It is common to use lower gloss paint on the walls and higher gloss paint on the cabinets.
To match the finish on kitchen walls and cabinets, choose a satin or semi-gloss finish.
Kitchen Walls
Eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss paint finish works best on kitchen walls.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Kitchen Cabinets
Semi-gloss or glossy paint is typically used on kitchencabinetsor onwoodworksuch as door and window casings.
The higher the gloss of paint, the more visible the paint brush marks.
Try adding water or linseed oil, as appropriate, or use an oil-based paint.
The Spruce / Brianna Gilmartin
Spraying or rolling on the paint will eliminate brush marks, as well.
What Paint Finish Is
Paints for interior wallsand woodwork come in several different finishes or sheens.
Paint finish also determines the look of thekitchen.
The paint’s shine is part of the gloss, but color is part of it, too.
The higher the gloss of paint, the richer and brighter the color.
Eachpaint manufacturerhas its terminology and means of categorizing the various sheen levels.
Flat or matte is ideal for low-traffic areas.
Flat paints diffuse light but tend to hold dirt and are more difficult to clean.
The paint layer can be worn off with even minor scrubbing.
Flat or matte paints are best suited for ceilings and walls in low-use rooms.
Because flat or matte paint absorbs rather than reflects light, flat paints tend to hide wall imperfections.
Flat or matte paints in high-impact areas are difficult to clean.
Often, the best way to clean a flat or matte paint finish is torepaint it.
Some paint manufacturers offer scrubbable flat or matte paint.
Tip
Milk paint and chalk-style paintsare flat or matte paints.
But they usually receive a top coating of wax or polyurethane, giving them a satin or semi-gloss finish.
Eggshell Paint Finish
An eggshell paint is a low-luster finish with similar merits to satin paints.
Eggshell paints are slightly more scrubbable than flat paints and resist stains and scuffs better.
An eggshell paint finish is suited for ceilings and walls in rooms that receive low to moderate wear.
A satin finish is an ideal multi-purpose paint for all walls in homes with children.
It is a common choice for kitchen and bathroom walls.
It can be used for high-traffic walls, such as found in hallways, and for woodwork.
Some homeowners find gloss or high-gloss to be too shiny and industrial for use on walls.
Extreme shininess can also expose flaws in walls.
How Light & Finish Affect Paint Color.Sherwin-Williams
