Kitchen Paint Guide

When painting your kitchen, the type of paint you choose is just as important as the colour. Kitchens are busy areas, so your paint should withstand any potential stains, scuffs and splashes. In this comprehensive guide, we'll cover the different types of kitchen paint and how to use them around the room to ensure long-lasting results on a range of surfaces, from walls to ceilings and cabinets.

Choosing paint for your kitchen

Kitchens are high-moisture environments, so choosing the right kitchen paint is essential to ensure your paintwork stands the test of time. Some factors to consider include:

• Finish. We recommend opting for paints with an eggshell, soft sheen or silk finish, which are easier to clean than matt paints. These finishes also reflect more light than matt or eggshell, making them great for kitchens with limited natural light.

• Formula. Anti-mould paint and washable paint offer extra protection in kitchens. If you prefer a matt finish, opt for one of these specialist formulas.

• Colour. Your kitchen paint colour can have a dramatic impact on the space. Learn more in our kitchen makeover guide to refresh your décor.

Best paint for kitchen walls

The best paint for kitchen walls is one that’s wipeable or washable, as this area is constantly exposed to moisture and food splashes when cooking and cleaning up. In addition, the high humidity in a kitchen can cause paint to peel or mould and mildew to grow on the walls, so an anti-mould paint could be an excellent option.

Standard matt emulsion paints for interior walls can become easily damaged or discoloured by frequent cleaning and humidity in kitchens, as most aren’t moisture resistant. Instead, explore these durable paints that are suitable for kitchen walls to find the best option for your home:

• Dulux Trade Diamond Eggshell is a tough, cleanable emulsion with a smooth, mid-sheen finish. Eggshell is our most durable finish, and our Diamond range is formulated with stain-repellent and anti-fade technologies for extra protection.

• Dulux Trade Diamond Matt offers all the same benefits as the eggshell formula, thanks to our Diamond Technology. The matt finish is great at hiding any imperfections on your walls, as it reflects less light than other formulas.

• Dulux Heritage Eggshell ensures a luxury kitchen finish and comes in over 100 colours, giving you plenty of choice. The eggshell finish makes it easy to clean stains.

You can also use wallpaper in your kitchen to create an eye-catching feature wall. Explore statement wallpaper designs for kitchens in our guide.

Tips for painting kitchen walls

Follow our top tips for painting kitchen walls to achieve professional results every time:

• Don’t skip the prep work. You should thoroughly clean walls with a degreaser to remove cooking residues, then repair any cracks or holes before painting. Remember to remove outlet covers and switch plates and use painter's tape to protect trim, countertops and appliances.

• Use a high-quality primer. This will ensure better paint adhesion and deliver long-lasting results. We recommend Dulux Primer and Undercoat for Multi Surfaces, as it has a quick-drying formula.

• Consider using mould-resistant paint in humid areas. The area behind your sink and hob is subject to the most moisture, so consider using a specialist paint in these areas, like Dulux Trade Mouldshield Fungicidal Eggshell.

• Paint the room from top to bottom. Start with the ceiling, then work your way down the walls, painting small sections in W or M-shaped strokes for even coverage. Use a small brush or roller for hard-to-reach areas behind appliances to ensure a neat finish.

• Allow adequate drying time between coats. This ensures the best finish on your paintwork, preventing bubbling or peeling. Most of our paints have a quick-drying formula (within 6 hours), letting you get the job done faster.

Best paint for kitchen ceilings

Ceiling paint should be moisture resistant, as the steam from cooking and washing dishes will rise upwards, potentially causing watermarks or damp if the wrong paint is used. Whether you’re looking for the best paint for kitchen walls and ceilings to get a consistent finish throughout the space or want specialist ceiling paint, we have plenty of options at Dulux:

• Dulux Trade Diamond Eggshell is a wipeable emulsion with a smooth, mid-sheen finish. Featuring our Diamond Technology, which has stain-resistant and anti-fade properties, it’s the perfect choice for any area of your kitchen – especially ceilings.

• Dulux Trade Diamond Matt is ideal if you’d prefer a matt finish on your ceiling. Our Diamond Technology offers stain-repellent properties, preventing watermarks on your ceiling.

Tips for painting a kitchen ceiling

Discover our top tips for painting a kitchen ceiling, from prep to tools and techniques:

• Prep the surface. Clean the ceiling thoroughly to remove grease, dust, and cobwebs, then fill any cracks to ensure a smooth paint application. Remove any light fixtures and cover the floor and countertops with dustsheets to protect from drips. Apply painter's tape to get a clean finish around the edges of the ceiling where it meets the walls.

• Prime your ceiling. Use a high-quality ceiling primer like Zinsser Ceiling Pro to ensure better paint adhesion.

• Choose a suitable paint. Opt for a paint specifically formulated for kitchens to resist moisture and stains, like Dulux Trade Mouldshield Fungicidal Matt.

• Ensure a precise application. Start painting your ceiling from one corner and work in small sections, using a W motion for even coverage. We recommend investing in an extension pole for your roller to get better reach and reduce strain while working. Apply thin, even coats and allow adequate drying time between coats.

• Consider using a paint sprayer. For a smoother finish and faster application, a spray paint machine can be helpful, especially on textured ceilings. Always ensure proper ventilation and wear the appropriate PPE.

Best paint for kitchen cupboards

Kitchen cupboards are often made of wood or laminate, so you’ll want to use an interior trim paint rather than emulsion for the best results. Here are some of the top Dulux paints to use:

• Dulux Trade Quick Dry Satinwood is a water-based paint with a satin finish that is hardwearing and dirt-resistant. It’s the perfect choice for interior wood and furniture, including kitchen cabinets. This paint dries quickly and does not require an undercoat unless you’re making a dramatic colour change.

• Dulux Trade Diamond Satinwood is an excellent choice for busy kitchens where cabinets are prone to scuffs and marks. It offers all the benefits of our standard satinwood paints with the addition of Diamond Technology for extra protection against stains and fading.

For more tips, check out our step-by-step guide to painting kitchen cabinets.

Questions about kitchen paint

Find answers to these frequently asked questions about kitchen paint, including the difference between kitchen and bathroom paint and whether you can paint kitchen worktops.

Are kitchen and bathroom paint the same?

Any paint that has moisture-resistant properties is suitable for use in kitchens and bathrooms. This includes Dulux Trade Mouldshield Fungicidal paints, Dulux Trade Sterishield Diamond Eggshell and Dulux Trade Diamond Eggshell.

Can you paint kitchen worktops?

Wood or laminate kitchen worktops can be painted, but you’ll need to use the right primer, undercoat and paint. Heat-resistant paints like acrylic and epoxy paint are the best choice – browse our range of specialist paints to find the right formula for the job.

Looking for the best paints for other areas of your home? Explore our room paint guide to ensure you choose the right product.