Choosing the right paint colour for your kitchen cabinets is exciting, but there’s another decision that’s just as important: paint sheen (sometimes called paint finish by kitchen designers). While most homeowners focus on colour, the sheen you choose, whether matte, satin, semi-gloss or high-gloss, plays a huge role in how your cabinets look, feel, and stand up to everyday life.

We often have clients walk into our showroom feeling excited (and rightly proud!) after choosing their cabinet paint colour. Then we ask one simple question, “What paint sheen are you thinking?” and that excitement is usually followed by a pause… and a very familiar puzzled look.

And if you’re holding up that little cardboard paint sample thinking, “Yep, this is exactly the colour I want,” the final result can sometimes come as a surprise. That’s because paint sheen plays a much bigger role than most people realise, influencing how the colour appears, how light reflects, and how your kitchen performs day to day.

So, let’s open your eyes to the world of paint sheen, from kitchen cabinets in satin finishes to high-gloss and matte. Let’s dive in and explore what works best for your space.

Simply put, sheen is how shiny (or not shiny) your paint finish is, and how much light it reflects once it’s on the surface. It’s one of those choices that doesn’t always get much attention, but it can make a big difference to how your space looks and feels.

When choosing a paint sheen, it honestly helps to think about how your kitchen is actually used day to day. Kitchens, cabinets and doors cop a lot of action. From fingerprints and splashes to general wear and tear. So it’s important to choose a finish that’s durable, easy to clean and doesn’t leave streaks.

Satin and semi-gloss finishes are so popular for kitchen cabinets. They’re tough enough to handle everyday mess, resist staining, and can be wiped down without much effort. Lower-sheen finishes like matte can create a softer, more relaxed look, which many people love, but they do tend to show marks more easily and may need more touch-ups over time.

High-gloss finishes sit at the other end of the spectrum. They’re extremely durable and very easy to clean, great for busy or moisture-prone spaces. But they can sometimes look a little too shiny and are more likely to highlight dents, scratches and surface imperfections.

Getting the sheen right means your paintwork won’t just look beautiful on day one; it’ll continue to look great as life happens.

Satin: The most popular choice, especially for modern and traditional kitchens alike. It offers a soft, subtle sheen, balances style and practicality, and is durable enough for daily use while being easy to clean.

Semi-Gloss: Common in high-traffic or busy kitchens, it’s shinier and more reflective, making it very durable and easy to wipe down, though it can show imperfections more readily.

Matte: Less common for kitchen cabinets because it’s harder to clean and shows grease or marks more easily. It’s usually chosen for a soft, contemporary look in low-traffic areas.

High-Gloss: Use to be a very popular choice for luxury or modern kitchens that wanted a very sleek, reflective finish, but less common overall due to its tendency to highlight imperfections and require careful maintenance.

Quick takeaway: For most homeowners, satin is the sweet spot. Stylish, practical, and resilient enough for everyday kitchen life.

Absolutely. Paint sheen doesn’t just affect how shiny a surface looks; it also changes how the colour is perceived. Higher sheen finishes reflect more light, which can make colours appear brighter or lighter once they’re applied. Lower sheen and matte finishes absorb more light, often giving the same colour a deeper, softer appearance.

Here’s something many people don’t realise: that cardboard paint swatch you bring home from the paint shop isn’t showing you the full picture. Paint behaves very differently on smooth cabinetry than it does on cardboard. If you want a quick way to see how sheen might change your colour, try this simple trick. Place a layer or two of clear sticky tape over your swatch. The added shine helps mimic how the colour may look once applied to cabinets with a higher sheen finish.

For the most accurate result, we always recommend testing your chosen colour directly on the surface it will be painted or requesting a sample from us if we’re doing your paint work. A small test area on your cabinetry can save a lot of guesswork and ensure you’re completely happy before the full project begins.

If paint sheen is starting to feel a little overwhelming, you’re not alone. This is one of the most common points of confusion we see with kitchen cabinet painting.

To make things easier, we’ve broken down the most common paint sheen levels for kitchen cabinets below. This table shows how each sheen looks, how easy it is to clean, and where it works best, so you can quickly compare your options and feel confident in your choice.

Choosing the right paint sheen can completely transform your kitchen cabinets — in both style and durability. Whether you want the soft elegance of matte, the balanced practicality of satin, or the sleek high-gloss, our team at Highlands Hand Painting is here to guide you.

As your Sydney kitchen painting experts, we’ll help you select the perfect finish and ensure your cabinets stay beautiful and easy to maintain for years. First, explore our gallery, where you can visually see many different paint sheen selections for cabinets. Then contact us to discuss your project and get expert advice on the ideal paint sheen for your kitchen cabinets.