look a bit more matte in appearance.

Glossy or high gloss finishes are a good choice, but I just like the look of semi-gloss more. That’s strictly my personal preference, so if you love a glossy shine, go for it!

I wouldn’t recommend creating a distressed or “chippy” look on your bathroom cabinets. Although this look is wonderful on some pieces of furniture when you do this on a surface that is touched or moved a lot you’re taking a risk of having more paint flake off. Y

ou can mitigate this with a good top coat, but after a while, even a top coat can start to wear. A durable paint that has a finish formulated for daily use is your best bet. 

Should You Use Primer for Bathroom Cabinets?

Whether you should use a primer on your bathroom cabinets depends on what type of paint you will be using. Personally, I almost always prime before applying paint.

I think the end result looks more professional, and the paint job stays looking great for a long time. Yes, I have even been known to use a primer if the paint is “paint and primer in one”. 


If you’re going to paint your bathroom cabinets with chalk paint (not recommended) or milk paint, you will definitely need to apply a primer first.

Oil-based paints work best with a primer coat also. With latex and hybrid alkyd paints, you can get away with not priming for most brands, but I’m still a fan of applying a primer coat first for the best results.

Should You Use Sealant for Bathroom Cabinets?

Depending on what type of paint you use, a separate coat of sealant may not be necessary.  Latex and hybrid alkyd paints are durable and provide a good moisture and stain-resistant finish; you don’t need to use a sealant with these paints.

Milk paint and chalk paint should absolutely be sealed. I wouldn’t recommend a wax finish for anything in the bathroom, especially if you enjoy very hot showers!

The heat from your shower or even from frequently using a hot hairdryer will eventually soften the wax and deteriorate the finish. Before you know it, the moist heat and humidity will break down your wax sealant and you’ll need to reapply it.

 A polycrylic sealant over chalk paint or milk paint is, in my opinion, the best choice. Use at least two coats, and make sure every surface of your painted cabinet is fully sealed. Read the label on the polycrylic paint you buy to make sure it is water-resistant.

Polyurethane sealants have a much stronger resistance to water, but there are some downsides to using them. They do have a strong odor, and over time they tend to “yellow”.

The yellow cast will show more if you apply polyurethane over neutrals or light colors.

How to Choose the Color

Choosing the paint color is one of the most fun parts of planning a painting project. There really aren’t any hard and fast rules to picking out colors. Choose colors that make you happy! 

However, I do have some tips to help you find the perfect color for your bathroom cabinets.

White, off-white, and very light neutral shades are popular choices for bathrooms. They make smaller rooms seem more open and clean, and they can be accented with any color.

If you’re not a fan of whites or neutrals, pastel or muted colors also look great in bathrooms. These lighter shades aren’t overwhelming in a smaller room, and it’s fun to find darker colors to complement them,

Many homes have very small bathrooms, and darker or jewel-toned colors can make a small room seem even smaller.

If you want to paint your bathroom cabinets in a darker color, it will probably look best if the rest of your bathroom is painted with neutrals or very light colors.

With any paint project, I think it’s important not to make a color choice too quickly. Get paint sample cards from your local home improvement store.

Another tip is to buy a small container of one or two paint colors you like, and paint a couple of pieces of cardboard with them.

Tape the painted cardboard to the front of your bathroom cabinets and leave them there for a day or two. Colors can look slightly different in the light from your bathroom than they might have looked in the home improvement store. 

Supplies You Need for Painting Your Cabinets

It’s a good idea to gather all your supplies in one place before starting any major painting project. You won’t need any specialized equipment to paint your bathroom cabinets, but here’s a basic list of supplies you’ll probably use:

  • Painters tape (masking tape) and drop cloths. You’ll need these to protect your walls, sink, floors, and countertops.

  • Brushes and rollers. You should probably have brushes in a couple of different sizes, with at least one smaller width brush to easily paint the edges of your cabinets.
  • Sandpaper and wood putty.  You won’t need a lot of sandpaper, and you don’t need very heavy grit. A light to medium sandpaper should be sufficient to scuff up your cabinets. The wood putty is to fill any holes and cracks. It’s also a good idea to smooth a very thin layer of wood putty over wood cabinets with a deep grain (such as oak) if you want a perfectly smooth look when completed.
  • Cleaning supplies. You should have a roll of paper towels, some rags, and a bucket of soapy water nearby to clean up any drips or spills. If you’re using paint that is not water-soluble, such as oil-based paints, you’ll need to have a solvent such as turpentine or mineral spirits on hand for cleaning.
  • Paint and Primer. Have all the primer and paint ready to go as soon as you begin the project. You don’t want to get partway through the project and have to stop to buy more paint, so be sure you have enough to finish painting all your cabinets.

Should You Use a Roller or a Brush for Bathroom Cabinets?

My personal opinion is that both brushes and rollers do a great job on your bathroom cabinets. In fact, I think it’s necessary to have both on hand to make the painting job as easy as possible.

For broad, flat surfaces (such as cabinet doors), using a paint roller will make the job so much easier. Use a high-density foam roller, four to six inches wide, for the best results.

The foam rollers will apply the paint as smoothly as if you’d sprayed it on. The “flocked” paint rollers will work fine, but it might take you a little extra work to get the paint to look perfectly smooth.

Get one or two brushes, in a medium and narrow width. Brushes are perfect for “cutting in” the paint where the cabinet is attached to the wall and floor, and for small areas such as edges and textured details. 

How to Paint Your Bathroom Cabinets – A Brief Overview

Painting your bathroom cabinets can seem like a big job, but it can be easily broken down into several easy steps. Here are the basics:

  • First, take some “before” pics of your project! I forget to do this so often and find myself wishing I had “before” pics for comparison.

  • Clean the bathroom. Even if you think it’s clean, go ahead and clean it again. You don’t want any hair or dust getting painted into your project. Remove anything in and around the cabinet. Put down drop cloths.

  • Remove the doors from your cabinets, and remove the hardware. If you don’t want to remove the hardware, cover them with painter’s tape to keep them clean.
  • Apply painter’s tape where the cabinets meet the walls, and on the edges of any countertops.

  • Lightly sand your cabinets. You don’t have to remove all the finish, but rough it up enough to help the primer and paint stick better.

  • Clean again! Wipe down the sanded cabinets with a damp cloth to get rid of any dust.

  • Fill in any holes or scratches with wood putty.

  • It’s time to prime! Apply one or two coats of primer (allowing drying time between coats)

  • Finally, you’re ready to paint! Two to three coats is best, and be sure to allow enough time for the paint to fully dry between coats.

  • Once your paint is fully dry, you can apply a sealant if you’re using one.

  • Now all you have to do is clean up, and put your bathroom back together!

Take those “after” pics now, and post them on your social media with your “before” pics! Be proud of the great job you’ve done and let your friends see your beautiful new bathroom.

How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets with Chalk Paint – Pros and Cons

0 · Mar 10, 2023 · Leave a Comment

Thinking about painting your cabinets with chalk paint? In this blog, I’m going to cover the pros and cons four years after I painted my cabinets with chalk paint. Let me tell you, you’re gonna want to read this if you’re considering chalk painting your cabinets!

How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets with Chalk Paint

Pros of Using Chalk Paint for Kitchen Cabinet

Let’s get right into some of the reasons I like chalk paint for kitchen cabinets. While chalk paint might not be the preferred choice for everyone, it does have several advantages.

  • Appearance: Chalk paint is great for the smooth, matte finish that is so popular right now. It’s perfect for the “country chic” look that so many interior designers love. With many brands of chalk paint available, there are dozens (or more) color choices; something to fit any decorating scheme.

    Easy Prep: Chalk paint is very thick and provides good coverage. Most brands of chalk paint advertise that no priming or sanding is needed. For big projects like kitchen cabinets, I think minimal priming is beneficial, but it’s still a lot less work than prepping your cabinets for more “traditional” paints. You might find you need fewer coats of paint using chalk paint. Because it is quite thick, it covers wood grain and imperfections easily.

  • Characteristics of Chalk Paint: Chalk paint dries quickly, so you won’t have to wait as long to paint between coats. This also means you can have your kitchen back to a usable state much quicker than if you use more traditional paints. Also, chalk paint has a very low VOC (volatile organic compounds) content, which means you won’t have to smell any harsh paint fumes.

Cons of Using Chalk Paint for Kitchen Cabinets

Despite the immense popularity of chalk paint in home decor, there are a few downsides to consider before choosing this paint for your kitchen cabinets. 

  • Painting with Chalk Paint: Chalk paint is a bit different from other paints. It has a thicker consistency, which provides nice coverage. However, it also makes it a little challenging to apply it evenly. If you spread it too thick, it will take longer to cure. When you’re painting carved or textured details, you want to be careful about spreading the paint too thick also. You’ll lose the details if your paint is applied too thickly.

  Since chalk paint is water soluble, it can be thinned with water. However, you have to be very careful not to make it too thin, or you will end up with streaks and visible brush strokes. If this happens, you can “fix” it with additional layers of paint, but it means you might end up using more paint and taking more time.

  • Chipping and Scratching: Chalk paint gets chipped and scuffed easier than other types of paint. That’s why it works so beautifully to create a distressed look on home projects. While you can distress your kitchen cabinets and drawers, you don’t want the paint to continue to chip. The best way to address this is to complete your painted project with a sealer. Even with a good sealant, chalk paint will scratch easier than other paints. It’s not a bad choice for the kitchen, but be aware that you will find yourself having to touch up spots more frequently than if another type of paint was used.

  • Sealing Chalk Paint: If you use chalk paint for any area that will be frequently touched or moved, like cabinets or drawers, you’re going to need to apply a sealant coat. If you don’t, the paint will chip and scuff in a very short time. There are several options for how you want to seal your chalk painted surface. No matter which sealant product you choose, it means an additional step to the painting process and additional time for drying/curing.

How to Paint Wood Cabinets with Chalk Paint

Painting your kitchen cabinets is a huge project to take on yourself. It takes a lot of planning and preparation. If you think this is something you can knock out over a long weekend, guess again!  I’m not trying to sound discouraging, though. Doing it yourself is immensely satisfying, and can be more cost-effective than hiring someone else to do it.

Let’s break this project down into several steps, so it won’t seem so overwhelming.

Gather Your Materials

This may seem obvious, but the job will go a lot smoother if you have all your tools and equipment gathered before you start. It will save you time when you don’t have to periodically stop to look for something.

Here is a quick checklist of the basic materials you’ll need for your kitchen cabinet painting project:

  • Plastic sheeting and drop cloths. You’ll need these to cover your floor, countertops, and appliances. Basically, you want to cover everything around the cabinets and drawers you’ll be painting to protect from sanding dust and paint splatters.

  • Painters Tape.  Painters tape, sometimes called simply masking tape, is absolutely essential to any large painting project. Don’t even think about trying to paint walls or cabinets without it! 

