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What Kind of Paint Do You Use on Cabinets?

If you’re staring down outdated kitchen cabinets and thinking, “Can I just paint these and call it a makeover?”—you’re absolutely right. But the magic isn’t just in the brush—it’s in the paint you choose.

In this blog, Unique Painting of Kansas City walks you through the best types of paint for cabinets, what professionals swear by, and how to get a smooth, durable finish that’ll last for years.


What Kind of Paint Is Best for Cabinets?

different painting colors with paint brush

When painting cabinets, durability and finish are non-negotiable. The top options are:

  • Acrylic-Alkyd Hybrid Paints: Water-based, easy to clean, and strong like oil. Dries smooth with great adhesion.
  • Oil-Based Paints: Super durable but harder to work with (and clean up). Mostly used in older renovations.
  • Urethane-Modified Acrylics: Great adhesion, less yellowing, and perfect for high-touch areas like cabinets.

 Pro Tip: At Unique Painting KC, we often use Benjamin Moore Advance or Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel. They offer that smooth-as-glass finish and hold up to kitchen life like champs.


What Do Professional Painters Use for Kitchen Cabinets?

man-painting-cabinet-in-white

Pros know that not all paint is created equal. Here’s what the team at Unique Painting reaches for:

  1. Primer First!
    Zinsser BIN or Sherwin-Williams Extreme Bond primer is a must before any color touches your cabinets.
  2. Top-Tier Enamel Paints
  3. Finish Matters (More on that below)

Should Kitchen Cabinets Be Painted Flat or Satin?

Satin or semi-gloss—that’s your sweet spot.

  • Flat or Matte? Nope. Looks chalky, stains easily, and doesn’t clean well.
  • Satin? Smooth, soft sheen, hides imperfections, and wipes clean.
  • Semi-gloss? More reflective, shows more detail, but super durable and easy to maintain.

Most of our clients in Kansas City choose satin for a sleek, modern vibe or semi-gloss for a crisp, classic finish.


Can I Paint Directly Over Kitchen Cabinets?

Short answer? Not if you want the paint to stick.

Cabinets—especially older or greasy ones—need proper prep:

  1. Degrease using TSP or a strong cleaner
  2. Sand lightly to scuff up the surface
  3. Prime with bonding primer
  4. Then paint with your chosen cabinet-grade enamel

Skipping prep is the fast lane to peeling paint.


What Is the Most Popular Paint Finish for Kitchen Cabinets?

In Kansas City and beyond, satin and semi-gloss rule the kitchen.

Most Popular Finish = Satin, because:

  • It looks elegant
  • Doesn’t show every fingerprint
  • Cleans up easily

Runner-up = Semi-gloss, great for:

  • Families with kids (think sticky fingers)
  • High humidity areas
  • A polished, glossy look

Unique Painting’s Pro Picks for Kansas City Homes

If you live in or near Kansas City, these paint combos are top performers:

Paint Type Brand Finish Why We Love It
Acrylic-Alkyd Benjamin Moore Advance Satin Smooth, durable, low VOC
Urethane Acrylic Sherwin-Williams Emerald Semi-Gloss High-traffic durability
Cabinet-Specific INSL-X Cabinet Coat Satin Great adhesion, self-sealing

Want to know how much it’ll cost to have your cabinets painted by professionals? Check out our cost breakdown here.

Learn more about our Kitchen Cabinet Painting Services


Ready to Paint Like a Pro?

Don’t just guess on what paint to use—get advice straight from Kansas City’s cabinet painting experts. Unique Painting crew will guide you from color to finish.

Visit Unique Painting for a FREE quote and color consultation today!

Phone: 816-500-7759
Website: UniquePaintingKC.com

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Testimonials

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KENDRA MEZA

“I can’t say enough great things about Chad and his crew. They were punctual throughout the entire project and very attentive to detail. This is the first time I’ve hired a painter and they far exceeded my expectations.”

Anna Dillow
Anna Dillow

Left Us a 5 Star Review!

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Anna Dillow
August 9, 2017

One word to describe my experience with Chad and Unique Painting is: IMPRESSED. Chad and his team provided exterior home painting for us. We were provided an estimate in April and received regular updates on when they were planning to paint. We were pleasantly surprised when his team painted earlier than expected! They also repaired a lot of wood rot -- we were impressed with their attention to detail. The job site was clean at the end of each day. Overall, very impressed with Unique Painting's professionalism, attention to detail, and QUALITY of work. I would highly recommend Unique Painting to anyone!