THE BEST KITCHEN PAINT COLOURS & PRODUCTS
Paint is an inexpensive way to redecorate a kitchen. At a first glance, it might seem overwhelming, but if you choose the best products, it can be one of the most stylish ways to revamp the soul of your home. Yet, finding the right paint is often challenging.
Resistance, durability, and easy cleaning are key factors of a good kitchen paint. A stain and grease repellent product is better than a generic one. You must also consider coverage and finish.
Confused? Our experts are here to help! We’ve tested and rated some of the most popular kitchen paint colours and products on the market. Check out our top picks below.
OUR BEST PICK KITCHEN PAINTS
Best Of The Rest
Dulux Trade Diamond Matt White
Diamond Technology makes the paint ideal for high traffic areas.
Dulux Easycare Kitchen+
From the same range as our top choice, this paint delivers exceptional results.
Johnstone's Kitchen and Bathroom Emulsion Paint
Formulated to resist stains, grease, mould and humidity – an ideal paint for all high traffic environments.
POPULAR KITCHEN COLOUR PALETTES
Choosing the perfect colours for the kitchen walls goes beyond trends and often even beyond preference. To create an inviting environment, it is often necessary to test the variations of natural light during the day and in the various seasons.
Avoid a dull effect by matching shades with different warmth. This creates a balanced relationship between colour and light which is a determining factor for designing a harmonious space that facilitates the daily actions and improves the mood.
Brightness is a fundamental element to consider when choosing kitchen paint while the chromatic climate is more balanced when the floor is darker than the walls.
For traditional kitchens, soft shades of white and light grey, or pastel colours, add luminosity to the space, brightening up small or poorly illuminated environments. An open-plan kitchen should be painted in colours complimentary to the adjacent living area, opting for light hues. Bold accents and contrasting colours look better on accessories and furniture than on the kitchen walls.
Dark colours should only be used in very large kitchens. A few popular options are anthracite grey, chalkboard black, or traditional shades like emerald green and burgundy. Pair these shades with neutral tones of cream, sand, mint, or sage green to add brightness and luminosity.
An excellent paint - easy to clean and hides wall imperfections.
Dulux Easycare Kitchen is our top choice, and we love almost everything about it. The most important feature we like is the resistance to common kitchen stains and grease. The product is washable and easy to clean with a damp cloth.
Another thing we like is the smooth and velvety matt finish that covers wall imperfections. The non-reflective look is stylish, while the product is about ten times tougher than conventional paint. Formulated specifically for kitchens, the paint is suitable for both ceilings and walls, while the colour choice is impressive.
The product comes in 20 hues, including neutral tones and bolder colours. We’ve tried the Chic Shadow that dries to a sophisticated light grey. The coverage up to 13m²/litre is excellent, with one tin of paint being enough to paint a small kitchen.
For consistent results, it is necessary to apply two coats, but thanks to the quick drying time the process is fast and straightforward. The paint is easy to apply either with a brush or with a roller, and in ideal conditions, you need only wait about five hours between coats.
Another thing we like is that the paint comes in 2.5L tins, which are much more convenient than smaller options. The price is also great considering the high quality of the product.
Pros
• Withstands cooking stains and grease. The product is washable and the colour won’t fade away.
• Sophisticated matt finish covers wall imperfections with an elegant, smooth velvety look.
• Dulux Easycare is about ten times tougher than conventional paint, looking immaculate for longer.
• Paint comes in a range of 20 shades. Finding the right colour to integrate into the existing design is easy.
• Easy to apply with a brush or roller, coverage of up to 13m²/litre, and quick dry time define the quality of this paint.
Cons
• There might be a slight difference between the sample colour and the dry colour on the wall. While this is common to most paints, it’s something to know.
Economical but not kitchen specific paint delivers great value for money.
Crown Matt Emulsion Paint is an economical alternative to most kitchen paints on the market. It boasts an excellent coverage, it’s easy to apply and is non-toxic.
Water-based formulation makes the paint ideal for most rooms in a house, including playrooms or the nursery. A matt, non-reflective finish covers wall imperfections while highlighting the surface. The product can be used on almost all walls, including new plaster – in which case it’s advisable to dilute the paint with water.
