What paint finish works best for kitchen cupboards?
Oil based eggshell is traditionally specified for hand-painted kitchen cupboards and furniture. It has the right level of sheen to deal with wear and tear but isn’t so glossy that it shows all the marks. I wouldn’t say that eggshell, or any paint for that matter, is resistant to chips when hit really hard with a vacuum cleaner. With vulnerable areas such as the external corners of plinths and kick boards, instead of paint alone, they could be tastefully reinforced with a metal or clear plastic edging piece, or replaced with stainless, or stone. If you are concerned that painted units and furniture may not stand up to the rigours of your household, a natural wood finish or a factory lacquered finish may be more appropriate.
