Can You Use Flat Paint in the Kitchen?

If you are planning to update your kitchen, repainting the walls is a great place to start. A fresh coat of paint makes any room look clean and sleek, and a new wall color will help your kitchen feel like a brand new space! When you are deciding what color to paint your kitchen, you also need to consider the type of paint finish you’ll use.

Paint finish, also called paint sheen, refers to the amount of light that reflects off the paint once it is dry. There is a scale of paint sheens ranging from flat to high-gloss. As the name implies, flat paint doesn’t reflect any light, which leads to a completely matte look when the paint is dry. On the other hand, high-gloss paint is the most reflective type of paint. It dries with a shiny, lacquered look. Paint sheen doesn’t just affect the amount of light reflected–it also changes how durable the paint is, and how easy it is to clean. In general, the higher the sheen, the more sturdy the paint and easier it is to wipe down. Although flat paint is common in bedrooms and living rooms, it is not the best for kitchens.

Flat paint, while providing a soft, matte look, is not the most stain-resistant paint finish. In a high-traffic area such as the kitchen, having a paint finish that can stand up against oil and food stains is a must. Additionally, flat paint doesn’t repel moisture like the higher gloss paint types. Kitchen walls are highly susceptible to moisture collection from steam. Matte paint absorbs this excess moisture from the air, which could lead to mold and mildew in your walls. In the kitchen, you will want a paint that is durable, and can stand up against frequent scrubbing. Unfortunately, flat paint can rub off easily when cleaned. Finally, flat paint shows scuff marks more than high-sheen paint finishes. Since kitchens are used daily, it’s better to use a paint that will hide scraps, scratches, and scuffs better than flat paint. While flat paint is a great option for low traffic rooms, it is not advisable to use this type of paint finish in your kitchen.

What type of paint is best for use in the kitchen?

Most experts will agree that semi-gloss paint is the perfect paint finish for your kitchen. There are a multitude of reasons why semi-gloss is used by most professional painters and homeowners painting the kitchen.

First, semi-gloss paint is moisture resistant. This is possibly the most important aspect of paint finish in your kitchen. When cooking a meal, the kitchen collects steam, oil, and heat in the air. If you use the wrong type of paint finish, this moisture can settle into and beneath the paint. Semi-gloss paint repels this additional moisture in the air, making it much less likely than other paint sheens to grow mold and mildew beneath the surface of the paint.

Second, semi-gloss paint is remarkably durable. Kitchen walls are apt to splashes and other mishaps. Thankfully, with semi-gloss paint, cleaning the walls is a snap! The higher-sheen surface of this paint means that stains can be easily removed. Semi-gloss paint can withstand frequent scrubbing without degrading the paint or rubbing it off.

Third, this type of paint doesn’t show minor damage. Accidents happen, and because kitchens are used so often, the walls are especially susceptible to scrapes. Semi-gloss paint has the remarkable ability to hide these inevitable imperfections. The reflective nature of this paint acts as a camouflage for scuffs and scratches!

Finally, semi-gloss paint does a great job lightening a room. Because it reflects natural and artificial light back into the room, semi-gloss paint lends a cheery, bright quality to any space, no matter how dark the paint. Especially if your kitchen has dark cabinets or a lack of windows, the reflective quality of semi-gloss paint is a huge plus.

To paint your kitchen with semi-gloss paint, you will first want to clean the walls and let them dry completely. Next, fill any holes, gouges, or scratches in the wall with spackle. Using a putty knife, apply a small amount of lightweight spackle to the imperfection and, once the spackle dries, sand it down with fine-grit sandpaper to match the surface of the wall. Put painter’s tape around the outlet covers and light switches, baseboards, and edges of cabinets to keep them paint-free. Place a drop cloth on the floor, and you’re ready to get started painting!

Semi-gloss paint can be applied using both a paintbrush and a paint roller. Simply pour the paint into a plastic paint tray and evenly cover the paint roller in paint. Roll off any excess paint before rolling the paint onto the kitchen wall. It’s best to use a paint brush to paint the areas surrounding trim, cabinetry, or light switches, as these areas require a more delicate touch.

It’s recommended to apply two to three coats of paint on the walls in your kitchen. This will ensure an even finish across all surfaces of the wall. An extra coat of paint also means the paint is more durable against wear and tear, degradation from sunlight, and heavy scrubbing. The wall will also absorb some of the first coat of paint, so it needs a second coat to get full paint coverage across the entire wall.

When applying semi-gloss paint, you need to take extra care not to leave visible brushstrokes behind. Thanks to the shiny characteristic of this type of paint, imperfections are easier to spot. Make sure to catch any drips, or paint over areas where the brush strokes show through the paint. Once you get the hang of it, painting with semi-gloss paint is a pinch!

Vista paint has over 1,300 colors of paint to choose from, which means you will have no problem finding the perfect shade of semi-gloss paint to use in your kitchen renovation. Get started on the kitchen of your dreams!