  • Cleaning Supplies. Fortunately, chalk paint is water-based and easy to clean up. Keep a roll of paper towels, sponges, and a bucket of soapy water handy in case of any drips or spills. If you’re using polycrylic or polyurethane sealant, you’ll also need turpentine to clean the brushes you use to apply the sealant. A small hand-held vacuum is a good idea to help clean up the dust from sanding or drilling.

  • Tools and Hardware. If you plan to change the hardware on your cabinets, or if you just want to remove the hardware before painting, you’ll need the proper size screwdriver. Keep small containers or zip-top bags to store all the hardware and nails so you’ll know where they are. If you’re installing new hardware, you’ll need a power drill and tape measure.

  • Sandpaper and Wood Putty. Even though most chalk paint brands say they don’t require any prep before painting, light sanding always makes paint adhere better. This is crucial if you’re painting over a shiny or varnished surface. You’ll need wood putty if you are filling in any holes, or are going to paint over any wood with deep grain, such as oak.  Sandpaper is needed to give the cabinets a light sanding before applying primer or paint. You won’t need to strip wood cabinets completely, but sanding them makes the paint adhere better.

  • Painting Supplies. Last but by no means least, you’ll need to have all your painting supplies ready. This means not only your paint, but primer (if using), brushes in several sizes, rollers (if using), and stirring sticks.

Prepping Your Kitchen

After you’ve gathered all your supplies, the next step is to make your kitchen safe for the painting process. You will probably not have much use of your kitchen for several days while working on your cabinets, so plan to have food in your refrigerator that you can prepare easily and quickly.

The first thing you’ll need to do is clear all the countertops of small appliances, canisters, food, etc. You don’t want anything to get contaminated by sanding dust or small paint splatters.

Cover the floor, appliances, and countertops with plastic sheeting. You can secure the plastic sheeting with tape.

If your kitchen is part of an open floor plan, you might want to hang plastic sheeting between the kitchen area and the living area of your home.

Prepping the Cabinets

To get your cabinets ready to paint, the first thing you should do is carefully remove the doors. Be sure to keep the hinges, handles, and nails in a container so that you’ll know where and what they are. The doors will be much easier to paint laying flat, rather than leaving them hanging on the cabinets.

You’ll also need to remove everything from inside the cabinets. Make sure the inside area is clean, and don’t forget to remove any shelf liner you might have in there.

Cleaning and Masking

Now it’s time to clean! You’ll need to clean the doors you removed, as well as the sides and even the inside of your cabinets. You should be able to get them perfectly clean with some dish detergent and warm water. Kitchen cabinets are inevitably going to have some residue that will need to be cleaned off, so take the time to make sure they’re spotless.

You really don’t need to paint the inside of the cabinets (unless you want to for some reason), so take more of the plastic sheeting and hang it across the front of the open cabinets. This will prevent any paint from getting on the inside.

Apply the masking tape around everywhere that the cabinets meet the wall. Take your time and make sure the tape is right up against the edge of the cabinet. This is going to be a little bit tedious, but it will help you achieve a professional result that won’t need much touching up at the end.

Sanding and Priming

If your cabinets have a glossy, varnished surface, you will need to lightly sand them to help the chalk paint stick. You don’t need to completely strip the surface of the wood, just scuff it up so that it’s not so perfectly smooth.

After sanding, you’ll need to clean the cabinets again. You want to make sure there is no sanding dust left on them!

If you’re going to replace the hardware and will be drilling new holes, this is the time to fill the old holes with some wood putty. You can also use the wood putty to smooth out any deep scratches or nicks in your cabinets.

If you’re painting over oak, or any hardwood with deep, noticeable grain, the paint will apply better if you put a very thin coating of wood putty over the grain. It won’t take much! Just smooth some over the surface and scrape it with a putty knife so it’s just filling in the wood grain. 

Even though many brands of chalk paint will say that primer isn’t necessary, I think it makes a noticeable difference. One coat of primer will help the paint apply more smoothly and evenly, and will also help hide any deep wood grain or imperfections. Since kitchen cabinets are so frequently touched, the primer coat adds another layer of protection that will keep your paint job looking great for years to come.

Time to Paint the Cabinets!

Finally, after all that prep work, it’s time to paint! Look over your cabinets and doors to make sure they’re completely clean, and that you didn’t miss any places that need primed or filled in.

Chalk paint goes on smoothly with a brush or roller. Paint rollers are best for broader surfaces, like the front of your cabinet doors. Smaller brushes are great for the sides and edges of your cabinets. I wrote a full article on the best chalk paint brushes you can check out to learn more.

Don’t be tempted to apply too much paint at once. Even if your first coat of paint looks a little bit “streaky”, let it dry and then apply a second coat. The second coat should cover any streaks and give you the smooth, pretty appearance that chalk paint is known for. Thin layers of paint will work best for a great finish. Be sure to allow each coat to dry fully before applying the next coat of chalk paint. Chalk paint dries quickly, but don’t be tempted to paint the next coat too soon. 

Is Chalk Paint Suitable For Creating A Worn Look For My Kitchen Cabinets?

Chalk paint is perfect if you want to achieve an “antiqued” or “distressed” look. The worn, well-loved appearance you can get with chalk paint can be absolutely charming. If you want this appearance for your kitchen cabinets, it’s fairly easy to do. Once your final coat of chalk paint is dry, lightly sand the areas you want to look “distressed”. Be careful that you don’t take off too much paint at once. Sanding slowly and with a light touch will get you better results.

The distressed look is very popular right now, and when it’s done properly it looks great! However, keep in mind that any area you distress is going to need to be sealed, and it shouldn’t be done to a part of the cabinet you’ll be touching frequently. Sealing is really important; you don’t want the paint to chip or flake off in the kitchen where you prepare food!

How to Protect the Color After Painting Cabinets with Chalk Paint

Before you reattach your hardware and start putting your kitchen back together, you’ll need to apply some kind of sealant to your chalk paint cabinets. A good sealant will not only keep the paint color looking vibrant, but will also protect your paint job from chips and scratches.

A big part of the appeal of chalk paint is its velvety matte finish. If this look is why you chose chalk paint for your cabinets, you need to choose a sealant that won’t add much glossiness to your finished project. Any finish that is described as “matte”, “satin”, or even “semi-gloss” is going to be the best choice to keep your painted cabinets looking smooth.

For the kitchen, there are basically three different types of sealants that are appropriate. Be sure to read the product labels and online user reviews of any sealants you’re considering. You’ll also want to make sure you know how to seal chalk paint before you start.

Polyurethane sealant is an oil-based product that produces a highly durable finish that you probably won’t ever have to touch up. It’s easy to apply with a brush, but you do have to use turpentine or another solvent to clean it up. Polyurethane also has a very strong odor and takes a long time to fully dry. This finish might not be a good choice if you’re sealing white or other very light colors, because it has a tendency to yellow over time.

Polycrylic sealant is water-based, so it cleans up easily with just soap and water. It provides a very durable finish that doesn’t yellow over time and has very little odor. If you want white or very light-colored cabinets to stay true to their original color, this sealant is your best choice. It applies easily with a brush, although the consistency is very thin so you have to be careful of drips. Polycrylic products are an excellent choice for protecting kitchen cabinets.

Wax sealants, sometimes sold specifically as chalk paint waxes, are clear or slightly tinted waxes that are buffed over the painted objects. The wax finish provides just a slight sheen, preserving the matte appearance of your chalk paint projects. Clear waxes will slightly deepen the paint color. Tinted waxes can be applied over paint to achieve a translucent “wash” of color over the base coat of paint. While wax finishes look gorgeous, it is very labor-intensive to apply. Also, a wax finish will need to be “freshened up” after a year or two. 

Can I Use Chalk Paint On My Kitchen Cabinets Without Sealing Them?

You can use chalk paint on your cabinets without applying sealant, but it’s not a good idea. I know sealing them seems like maybe it’s an optional step to this major kitchen project, and by the time you’ve applied that last coat of paint, you’re probably just ready to put your kitchen back together. Just trust me on this, it’s worth a little extra time to apply a sealant.

Chalk paint is a “soft” paint. That’s why it’s perfect for distressed finishes. It can be sanded off strategically, but it also can chip and scratch very easily if not protected. Kitchen cabinets are probably going to be touched and moved several times a day, every day, and all of that will slowly cause wear and tear on your painted surfaces. The final step of sealing the paint will make your kitchen makeover last much longer.

Do I Have To Seal Chalk Paint With Wax?

Many brands of chalk paint also sell their own wax finishes, but you don’t necessarily have to use wax to seal your cabinets.  I love the look of a satiny wax finish on chalk-painted furniture, but I didn’t choose it for my kitchen cabinets.

Applying a wax sealant is a lot of work, especially compared to how easily polyacrylic sealants can be brushed on. Over time, the wax will break down a little bit and need to be reapplied. That’s a major home project every few years to keep your painted cabinets looking nice. My other concern about using a wax finish is that they do have a tendency to yellow after a while, and I wanted my white cabinets to stay looking as white as possible.

Is Chalk Paint or Milk Paint better for Cabinets?

Both chalk paint and milk paint have similar qualities. There’s always a big debate about chalk paint vs milk paint for different projects. They’re both water-based and have low VOC content, which means no to low odor. Both paints dry quickly, and they are both great choices for creating a distressed appearance on whatever you’ve painted. There are two areas where milk paint has a slight advantage over chalk paint. 

The first advantage milk paint has over chalk paint has to do with durability. Although both of these paints can be sanded for an antiqued/chipped look, milk paint will actually get stronger over time. The casein proteins in milk paint create a stronger bond to the surface the longer time goes by. Also, most brands of milk paint also sell a bonding agent that can be mixed into the paint for extra durability. With proper care, this means you’re less likely to have problems with scratches and scuffs if your cabinets are painted with milk paint.

The other area where milk paint has an advantage is that it’s easy to touch up any chipping that may occur. Milk paint is sold in a powdered form that you mix with water. The powder has an almost indefinite shelf life if stored in an airtight container. So if you find the need to touch up an area that has become noticeably chipped or scuffed, you can simply mix up a little of the milk paint powder to touch it up. Save a little of the powder from your original paint job, and you won’t have to buy additional paint for touch-ups! Not all mixes are high-quality so you’ll want to make sure you’re getting the best milk paint from a reputable brand.

Choosing a Color Palette

In my opinion, there is no such thing as the “perfect” color palette for any kitchen. The color(s) you choose should make you happy and should reflect your personality.

That being said, the current trend for kitchen cabinet colors tends to be whites, pale neutrals, and shades of soft grays and blues. Whatever color you choose, keep in mind that whites and lighter shades will open up a space, and make your kitchen seem larger and brighter, Conversely, jewel tones and darker colors will make your kitchen feel a bit more closed in.

