The Type Of Paint DIYers Swear Is The Best For Kitchen Cabinets (& Are They Right?)

A fresh coat of paint can go a long way toward making your kitchen look expensive without the cost. But if you've ever wandered into the paint aisle without a plan, you know how overwhelming it can be to choose the right product. There are tons of different types of primer, paint, and finish, all of which have different uses. For kitchen cabinets, many DIYers swear by a type of paint called a water-based alkyd because it's durable and has a hard finish that holds up well over time.

There are three main types of paint available for cabinets: water-based acrylic, oil, and water-based alkyd. All three options have pros and cons. But water-based alkyd paints have become especially popular, particularly for DIYers, because they're a sort of hybrid that combines the perks of both acrylic and oil paint. Like acrylic, alkyd paints are easy to use and clean, but like oil, they're durable and hard-drying. They're also readily available at a reasonable price, which is key for DIY projects.

The two most popular paints that DIYers recommend for kitchen cabinets are Benjamin Williams Advance and Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Enamel Paint, both of which are water-based alkyd paints. Countless home painters on TikTok, Reddit, and other social media platforms say they've had good experience with these two brands on kitchen cabinets, with the paint holding up to years of use.

Water-based alkyd paints dry hard after they've had the time to fully cure, which is part of what makes them so long-lasting. That hardness is ideal for kitchen cabinets that tend to see a lot of traffic and use. Alkyd paints can also withstand frequent cleaning with regular soaps and sprays. They're stain-resistant and work well in moist environments like a kitchen.

Alkyd paints are easy to apply, which is another part of what makes them so appealing to DIYers. The Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Williams paints mentioned above are both self-leveling, so you don't have to worry about getting it perfectly even, and each coat goes on smoothly with plenty of coverage. For best results, go for a high-gloss, semi-gloss, or satin finish, and make sure to properly prep your kitchen cabinets before painting.

Paint isn't a one-size-fits-all product, so opinions on the best kind of paint for kitchen cabinets do vary. Some brands of water-based acrylic paint have a hard finish that makes them well-suited for kitchens, such as Behr Cabinet, Door, and Trim Paint, which some DIYers also love. Others swear by lacquer paint instead of enamel paint for kitchens. But water-based alkyds are the most popular option, and many pros in paint stores will point DIYers to them for their consistent results. Regardless of which type you choose, look for a paint with a hard and shiny finish, ideally one that specifically says it's for cabinets.

The one type of paint you'll likely want to steer away from as a DIYer is oil paint. While it has the hardest finish of all, oil-based paint isn't a good idea for kitchen cabinets because of its drawbacks. First, it takes a very long time to dry. It releases strong fumes and volatile organic compounds that can be dangerous in an area like the kitchen. Oil paints also tend to turn yellow over time. And now that water-based alkyds are able to offer a similarly durable finish as oil, there's not much of a reason to reach for an oil paint anymore. "As the quality of water-based paints has improved a lot, the oil-based paints have lost their position in the marketplace," says Li Wang, the head of paint testing at Consumer Reports.