what’s the best paint for kitchen units and cupboards? the eco-conscious buyer’s guide

As revitalising your kitchen cabinets costs around one third of the price to replace them entirely it’s no wonder that kitchen upcycling is so popular. A great opportunity to flex your creative muscles and reduce waste while making money savings, why wouldn’t you repaint them? But wait a moment – before you grab your brushes and trays, it’s worth slowing down to consider which is the best paint for your kitchen units.

From the various sheens, brands and types available, it’s tricky to choose. This is exactly why we’ve put together this planet-friendly guide to the most sustainable and best kitchen cupboard paint options on the market. Let’s dive in.

waste not, want not: centring sustainability in your shopping

Whether you’re angling for an understated culinary hub that simply oozes sophistication, or you want to live out your colourful kitsch inspired fantasy, getting the right paint for the job is essential. But refreshing your space doesn’t have to come with an environmental cost – no, no.

Thanks to years of hard work from the industry’s paint wizards and enthusiastic suppliers, polluting, unhealthy and harmful products are making their way out. This means that there are loads of options for your kitchen’s makeover that don’t involve leaving a negative mark on the planet – only a tasteful mark on your interiors.

Of course, the best kitchen cupboard paint will offer all-around protection from wear and tear, retain its colour and be a dream to apply – and water-based paints provide all this and more. As well as being the more eco-friendly option compared to oil-based paints, they have the following characteristics:

• Extended lifespan
• Even coverage and smooth finishes
• Wonderful pigmentation and colour options
• Fast drying times

the best paint for kitchen units: splat’s top 6 picks

1)      farrow & ball

We couldn’t write a product guide without mentioning paint legends Farrow and Ball. As well as creating one of the most popular colour swatches for kitchens, this Dorset-based company is known for deep, crisp pigments and finishes to die for. We recommend the hard-wearing Modern Eggshell to enhance your wooden cabinets.

2)      little greene

Little Greene is one of our favourite sustainable paint brands. Its Intelligent Satinwood finish provides longevity and dries to a lovely mid-sheen that catches the light just beautifully, whilst deepening the colour.

3)      paper & paint library

The third of our trio of designer paints is Paper & Paint Library. Their paints combine stunning shades with unwavering durability, achieving an exquisite finish in both contemporary and modern kitchen environments.

4)      zinsser allcoat

Zinsser Allcoat is one of the best allrounder paints for kitchen units, offering unmatched stain resistance, strength and lasting quality. As well as being, quick to dry and washable, you can colour match it to any shade you desire to reflect your shining personality.

5)      dulux

Dulux is a great option if you are looking for affordability with uncompromised quality. One of its standout features is that it can be used to paint over surfaces previously decorated with solvent-based paints. Not to mention its uncanny ability to retain its finish after being scrubbed and cleaned.

6)      bradite one can

This is one of the best kitchen cupboard paints for laminate and metal surfaces thanks to its powerful adhesion. Bradite One Can is as strong as they come with anti-corrosion and stain blocking properties, ideal for busy kitchens prone to spills.

FAQs on the best kitchen cupboard paint

So you’ve checked out our list of the best eco-conscious kitchen unit paints, but you’re still scratching your head. No worries, we’ve compiled a list of commonly asked questions to help you out.

what type of kitchen units can I paint?

Your product options for painting your kitchen cupboards are going to be dictated by the materials you are coating – they’ll need to be compatible to bond well to the surface and achieve a desirable finish. In most instances, it’ll be one of the following:

• Wood
• Metal
• Plastic / UPVC
• A combination of the trio

With this in mind, make sure to check your chosen paint’s description before parting with your money. As well as its intended use, it will also give you the drying time, number of coats required and tips for application. Fortunately, though, there are many multi-surface options available.

do I need a primer?

Good question! Well, it depends.

You don’t strictly need a primer if you opt for a self-priming paint like Bradite – they’re essentially two-in-one. More traditional DIYers might want to stick to a pair of products, but the acceleration of paint technology has made the classic primer all but redundant.

All the same, it’s important to identify whether you require a primer or undercoat when painting bare timber. This is because some of them won’t bind well when coated directly, and others may need a dose of stain blocker to stop any of the tannin bleeding through your paint layers.

what’s the best finish to pick

It’s another one of those questions… again, it depends.

Choosing a paint finish comes down to a balance of aesthetics and durability. A glossy finish is a great option if ease of cleaning and stain resistance are your primary concerns. Not keen on the gloss? Then you could try a matt paint, or multipurpose eggshell, for gorgeous pigmentation. Be warned though, it requires a bit of upkeep, so be prepared to top it up when it needs it.

What about a happy medium? That’s where a satin finish comes into play. Blending the durability of a high gloss paint with the flatter colour, it’s an appealing alternative with a slight sheen.

does price matter?

In the realm of painting and decorating, there are products to match every budget, which begs the question: does a more expensive paint beget improved results?

It’s a complicated matter as there are pros and cons to both opting for a premium product or a budget alternative. Premium paints generally provide better results and a longer lasting finish, but they’re more expensive. Cheap paints might be more accessible; however, they often won’t withstand anywhere near as much wear and tear.

If you want to go for a more economical option, an alternative is to get a robust mid-tier paint and colour match it to your favourite designer colours. At splat, we’ll do this for you and can even provide samples if you’re feeling extra indecisive.

Get your kitchen makeover underway!

Finding the ideal type, brand and finish means doing a little homework, but we hope that we’ve demonstrated that that choosing the best paint for kitchen units can be a fun and interesting process.

While you’re waiting for your paint order to arrive, why not take a look at some of our other home decorating topics for more inspiration – it’s all on the splat blog?