Best Brand of Paint for Kitchen Cabinets

If you’re aiming to give your cupboards and whatnot a makeover, you might be looking for the best brand of paint for kitchen cabinets out there. As time goes by, our kitchen cabinets can get chipped paint due to extreme heat or constant use, and that’s when we want to repaint it. Or, if you’re just getting started with your new house or unit, choosing paint for it can be a difficult decision sometimes.

Aside from picking the color that you want (or that matches your interior décor), choosing paint for kitchen cabinets depends on many factors, such as the cabinet material. However, a good paint formula should not just be resistant to weather changes but should also be free of chemical smells (or fewer if possible), especially since food items are always nearby.

Regardless of what paint for kitchen cabinets you choose, it should be easy to apply and should suit your preferences. After all, not all paint textures are the same, and not all kitchen layouts are similar.

Our Top 6 Best Brand of Paint for Kitchen Cabinets

If you want to know which brand of paint for kitchen cabinets is worthy to buy, check out our top picks:

#1. Nuvo Titanium Infusion 1 Day Cabinet Makeover Kit.

Ideal for different kinds of cabinet materials, such as wood, primed, laminate, and metal, the Nuvo Titanium Infusion 1 Day Cabinet Makeover Kit contains 2 cans (31 ounces each) of paint that can suffice up to 100 square feet of the surface. What we like about this pack is that it's a starter kit - you also get a 2-inch angled paintbrush, 2 roller covers, and a roller arm.

You don't need to remove cabinet doors or prime them with this painting kit. Since it dries overnight, even if you accidentally spill onto the white finished surface, cleaning and scrubbing won't mess up anything. The reason why it dries quickly compared to regular paint is that it is made of a modified acrylic formula that easily bonds to common kitchen cabinet materials (wood, metal, and laminates).

The white shade of this paint is almost like pure white that's closer to the gray or cool tones rather than warm tones. Also, even though the paint has a different formulation over regular ones, it can be applied over existing paint as long as the surface is well-sanded. Furthermore, it also has instructions so even if you are new to painting jobs, you can have a 1-day makeover for your kitchen cabinets.

Verdict: The Nuvo Titanium Infusion 1 Day Cabinet Makeover Kit is ideal for easy paint jobs on most kitchen cabinets where a cool-toned white color would work best.

#02. INSL-X CC550109A-01 Cabinet Coat Enamel Satin Sheen Paint

If you prefer a satin finish for your cabinet, we’d like to suggest the INSL-X CC550109A-01 Cabinet Coat Enamel Satin Sheen Paint, which comes in 1 gallon and white color. This gallon of paint can be enough to cover 350 to 450 square feet of the cabinet surface.

The texture, when it dries, has a smooth acrylic-like finish that can withstand water, grease, scuffing, food messes, and casual chipping. You also don't need to put a primer first when painting with this one, making the application a breeze.

It can be applied to different cabinet materials, such as poly/laminate, metal, and wood, all with different prep methods (such as sanding) before rolling on the paint. The recoat time for this paint is about 6 hours and it can easily be cleaned up with soap and water since it is a water-based formula. In this way, making mistakes can be less of a problem for beginners or DIY painters.

Much like the pick above, it can also dry within a day. You can also apply it over existing paint without priming, only sanding with at least 220 grit sandpaper. While this can comes in 1 gallon, you can also order it in 1 quart if you only need minimal paint or touch-ups, or order the gallon kit for additional painting materials.

Verdict: We think that the INSL-X CC550109A-01 Cabinet Coat Enamel Satin Sheen Paint is best for those looking for an acrylic-like satin finish for their cabinet.

#03. Rust-Oleum 285140 Ultra Matte Interior Chalked Paint 30 oz, Linen White

The Rust-Oleum 285140 Ultra Matte Interior Chalked Paint is an ultra-matte finish for those who prefer a chalked paint texture for their kitchen cabinet. With 30 fluid ounces of paint, it can cover up to 150 square feet of the surface and it can also become dry to touch quickly in about 30 minutes or so. Since it is low on odor, it can be ideal for kitchen use to prevent food and drinks from being contaminated.