Once you’ve narrowed it down to two or three color choices, purchase small cans of each paint shade that you’re considering. Then, paint a piece (or two) of posterboard with each color, and tape the boards to the front of your kitchen cabinets. Leave these color swatches up for a couple of days so you can see if one color appeals to you more than the other. Be sure to look at your posterboard swatches from different angles and distances before making your final decision.  

After I Painted the Wood Cabinets White

My kitchen cabinets were originally a lovely, dark wood with noticeable wood grain. They didn’t look bad, but I felt like they were starting to look a little “dated”. I eventually chose a “true white” shade with cool undertones to paint them.

The white paint transformed my narrow kitchen into a space that seemed brighter and somehow larger. I didn’t realize how the dark wood cabinets were dominating the look of the kitchen. Once the cabinets were painted white, it seemed like other areas of the kitchen were more noticeable.

I should mention that my lovely white cabinets do seem to show every speck of dust or dirt more noticeably. I know we all keep perfectly clean kitchens all the time, right? Of course we do! But, I’ve got to admit I feel like I’m wiping “stuff” off the cabinets a lot more frequently since they’ve been painted white!

How My Chalk-Painted Cabinets Have Held Up After Four Years

My chalk-painted kitchen cabinets still look good, but not quite as good as I’d like them to be.  In spite of my careful application of a polyacrylic sealant, there are some tiny chips and scuff marks on the cabinets. They’re not noticeable unless you are looking for them up close, but I’m a bit disappointed they’re even there. The tiny chips are near the side of the cabinet doors; near the hinges. It’s an area that experiences a lot of movement, so it’s not that surprising. On the cabinets under the kitchen sink, there are one or two very faint scuff marks. These are barely visible, but I worry about them becoming more noticeable over time.

I’m not sure if I didn’t apply enough sealant, if the sealant I used wasn’t durable enough, or if this is just the nature of chalk-painted cabinets. Regardless, it’s disappointing that my paint job looks less-than-perfect after a few years. 

If I were to re-paint the cabinets, I don’t think chalk paint would be my first choice again. I’m crazy about the matte look, but its apparent chalk paint might not be up to the daily wear and tear of my kitchen. I would probably use a satin finish latex paint or perhaps milk paint (with sealant) if I were to repaint the cabinets today.

In spite of the mild disappointment in how they’ve held up, I really do love the look of the painted cabinets. I’m still a fan of using chalk paint to transform furniture from something nondescript into something more exciting. I hope my experiences have helped you decide if painting your kitchen cabinets with chalk paint is a project you want to tackle. If not, here are some of the most common questions I hear about using chalk paint in the home:

Should you roll or brush the paint?

The answer to this question is simple: you should do both! Using a roller or a brush is really determined by what it is that you’re painting. Rollers are perfect for wide flat areas while using a brush works better for small areas, or for areas that aren’t perfectly flat.  Which of these tools to use, or to use both, is really determined by the project you’re working on.

What is the best chalk paint to use?

There are so many brands of chalk paint available right now; it can be a little overwhelming to pick which is “best”. As always, I recommend reviewing the color selections, prices, and online user reviews to help decide which paint will work best for your project.

One of the more popular choices for interior painting is Rust-Oleum Chalked Paint. It’s available in a great variety of colors and isn’t too expensive. Rust-Oleum is a trusted brand with a great reputation among people who like to do DIY home painting projects. 

Retique It Chalky Finish Paint is another great choice, especially if you’re looking for a wider color selection. This paint is a bit more expensive, but it’s known to apply smoothly and dries to the touch in less than an hour.

If you’re looking for fun color choices with the absolute best coverage, you should check out the best chalk paints to see which is right for you. This paint is affordable and is one of the few paints I would truly say might not need a primer coat. 

What color is best for kitchen cabinets?

It’s hard to say what color is “best”! Choosing a color for anywhere in the home is such a personal choice. I would say pick a color that makes you happy, especially when you consider how much time you spend in your kitchen.

That being said, whites and neutrals are trendy for kitchens right now and I love that aesthetic! Soft, light colors make the kitchen appear more “open” and inviting, even if your kitchen isn’t very large to begin with. You can add a pop of color by painting the trim around doors and windows in a more vibrant color. 

Did you seal your cabinets with wax or poly?

I love the look of wax sealant on chalk-painted wood furniture and home accent pieces. But for my kitchen cabinets, I chose to use a clear matte polycrylic sealant. The reasons for this choice were simple. First, it’s easier to apply than wax sealant. Wax also has a tendency to “break down” over time, and I didn’t want to have to re-wax all of my cabinets after a couple of years. The second reason for choosing a polycrylic sealant is that it’s easier to clean. For the most part, it wipes clean with just soap and water. 

Have you had to re-wax?

Since I didn’t use wax on my kitchen cabinets, I haven’t had to re-wax them. However, I’ve painted wood furniture with chalk paint that needed to be re-wax after a couple of years. It’s a little labor-intensive, but the furniture looks great! When re-waxing, you only need to apply one coat, so it won’t take quite as long as when you originally applied the wax sealant.

Did you paint the hinges?

Painting cabinet hardware is a great way to update your existing handles and hinges to create a fresh look! I didn’t paint the hinges on my cabinets, because they’re the “hidden” style that no one can see. I did, however, paint the cabinet handles and am very happy with the results. Painting them a dark color to stand out against my white cabinets looks great!

Should you paint the sides of your drawers or the insides of doors?

This is really a matter of choice for you. Personally, I painted the inside of the cabinet doors so they would appear the same as the outside when opening them. I could have stopped at painting the edges of the doors and it would have looked just fine, though.

As for painting the sides of your kitchen drawers, I don’t think it’s really necessary. Also, with drawers being frequently moved, I think the paint (especially chalk paint) would be very prone to getting scratched and chipped. 

Finishing Touches

Once your cabinets are painted, sealed, and ready to be put back together, paying attention to a few remaining small details can add a bit more style to your project.

How to Refinish the Hinges And Handles

If you’re using the same hardware, you can give it a fresh new appearance by painting the hinges and handles. This is super easy to do, and requires almost no prep work!

Assuming the hardware is made of some kind of metal, you’ll want to use spray paint that is formulated to adhere to metal. Rust-Oleum Universal Metallic Spray Paint is an excellent choice for painting cabinet hardware. 

You’ll want to make sure your cabinet hardware is clean and free from any trace of grease.  When using spray paint, make sure to work either outdoors or in a very well-ventilated area. Be sure to shake the can of paint vigorously to get the paint mixed thoroughly. Then, it’s simply a matter of lightly spraying one or two coats of paint. Be sure to allow the paint to dry between coats, and don’t forget to paint any screws that will be visible.

Cleaning the Brushes 

Fortunately, since chalk paint is water-based, cleaning brushes is easy! Before the paint starts to dry, you can clean your brushes with dish detergent and warm water. Be sure to rinse your brushes thoroughly after you wash the paint from them. You don’t want to leave any paint residue or soap in the bristles.

Either let your paint brushes dry flat, or hang them to dry. This will help keep the bristles straight and minimize any shedding or breakage.

Cleaning Any Drips/Spills

Just like with cleaning brushes, it’s easy to clean up if you have any paint spills or drips while working. Keep a roll of paper towels, some sponges, and a bucket of soapy water on hand while you’re working, “just in case”. 

Cleaning up chalk paint drips while the paint is still wet is easy. All you have to do is wipe it up with some soapy water! If the paint has dried before you noticed the drips, use one of those kitchen “scrubby” sponges with some dish detergent on it to gently scrub away the drips. If the dried paint is more stubborn, try using a small amount of a gentle abrasive cleanser, such as Soft Scrub or Bon Ami brands. Easy cleanup is one of the big advantages of using chalk paints.

 The Best Paint for Furniture – What you NEED to Know

0 · Jan 27, 2023 · Leave a Comment

Looking for the best paints for furniture? Great. I’m going to make this as quick and easy as possible for you if you’re short on time and then go into detail (probably too much detail) to help you make the best choice for YOU.

Painting furniture is a great way to bring new life to existing pieces or transform thrift store finds. The right colors and finishes can change a boring chair or end table into the focal point of any room.

Can You Use Any Paint For Furniture?

No. You can’t use any paint for furniture. You need to choose the right type of paint for the type of furniture you’re painting.

Choosing the right paint for the job can make the difference between something that looks like a designer piece, and (to be honest) something that looks like you just slapped some paint on it.

There are a variety of paints that can be used for furniture. However, there are also some that won’t be a good choice.

The easiest way to see if the paint you have is suitable for the furniture you want to paint is simply to read the label.

Paint that is formulated for plastic or metal is not going to adhere well to wood. Any paint labeled as “high temperature” is great for painting an outdoor grill or vehicle, but will eventually flake off of wood or wicker. 

Why It’s Important To Choose The Right Wooden Furniture Paint

Choosing the best paint for your wooden furniture is crucial to keeping it looking good over several years.

It would be so disappointing to have your painted furniture showing scratches, chips, or stains after you spend time (and money) working on them.

Before choosing your paint, give consideration to how much daily use and what interactions your piece of furniture will have. Let’s say you have a basic wooden table that you want to paint.

You could choose from a number of different types of paint for this project, and with the right technique they could all turn out looking great. So how do you choose?

First, keep in mind that a table is a piece of furniture that is going to get a lot of regular use. You might be eating meals at this table, or playing games, or maybe you’ll use it just as a space to pay bills and check your email.

Regardless, the table will constantly have a number of items on the tabletop, as well as wear and tear from people touching it.

When choosing a paint for a piece of furniture like this table, you want to choose a paint and finish that will be durable enough to stand up to daily use. It would be a shame to spend the time and money to paint this table beautifully, only to have it scuff and chip within a year or so.

If you are going to paint something like a cabinet, end table, or hutch that will get touched on a regular but not daily basis, you might not have to worry about high durability quite as much.

You should still choose a paint and finish that will be resistant to wear and tear, but that doesn’t have to be the top priority.

You should also give consideration to the type of finish you choose for your painted furniture. Paint with a matte or satin finish or topcoat will be more prone to showing dust and dirt.

Semi-gloss or glossy finished pieces are going to be more resistant to any dirt and will be easier to keep clean. 

What Is The Best Type Of Paint For Furniture?

The “best” paint for any furniture project will depend on how you want your finished piece to look, and what type of furniture you will be painting.

Here are some of the most common paint types for painting wood furniture:

Chalk Paint

Chalk paint is so trendy right now! It’s perfect if you want your furniture to have a velvety matte finish.

Chalk paint is also the best choice if you want to create a distressed look on any piece of furniture. This is the best choice if you want your painted furniture to fit in with a “farmhouse” or “country chic” aesthetic.  

If you plan to use chalk paint on a surface that will be touched quite a bit, you will need to apply a protective wax sealant to keep this paint from scratching and chipping.

This will give it a very subtle sheen, but not enough to detract from the signature flat appearance chalk paint is known for. Most brands of chalk-style paints also have their own wax sealant available.

You might not need to use a primer with many brands of chalk paint, as it usually applies evenly and smoothly.

