Best Paint for Laminate Cabinets – Buyer’s Guide
Are your kitchen cabinets becoming an eyesore? If you’re in the market for an update, you might want to consider sidestepping the costly investment of all-new cabinetry and instead consider repainting laminate cabinets as an affordable alternative.
If you don’t object to a do-it-yourself adventure, you can give your kitchen the facelift it needs and achieve an updated, eye-catching result. If you’d like a result that truly has that customized flair, painting your cabinets might be very appealing to you.
Selecting the right materials is the first step to success. Choosing the best paint for laminate cabinets is a crucial starting point that will get you on the right path.
TOP 7 Best Paint for Laminate Cabinets in Aug, 2025
Retique It by Renaissance chalk finish furniture paint
Why Choose Retique It?
- Non-Toxic & Family Safe: Enjoy peace of mind indoors with its zero VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) formula. This eliminates harmful fumes and the strong “new paint” smell, making it safe for your family and the environment.
- Superior Coverage & Ease of Use: Achieve stunning, opaque results in just 1-2 coats with little-to-no prep work! No sanding or priming is typically required – simply clean your surface and start painting.
- Durable Silky Matte Finish: Dries within 30 minutes to a chip-resistant, contemporary matte finish that feels smooth to the touch. Easily distress for an antique look or leave pristine.
- Versatile: Ideal for furniture, cabinets, doors, and home decor. Can also be used for crafts and art projects.
- Wide Range: Choose from over 36 stunning shades to match your vision, including classic whites, neutrals, and bold colors.
- Convenient Sizes: Available in a standard 32 oz (quart) can, plus 16 oz (pint), 128 oz (gallon), and deluxe starter kits for beginners (often including brushes, wax, and supplies).
Bonus Potential: Create Real Wood Finishes!
Pair Retique It paint with Renaissance DIY’s unique Retique It Liquid Wood Finish Kits (sold separately) to apply realistic wood grain effects over almost any hard surface – no expensive wood or stripping needed!
Pros
- Easy 1-2 coat coverage,
- Non toxic with zero VOC’s,
- Safe to use indoors,
- Hypoallergenic,
- Manufactured in the USA,
- Quick 20 minute drying time,
- Includes how to videos and live support,
- 100% acryllic durable coating.
Cons
- For indoor use only,
- Less durable than enamel or oil paints.
General Finishes QSW Water Based Milk Paint
This paint is water-based but has a strong mineral-based component making it UV resistant.
The mild paint naturally dries to a low luster sheen. General Finishes can be hand applied by brush or sprayed. As it is water-based, mistakes can be easily corrected and cleanup is easy.
General Finishes Milk Paint comes in the standard one quart, one pint, or one-gallon can.
It is available in 35 different shades, though with General Finishes Milk Paint, you can mix it, lighten it, distress it, glaze it, choose to layer various colors, or antique it. You can achieve a vast array of colors and looks far beyond the original 35 shades.
This paint truly allows you to customize your look without the limits generally presented with buying new cabinets or selecting a paint that will only result in a single one color application. The possibilities are endless.
Pros
- Easy cleanup as it is water based,
- The strong mineral based formula makes it UV resistant,
- It dries to a low-luster sheen if that is desirable,
- Can be both hand painted or sprayed,
- Ideal for updating or repurposing furniture,
- Can be used indoors or outdoors on crafts, furniture and cabinetry.
Cons
- Not neccessarily an “all in one” product. Other products may be needed for your particular project: such as a topcoat or a pre-paint surface preparation.
- Sanding and priming may be needed.
- Not a true “milk paint” but mimicks the old world paint with a modern remake. It still consists of a strong mineral base as did the predicessor.
Nuvo Cabinet Makeover Kit
While Nuvo is a stand-alone product, it can be paired with Giani Countertop Paint Kits for use in Kitchen or bathroom makeovers.
It is a water-based acrylic paint, available in four colors: White, Black Deco, Earl Grey, and Oxford Blue.