Also, it is easy to clean up with soap and water. You can use the paint over wood and metal cabinets (or even ceramic areas if you want to). As with our previous picks, you don't need primers for surfaces other than unfinished wood, and you only need to wait about 2 hours before applying if you do need to prime the wood cabinet first.

The top coating also requires you to wait within 2 hours so it's not that long. When it dries, it doesn't require sanding since it already gives a chalky, antique finish. However, you can also sand or glaze it depending on what effect or finish you want to achieve with it. The linen white is an off-white color so you can use it alongside pure white and it will stand out.

Verdict: The Rust-Oleum 285140 Ultra Matte Interior Chalked Paint might be your cup of tea if you prefer a chalky antique matte finish.

#04. Giani Marble Easy Epoxy Countertop Kit, Carrara White

Yet another kitchen-safe paint is the Giani Marble Easy Epoxy Countertop Kit, which has no VOCs so you'll smell zero off-putting odors that could affect your kitchen and food. Since it is also an entire kit, you don't need to buy other requirements (e.g. primers for wood, brushes, and the like) aside from the paint.

This countertop and cabinet paint can cover up to 35 square feet of the surface and can dry to a high-gloss finish. It also has UV protection, especially if your kitchen has a big window that's often exposed to the sun (or if you live in a warm country). Since this paint is heat-resistant for up to 250 degrees Fahrenheit, it can be appropriate for a kitchen that's always busy cooking up food or painting a cabinet/surface near the oven.

Being beginner-friendly, this whole kit comes with a marble white primer, veining, and highlight minerals, activators, resin, rollers, pads, brushes, sponges, and even extras such as a practice board and a misting bottle. It also comes with 600 grit sandpaper for finishing, epoxy gloves, plastic drop cloth, and of course, the instructions to follow.

Verdict: For cabinets near the oven, we like the heat-resistant formula of the Giani Marble Easy Epoxy Countertop Kit, Carrara White (and you might, too).

#05.Valspar 27-2400 QT 2400 Interior Latex Paint

Sometimes, simple acrylic latex paint will do the job, and the Valspar 27-2400 QT 2400 Interior Latex Paint can be a good choice for most kitchen cabinets. Oftentimes, acrylic and latex aren’t in the same can, but Valspar’s latex paint features the best of both worlds.

Bearing a semi-gloss finish when fully dried, this acrylic latex from Valspar (a well-known paint/finish brand), each can contains 1 quart of paint in White Medallion. Because acrylic paint is one of the least toxic types of paint, it can dry easily and you can also add more layers of paint as you like. This also means that you can apply it over existing painted surfaces as long as it is sanded properly

Since it is only at 1 quart, it can be ideal for simple touch-ups or for smaller kitchen cabinets (you can always buy more if needed). Because it has a semi-gloss finish, the paint can help make kitchen cabinets stand out and look clean (and also resist stains and splashes, making them easy to wipe when dirty).

Acrylic latex, in this case, can be used as a combination to keep your kitchen cabinets heat-resistant, especially during temperature fluctuations or when you use your oven or stove. Since acrylic paint is also UV-resistant, it can also be beneficial to kitchens that are often exposed to sunlight.

Verdict: You might like the Valspar 27-2400 QT 2400 Interior Latex Paint if you want a semi-gloss finish for your kitchen cabinets.

#06.Minwax Polycrylic Water-Based Protective Finish

The Minwax Polycrylic Water-Based Protective Finish is a semi-gloss paint that dries quickly so you only need to wait for 2 hours to recoat it. And since it is also water-based, you don't need to fuss over cleaning it as only soap and water will do. It is also safe to use on latex-painted wood surfaces and it doesn't give a yellowish look due to being water-based instead of being oil-based.

What we like about this is the low odor, which is important for kitchen paints so as not to affect food and drinks while letting it dry and cure. The semi-gloss finish can work even on most light wood cabinets such as birch, maple, and ash. This might be for you if you want to preserve the natural grain and texture of your wooden cabinets for a rustic look that’s still easy to clean up.