It is important to make sure it is completely dry between coats; this will make it more durable. Fortunately, chalk paint is known for having a quick drying time.

Chalk paint is one of the few paints that is non-toxic and has very little odor. It also cleans up very easily with just soap and warm water.

Milk Paint

Milk paint is also becoming quite trendy right now with home decor designers as well as home crafters. It is similar in appearance to chalk paint; as it has a lovely matte finish.

The finish does have a slight sheen to it, but it’s not noticeable enough to even be described as “satin”.

Milk paint is durable and actually cures to a more long-lasting hardness over time. If you want to be sure that your milk paint will be resistant to scratching and chipping, you can mix a bonding agent in with the paint powder.

If you want full opaque coverage with milk paint, it’s best to start with a primer coat. You’ll need at least two to three coats to get a solid finish. A single coat of milk paint can look semi-transparent, which can be used to create a sheer wash of color over a wood surface.

This technique is an easy way to create the look of a faded antique heirloom.

Milk paint is sold in powdered form that is mixed with an equal amount of water. The powdered paints can easily be combined to create a custom color.

It dries quickly and has very little to no odor. All milk paint powders are completely non-toxic, so they’re an excellent choice for painting furniture for children’s bedrooms. 

Latex Paint

Latex paint is one of the most commonly available home paints. Wall paints are very often latex based. Because there are so many brands and they are readily available, latex is one of the more affordable options for home painting projects.

Another advantage of latex paint is the vast selection of colors available. Just about any color you can imagine can be found in a brand of latex paint. It’s also available in a variety of finishes, such as gloss, semi-gloss, and satin.

You can use latex paint for wood furniture, but it requires quite a bit of preparation. You’ll need to sand your furniture before painting.

Latex won’t adhere well to a smooth surface; it needs a little bit of texture to grip. Also, applying a primer coat is so important before painting with latex!

Even if the brand of paint you are using is described as “paint and primer in one”, you’ll get the best results if you start with a primer coat.

The possible downside to using latex paint on wood furniture is that it isn’t as durable over time as other paint formulas. Taking the time to properly prep your surface will help the paint last longer, but there are other options that are more long-lasting.

Acrylic Paint

Most of the specialty furniture paints and designer brand home decor paints are acrylic based. If the paint is labeled as “Paint and Primer In One”, it is also probably acrylic paint.

These paints are a good choice for wood furniture projects. In most instances, you can get away with not having to apply a primer or protective top coat.

You might still need to do a little bit of light sanding, especially if your surface originally had a shiny varnish on it.  

Acrylic paint is known for being “self-leveling”.

This means that it will dry with little to no visible brushstrokes. It takes a little bit longer to dry than chalk paint or milk paint, but you might not need to use a protective top coat with this paint.

You can even distress it with a little sanding, but it’s not as easy to do this as it is with chalk paint or milk paint.

Alkyd-Hybrid Paint

Alkyd Hybrid (or Acrylic-Alkyd) Paint is a relatively new type of paint that has been widely available for the past decade or so. This paint is an enamel that is water-based instead of oil-based like traditional enamel paints.

This paint has beautiful vivid colors associated with oil paints, without harsh odors and harmful chemicals. It levels flawlessly, with a finish that will show no brush strokes or streaking.

It’s durable and highly resistant to scratches and scuff marks. It is also easy to clean with just soap and water. This type of paint is a good choice for kitchen furniture or any furniture that will experience a lot of daily wear and tear.

One downside to Alkyd Hybrid Paint is that it takes quite a while to fully cure. While it may feel dry to the touch in about a day, the actual curing time can take up to a week.

It’s best to not place anything on top of it or move it too much for a week to 10 days after painting.

Alkyd Hybrid Paint requires a bit more preparation work than some of the other paints. You’ll need to sand pretty thoroughly before applying, but you won’t need to apply a protective topcoat.

Oil Based Paint

Oil-based paints have beautiful color saturation and can be applied to almost any surface. They don’t show streaks or brushstrokes, and they’re probably the most durable paint choice for wood furniture.

It will saturate any porous surface, creating a smooth hard finish with each coat of paint. They do cost a bit more than other paint types, but this paint is strong and will look good for a long time.

However, there are some significant downsides to using oil paint. First and foremost, oil-based paints have a high VOC (volatile organic compound) content.

That means they’ll have a pronounced odor, and you will absolutely have to work in a well-ventilated area when using oil paint. VOCs are considered a mild health hazard; enough so that home decor oil paints are becoming increasingly harder to find in stores.

Oil paints take a long time to cure. It can take up to one or two days for it to feel dry between coats of paint. 

You’ll need to use mineral spirits or turpentine to clean your brushes and tools when using oil paints. You can also use these as a paint thinner if the paint is thicker than you would like.

Which Type of Paints Have The Best Coverage For Furniture?

If you want a smooth opaque coverage on your painted furniture, you really can’t beat the results of using either acrylic or alkyd-hybrid paint. Both of these paints have gorgeous color saturation, and self-level and apply smoothly like acrylic paint. With alkyd paint, you might not even need to apply a primer coat. It’s easy to get flawless, full coverage in just a couple of coats of paint.

Chalk Paint can give you a lovely matte coverage with the right preparation. It can take several coats to get full coverage, though. The key to getting the best coverage with chalk paint is to sand your wood surface and apply a primer coat first.

Milk paint is a little tricky to use if you want a fully opaque coverage. For the best results, you should apply a primer coat to your sanded wood surface first. The first coat of milk paint might look a little bit semi-transparent. It usually takes three (or sometimes four) coats of milk paint for an opaque finish. Another trick to getting nice coverage from milk paint is to mix in a bonding agent.

Oil paints have beautiful colors and are easy to apply for a smooth, opaque finish. However, the downsides to using oil paints are that it tends to drip, and there is a long drying time between coats. You need to do quite a bit of sanding before painting with oil paints, and applying a primer coat will help you get the best results.

What Are The Best Brands For Wooden Furniture Paint?

Painting furniture is a popular hobby right now, and choosing the right brand of paint can be a daunting task. It’s always a good idea to do some online research and read user reviews of any product, but here are a few recommendations:

Best Acrylic Paint: Jolie Paint Matte Finish

Jolie Paint has created an acrylic paint with a pretty matte finish that truly resembles the look of chalk paint or milk paint. This paint comes in 44 trendy colors. It is non-toxic and has a low VOC content, and cleans up easily with soap and water. It is recommended to use a protective wax or polyurethane topcoat with this paint. 

Best Chalk Paint: Retique It 

Retique It brand of chalk paint has superior coverage and dries to a silky matte finish. It is manufactured in the U.S.A. Their neutral color shades are very popular and are perfect if you’re looking to create the appearance of an older piece of furniture. Like all chalk paints, they’re non-toxic, hypo-allergenic, and free of VOCs. 

Best Milk Paint: Old Fashioned Milk Paint Co.

Old Fashioned Milk Paint Co. creates powdered paints in 32 classic and trendy colors. They specialize in colors meant to recreate the look of colonial furniture style. All their colors are vibrant and resistant to fading.

This powdered paint is made in small batches, and the unmixed powder will last for years. Milk paint is great for smaller to medium projects because you can mix up only as much paint as you need. 

Best Alkyd Paint: Advance Waterborne by Benjamin Moore

Advance Waterborne is pricier than other brands, but the quality can’t be beaten. This paint has a self-leveling formula and a satin finish that makes it easy to achieve a professional-looking outcome on any painting project. 

It covers so well that you might be able to finish with only one or two coats if you use a primer. It is available in any of the Benjamin Moore colors, so you can customize it to match your decor in any room.

Best Oil Paint: Rust-Oleum Protective Enamel 

Rust-Oleum Protective Enamel sets the standard for affordable, high-quality oil enamel. It comes in many vibrant, long-lasting colors that are available in gloss, semi-gloss, and flat finishes. Rust-Oleum brand is known for curing to a hard protective finish and is perfect for wood or metal surfaces.

Unlike many oil paints, this brand will be dry to the touch in just three to four hours. It’s probably best to let the paint dry at overnight before applying a second coat, though.

You should work in a well-ventilated area when using this or any oil-based paint. It’s a good idea to keep some turpentine or mineral spirits on hand for clean-up, too.

Does Furniture Paint Need Primer?

It’s easy to get impatient with all the preparation needed for a painting project and want to skip the primer coat. Don’t skip this step. It can make a world of difference in how your painted furniture will look once all the painting is done. This is especially true if you’re using chalk paint or milk paint. Priming also helps your paint adhere to the wood better, and your lovely paint job will last much longer. It also helps to prevent the paint from chipping and scuffing.  A coat of primer also prevents any dark wood grain or imperfections in the wood from showing through the paint.

There are a lot of paint brands that advertise as being “all in one” or “paint + primer”. Technically, you should be able to skip the primer coat if you use one of these paints. However, most of the time I still do a quick primer coat even when using an “all in one” style paint. If nothing else, the paint just glides on more evenly over a primed surface. 

What’s The Best Paint For Upcycling Furniture?

Transforming old furniture from yard sales or thrift stores is such a fun creative outlet! You can take a very ordinary piece that might be several decades old, and with a little time and creativity, it can become a beautiful accent for your home.

There really isn’t any definite answer as to what paint is the best for upcycling. It genuinely depends on what you envision your finished project to look like. 

For a classic “country” or “farmhouse” style, you can’t go wrong with chalk paint or milk paint. Both of these paints can be distressed if you want your furniture to have an authentic antique appearance.

A satin or semi-gloss finish acrylic or alkyd-hybrid paint are great choices for more contemporary styles. These types of paint can give you a more smooth finish and are available in a wide variety of colors. 

What Are The Best Furniture Paint Colors?

Choosing the perfect color for your painted furniture should be fun, but it’s easy to get overwhelmed with choices. When trying to decide on a color, consider where in your home you’ll be displaying your painted furniture. You don’t have to match the colors in the room, but you can choose a color that is complimentary, or just in the same general pallete.

When in doubt, stick to neutrals or lighter shades. Neutral shades don’t have to be boring! Cream-colored furniture with dark hardware can look quite sophisticated. Pale gray tones are very trendy right now and look good with almost any decorating scheme. 

What’s The Best White Paint For Furniture?

White is always a good color choice to bring new life to old furniture. It’s classic and seems to look subtly elegant on any type of furniture.

Choosing the “perfect” shade of white paint can seem a little confusing at first. Once you start looking at paint you’ll find yourself faced with choices of true white, warm & cool whites, eggshell, ivory, off-white, cream, and more!

Don’t panic! Figuring out which white paint to use really doesn’t need to be complicated. First, look at the space where you might display your painted furniture.

Is there any white in that room? If so, is it a bright white? Or is it more of a cream color? If you want your space to look like a professional designer put it together, try to match your white paint with whatever white might already be in the room.

The look of matching shades of white is subtle, but it ties a room together nicely.