Nuvo Cabinet Paint stands out among the paints reviewed here as it holds the distinction of not only being a product for use on laminate cabinets but is also ideal for use on primed or painted metal cabinetry.
The product comes in a box rather than the standard paint can and is a paint kit. The boxed kit includes two 31 ounce cans of Nuvo Cabinet Paint, one roller arm, two roller covers, a 2-inch angled paintbrush, two stir sticks, and step-by-step instructions.
The contents cover approximately 100 square feet of cabinet surface which is 40 linear feet. The coverage estimate directly aligns with the size of most typical kitchen cabinets.
Pros
- Can be used on wood, laminate primed or painted metal cabinets,
- Convenient boxed kit contains all tools needed,
- Covers 100 square feet – enough for the typical size of most kitchens,
- Durable finish provides for no additional topcoat or sealers,
- No stripping or priming necessary,
- No removal of cabinet doors required to apply product,
- Acryllic water-based formula provides easy cleanup.
Cons
- Limited color selections,
- Can not mix, lighten or adapt colors for customization easily,
- The kit mandates you buy additional tools you may not need.
INSL-X CC550109A-01 Cabinet Coat Enamel
INSL-X provides super adhesion to surfaces that would be viewed as hard to coat. This avoids having to complete the additional step of applying a primer that would be required with other products.
It can be used to update and refurbish cabinets, furniture, shelving trim pieces, and crown molding. The urethane acrylic formula provides a durable finish that can resist chipping, scuff marks, food stains as well as grease and water.
The product comes in a one-quart or one-gallon can. INSL-X provides 350 – 450 square feet of surface coverage per gallon. This amount of coverage is about three times greater than the surface coverage required in the typical kitchen.
Unless you are painting a large area or planning to use the paint on additional projects, the one-quart size is probably more than adequate.
Specific limitations
The only color offered is white. It should not be used for surfaces that will be immersed in liquids such as in a sink or tub. It should also not be used on appliance surfaces such as stoves or ovens.
Additionally, in applying the product to a surface, you should avoid applying it in very cold or very warm temperatures – when the air temperature is below 50F(10 C)or above 90F(32 C). It is recommended for indoor use.
Pros
- Can be used on wood, metal or poly/laminate,
- Can be applied by short nap roller, hand brush or sprayed,
- Urethane acylic formula provides “factory-like” durable finish,
- Super adhesive for hard to coat surfaces,
- Product does not require a primer,
- Resistant to chipping, scuffing, food stains, grease and water,
- Provides a hard enamel satin sheen.
Cons
- Recommended for indoor use only,
- Only available in white,
- Not for surfaces to be immersed in water,
- Not to be used on stove or oven surface.
KILZ TRIBUTE Interior Matte Paint and Primer in One
While they offer a wide color selection, they all lean toward the pastels and soft muted shades. They do not offer dark bold colors such a black or navy.
KILZ Tribute is 100% advanced technology acrylic paint. It is considered an “all in one” formula where the paint and primer are both applied in one step. The product offers a low VOC level while providing a superior hiding capability and a durable mildew-resistant finish.
One gallon of the KILZ Tribute pain will cover around 400 square feet of the painting surface. This paint does require that you properly prepare the surface to be painted. They should be clean, free of dust, grease, chalk, mold, rust, and any debris or peeling paint.
Pros
- “All in one” formula – one easy step to prime and paint,
- GREENGUARD certified low VOC emissions,
- Superior hide and coverage,
- Offered in four sheens,
- Wide variey of color choices,
- KILZ brand has 40 years experience in paint development.
Cons
- No obvious disadvantages were found.
Rust-Oleum 329598 Chalked Ultra Matte Paint
The formulation offers a one coat application and dries in only 30 minutes. One gallon will cover up to 150 square feet of surface area.
