Best Washable Paint for Kitchen Walls

The kitchen is often the heart of the home a place for cooking, entertaining, and spending time with family and friends. As such, it’s important to choose the right type of paint for your kitchen walls, as the space is subject to spills, splatters, grease, and high moisture levels. Washable paint is a crucial choice for kitchen walls because it allows for easy cleaning and maintenance without compromising the aesthetic appeal of the space.

We’ll explore the best washable paints for kitchen walls, considering factors such as durability, finish types, ease of cleaning, and overall performance.

Why Choose Washable Paint for Kitchen Walls?

Before diving into specific products, let’s look at why washable paint is essential for your kitchen:

1. Easy to Clean: Kitchens are prone to splashes from cooking oils, sauces, and other food-related stains. Washable paints allow you to clean these stains quickly and easily without damaging the finish.
2. Durability: Kitchens are high-traffic areas that experience a lot of activity. Washable paints are designed to withstand frequent cleaning and scrubbing without losing their luster or integrity.
3. Moisture Resistance: Kitchens often deal with steam, humidity, and water splashes. Washable paints designed for kitchen use are moisture-resistant, preventing mold or mildew growth on your walls.
4. Longevity: A quality washable paint can last for years, even in the tough environment of the kitchen, keeping your walls looking fresh and vibrant.

Types of Washable Paint Finishes

The finish of the paint plays a significant role in its washability and overall look in your kitchen. Here are the most common finishes for washable paints:

• Matte: Provides a smooth, low-sheen finish that is more forgiving of wall imperfections but can be harder to clean than glossier finishes.
• Eggshell: Slightly glossier than matte but still subtle, eggshell offers a soft sheen that is easier to clean while still maintaining a low-luster appearance.
• Satin: Satin finishes are perfect for kitchens, offering a slightly higher sheen that provides durability and ease of cleaning while giving walls a soft glow.
• Semi-Gloss: This is one of the most popular finishes for kitchens. Semi-gloss paints offer an elegant, shiny finish that is both easy to clean and highly resistant to stains and moisture.
• High-Gloss: While less common for walls, high-gloss finishes are highly durable and washable, making them ideal for areas that need frequent cleaning, like backsplashes or trim.

Best Washable Paints for Kitchen Walls

Now, let’s explore some of the best washable paints for kitchen walls that provide excellent performance, durability, and easy maintenance.

1. Benjamin Moore Aura® Interior Paint

Overview: Benjamin Moore’s Aura® Interior Paint is known for its exceptional washability and long-lasting durability, making it a top choice for kitchen walls. The paint uses Gennex® Color Technology, which offers rich colors and superior coverage.

• Finish Options: Matte, Eggshell, Satin, Semi-Gloss
• Durability: Very durable and resistant to dirt and stains.
• Washability: Highly washable, making it perfect for kitchens prone to splashes and stains.
• Key Features:
  • Excellent color retention and coverage.
  • Low VOC (volatile organic compound) for a healthier home environment.
  • Available in a wide range of colors.

Why It’s Ideal for Kitchens: Benjamin Moore Aura® offers a premium, long-lasting finish that withstands the test of time. It’s easy to clean, making it ideal for high-traffic areas like the kitchen.

2. Sherwin-Williams Duration Home® Interior Acrylic Latex Paint

Overview: Sherwin-Williams Duration Home® is a high-quality, washable paint designed for high-traffic areas. It provides an easy-to-clean surface that resists dirt, grease, and stains, making it perfect for kitchens.

• Finish Options: Matte, Satin, Semi-Gloss
• Durability: Extremely durable with a stain-resistant surface.
• Washability: The paint’s advanced formula resists dirt and stains, making it easy to wipe away spills and splatters.
• Key Features:
  • Advanced stain-blocking technology.
  • Low VOC and eco-friendly options.
  • Excellent for kitchens and other high-traffic areas.

Why It’s Ideal for Kitchens: Duration Home® is engineered to resist stains and is highly washable, making it one of the best choices for areas that experience heavy cooking or messy activity.

3. Behr Premium Plus Ultra® Interior Paint and Primer

Overview: Behr’s Premium Plus Ultra® is a high-quality, washable paint that combines both primer and paint in one product. It is known for its ease of application and long-lasting, washable finish.

• Finish Options: Flat, Eggshell, Satin, Semi-Gloss
• Durability: Provides excellent durability with strong stain resistance.
• Washability: Washes well with soap and water, ideal for frequent cleaning.
• Key Features:
  • Combines paint and primer in one step.
  • Stain-resistant and durable.
  • Low VOC and available in various colors.

Why It’s Ideal for Kitchens: Behr Premium Plus Ultra® is designed to be both practical and beautiful, with a finish that resists stains and scrubbing. Its all-in-one formula makes it a convenient option for kitchen walls.

4. Valspar Signature® Interior Paint

Overview: Valspar Signature® is a premium paint that is perfect for the kitchen. This durable, washable paint provides a high-quality finish with excellent stain resistance, even in high-moisture areas.

• Finish Options: Eggshell, Satin, Semi-Gloss
• Durability: Highly durable and provides excellent coverage.
• Washability: Stain-resistant and easy to clean.
• Key Features:
  • Exceptional coverage and hide.
  • Lifetime guarantee on durability.
  • Stain-resistant and easy to maintain.

Why It’s Ideal for Kitchens: Valspar Signature® is an ideal choice for kitchens due to its high durability and resistance to stains, moisture, and grease. It is easy to clean, ensuring your kitchen walls stay looking fresh for years.

5. Rust-Oleum Zinsser Perma-White® Interior Paint

Overview: Zinsser Perma-White® is a mold- and mildew-resistant paint, making it ideal for kitchens with high humidity levels. It’s designed to be highly durable, easy to clean, and resistant to staining.

• Finish Options: Satin, Semi-Gloss
• Durability: Extremely durable with a moisture-resistant formula.
• Washability: Washes easily and resists stains.
• Key Features:
  • Mold- and mildew-resistant properties.
  • Low odor and low VOC.
  • Great for kitchens, bathrooms, and other high-humidity areas.

Why It’s Ideal for Kitchens: If your kitchen experiences high moisture levels, Zinsser Perma-White® is a fantastic option. The mildew- and mold-resistant formula makes it an excellent choice for preventing growth while keeping your walls easy to clean.

Tips for Choosing the Right Washable Paint for Kitchen Walls

When choosing the best washable paint for your kitchen walls, keep the following tips in mind:

1. Choose the Right Finish: For kitchen walls, a satin or semi-gloss finish is usually the best choice. These finishes are easy to clean, durable, and provide a nice shine without being too reflective.
2. Consider the Color: Lighter colors can make a small kitchen feel bigger and brighter, while darker shades can add warmth and sophistication. Remember that darker shades may show dust and fingerprints more easily, so keep this in mind when selecting colors.
3. Opt for Paint + Primer: Many modern paints combine both primer and paint, saving you time and effort. This is especially useful if your kitchen walls have stains or other imperfections.
4. Check for Low-VOC Options: Low-VOC paints are ideal for kitchen spaces where air quality is a concern. These paints have fewer harmful chemicals, making them a healthier choice for your family.

Conclusion

Choosing the best washable paint for kitchen walls is essential for maintaining a clean, durable, and aesthetically pleasing kitchen. Paints like Benjamin Moore Aura, Sherwin-Williams Duration Home, and Behr Premium Plus Ultra offer excellent options that are easy to clean, durable, and resistant to stains, making them perfect for the demands of the kitchen. By selecting a washable, durable paint, you can ensure that your kitchen walls stay looking fresh and vibrant for years to come.