The Best 3 White Paints

Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White is one of the most popular shades for home decor. It’s a favorite of interior decorators. The color is a clean classic white, that isn’t too bright or harsh. It has a soft tone, but you won’t notice any yellow undertones. You can get this lovely color in Benjamin Moore’s Advance Waterborne alkyd-hybrid paint.

Snow White, by Old Fashioned Milk Paint Co. is a good choice for a white milk paint. It has a soft cool undertone but doesn’t look gray. It actually looks like milk. It’s a nice soft shade that would work well as the main color or trim color on any wooden furniture. 

Retique It Chalk Paint makes two wonderful shades of white paint. Ivory Tower is a warm white that looks like aged antique white paint. Warm undertones have a tendency to appear yellow when it comes to white paint, but this one just looks like antique ivory. 

The other shade of white from Retique It that is popular is their Snow. It’s just what the name says: pure snowy white paint. It’s bright, without being harsh. This is a great color on its own or to mix with another shade for your own customized shade.

How To Prepare Wood Furniture For Paint

Now that you’ve read about different types of paint for furniture, let’s take a moment to “talk” about preparation. The key to getting great results on any painting project is to do the prep work. It’s not the most fun part of the job, and sometimes it can take more time than the actual painting. However, if you don’t take the time for some prep work you’ll be disappointed with your final project.

The first step is to clean the furniture you’re about to paint. Most of the time, it can be done with soap and water, but a household cleanser might be needed if there are any stains or spots.

The next step is sanding. This is particularly necessary if the furniture has any kind of glossy/varnished finish on it. You don’t have to sand all the way down to bare wood. You’re trying to scuff up the surface enough that the wood will be porous. This will help any primer and/or paint stick to it easier. Paint won’t adhere to a shiny varnished surface, so sanding is really important if you’re upcycling an older piece of furniture. 

After you’ve sanded the furniture, you need to clean it again. This will be easier than the first cleaning. The goal here is to wipe away all of the dust from the sanding you just finished. You can usually do this with a damp cloth.

If there are any holes or deep scratches you want to repair, now is the time to do it. Wood putty is available at any home improvement store or online, and it’s very easy to apply. Simply spread it into the hole, scrape it evenly across the surface with a putty knife, and let it dry. Drying times can vary, so read the instructions.

If there are any sections of the furniture where you don’t want paint, now is the time to cover them with painters’ tape. This includes any hardware if you didn’t remove it already. Be sure the edges of your tape are stuck down smoothly so no paint will seep underneath.

Now it’s time to apply the primer coat! Primers do come in different shades. As a general rule, it’s best to use a light-colored primer under light colors, and a darker primer under medium to dark colors.  Primer is easy to brush on; just make sure you get an even coat over the entire piece of furniture. Allow enough time for the primer to dry completely, and you’re ready to paint!

How To Apply Paint For Wood Furniture

You’re done with all the tedious prep work and are finally ready to paint! Your first step is to inspect the piece you’re going to paint. Make sure you don’t miss any spots when you apply the primer. Look for any dust or hair that might be on it; you don’t want to accidentally paint over any.

Depending on the size and shape of the furniture you’re about to paint, you need to decide what kind of tools you’ll use for painting. Brushes of assorted sizes work for any job. If your project has tight corners, intricate details, or small areas like table legs, you’ll need some smaller brushes as well as larger ones. Wide brushes or rollers are perfect for broad flat surfaces.

Thin, even coats of paint will give you professional results. Several thinner coats are better than one or two thick coats. Thicker coats of paint won’t stick to the furniture as well and will be more prone to scratching and shipping. 

For the first coat of paint, brush or roll your paint in the same direction as the wood grain as much as possible. Allow enough time for the paint to fully dry before applying your second coat. For the next coat of paint, you can brush or roll the paint in the opposite direction. This will help give you full coverage that doesn’t show any streaks or brush strokes.

When painting a vertical surface, be mindful of any drips and smooth them out as soon as you can. You don’t want to find drips after your paint has already dried!

If you want a semi-transparent washed finish, with some of the wood grain or prior paint job showing through, brush the paint in a very thin coat in the same direction as the wood grain. If the paint is going on too thickly, wipe it gently with a rag, again moving in the same direction as the wood grain.

Should You Use A Sprayer Or Brush For Furniture?

Whether you use traditional brushes or a paint sprayer for your project is completely up to you. You can achieve great results with either method. 

Spraying will work better if you’re painting a large piece of furniture, while brushes might give you better control over small and more intricate pieces. Painting with brushes and rollers will take you a little longer than using a sprayer.

Paint sprayers typically can cost anywhere from $50 to $150 on average. If you paint furniture on a regular basis, it’s worth purchasing one to add to your DIY supplies. If you’re new to furniture painting, or only do it once in a while, using brushes and rollers  might be a more budget-friendly option for you.

Sprayers are relatively easy to operate, but it does take a little practice. Sprayers do an excellent job of creating a painted surface absolutely free of any brushstrokes. The key to getting that perfectly smooth appearance is to keep your arm moving at all times when using a paint sprayer. Holding the sprayer in place will make your paint drip, and the coverage will be uneven. Before painting  on your wood furniture, it’s a good idea to practice with the sprayer on a large piece of cardboard to get used to how it operates, and to make sure your paint is the right consistency.

The best paints to use in a sprayer will be thinner in their consistency. Most paints can be thinned out with a little water.  The exception to this is oil-based paint. You’ll need to use mineral spirits or turpentine to thin out oil paints. It’s best to check the label of whatever paint you choose to find out if it is suitable for use in a paint sprayer.

If you use a sprayer, it’s important to wear a face mask and goggles to protect yourself from overspray. You should only use a sprayer in a well-ventilated area. If you’re spraying inside, but sure to cover the floor, walls, and anything else around your workspace so you don’t get overspray on them.

Is There A Difference Between Wood Furniture Paint And Metal Furniture Paint?

The short answer to this question is: yes, there is a difference between paint used for wood furniture and metal furniture. You should always make sure the paint you use is suitable for the surface you’re painting.

Any paint that is meant to be used for metal surfaces will be formulated to resist rust, corrosion, and adverse weather conditions. 

You will still need to use primer, but because this type of paint is meant to be protective as well as decorative, you won’t need a top coat.

You can use paint meant for metal on wood furniture, but the paint will soak into the wood much more than other paint types. You can offset having too much paint soak into your wood by applying a coat or two of primer before painting.

If you try to use paint that is made for wood on a metal surface, it probably won’t work very well. Even with a primer coat, the wood is not going to stick as well, and it will be more likely to run and drip.

If you’re going to paint metal furniture meant for outdoor use, paint formulated for wood is not going to hold up well against the elements. 

Summary of the Best Paint for Furniture

Whew! What a long post. It’s hard to put all of this into words to make it

Painting furniture is such a satisfying hobby! If it’s something you’ve been wanting to try, hopefully, this has helped to answer some questions for you.

Like any home project, having an idea of the best products to buy and how to use them will make the job easier and more fun.

The 5 Best Milk Paints For Furniture & Home Projects

8 · Jan 21, 2023 · Leave a Comment

Milk paint has to be one of my favorite types of paint to use for home projects. I’ve always been a big fan of chalk paint and even worked with BB Frosch, which is a chalk paint powder company years back. 

Now I do more with milk paint these days because it has better coverage overall and doesn’t chip as much. 

Key Takeaways of this post: My favorite milk paint I recommend to everyone is Old Fashioned Milk Paint. I like this one more than others because it’s high quality, you can’t go wrong, and it’s reasonably priced. 

However, it does depend on your project. Keep reading to find out if it’s the best milk paint for you or if you’re short on time, just trust me and pick it up now.

What Is So Special About Milk Paint and What Is It?

Milk paint has been around for a long time, but is currently seeing a resurgence in popularity with interior designers and decorators. 

It is a non-toxic, highly durable paint made with milk protein (casein), lime, and natural pigments. 

It has almost no odor, unlike many other home decorating paints.  Because it is water-based, it cleans up easily with just mild soap and water. 

The drying time is another positive feature of milk paint; most brands dry in a little under one hour.

One of the most prominent features of milk paint is that it is amazingly durable over time. 

Types of milk paint date back literally thousands of years. Evidence of milk-based paint has been found in the tomb of Egyptian King Tutankhamun and in prehistoric cave paintings. 

These discoveries attest to just how durable milk paint can be! 

Milk paint manufactured today is a popular choice for people who want a vintage or antique look in their home decor. In fact, many artists and furniture makers in Colonial America used milk paint in their work. Today, milk paint is a favorite medium for anyone wanting to transform furniture into something resembling a historic reproduction. 

This paint dries to a smooth, almost completely matte finish similar to the look of chalk-style paint. 

The colors in milk paint are resistant to fading and will look as vibrant after many years as they do on the day they are freshly painted.

Unlike most other paints, milk paint is usually sold in a powder form that you mix with water. 

The powder form has a nearly indefinite shelf life, but once the paint is mixed it will only last for a few days. For this reason, you should only mix up as much milk paint as you’ll need at one time.

What do you use Milk Paint for?

Milk paint is so versatile! It can be used on wood furniture, walls, woodwork, metal, and even glass. 

The current trend is to use it as furniture paint. Plain or older furniture can be given new life with vibrant colors from milk paint.

Using it on wood trim or doors in your home is a fun way to add colorful accents to your decor.

Because milk paint is completely non-toxic, it’s a safe choice to paint children’s furniture, rooms, and even toys.

 It’s a fun choice for craft items, too. Wooden signs, decorations, and stenciled accents created with milk paint have an adorable “country chic” aesthetic.

What’s the Difference between Milk Paint and Chalk Paint?

Milk paint and chalk paint are often confused. They both are water-based matte paints; popular with anyone who wants to decorate with a “vintage” or “farmhouse” theme. They are available in similar color palettes, and they both dry pretty fast. That’s really where the similarities end, though. I covered the difference between milk paint and chalk paint in-depth in another blog post.

Chalk paint dries to a completely matte finish. 

There is no sheen to it at all. It’s a good choice if you want to distress a piece of furniture for an antique appearance. It also comes pre-mixed and is thick enough to cover in just one or two coats of paint.

The downsides to chalk paint are that you’ll need to apply a wax sealant on any surfaces that will be touched/moved frequently. 

This will give it a slightly satiny sheen instead of being perfectly matte, but your piece will be protected. 

Not all chalk paints are non-toxic, and some brands of low levels of VOC (volatile organic compounds) so there might be a slight odor.

Milk paint is also considered to be a matte-finish paint, but it does have a very slight sheen to it when dry. It’s completely non-toxic, with little to no odor and no VOCs. You can experiment with creating custom colors by mixing two of the powdered milk paints together with water. 

You can distress furniture with milk paint, but the chipping/distressing is a little harder to control than it is with chalk paint. 

If you’re going to distress a piece of furniture that you painted with milk paint, you should do it soon after the milk paint has dried. 