Rust-Oleum ultra-matte paint has excellent adhesion for hard to paint surfaces as well as easy application. The prep work is minimal, though removing hardware, washing the surface, and possibly lightly sanding glossy surfaces will give you better adhesion.
It is not required that you use a primer, but it is a recommended additional step if your project involves bare wood or wood types that are high in tannins. You will need to prime your project if you are working with redwood, mahogany, or fir.
Pros
- Can be used on a variety of surfaces: wood, metal, ceramic and canvas,
- A low odor latex formula,
- Easy clean up with soap & water,
- Quick dry in just 30 minutes,
- Superior adhesion and is easy to apply with minimal prep.
Cons
- For interior use only,
- Generally requires a top coat.
Heritage Collection – All in one chalk-style paint
This all-in-one paint formula is sealed and becomes extremely durable once it has dried and cured. It is excellent for hard to paint surfaces, and adheres to almost any surface: wood, Formica, glass, ceramic, stone, and cement without the need to sand or prime.
Heritage Collection comes in 12 European inspired color choices.
The paint comes in a twist top jar container rather than the traditional style paint can. It is only available in 32 ounce quart-sized containers. They do offer an 8-ounce sample size to try it before you buy the full quart size.
Pros
- Small container size reduces tendency toward leftover paint,
- Contains built in primer and wax,
- Extreme durability once cured,
- Adheres to an unusually wide variety of surfaces,
- Comes in 12 European inspired color choices.
Cons
- Somewhat limited color selections.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I tell if my cabinets are laminate?
Even expensive cabinets often incorporate veneer or laminate components. Solid wood cabinets are rare.
If you’re unsure of your cabinet type, follow these steps:
- Inspect the sides, tops, and bottoms: These areas are typically made from plywood or particleboard (not solid wood)
- Check drawer bottoms: These are always plywood or hardboard (a dense particleboard)
- Examine seams: Look for dried glue residue or visible seams where different materials meet
- Look for color variation: Real wood and substitute materials fade and age differently, often leading to noticeable color differences over time
2. What’s the difference between painting real wood versus laminate?
- Real Wood: Naturally porous, wood absorbs paint or primer into its pores creating a strong bond
- Laminate: Has a smooth, non-porous surface that prevents natural absorption making adhesion difficult
Painting laminate cabinets is absolutely possible! Success depends on selecting specialized products and proper preparation.
3. How do I get the paint to stick to laminate cabinets?
Laminate’s smooth surface poses adhesion challenges. Choosing paint specifically formulated for laminate is the critical first step. This guide reviews seven effective options for long-lasting results.
4. What is the difference between wood veneer and laminate?
- Veneer: Thin layer of real hardwood applied over cheaper substrates
- Laminate: Printed plastic material (Melamine/Thermofoil) bonded to composite bases
Simple inspection reveals your cabinet surface type. Both can be repainted using specialized products from this guide!
Steps to Ensure Success
While some products claim no preparation is needed, these measures significantly improve results:
- Clean Thoroughly: Always remove grease and grime
- Consider Light Sanding: Creates texture for adhesion (especially on glossy surfaces)
- Apply Primer: Use bonding primer designed for slick surfaces
- Paint Carefully: Use brushes for details and rollers for large areas
- Prevent Sticking: Leave doors/drawers slightly ajar while drying
- Allow Full Drying: Follow manufacturer’s drying times between coats
- Apply Top Coat: Add protective finish (polyurethane/lacquer) for durability
Let’s Summarize
Repainting tired cabinets yourself avoids replacement costs and offers custom results. This budget-friendly approach revitalizes kitchens/bathrooms affordably.
Cost Savings Isn’t the Only Benefit
DIY painting enables unlimited customization: choose colors freely, layer finishes (distressed/vintage/modern), and achieve unique looks impossible with standard replacements.
Choosing the Right Paint
The seven paints reviewed here possess specialized properties for laminate challenges – superior adhesion and durability. Select the product best suited to your project needs.
Best wishes for your stunning cabinet transformation!