When it comes to redecorating the kitchen, there can be a plethora of different options. Even down to something as straightforward as changing the colour of your appliances can contribute massively to the overall look of the room, and it’s worth making it look nice because it contributes so much to the overall experience of cooking. As straightforward as it may be, though, changing up things like white goods in the kitchen is expensive, and it’s just the tip of the iceberg.
You can update counter tops, walls and more, but those projects can be both expensive and time consuming. Whether you have even the most basic laminate worktops, or go as far as solid woods, it’s a hefty investment. And you’re overlooking one of the biggest surfaces in the entire room that contributes to the overall look – the cupboards!
We don’t always realise how much cupboard doors influence the look of the kitchen. But, with a little bit of work and the right kitchen cupboard paint, breathing fresh life into the kitchen can be an absolute breeze. Save yourself some time, effort and expense and decorate your kitchen the simple way – read on for our break down of the top kitchen cupboard paints you can buy today.
| Name | Coverage | Dry Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johnstone’s Revive Cupboard Paint | 12 m2 /l | 5 hours | ££ |
| Ronseal One Coat Cupboard & Melamine Paint | 8 m2 /l | 2 hours | ££ |
| Rust-Oleum Universal Multi-Surface | 9 m2 /l | 8 hours | ££ |
| Rainbow The One Gloss | 12 m2 /l | 2 hours | £££ |
| Rust-Oleum Chalky Finish Furniture Paint | 14 m2 /l | 4 hours | £ |
Johnstone’s Revive Cupboard Paint
The key point to the Johnstone’s Revive range is just that – it’s designed to help bring some colour, light and life back into the home. The kitchen cupboard arm of the Revive series has 5 colours (at time of writing) for you to choose from depending on your kitchen aesthetic, from neutral tones to ones with a bit more pop (see ‘Fresh Apple’), which all dry to a lovely mid sheen satin finish.
It’s a very easy to use paint, with a low odour formula achieving touch-dryness in around an hour. It will be ready for re-coating in about 5 hours, should an extra layer be needed. Another great feature is that it can be painted directly onto cupboards with no need for an undercoat or primer, making this a great choice for saving time. Finally, it’s pretty solid value for money – as a specialist paint, it’s a bit more expensive than Johnstone’s regular paint but is worth the investment.
Pros
- Lovely colours
- Easy to use
- No primer needed
- Decent value
Cons
- Prone to scratches
Ronseal One Coat Cupboard & Melamine Paint
Ronseal’s cupboard and melamine paint is a versatile option no matter the material of your kitchen cupboard doors – it’s suitable for wood, melamine, chipboard, MDF and plywood doors. The one coat formula aims to give you brand new looking cupboards in no time, with the added feature that no primer or undercoating is needed. It also has a lovely consistency that leaves no brush marks after application, just a smooth, mid sheen satin finish.
It’s touch enough to stand up to the rigours of day to day wear and tear with a scratch-proof formula that can be easily wiped clean. It’s also touch dry in just 2 hours – Ronseal advise that if you’re covering bolder colours or a more porous surface, more coats may be necessary and should be done 24 hours apart. It’s also not bad value for a very high quality paint.
Pros
- Scratch resistance
- Versatile
- Easy to apply
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Strong odours
Rust-Oleum Universal Multi-Surface
Rust-Oleum’s do-it-all paint comes in a staggering 16 different colours, ranging from neutral tones to ones that really pop. The majority come in a gloss finish for a really vivid shine, although there are also a couple of mid sheen satin options as well if you want to keep things toned down a little. It’s easily applied to typical cupboard materials, as it’s designed to adhere well to just about anything – you can even paint it directly over rust. Another advantage is the combination of paint and primer in one, reducing the number of coats you need to apply.
Once applied, the paint is touch dry in 2 hours, ready for use after 8 and needs 16 hours if a second coat is needed. The gloss finish is ultra tough and durable, proofed against scuffs and scratches as well as moisture, and is easy to simply wipe clean. Perfect for kitchens where food stains are, well, unavoidable.