Use light-grit sandpaper. The longer the milk paint is on a painted piece, the harder it will have to adhere to the surface, and the more difficult it will be to distress.

One of the biggest downsides to milk paint is that once milk paint is mixed with water, it has a very short shelf life. 

You should use your mixed paint within a couple of days, otherwise, it starts to spoil. Mixing it can be tricky, too. You need to thoroughly mix the powder with water, then let it sit for a few minutes to allow any foaminess or bubbles to dissipate. 

Chalk paint tends to go on heavier than milk paint. One or even two coats of most milk paint could appear semi-transparent. 

This can be used as a nice effect if you want to do a colored wash over a piece of furniture, but if you want a solid covering you might need to apply more coats of milk paint than you would chalk paint.

What’s the Difference between Milk Paint and Regular Paint?

The most commonly used paints for home decorating projects are latex paint and oil paints. Both of these are significantly different from milk paints.

Both latex and oil-based enamel paints are available in a variety of finishes, from “extra glossy” to “satin”. Milk paint is always a matte finish paint, although it does have a very slight sheen to it when it dries.

Latex and oil paints also contain varying quantities of VOC’s (volatile organic compounds). 

A simple definition of VOCs is that they are chemicals that vaporize into the air around us, and can be dissolved in water. They’re common in many household products, but especially so in home paints. 

VOCs usually contain toxins that can cause health problems, so you should absolutely wear a face mask and work in a well-ventilated area when working with these substances.

Conversely, milk paints are completely non-toxic and contain no VOCs. Most brands of milk paint have little to no odor, although some do have a slightly “grassy” scent that completely disappears when the paint is dry. 

It’s a safe choice to use on any items that will come in contact with your children or pets.

Oil-based paints can take several days to fully dry. Latex paints are faster; usually becoming fully dry in approximately 24 hours. 

Milk paint, however, can be completely dry in an hour or two. This makes large painting projects go much faster, with less time spent waiting to apply second or third coats of paint.

The other big difference between milk paint and more traditional paints is clean up. Milk paint cleans up easily and quickly with just mild soap and water. 

You can clean up latex or other acrylic paints with soap and water also, but it takes a little more effort. Oil-based paints will require a solvent of some kind for cleaning. 

Turpentine, paint thinner, and mineral spirits are most commonly used to get brushes and other tools clean after using any oil-based paint.

Does Milk Paint Chip?

Milk paint can be purposely chipped or sanded to create a distressed look on furniture or other home accent pieces. 

However, you need to create this look before the paint has been dry on your painted piece for very long. 

If you want to lightly sand it for that popular distressed appearance, you should do so soon after the paint has dried. Otherwise, getting the paint to chip and “distress” will be much more difficult. 

Milk paint actually becomes more durable over time. The minerals (usually lime) and milk protein in the paint react to form a natural coating that cures to a rock-hard coating over longer periods of time. 

You can further increase the durability and adhesion of milk paint by mixing in a bonding agent. Most brands of milk paint also sell their own powdered bonding agents. 

Is Milk Paint Expensive? How Much Does Milk Paint Cost?

Any type of home paint seems to vary in price depending on the brand. It’s always a good idea to compare prices. 

Milk paint is a budget-friendly paint, with prices on average being $25-$40 for enough powder to mix a quart or so of paint. 

When you compare the price of this quantity with the price of a quart of some latex paints, milk paint might seem a little pricey. 

Consider though, since milk paint comes in a powdered form, you can mix up just enough paint for whatever project you’re working on, so you won’t have leftover paint that you can’t use. 

The milk paint powder lasts for years if properly stored, so you’re getting long-term value when you buy milk paint.

The Top 5 Best Milk Paint Brands

Ok so here’s what you came for. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular milk paint brands for home projects and furniture painting.

Old Fashioned Milk Paint

Old Fashioned Milk Paint is one of the most popular brands of milk paint. Their milk paint powders are made in small batches, so you know the product you buy will always be fresh. Their color selection has been created to reproduce the look of shaker and “old country” furniture. It’s a favorite with crafters and designers who want to transform modern furniture into something that appears to be a cherished antique.

Amy Howard Toscana Milk Paint

Amy Howard Toscana Milk Paint brand focuses on soft colors that are meant to invoke the look of family heirlooms. This paint is one of the stronger milk paint formulas and can be a little more difficult to get a distressed or “chippy” appearance. 

The pigments are unique, using minerals sourced from Italy and the South of France. The “Strasbourg White” color is one of the nicest white shades if you’re looking for a soft, antiqued white. It has subtle cool undertones and an elegant velvety finish. 

The Real Milk Paint Co

The Real Milk Paint Co. is a good brand to use if you want to achieve a distressed finish on your painted furniture. This brand is durable, but easier to sand for that chipped look that transforms thrift store finds into treasured home decor. The color selection is outstanding, with over 50 choices. In addition to vintage-inspired hues, many of their colors are compatible with more contemporary color plans.

Miss Mustard Seeds Milk Paint

Miss Mustard Seeds Milk Paint is notable for not only having a great selection of 52 vibrant colors, but they are also one of the most eco-friendly milk paint brands on the market. 

Made in the U.S.A., not only are they non-toxic with zero VOC content, but this company also supports a co-op of family-owned farms that are dedicated to the societal and environmental impacts of their operations. 

The colors of Miss Mustard Seeds paint are easy to mix together for your own customization, with four shades that are specifically described as “mixing colors”. 

This kit from GreenBird Real Milk Paint Powders is perfect for anyone who wants to do smaller craft projects (such as decorative signs or holiday items) but doesn’t want to spend a lot of money buying several colors. 

This kit features eight brightly colored milk paint powders that can be mixed for endless customization. If you want to experiment a bit with mixing colors and just try milk paint techniques, this kit is a great option.

Tips for Milk Paint Furniture Projects and Clean Up

Milk paint is easy to use, but there are a few tips that can make your project go smoothly. 

First, you need to be sure to mix the milk paint powder thoroughly. It can help to use a kitchen whisk that you have designated just for paint mixing. Mixing the powder and water together in a jar or container with a lid can help. 

Put the lid on the jar tightly, then shake the mixture together for a few minutes. Vigorous stirring after the shaking will help remove any tiny lumps.

If you find lumps in your mixed paint that you just can’t get out, strain your paint into another container through a cheesecloth or fine mesh sieve.

You can achieve different looks using milk paint, depending on the technique you use. One or two light coats can have a semi-transparent appearance to give your project a nice color wash. 

Using a foam brush instead of one with bristles will help the paint glide on smoothly, with almost no signs of brushstrokes or streaks.

One of the great features of milk paint is that because it’s water-based, it’s so easy to clean up! 

For any drips or spills, as well as for cleaning brushes, containers, and rollers, you can just use mild detergent and warm water. Just be sure to clean your tools before the paint is fully dry.

If you happen to get milk paint on clothes you didn’t want to get dirty, you might be able to wash it completely out if you catch it before the paint is dry. You can try running the fabric under warm water to flush out most of the paint. 

Then, blot (don’t scrub!) the paint stain with a cloth soaked in mild detergent and water.  Just to be sure at this point, you can throw it in the washing machine and launder it as you normally would.

Wrapping Up

Milk paint is a fun and creative medium for transforming furniture and home decor. It’s easy to use, relatively inexpensive, and completely non-toxic. 

It’s versatile enough to create something with a vintage appeal or to add eye-catching color to any contemporary piece. The uses for this popular paint are only limited by your imagination!

The Best Paints for Cabinets in Your Kitchen (2023)

10 · Jan 16, 2023 · Leave a Comment

Looking to paint your kitchen cabinets but not sure which paint to use? You’re in the right place. If you’re short on time I’ll give you my top pick now. Just remember, while some paints are better than others for your kitchen cabinents, it really does come down to preference.

Overall Best Paint for Kitchen Cabinets

My top pick for cabinets overall is Rust Oleum Milk Paint. The reason for choosing milk paint is it’s durability and the fact it has great coverage, while still having that chalky looking finish. Now, this isn’t for everyone because you may want a differnet look. I highly recommend you read the rest of this post to see what would be best for you.

Get It Here

 

Table of Contents

  • Overall Best Paint for Kitchen Cabinets
  • Why Using the Best Cabinet Paint is Important
  • Important Things to Consider When Picking The Best Brand of Paint for Your Kitchen Cabinets
  • What is the Best Type of Paint for Cabinets?
    • Oil-Based Paints
    • Latex Paints
    • Hybrid Alkyd Enamel Paint
    • Chalk Paint
    • Milk Paint
  • Which Paints Have the Best Coverage?
  • Do You Need a Special Paint for Wood Kitchen Cabinets?
  • Can You Make Old Cabinets Look Modern?
  • Can You Make New Cabinets Look Rustic?
  • How Much Money Do You Save By Painting Cabinets Yourself Instead of Hiring Someone?
  • Best Paint Finish For Kitchen Cabinets
  • Best DIY-Friendly Cabinet Paint
  • The Best Oil-Based Paint For Cabinets
  • The Best Chalk Paint for Cabinets
  • The Best Milk Paint for Cabinets
  • The Best Paint and Primer for Kitchen Cabinets
  • Best Kitchen Cabinet Paint From Sherwin Williams
  • The Best White Paint Colors for Kitchen Cabinets
    • Sherwin Williams Alabaster White-Best Warm White
    • Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White-Best Cool White
    • Sherwin Williams High Reflective White-Best True White
  • Top Techniques for Painting Kitchen Cabinets
  • How to Get a Smooth Finish When Painting Kitchen Cabinets
  • How to Paint Over Oak Cabinets White Without The Grain Showing
  • How Much Paint do You Need for a Cabinet?
  • How To Prep Cabinets To Be Painted?
  • How To Tape Cabinets To Be Painted
  • Wrapping Up on The Best Kitchen Cabinet Paints

Why Using the Best Cabinet Paint is Important

Painting your kitchen cabinets is a great way to change the style of your kitchen. You can make outdated cabinets look sleek and modern, or transform plain cabinets into striking focal points. Cabinet painting is a major job, and not using the best paint or taking the time to do it correctly can lead to some awful results.

Several years ago, my husband and I were house hunting. At that time, many of the homes we looked at were being sold by “flippers”. These were usually older homes that someone bought & remodeled; hoping to “flip” them for a profit. Most of these homes had some kind of remodeling done in the kitchen.

Many of these remodeled kitchens turned out beautifully, but there were more than a few that had badly painted cabinets and doors.

There’s just no other way to describe it; they were bad. From a distance, it wasn’t really noticeable, but if you looked closely you could see plenty of mistakes. It was enough to turn us off as potential home buyers.

I remember noticing cabinets that had uneven paint coverage, small paint spots on the wall and inside edges where it hadn’t been taped properly, and in one case…a hair that had been painted over!  It was obvious some of the paint jobs had been done hastily, as the latex paint was lifting up on some edges, or had teeny bubbles in some corners.

