Best paint for kitchen cabinets: 8 paints for cupboard doors

Finding the best paint for kitchen cabinets is the first step towards totally transforming your kitchen.

If you've inherited a perfectly acceptable kitchen but hate the colour, or are longing for a kitchen renovation but don't have the budget, then giving your kitchen cupboards a simple lick of paint can offer a quick, easy and affordable solution.

For anyone who wants to steer clear of a gloss finish, this Dulux Quick Dry Satinwood Paint available in 20 colours,will prove a nice change. Its advanced water-based formula, a far cry from earlier experimentations, goes on in thin, but high-coverage coats, and reviewers loved its smooth, even, slightly lustrous finish with a tough coating that can stand up to the rigours of life in a busy kitchen. On that front, this Dulux cupboards paint's properly quick-dry formula is a blessing too, meaning you can get on with life as quickly as possible after painting your kitchen cupboards.

Best for: Chalk finishCapacity: 250mlBase type: ChalkColours: 36+A little goes a long way +Stylish, rustic finish +Muted, trendy colour options-Chalk paint isn't wipeable

Want the best kitchen cupboard paint for a rustic, chalky finish? The unique look of chalk-based paint is more popular than ever, and while it may come as a surprise that our top pick comes from small supplier easichalk, Shabby Chic Chalk Based Furniture Paint has got the rave reviews to take on the big brands. Its vintage-look, almost velvety ultra-matte finish left reviewers impressed, and they found that despite initial reservations about the size of the tin, a little went a very long way. Plus, for anyone looking to hop on the black-on-black kitchen trend, reviewers recommend the shade Liquorice as the perfect black for the best paint for kitchen cupboards.

Best for: A smooth finishCapacity: 750mlBase type: OilColours: 1+ No primer needed; ready in one coat-Only the choice of one colour

If white gloss appeals for an instant facelift and a clean and tidy look, this Ronseal One Coat Cupboard gloss looks to be the best kitchen cupboard paint around. As the name suggests, it’s specifically engineered for use on melamine and MDF cupboards, as well as drawers, furniture and doors, making it a handy one to keep in the garage, but the best bit is its practicality. Not needing a primer, this cupboard paint gives a full-coverage, smooth and glossy finish in just one coat, and once on, it’s said not to scuff or scratch. In our opinion, this is the best kitchen cupboard paint if you're after something white gloss, quick to apply which has a smooth finish.

Best for: Wide range of coloursCapacity: 750ml, 0.75ltrs, 2.5ltrsBase type: WaterColours: 100++ Low-VOC and -odour formula-Pricey

Farrow & Ball’s Estate Eggshell is suitably stately, with a tough but beautiful finish that would look at home in most any kitchen. The water-based formula is eco-friendly with a low VOC content, meaning no nasties, less odour to contend with and peace of mind for those with children and pets. Once on, it’s washable and wipeable, a surprisingly practical touch to match its elegant silk finish. Best of all, you can choose from a whopping 132 colours to suit any scheme.

Best for: Satin finishCapacity: 750ml, 1.25ltrs, 2.5ltrsBase type: WaterColours: 18+Lustrous satin finish +Quick drying +No odour-Some reviews say it requires more than one coat

Somewhere between the shabby chic finish of upcycler’s favourite chalk paint, and the traditional finish of white gloss, there’s this not-quite-matt Johnstone's One Coat Quick Dry Satin Paint. Reviewers were impressed with its performance, saying that it covers evenly in just one coat, is touch-dry in two hours, and feels like silk. As luck would have it, it looks a little like silk too, with what DIYers said was a beautiful sheen and a great finish. Longer term users commended the wash-clean, non-smudging finish, too. If you're after a satin finish, this is the best kitchen cabinet paint that you can buy.

Best for: Easy-cleanCapacity: 2ltrsBase type: WaterColours: 6+ Wipe-clean satin finish

Satin seems to be the finish du jour for paintwork right now, and this V33 Renovation Smooth Satin paint is proving especially popular among the contenders. Specially designed for use on kitchen cupboards and cabinets, reviewers found it applied beautifully with a foam roller, and provided opaque coverage that made cabinets look just like new after application. They also found a little went a long way, and that post-painting, any splashes or splatters could be easily wiped off without any detriment to the finish, proving this paint’s staying power.

Best for: EasyCapacity: 750mlBase type: OilColours: 9+Little goes a long way+Good coverage-Smells strong

Transform your kitchen cupboards with help from Wilko's furniture and cupboard paint. For use on interior wood, melamine, MDF cupboards and furniture, a little goes a long way, and because of its thick consistency you'll only need one coat for good coverage. Reviewers rave about the quality and the smooth satin finish, as well as the fact it's hard wearing. Use a gloss roller to get the best results, and be sure to open all windows as it does have a strong smell to it.

Best for: AffordabiltyCapacity: 500mlBase type: WaterColours: 45+Easy to use (no primer needed)+Loads of colour choices-Empty List

Looking for the best paint for kitchen cabinets on a budget? GoodHome Flat Matt Furniture Paint will give your kitchen cupboards a velvety smooth, chalky finish. It's washable and and resistant to water and household cleaners so you can wash away any marks or stains, making it really easy to maintain. There are also load of shades to choose from, including metallics and glitter paints.

For best results, at least two coats are recommended, applied using a brush or roller. To finish use a lacquer or wax to protect heavily used surfaces, and allow 10 days for paint to fully cure.

How to choose the best paint for kitchen cabinets

Colour

Undoubtedly, the most exciting bit to decide on is the colour you’re going to paint your cupboards – is barely-there Scandi-inspired soft grey more your speed, or do you dare to go for one of the season’s deep inky shades? If you’re not sure where to start, take a look at ourkitchen paint ideas.

Formula

However, arguably the most important bit of the best paint for kitchen cabinets is the formula. Finish can have almost as big an effect on your overall kitchen aesthetic as colour, and eggshell and gloss have long been prized in tricky spaces like kitchens for their smooth sheen and wipe-clean finish, however even some of our satin picks are tougher than they look. Our top tip? A mid to soft sheen will look more contemporary than anything glossy, and will give your kitchen an instant update.

How to use the best paint for kitchen cabinets

You've chosen your paint colour and finish, so what's next? Check out our guide to how to paint kitchen cabinets for all the other essentials you'll need before you begin, and watch our how-to video for top tips on how to get the best results: