How to Choose the Best Paint for Your Cabinets—Plus 8 Brands to Shop

One of the most costly areas of the home to renovate is the kitchen, which is especially true if you want to replace your cabinets. But rather than investing in all new units, consider giving your existing cabinetry new life with a fresh coat of paint. As long as your cabinets are safe to use, painting them and adding new hardware is a simple DIY way to transform your kitchen.

Just as there are certain types of paint that are best suited to your walls, the same considerations apply when painting your cabinets. "What I recommend most often, is a product specifically intended for painting cabinets," says Amy Wax, architectural color consultant and creator of the Color911 App.

What to Consider When Buying Cabinet Paint

In addition to selecting a paint specifically designed for cabinets, you'll also want to take into account the paint's base and finish.

Paint base

Cabinet paints can be oil-based, latex, alkyd, and acrylic. While each base has its own pros and cons, there are some options that are preferred over others.

• Oil-based paint: Oil-based paint is a popular choice for cabinets. "The oil-based paint dries harder, making it more durable for places where there will be more wear and tear and hands-on use," says Wax. Oil-based paint also has the ability to self level, eliminating visible brush strokes and giving you a smoother appearance. One downside to oil-based paint is that it will start to yellow or change to a lightly warmer color over time.
• Latex paint: Another option for painting cabinetry is latex paint, which dries quickly, has stable colors, and is easy to apply. However, latex paint is a thinner product that doesn't level out. "You will likely see the imperfections on the surface or brush strokes once the product is applied," says Wax.
• Alkyd paint: Similar to oil-based paint, alkyd paint is durable, dries quickly, and has a smooth finish. The paint won't fade over time, making it a great option for high touch areas like the kitchen.
• Acrylic paint: Acrylic paint can withstand high temperatures without cracking, making it ideal if you have cabinets over a stovetop. "I have had success with an acrylic paint with urethane applied, creating an enamel-like product giving the cabinets a smooth, harder finish that will maintain its color and durability," says Wax.

Paint Finish

Whether you're choosing a paint for your walls or your cabinets, there are certain finishes that are best suited to certain projects. "Cabinets need to wear well and wash easily," says Wax. "The best finish for that would be satin or semi-gloss."

• Satin:  The satin or low luster finish has a less reflective sheen, but enough of a sheen that the surface is sealed and protected, says Wax. Satin finishes are also easy to clean.
• Semi-gloss: The higher sheen would be a semi-gloss finish, which makes the finish a bit more reflective, says Wax. Cabinets with this sheen tend to look more clean.

With all of these factors in mind, here are the best paint for cabinets.