What we like best is the convenience pack that delivers 7.5 litres of paint. A whole bucket freshens up to 105m² and the emulsion is easy to apply with a brush or roller. Quick application and a fast drying time are two other features of this product. In the ideal conditions, the paint touch dries in two hours. The re-coat time is roughly four hours.
Ideal for both ceilings and walls, the paint has an excellent viscosity that limits drips. Pure Brilliant White can brighten up the kitchen environment, is durable, non-yellowing, and easy to wipe clean with a damp cloth.
The only downside is the formulation which is not specific to kitchens. Compared to speciality products, this paint is less resistant to stains, grease and humidity. Yet, if you don’t mind having to repaint frequently, this product offers an excellent value for money.
Pros
• Convenient pack contains 7.5 litres of paint which can cover up to 105m². It is one of the most cost effective interior paints on the market.
• Matt, non-reflective finish looks great on walls and masks slight imperfections. The colour won’t turn yellow in time and the finish is smooth and velvety.
• Quick dry time ensures a fast repainting work. The product touch dries in two hours and the second coat can be applied after about four hours.
• Excellent viscosity limits drip when painting the ceiling.
• Water-based colour is non-toxic and has little odour. It is ideal to use in almost all rooms of a house.
Cons
• Resistance to common kitchen stains, grease, and humidity is low. The product isn’t formulated specifically for kitchens.
• Poor coverage on darker colours.
Tough paint integrates an advanced stain repellent technology.
At first glance, Dulux Trade Diamond Matt might look expensive. But when you consider that it comes in 10L tins, this is an affordable high-quality paint. Boasting a special formulation that integrates an advanced stain repellent technology, the product works wonders in kitchens, on coated or new plaster surfaces.
The Diamond Technology makes the paint ten times tougher than Dulux Trade Vinyl range, providing flawless results that last longer. The matt finish makes the product ideal for high traffic areas and is easy to wipe clean without damaging the surface.
Coverage is impressive. A litre covers up to 16m², the paint touch dries in two hours and is ready to re-coat after four to six hours. Regarding application, there are plenty of options to choose from. The thinned product is compatible with both airless and HVLP sprays while the product is easy to apply with a brush or roller when used straight from the tin.
It is recommended to thin the first coat with water if applying on new plaster, following the manufacturer’s indications. On coated plaster thinning is unnecessary and the surface needn’t be primed unless painting on darker colours.
Pros
• High-quality yet affordable paint to use in kitchens or other high traffic areas, including stairways, children’s room or hallways.
• Water-based emulsion with low content of volatile organic compounds is safe to use in poorly ventilated environments.
• Pure Brilliant White provides a long-lasting matt finish that repels stains and is easy to wipe clean.
• A 10L tin of paint covers up to 160m². Two coats are enough to achieve satisfactory results.
• Formulated for walls and ceilings, the paint is easy to apply with an array of tools and it doesn’t drip excessively.
Cons
• It might take more than two coats to cover darker colours or porous walls.
Built specifically for kitchens, this paint is comparable to our top choice.
Specifically formulated for kitchens, this paint is part of the same Dulux Easycare Kitchen range described above. The main difference between the two paints is the colour. Pure Brilliant White is part of a series containing only three neutral choices.
Another difference is the price. Pure Brilliant White is cheaper than the tinted alternatives. Apart from this, the paint is very similar to our top choice.
Undoubtedly, what we like best is the specific formulation. Designed to resist kitchen stains and tough grease, the product is easy to clean without damaging the colour. This ensures a longer durability even in the busiest kitchens, reducing maintenance costs in the long run.
Pure Brilliant White dries to a matt, non-reflective finish that covers any slight imperfections of the wall. Two coats are enough to cover even the darkest of colours and in ideal conditions, the product is suitable for a second coat after about five hours.
Like Dulux Easycare Kitchen, this product has the same coverage, up to 13m²/litre. However, porous surfaces or rugged walls can reduce coverage unless a primer is applied to the surface. A substantial colour change over a darker shade also requires the use of a primer.
Pros
• Pure Brilliant White looks amazing in a small or poorly illuminated kitchen, adding brightness to the environment.