Using the right paint and proper techniques is so important. There’s a saying that the kitchen is the heart of any home. If that’s so, the kitchen should be taken care of in the best possible way, even if that simply means picking out the best paint for a cabinet makeover.

Important Things to Consider When Picking The Best Brand of Paint for Your Kitchen Cabinets

When trying to decide which brand of paint you should use for your kitchen cabinet transformation, you should keep a few key things in mind.

First, make sure that the paint you like is suitable for kitchen cabinets. Many brands make paints that are specifically for cabinets and doors.

You should also compare the prices of different paint brands. A gallon of paint in similar colors can vary widely in what it will cost you, depending on the brand. Paints branded by famous home designers will undoubtedly cost more, but a mass-produced brand might do the job for you just as well. 

Finally, read online reviews when deciding which brand of paint to choose. I really can’t stress this enough.

Even if, at first glance, a particular paint has a lot of five-star ratings, browse through the less-than-favorable reviews, too.

If you notice that many users are having similar issues with the product, don’t rush to buy it right away. It’s also good to look at reviews on multiple websites such as Amazon, Google, and the paint manufacturers’ websites.

What is the Best Type of Paint for Cabinets?

Some types of paints are much better suited for cabinets than others. You want to be sure that your paint will hold up to lots of touching/movement, will be resistant to dirt and stains, and will be easy to clean. Paints that are formulated with built-in primer are a good choice, although in some instances you might want to use a separate primer anyway.

Here are brief descriptions of the types of paint you might find, and how well they’ll work for your kitchen cabinets.

Oil-Based Paints

Oil-based paints are durable, and the colors look rich and vibrant when the paint dries. They come in just about any color you can imagine, and are fairly resistant to dirt and stains.

However, there are some significant drawbacks to oil-based paints. They take a really long time to dry.

Waiting for the paint to dry between coats could add a couple of days to your painting projects. Oil paints also have a high amount of VOC (volatile organic compounds).

This means it is imperative that you have good ventilation in the room while you’re painting, and you should absolutely wear a filtered mask while painting. Unfortunately, the “new paint” smell of oil paints can take a week or more to go away.

Lastly, oil-based paints need to be cleaned up from your tools/work area with mineral spirits, and leftover paint is considered a hazardous material and needs to be disposed of properly.

Latex Paints

Latex paints are acrylic pigments in water-based paint. Latex is the most common type of paint you’ll find for any interior painting project.

The colors and finish are comparable to oil-based paints. The biggest difference between latex and oil-based paints is the drying time.

Latex paint dries pretty fast. In fact, it can seem like it dries almost too fast; making it difficult to get the paint applied perfectly smooth without streaks or uneven spots. Usually, this can be remedied with a second coat of paint, though. 

Latex paints have a much lower VOC content, so they don’t smell as strong as oil-based paints. You’ll still need to have good ventilation in your workspace, but the paint odor won’t linger much once the paint is completely dried.

Hybrid Alkyd Enamel Paint

Somewhat new to the world of home renovations, hybrid alkyd enamel paints bring the advantages of both oil-based and latex paints together.

Hybrid alkyd paints are water-based (like latex paint) but still contain alkyd resins (like oil-based paint). The result is a type of paint with the rich colors and durability of oil paints, but that dries quickly and has low VOC levels like latex paint.

Hybrid Alkyd paint also cleans up easily with soap and water and is virtually odorless. The durability makes this type of paint an excellent choice for kitchen cabinets, trim, and doors.

Chalk Paint

There are quite a lot of opinions about whether or not chalk paint is a good choice for kitchen cabinets. The matte finish and soft colors of chalk paint look absolutely gorgeous if your kitchen has a “farmhouse” or “country chic” style. Personally this is my favorite type of look.

Because chalk paint is a fairly thick paint, it can produce better coverage with few coats.

However, there are a few downsides to using chalk paint on your cabinets. Most importantly, chalk paint is prone to chipping.

That’s perfect for furniture that you want to have a distressed appearance, but it’s not a good idea for kitchen cabinets. Also, the matte finish of chalk paint will absorb any crumbs, dust, or grease from your normal kitchen use. 

For these reasons, it is absolutely necessary to finish chalk-painted cabinets with a coat or two of wax sealant. Your cabinets will have a slight sheen but will be much better protected. Eventually, you’ll have to touch up the wax sealant to keep your cabinets looking as good as they did when you first painted them.

Milk Paint

Milk paint will give you a smooth matte finish similar to chalk paint, but it’s a more durable choice for kitchen cabinets. I’ve written a full blog post covering milk paint vs chalk paint.

You can find milk paint in colors very similar to chalk paint colors, but the finish has a very slight satiny sheen to it.

This makes it a good choice for surfaces like cabinet doors, which will need frequent cleaning. Even though it is known to be a strong, long-lasting paint, you will still need to apply a protective top coat once your painted cabinets are fully dry.

Milk paint is sold in powder form and then you mix it with water to achieve the desired consistency. You need to be sure it is free of lumps after mixing to get a perfectly smooth finish.

While milk paint is known to be durable, it can still be a little bit prone to chipping on anything that will be touched or moved frequently. You can prevent chipping and scuffing by mixing in a bonding agent to make the paint more adhesive and long-lasting.

Milk paint can be a good value since you can mix the powdered form in just the quantity you need for your project. It’s practically odorless and cleans up easily with just mild soap and water.

Which Paints Have the Best Coverage?

If you’re looking for a smooth, opaque coverage for your cabinets you’ll get the best results with latex or hybrid alkyd paints. Both of these paints will dry with vibrant colors and a smooth finish if applied carefully.

Of these two, the hybrid alkyd paint is easier to get an even finish in just one or two coats. Latex paint will need at least two coats to achieve an even appearance.

Another great option is any paint that is a “paint and primer” formula. You can find these from most major latex paint brands. In some cases, you might still want to do a primer coat, but the paint-and-primer formulas do a great job of providing even full coverage. 

Do You Need a Special Paint for Wood Kitchen Cabinets?

Any of the types of paint already described in this article will work just fine on wood cabinets, whether they’ve been painted before or not.

You don’t need any special paint for your wood cabinets, but you might need to do a little bit of extra prep work to get the best results.

Wood cabinets are likely to have a light varnish or polyurethane top coat. In order for the paint to adhere evenly, you should clean the cabinets thoroughly and then lightly sand the top coat.

You don’t need to sand completely down to bare wood. The sanded surface is simply so the paint will be able to “grip” onto your cabinets. 

Can You Make Old Cabinets Look Modern?

Updating old cabinets is one of the most striking ways to make your kitchen look modern and stylish.

Changing the color of your kitchen cabinets is a simple way to update their look. This is especially true in older homes.

Even what was once a bright white paint job can appear yellowed and dingy over time. Kitchen cabinets that are still painted avocado green or sunny yellow (all the rage several decades ago!) can look brand new simply by changing the color to something more modern.

Muted shades, earthy colors, classic whites, and soft gray tones are all very popular colors for kitchen decor right now. Glossy finish paints look good if your kitchen has modern stainless steel appliances. The shiny finish will give your kitchen a contemporary designer look.

The other way to make your older cabinets look brand new is to change the hardware. This is an easy fix, but once it’s done you will be amazed at how it transforms the overall look of your kitchen.

Opt for sleek, minimalist hardware designs for the most contemporary style. Hidden hinges, as opposed to visible or ornate styles, are also a good way to update the look of your cabinets.

Can You Make New Cabinets Look Rustic?

Transforming new cabinets to have a rustic, or antiqued appearance is an easy and fun way to change the look of your kitchen.

Changing the paint color to a soft, lighter shade is a great way to get that “farmhouse” style that is so popular right now. Many paint brands even offer shades that are marketed as “farmhouse” or “country”.

Soft pastel hues and creamy shades of white are perfect to get a rustic aesthetic in your kitchen.

Painting your cabinets with chalk paint or milk paint, then sanding lightly for a “distressed” look can add a rustic appeal. However, you should only do very light distressing for anything in your kitchen, and you’ll definitely need to have a strong protective top coat over your paint.

Choose a top coat with a satin finish to keep your cabinets protected while preserving as much of the matte finish as possible.

Switching out your cabinet hardware is an easy way to transform your modern kitchen. Look for hardware that has a brushed or satin finish as opposed to anything shiny.

Oil-rubbed bronze, antiqued brass, and brushed nickel hinges and handles all have an attractive antique appearance. There are even companies that sell reproductions of antique hardware, right down to matching screws.

To complete the look, you could change your kitchen sink fixtures to match the new cabinet hardware.

How Much Money Do You Save By Painting Cabinets Yourself Instead of Hiring Someone?

Repainting kitchen cabinets sounds like it should be a simple DIY job. Unfortunately, that just isn’t the case.

It’s time-consuming and isn’t something that can be done by yourself over a long weekend. Realistically, prepping and painting your cabinets can take up to a week before your kitchen is fully usable again.

You can save a lot of time by hiring professionals to paint your cabinets, but it will cost considerably more.

On average, the cost of having kitchen cabinets repainted can range from $900 to $1500, depending on the material costs, the size of your kitchen, the number of cabinets, and how much prep/minor repair work needs to be done.

If you decide to tackle the job yourself, you can spend as much as $150 to $500 on paint and supplies.

This, of course, depends on the price of the paint you choose, how much you need, and what additional supplies you need to purchase.

So you can conceivably cut the cost of your kitchen cabinet painting by half (or maybe more) by doing it yourself. However, when you hire professionals you will have the job done in much less time, and it will be done properly.

Kitchen cabinets that are painted professionally can last decades without needing much more attention than regular cleaning.

Best Paint Finish For Kitchen Cabinets

Another consideration when choosing paint for your kitchen cabinets is deciding what type of finish will be the best choice.

Gloss or semi-gloss finishes are really optimal for any painted surface in the kitchen. The glossy finish helps to repel dirt and makes the painted surface easy to clean.

Although they look great, matte finishes aren’t always the best choice for the kitchen. That doesn’t mean you can’t use chalk paint or milk paint on your cabinets; you’ll just have to apply a protective top coat of wax or polyurethane.

The top coat will have a soft satiny sheen, so the paint won’t have the velvety matte look that these paints are known for.

Without the top coat, dirt, crumbs, and kitchen grease will stick to the paint, and it won’t be easy to clean without scuffing or chipping the paint.

Best DIY-Friendly Cabinet Paint

Beyond Paint Furniture, Cabinets and More All-in-One is one of the most “user-friendly” paints on the market. It’s perfect for anyone who is a beginner at home painting.

The product description states there is no sanding or priming needed with this paint. It comes in a variety of colors that are perfect for any style of kitchen. It’s a thick paint that applies easily with a roller and dries to a smooth, semi-glossy finish.

User reviews indicate that it lives up to the boast of needing little to no prep work, with a high rate of satisfaction.

