The 8 Best Paint for Cabinets of 2022

Best Overall:
Farrow & Ball Full Gloss Paint

If you were ever on the fence about whether to paint your kitchen cabinets, one look at the luscious range of paints from Farrow & Ball will sway your decision to a massive yes. Known for its array of high-quality colors and supreme finishes, the company also provides affordable samples so you can do a little test patch before you commit. This high gloss option is our top pick for the best paint for cabinets as it provides a professional finish that will look like the cabinets came already lacquered from the factory. 

It has a water-based finish that is also suitable for outdoor cabinets, and you can even paint over metal cabinetry and wood. It’s water resistant, won’t flake or peel over time, and will retain its bright and luminous color for up to six years. The paint is washable and wipeable, so keeping your cabinets clean will be a breeze. There are over 130 beautiful colors to choose from, and the paint is also highly rated for indoor air quality.

Price at the time of publish: From $8

Product Details:

• Size: 0.6 and 1.3 gallons
• Finishes: 10
• Number of Colors: 132
• Dry Time: Dries in two hours, then re-apply a second coat four hours later
• Primer Required: Yes

Best Acrylic:
Beyond All-in-One Furniture Paint

This highly-rated acrylic paint from Beyond Paint is an all-in-one primer, color, and sealant, meaning you can bypass the priming stage altogether. While it is on the expensive side, this paint does save you from having to invest in a sealant or primer. Unless your cabinets look rough, you won’t have to strip or sand them. As a result, it’s an all-around time saver for anyone who wants a quick and fuss-free kitchen cabinet refurb. It’s also easy to keep clean with just a damp sponge.

It comes in 16 colors, which isn’t a great deal, but there’s enough variety to suit all styles. Though it says it’s a gloss, the finish is more of a sheen, bordering on matte, and it can last for years without chipping or peeling. The paint doesn’t need stirring—it’s ready to go as soon as you get it. It covers unsightly marks like a dream and provides a professional-looking end result.

Price at the time of publish: $111

Product Details

• Size: 1 gallon
• Finishes: Gloss
• Number of Colors: 16
• Dry Time: Dry in two hours, recoat in three hours
• Primer Required: No

Best Budget Acrylic:
Rust-Oleum Transformations Cabinet Paint

You don’t have to fork out a truckload of good paint for your kitchen cabinets. This paint from Rust-Oleum is highly economical and performs exceptionally well. It comes in five colors that are all the rage in kitchen interiors, including black, linen white, and a gorgeous Capri blue. Plus, it features a semi-gloss finish that is stain and scratch-resistant. It also dries relatively quickly, which is a timesaver. You can apply the second coat after a couple of hours. This one-gallon can easily cover up to 200 square feet of cabinets, and you can also paint all your trims to match. 

Once you’ve painted them, the cabinets can stay clean with your average kitchen cleaner, and if you accidentally get it anywhere you shouldn’t have, it comes off with just dish soap and water. Darker cabinets or ones that have a lot of texture might need three coats of this paint for an even finish. While you might not have to sand the cabinets beforehand, you will have to de-gloss any high-shine from the previous paint (or coatings) and scrub the cabinets with a degreaser to remove any dirt. This is one of the best paints for cabinets of 2022 for anyone on a budget. 

Price at the time of publish: $61

Product Details

• Size: 1 gallon
• Finishes: Semi-gloss
• Number of Colors: Five
• Dry Time: Dries in 30 minutes, recoat in two hours
• Primer Required: No

Best Alkyd:
Behr Premium Hybrid Urethane Alkyd Semi-Gloss Enamel Paint

With the durability of oil-based paint and ease of use, and quick drying time, of a latex version, the Behr Premium Hybrid Urethane Alkyd Semi-Gloss Enamel Paint provides the best of both worlds. It’s suitable for applying with either a brush, nap paint roller, or an airless sprayer and goes on smoothly. It’s dry to the touch in just over two hours, but you should wait up to eight hours before applying a second coat for the best outcome.

This paint comes in either a satin finish or a semi-gloss, and both types clean up easily with just soap and water. In addition to your cabinets and trim, it’s also suitable on other surfaces, such as brick, cinder block, stucco, and plaster. You can also apply this paint to aluminum, wrought iron, and wallpaper. 

Price at the time of publish: From $21

Product Details:

• Size: 1 quart, 1 gallon, and 5 gallons
• Finishes: Semi-gloss and satin
• Number of Colors: 34
• Dry Time: Dries in two to four hours, recoat in four to eight hours
• Primer Required: Yes

Best Oil-Based:
Behr Oil-Base Semi-Gloss Enamel Interior/Exterior Paint

Ranked as the most trusted American paint brand in 2022, it’s no wonder why Behr appears twice on our list of the best paint for cabinets of 2022. This mildew-resistant paint is suitable indoors and outdoors and can protect your cabinets from scratches and rust. It can be used on wood and metal cabinets and is perfect for trims and siding. The finish looks professional and easy to apply with a brush, roller, or sprayer. 

You’ll need a primer before using this on your cabinets, and if prepped, the result is a high-gloss and durable finish that will look new for a long time. Two coats are recommended for the best outcome, and once applied, cabinets are super simple to keep clean with your regular kitchen sponge. It’s even resistant to kitchen chemicals if you ever need to go over them with a more hard-working cleaner. It comes in the same colors as the company’s Alkyd Semi-Gloss Enamel Paint, so there’s something for everyone.

Price at the time of publish: From $21

Product Details:

• Size: 1 quart, 1 gallon
• Finishes: Semi-gloss
• Number of Colors: 34
• Dry Time: Dries in two hours, recoat in four hours
• Primer Required: Yes

Best Latex:
Valspar Satin Cabinet & Furniture Paint Enamel

This satin paint achieves factory-like results and is suitable for wooden cabinetry and furniture. Not only does this paint look great, but it is durable, resistant to stains, scuffs, and scratches. The paint goes on smoothly, doesn’t leave brush marks, and is designed not to fade over the years. The formula, although water-based, is oil-enriched for a more hard-wearing finish.

This enamel paint has a satin finish and is washable with soap and water. Once you’ve painted your cabinets and they’re dry, you can scrub them clean, and the paint will stay intact. The paint comes in this brilliant bright white that can be used as it is, or Lowe’s allows you to customize the color and sheen with around 1,000 tint options. It’s suitable for use with a brush,…