Although it applies in white color, it dries up clear. Curing time is only about 24 hours so it's kind of like the paints we picked above. Each can have a half-pint of paint but you can also order in other sizes, such as gallon, quart, and even aerosol if you want a flawless airbrushed finish.

Verdict: The Minwax Polycrylic Water-Based Protective Finish might be what you’re looking for if you want to preserve wood grain cabinet textures.

Things to Consider Before Buying Paint for Kitchen Cabinets

If you want to choose the best type of paint for kitchen cabinets, you might want to consider the following criteria:

1. Texture

It’s up to you whether you want a matte, chalky finish or if you want to go for high gloss paint for kitchen cabinets. It is usually a matter of preference but if you want a surface that’s easier to clean, having a semi-gloss finish for a brand of paint for kitchen cabinets can be more practical.

2. Drying time

Naturally, we’d want a quicker drying time so that we can use our kitchen cabinets right away. Typically, a 1-day curing or drying time is common for most kitchen paints. Dry-to-touch can usually be around 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on the formulation.

However, for recoating, it is usually about 2 to 6 hours depending on the paint that you have. Recoating is important if the brand of paint for kitchen cabinets isn’t too thick or if your cabinet material is very dark, to begin with (e.g. black or dark brown).

3. Prep time

While most paints require you to prime the kitchen cabinet, our picks here mostly don’t (except for untreated wood, which, in our opinion, definitely needs to be primed for the paint to work smoothly).

4. Extras

It’s always a nice touch when the paint you order also comes with extras, such as paint rollers, a primer (so you don’t have to buy one if you’re painting raw wood), and other items that can make your painting job easier, even with minimal house painting knowledge.

5. Odor and chemicals

As we mentioned in the intro, a brand of paint for kitchen cabinets need to be free from VOCs and odor so that your food items will be safe and sound.

6. Heat resistance

The kitchen will usually be a hot place so you have to consider heat-resistant paint for your cabinets, especially if they will be situated near the oven or stove.

How We Wrote This Review

To choose the best paint finish for kitchen cabinets, we looked for opinions of real users – mostly people who are either in the reseller business or just like DIY home makeovers in general. We’ve asked how they tried the paints above and they truly liked the result, as long as you follow the instructions given in the manual.

Most of them also explained that paint finishes can vary depending on the material, so you still need to apply a topcoat when needed. The paints mentioned also worked on other surfaces such as tables.

Next, we gathered information about the different textures of paint so you can choose which one you prefer. Some might prefer chalky matte finishes while others like glossy finishes that are easier to clean. We didn’t just choose random cabinet paints – we diversified our picks for your different needs.

We also looked into the ingredients included in each of the paints. For instance, we chose mostly water-based paints because they are easier to clean up as compared to regular paints. Second, these paints are also odorless and safe for kitchens. Last, but not the least, when you’re choosing a finish for wood, it won’t give off a yellowish color, unlike oil-based formulas.

Final Verdict

As we round up our list of the best brand of paint for kitchen cabinets, we’d like to remind you that each of our top picks is special in their ways. Some people prefer gloss while others like a matte finish. Some have wood grain cabinets and want to preserve that while others prefer to cover it up with a clean roll of paint.

For instance, the Nuvo Titanium Infusion 1 Day Cabinet Makeover Kit is best for cool-toned kitchens while the Rust-Oleum 285140 Ultra Matte Interior Chalked Paint 30 oz, Linen White is more on the warmer side, and is also a chalky matte finish paint, contrasting the INSL-X CC550109A-01 Cabinet Coat Enamel Satin Sheen Paint, which has an acrylic-like satin finish.

Cabinets near ovens might benefit from the Giani Marble Easy Epoxy Countertop Kit, Carrara White, or the Valspar 27-2400 QT 2400 Interior Latex Paint (with a semi-gloss finish). Last but not the least, wood grain cabinets can be improved with the Minwax Polycrylic Water-Based Protective Finish.

So what do you think is the best brand of paint for kitchen cabinets? Well, that depends on what you want to achieve. As long as the paint works for your cabinets and dries up quickly and as long as it doesn’t smell bad, it can be a great paint to consider – and you might even use them for other home projects as well!