• Specific formulation is resistant to common kitchen stains, tough grease, and humidity. Paint is washable.
• Matt finish covers wall imperfections and is more elegant than sheen paint. Perfect to apply on both ceilings and walls.
• Coming in three neutral colours, this paint complements a traditional interior or a shabby chic style kitchen.
• Ideal paint to use in other high-traffic areas, including playrooms, stairways, or hallways.
Cons
• Inadequate packaging might cause leaks. Keep the tins upright at all times to avoid surprises.
• In rare cases, it might take more than two coats to achieve a consistent coverage. A primer could help if the surface is porous or painted in a dark colour.
Emulsion paint for kitchens, bathrooms and high traffic areas.
Johnstone’s Kitchen and Bathroom is an emulsion paint formulated to resist grease and cooking stains but also excessive moisture and humidity. Ideal to use on both walls and ceilings, this product dries to a mid-sheen finish and is easy to scrub clean with a sponge.
The low odour formulation makes the paint ideal to use in all environments, including playrooms, hallways, and stairways. Providing durable protection in all high condensation areas, the product is suitable to use in poorly ventilated environments and in high traffic areas.
Coming in 11 traditional colours, the paint complements or contrasts with other kitchen design elements, enhancing your interior. Of the colours available, we tried Brilliant White, which dries to a delicate sheen finish while covering most wall imperfections.
The coverage up to 12m²/litre is excellent, but light paint doesn’t provide the same exceptional results if applied over darker colours. Sometimes, a third or even fourth coat is required to achieve a satisfactory result. While this takes up more paint, the quality/price ratio is still great.
Pros
• Johnstone’s Kitchen and Bathroom is about ten times more resistant than conventional emulsions and it’s easy to clean with a sponge or damp cloth.
• Low odour paint is suitable for all high traffic areas, including a child’s room.
• Formulated to provide consistent protection in high condensation areas, the product is ideal for kitchens and bathrooms.
• Designed to repel stains and grease, this paint provides a long lasting finish on the kitchen walls.
• Mid-sheen finish is a great compromise between an elegant matt and a stylish sheen; the paint is easier to clean than matt formulations but still covers slight wall imperfections.
Cons
• It takes a lot of paint to cover porous walls or darker colours. Bear this in mind when calculating quantities.
• Viscosity is not the best; the paint is thick and hard to apply on walls.
HOW TO PAINT A KITCHEN
MATERIALS
• Kitchen paint
• Primer
• Caulk
• Sandpaper
• Masking tape
• Drop cloths
TOOLS
• Brushes
• Roller
• Roller tray
• Putty knife
• Step-ladder
DECORATING GUIDELINES
Step 1 – Prepare the kitchen
Before grabbing the brush and the tin of paint, take time to prepare the space. Remove all countertop appliances, hanging decorations and accessories. If there are a table and chairs in the kitchen, remove them too, together with any other removable furniture.
Cover all kitchen cabinets and the floor with drop cloths. Apply masking tape to all areas that don’t need painting and remove the electrical outlet and switch covers.
Remove any flaking paint with sandpaper. Clean the walls with degreaser, paying attention to remove all dirt and debris, or your new paint might not adhere properly. If there are large cracks and holes, cover them with caulk or another sealant, then sandpaper to smooth the surface.
Remove all dust and debris and leave the wall to dry completely.
Step 2 – Prime the wall
Primer is used to create a solid base for the paint, and this step is essential if you’re aiming to achieve professional-looking results. Proper priming improves paint’s coverage, allowing you to use less paint to achieve a satisfactory finish, and this step is important if you’re making dramatic colour changes or if you’re painting a bare wall.
It’s possible to skip the step if painting over a similar colour or when performing small retouch works.
Step 3 – Paint the wall
The best way to restyle a kitchen is by painting first the trim works around windows, doors, and kitchen cabinets with a paintbrush. Then, switch to the roller and proceed with painting first the ceiling and then the walls.
Use a paintbrush to refine the corners and edges and leave the first coat to dry as instructed by the manufacturer. Apply a second coat following the same procedure and leave the paint to cure for at least 24 hours before touching it.
When everything’s done, carefully remove all masking tape and drop cloths, and bring any finishing touches if required.