3 min readPictured above: This New York City kitchen by designer Francis Nicdao features a high-gloss-painted island.
Once you’ve pinpointed the ideal color palette for your kitchen, you might think that the work is done. But not so fast. The success of your shades really comes down to finish, and there’s real potential in choosing a high-gloss paint. After all, if your kitchen is the showpiece of your home, you should make it shimmer.
“There is a richness to high-gloss paint that really can't be achieved with any other finish or product, especially in deeper colors,” says Malorie Goldberg, a principal designer at Noa Blake Design. “A high-gloss finish adds interest to cabinets that makes them feel more like furniture, immediately elevating the overall feel of the space.”
This option might be tough to imagine, given that kitchens are typically painted in a matte or eggshell finish. But that doesn’t mean that a shinier upgrade is out of the question. “High-gloss kitchens can be in a small or large space. For a smaller space, a butler's pantry might be a great place to play,” notes Danielle Davis, founder and principal designer of 56th Street Design Studio. “A larger kitchen will likely have a lot of millwork, so high-gloss paint can be applied to surfaces where it can really shine.”
If you want to make a statement in your kitchen using the budget-friendly quality of paint, a high-gloss finish could be the right move. Here’s how the pros recommend pulling it off.
Enhance What’s Already There
When you’re considering a high-gloss finish, think of how it can be used to complement the rest of your kitchen. If you’re leaning toward trending darker palettes—like chocolate browns, emerald greens, and deep plums—then a high gloss will help bounce light around the room and make undertones more noticeable throughout the day. But if you’re doing just fine with a neutral backdrop, then a high-gloss will only make that look brighter. Either way, “high gloss” is paint speak for highlighter.
“The way that light reflects off a high-gloss finish adds a brightness that can make the space feel more expansive, even in moodier tones,” says Ariel Fischer, who is also a principal at Noa Blake Design.
Fischer and Goldberg would likely pick a darker shade on kitchen cabinetry for this effect, which Goldberg notes works on ultramodern panels and more ornate fronts. But Jen Levy, interior designer at Surrounded by Color, says it’s OK to go lighter—while looking up. “I love a high gloss ceiling in a kitchen,” Levy says. “My team and I see it used either way, but my preference is to have this paint treatment punctuate a lighter, brighter space.”
Application Is Everything
Paint is often regarded as DIY-friendly, but choosing this finish probably shouldn’t involve you rolling up your sleeves. “Hire a professional,” Levy says. “High gloss involves a lot of prep work to look right.” Since the results should almost resemble a mirror, Davis echoes this advice. “If a surface isn't perfectly sanded or smooth, high-gloss will show those imperfections,” she says. “It will ultimately take away from that perfect finish you’re after.”
As far as the best location for high-gloss paint, Davis has one strong preference. “High-gloss cabinets, from a practical standpoint, are forgiving in terms of wear,” she says. “You can easily wipe fingerprints, spills, and food right off the cabinet with a microfiber cloth.” Keep in mind, though, that chips will be noticeable, so this probably isn’t the right finish for busy households with young children.
Add Complementary Features
As you determine the remaining details of your kitchen with a high-gloss paint in mind, remember to keep it front and center. Everything else in this space has to complement that sheen in order for the effect to be successful. “In a rustic kitchen, or one where natural wood is prevalent, high-gloss paint may clash with the overall vibe,” Davis says. The opposite is also true: A modern kitchen with too many shiny surfaces will feel like a carnival fun house.
To pull your kitchen together, seek out countertops and flooring with a matte finish alongside lighting and hardware that has a slight sheen. The goal is to find ways to ground the room, even as you center its high-gloss boldness. “I would love to have a client who’s daring enough to do a high-gloss kitchen,” Davis says. “Nevertheless, high-gloss paint can still have a timeless quality, while still having a big impact on the room.”