Pros
- Colour choices
- Hard-wearing
- Versatile application
Cons
- Strong fumes
Rainbow The One Gloss
The One from Rainbow Paints is a fair shout for a paint that ticks almost every box in terms of versatile applications. Available in a few different colours for the gloss finish, with bold yet understated shades that are sure to complement any room, other colours are available with different finishes. It’s also suitable for a wide range of different household surfaces, including of course kitchen cupboards.
As both paint and primer in one, a big advantage for The One is that it should only need a single coat to get a smooth, boldly-coloured finish. Additionally, it’s very hard-wearing which makes it a great candidate for cupboards that get such frequent use. Additionally, the water-based solution makes cleaning your brushes/rollers in warm water a breeze, while a VOC-free (Volatile Organic Compound) formula keeps things free of odorous paint fumes. Also water-based, drying time is super quick with just a couple of hours needed between coats; that is, if you need more than one.
Pros
- Versatile
- Quick drying
- Good colour/finish options
- Tough
- Low odour
Cons
- More expensive
Rust-Oleum Chalky Finish Furniture Paint
They might be a little hard to track down in some cases, but if it’s something different you’re after for your kitchen aesthetic, you can’t go far wrong here. With around 34 colours sold with this particular finish, it covers just about every conceivable kitchen cupboard colour scheme. The finish is a chalky matt which dries smooth to the touch and requires minimal preparation – Rust-Oleum claim that it can be painted over surfaces without the need for priming or heavy sanding.
Thanks to a great consistency, it offers exceptional coverage as well as a very smooth, even finish. Thanks to a water base it’s very low-odour and also dries very quickly – it’s touch dry in around an hour and fully dry/ready for second coats after 4 hours. Suitable for application to a wide range of surfaces as well as cupboards, this is a great choice if you’re looking for more of a vintage look around the home.
Pros
- Quick drying
- Lovely matt finish
- Versatile
- Colour options
Cons
- Needs multiple layers for strong colour
Which Kitchen Cupboard Paint To Go For?
A good lick of cupboard paint can completely transform your kitchen in just a handful of hours, turning it into a space that makes cooking a joy to do instead of a chore. The results are visible straight away, making this a rewarding home DIY project. Here’s our pick for the best overall kitchen cupboard paint, as well as the best value choice.
Best Kitchen Cupboard Paint – The Ronseal One Coat Cupboard & Melamine Paint stands out as the best choice for renovating your kitchen cupboards with a fresh coat of paint. It’s hard-wearing with a lasting finish, which is what you’ll need for kitchen applications, as well as being easy to use and high quality.
Best Value – With most kitchen cupboard paints coming in at around 750ml, the Rust-Oleum Chalky Finish Furniture Paint is the best value for this selection. While at a lower price point compared to others, it still has the quality and durable finish to match up to them.
Kitchen Cupboard Paint FAQ
How to paint kitchen cupboard doors
The preparation stage is one of the most important to make sure that the finished product looks professional. Remove all knobs, handles and the contents of your cupboards and drawers. Protect any hinges and glass with masking tape, thoroughly clean your surfaces and, unless the cupboards are melamine, sand with fine grit sandpaper. Then, you’re all ready to go. Either a brush or a roller can be used, and apply using long, even strokes following the same grain each time. Leave it to dry and apply as many coats as recommended.
What paint to use on kitchen cupboard doors
This entirely depends on the material of your kitchen cupboards, as well as your desired finish. The safest bet is for a specialist cupboard paint which works with MDF, melamine and wood.
What is the best paint for kitchen cupboard doors
This comes down to preference, for the most part. Pick a finish which best reflects the look you want to achieve, be prepared that for some finishes you may require a top coat, and make sure the paint you buy is appropriate for your cupboard door material.
How to spray paint kitchen cupboard doors
Spray painting can be a quicker way to get the job done, but some extra preparatory steps are needed. As with the first question, protection is important. Mask of everything that you want to keep paint off, and take the extra step of laying down protective sheeting. Also take care to use protective equipment for yourself, at the very least a mask and goggles. Ensure your room is well-ventilate, shake your paint thoroughly, and use it roughly 30cm away from the surface while spraying in an even spread.