The Best Oil-Based Paint For Cabinets

Rust-Oleum Protective Enamel is an oil-based paint that is a great choice for almost any home painting project.

The colors are rich and vibrant, and they look fresh and glossy after the paint is dry. Even though this is an oil-based paint, it has a relatively quick drying time of 3 to 4 hours.

Rust-Oleum is known for being one of the most durable home paints on the market, which makes it a good option for high-touch areas such as kitchen cabinets.

The Best Chalk Paint for Cabinets

Rust-Oleum Chalked Ultra Matte Paint is available in a variety of contemporary colors at a budget-friendly price.

It applies easily with a brush or roller and dries to the touch in approximately 30 minutes. The final appearance is a velvety matte finish. You can read more about the best chalk paint brushes here.

Like any chalk-style paint, you will need to apply a protective top coat if using this on kitchen cabinets. You can seal this with a wax coating or with the Rust-Oleum brand clear top coat. I wrote a whole post about the best chalk paint waxes here.

Rust-Oleum produces a matte finish clear top coat, but a semi-gloss or satin finish will be easier to keep clean in the kitchen. You can read more about the best chalk paints here.

The Best Milk Paint for Cabinets

Old Fashioned Milk Paint Powder is an excellent choice if you want a rustic or farmhouse look for your kitchen. This powdered paint can be used as a semi-transparent wash (with one coat), or as a full matte finish paint (with two to three coats).

The colors are rich and won’t fade over time. Old Fashioned Milk Paint also produces a bonding agent that can be mixed in, to add more durability and adhesion to this paint. One of the nice features of any milk paint is that it is non-toxic and virtually odorless.

Like chalk paint, you will need to apply a protective top coat over this paint for the best results. It’s also important to mix the paint powder thoroughly and let it sit for a few minutes before painting to minimize bubbles in the paint.

The Best Paint and Primer for Kitchen Cabinets

Prestige Interior Paint and Primer is available in over 40 colors. These neutral shades are perfect for modern kitchen designs.

The semi-gloss finish allows for easy cleaning and keeps the paint looking fresh. This is an acrylic latex that has a low VOC content, so there is very little odor and it cleans up easily with soap and water. 

Best Kitchen Cabinet Paint From Sherwin Williams

For a professional-looking finish to your painted cabinets, you can’t go wrong with Sherwin Williams’ ProClassic Waterborne Interior Acrylic Enamel.

It is available in high-gloss, gloss, semi-gloss, and satin finishes, and you can get any of the Sherwin Williams paint colors.

This is a thicker paint that is formulated to stand up to heavy-use surfaces. It goes on smoothly with either a brush or roller and dries to show no brush marks at all. It is important to use a primer coat with this paint for the absolute best results.

The Best White Paint Colors for Kitchen Cabinets

Classic white cabinets look great in any kitchen decorating style. Picking out white paint can be trickier than you might think, though! Basically, whites can be “neutral”, “cool”, or “warm”. 

The neutral, or true whites will be the most “white”. They’re bright, reflective, and probably best suited to modern decor.

Cool whites have undertones of blue, gray, or even greenish hues. You don’t really notice the undertones, but they’ll look best in a kitchen with cooler complimentary colors.

Warm whites will have undertones of yellow, pink, or even pale orange. You have to be careful if you choose a warm white paint color because it can look yellow very easily.

Paints described as “off-white” or “cream” usually have warm undertones.

Here are a few popular white paints that are suitable for kitchen cabinets:

Sherwin Williams Alabaster White-Best Warm White

This paint has warm undertones of pale yellow and gray. It’s a lovely soft shade that looks especially pretty in natural light. Be aware that fluorescent lighting does bring out the yellowish tones in this paint.

Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White-Best Cool White

This cool white is a favorite with interior designers as well as DIY home painters. This is almost a pure white, with very subtle cool undertones that look beautiful in any light.

It always looks crisp and modern and has absolutely no yellowish cast to it.

Sherwin Williams High Reflective White-Best True White

This absolutely bright white paint is probably the closest you can buy to a pure white. It has an LRV (light reflective value) of 95, which means that it is so bright it can reflect 95% of light off of its surface.

With decorative light fixtures and even candles, this can produce some dramatic light effects in your kitchen. While this true white paint looks bright and clean, it looks best in a kitchen that has some touches of color in it as well.

Without touches of color to accent the room, using this paint could make your kitchen look a little bit sterile.

Top Techniques for Painting Kitchen Cabinets

Now that you’ve read through some suggestions on the best types of paint, you’re probably wondering how to get started! Using a good technique is just as important as choosing the best paint for the job.

The first thing you need to do is make sure your cabinets are clean and dry. Then you should give them a light sanding, and clean them again to get rid of any sanded dust.

A primer coat is a good idea at this point, even if the paint you’re using is the kind that is described as “paint and primer in one”.

Once your primer coat is dry, you’re ready to apply your first coat of paint. Brushing with a 2.5-inch fine bristle brush will give you great results.

If you prefer using a roller, you’ll have better control with a mini roller than with a full-size one. Apply your first coat all over, then leave it to dry fully. Even if it feels dry to the touch after a couple of hours, it’s best to let it dry fully for several hours to overnight.

Then, you’ll want to sand it very lightly before applying a second coat and possibly a third coat. Thin coats of paint are better than thick coats. The thinner layers will provide a stronger, more long-lasting bond.

If you’re applying a protective sealant coat, be sure your paint is absolutely dry before you apply. In fact, making sure you allow enough drying time at all steps of your painting is crucial to achieving a professional look.

The last technique that should be mentioned is using a paint sprayer. This can make the job of actually painting go quickly, but it does require quite a bit of prep work to protect everything from any overspray.

If you opt to give a paint sprayer a try, be sure to wear goggles and a face mask for your own safety.

Make sure your kitchen and/or workspace are well-ventilated, especially if you’re working with oil-based paints.

How to Get a Smooth Finish When Painting Kitchen Cabinets

If your goal is to have a perfectly smooth finish, there are a couple of tricks that can help you achieve this.

The first tip to getting that beautifully smooth look on your cabinets is sanding. You’ll want to sand lightly with 220-grit sandpaper before applying your primer.

Then, you’ll want to lightly sand with your 220-grit between each layer of primer, paint, and top coat. This helps each layer adhere perfectly and level out to a smooth appearance. Be sure to lightly clean up any dust after sanding, so you’re not painting the dust into your surface!

The next tip for a smooth look is to use a foam paint roller. Foam rollers spread paint with almost no texture in the finished project.

You’ll probably still need to use a small brush for tight areas, but a 4-inch foam roller will make the job go quickly and give you great results. 

How to Paint Over Oak Cabinets White Without The Grain Showing

Oak cabinets are lovely if you want the look of natural wood grain and color. They’re also very sturdy. If you are considering painting over oak cabinets and don’t want the appearance or texture of the wood grain to show, you’ll need to take a couple of extra steps.

First, you’ll need to sand and fill in that wood grain. The grain on oak is deeper than a lot of other hardwoods.

You should use a medium sandpaper, and sand in the direction of the woodgrain using even pressure. Use a damp cloth to clean up any sanding dust before the next step.

Next, you’ll need some wood putty and a spackle spatula. Apply a very thin coat of the wood putty on the cabinet, and spread it over the surface.

You’re trying to just fill in the grain so you’ll have an even surface all over. Use the spatula to spread it evenly. You can sand any uneven spots after it is fully dry, but it will be easier if you can get it even while the putty is still wet.

Let this dry overnight, then get your light sandpaper and give it a light sanding again. You’ll need to wipe up any sanding dust again, of course.

The final step before painting is to apply one or two primer coats. The coats will act as a final barrier to prevent the wood grain from showing, as well as help your paint to adhere evenly.

Be sure to allow plenty of drying time between your primer coats, then you’re (finally) ready to paint your oak cabinets.

How Much Paint do You Need for a Cabinet?

Many paint manufacturers will have an estimate on the paint can that will tell you how many square feet the container of paint will cover.

As a general rule, one gallon of paint should cover 350 square feet, which is approximately enough to paint a bathroom or small room.

Two gallons of paint is considered enough for an “average” home painting project and should cover approximately 800 square feet. If you keep that in mind, a gallon of paint should be enough to paint your kitchen cabinets with multiple coats. 

How To Prep Cabinets To Be Painted?

There’s no easy way to say this: painting kitchen cabinets requires a lot of prep work! Not just prepping the cabinets, but also prepping your entire kitchen.

Before you even get started, you’ll need to remove everything from your kitchen countertops. You might want to move any furniture out of the kitchen also.

Cover your countertops, appliances, and floor with heavy paper or plastic sheeting.

Remove any curtains from nearby windows, and cover the windows with plastic. If you’re going to use a paint sprayer, you should hand some plastic sheeting to block off the entrance to the kitchen.

It’s easier to paint cabinet doors if you remove them from the cabinet boxes. Be sure to organize the hardware in small containers or plastic bags, and label them in a way that makes sense to you.

Now it’s time to clean! You’ll need to scrub the doors and outside surfaces of the cabinet boxes on the wall with soap and water.

Kitchen cabinets are going to pick up dirt, grease, and dust from daily use. You don’t want to paint over even tiny amounts of dirt, so making sure they’re spotlessly clean will help make your cabinets look wonderful.

Finally, it’s time to begin taping/masking off so you can get started with the paint!

How To Tape Cabinets To Be Painted

Personally, I find taping to be the most tedious part of any home painting project. But, I also know that taking the time to carefully tape off before painting can make the difference between a professional-looking job, and a less-than-wonderful-looking job!

In addition to masking tape, you’ll need some heavy brown paper. You can usually find rolls of it at most home improvement stores, as well as online. Tape several inches of the paper to the walls and ceiling all around the cabinet boxes.

You’ll also need to tape along the interior edge of the cabinets. Take your time and be sure to get the tape and paper right up to the edge of the cabinets.

It’s not the most fun part of the job, but doing it correctly will save you from doing unnecessary touch-ups and cleaning later.

If you’re going to use a paint sprayer, you should tape a sheet of plastic across the open cabinet boxes so you don’t get paint inside.

You should also tape the paper over the backsplash, countertops, floors, and most of the walls to avoid getting any overspray on them.

Wrapping Up on The Best Kitchen Cabinet Paints

Painting your cabinets is a great way to dramatically transform your kitchen. With the right paint, you can create a cozy “farmhouse chic” space or a crisp modern one.

It’s a big undertaking to try yourself, so doing some research on what paint you should use is worth the time. It’s also important to remember that a great paint job starts with great prep work, and kitchen cabinets take a lot of preparation.

In the end, though, you can have a stunning kitchen that reflects your personality and style. 

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Heather from Whipperberry
Hello... my name is Heather and I'm the creator of WhipperBerry a creative lifestyle blog packed full of great recipes and creative ideas for your home and family. I find I am happiest when I'm living a creative life and I love to share what I've been up to along the way... Come explore, my hope is that you'll leave inspired!

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