Whether you’re an expert chef or you prefer carry-out, the kitchen is often considered the heart of the home. It’s the place where you and your loved ones gather around the table and memories are made. Making your kitchen feel like home is one of the best parts of being a homeowner. However, picking the perfect kitchen wall sheen can be tricky. There’s so many finish options and they aren’t all suitable for the high-traffic, grease-splattering area of a kitchen. In this blog post, you’ll learn how to pick the best kitchen wall sheen and products for your home.
In This Post
What Sheen Should Kitchen Walls Be?
When choosing a kitchen wall sheen, it’s important to consider the high-traffic nature of the space and the potential water, grease, and food splatters as well as scrapes from kitchen utensils, appliances, etc. There is also a good amount of moisture and humidity in a kitchen, so choosing a product that is mold and mildew resistant is also something to consider.
Not all paint finishes are created equal, therefore, not every type of paint finish will be suitable for a kitchen.
You can learn more about the different paint finishes and sheen levels in this blog post.
What Is the Best Sheen for Kitchen Walls?
Washable Flats and Mattes
When painting kitchen walls, washable flats and mattes are excellent kitchen wall sheen options. They provide a smooth finish and elegant appearance while still hiding imperfections. These paints have very little sheen, making them ideal for kitchens with a lot of windows and natural light.
Washable flats and matte finishes are durable and resistant to the stains, scuffs, and scrapes that often occur in a kitchen.
Eggshell and Satin
If you are opting for a cheaper paint (something that is not washable or durable), we recommend increasing the sheen and going with either eggshell or satin. These higher sheen finishes are both durable and stain-resistant.
Due to the higher sheen, they can also withstand regular cleaning and scrubbing. Eggshell can be easily wiped down while satin is even easier to clean without compromising its appearance.
What are the Best Kitchen Wall Sheen Products?
There are so many great paint products out there for kitchens and it can be overwhelming to choose the perfect one for your home. Now that you know the sheens you’re looking for, you can find a product that meets your needs and budget.
If you choose a lower sheen, such as washable flat or matte, aim for a higher quality paint product.
Some of our favorite paint products for lower sheens such as flat and matte are:
- Sherwin-Williams Emerald Interior Acrylic Latex
- Sherwin-Williams Duration Home Interior Acrylic Latex
- Benjamin Moore Aura Waterborne Interior Paint Collection
If you are going with a higher sheen, such as eggshell or satin, you can get away with a slightly cheaper, more cost-effective product.
For higher sheens, such as eggshell and satin, we recommend these paint products:
- Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint Interior Acrylic Latex Paint
- Sherwin-Williams Cashmere Interior Acrylic Latex Paint
- Benjamin Moore Regal Select Waterborne Interior Paint
Choosing a kitchen wall sheen that both fits your budget and meets your needs in terms of aesthetic, durability, and cleanability is key for creating the kitchen of your dreams! If you’re looking to do a whole kitchen makeover, you can learn more about the best paint for kitchen cabinets in this blog post.
Just make sure to choose a paint product and sheen that can stand up to the high traffic levels and messes that come with a kitchen.
If you’re ready to freshen up your kitchen’s paint job and are looking to partner with a trusted professional paint company to do the job for you, we’d love to discuss your needs and goals. We’ll be here every step of the way from choosing colors, sheens, and paint products to prepping your space, painting, and clean-up.
Visit our contact page to book a free consultation with our team today!
For more sheen guides for specific areas of your home, check out these blog posts below:
