Painting kitchens

Painting a kitchen isn't a big project — it's a precise one. Between wall cabinets and countertop, there's less open wall than you'd think, but every bit of it is in constant use: steam, grease spatters, fingerprints around the light switch. Plan for those two things and you'll be done in a weekend — and happy with the result for years.

Your kitchen checklist

Before you start, have everything within reach. In a kitchen, you don't want to go hunting for tape with paint on your hands:

• Wall paint in your chosen shade and the right quantity, from Wandfarben
• Roller, brush for edges, paint tray and roller grid
• Masking film and tape from Abdeckmaterial
• Filler and sandpaper for holes and old wall plugs, see Spachteln & Ausbessern
• Degreaser, sponge and cloths — the one item that sets kitchens apart from every other room
• a ladder that stands securely on the kitchen floor

Also grab a box for anything that needs to come off the countertops and out of open shelving. Whatever stays put is bound to get bumped.

Silk matt beats matt — at least above the countertop

In the kitchen, it's not taste alone that decides the finish, but the wear and tear. Silk matt is the obvious choice here: this finish is hard-wearing and easy to clean, and that's exactly what you need on the walls around the stove, sink and dining area. A grease spatter that wipes off a silk matt surface with a damp cloth means a touch-up job on matt paint. Matt still has its place, though: on the ceiling, in the dining nook, on walls far from the hob where you want a calmer look. Many kitchens combine both — re-box silk matte WEISS (seidenmatt) in the work area, matt above it. Neither finish is meant for fronts, doors or wood surfaces — that's what lacquer is for. White kitchens remain a classic, so it's worth browsing Weiß; if you want colour, Harbour Blue No. 18 or Lait Vanillé No. 56 offer two directions that sit well next to wood and stainless steel.

Step by step through the kitchen

1. Clear and cover

Clear the countertops, empty open shelves, remove small appliances. Move large furniture to the middle of the room and cover it completely. Give kitchen units film all the way down to the floor, because paint from a roller sprays further than you'd think.

2. Remove grease

This is the step you won't need in any other room — and one you can never skip in the kitchen. Wash down all wall surfaces with degreaser, especially above the stove and beside the extractor hood. No paint holds up on a film of grease, however good it is.

3. Fill holes and sand

Remove old wall plugs, fill holes, smooth out edges. Once dry, sand lightly and remove the dust. In the end, the surface must be clean, dry, stable and free of loose material.

4. Mask precisely

In the kitchen, paint meets tile splashbacks, wall cabinets and socket strips — this is where careful masking really pays off. Press the tape edge down firmly with your thumb. For a bleed-free result, see Richtig abkleben ohne Farbunterläufe.

5. Cut in the edges first

Do all corners, edges and the strips around cabinets with the brush first. Only work as far ahead as you can immediately follow up with the roller. Otherwise, partially dried brush edges will show as streaks.

6. Roll the surfaces, twice

Roll the surfaces in strips, working wet on wet. Once fully dry, apply the second coat — two thin coats cover better than one thick one. Between coats, wrap the roller while it's still damp, so you won't have to wash it out.

7. Removal and reassembly

Pull off the tape while the paint is still slightly damp. Then check in raking light and touch up any missed spots. Only once everything is dry should appliances and supplies go back in place.

How much paint a kitchen actually needs

Kitchens look big, but there's little open wall — cabinets, tile splashbacks and windows take up a lot of space. Still, calculate carefully: one litre covers approx. 6–8 m² per coat, and two coats are standard.

• 2.5 L — approx. 8–10 m² with two coats: one dining-area wall or the open wall of a kitchenette
• 5 L — approx. 15–20 m² with two coats: a typical kitchen of 8–12 m² floor space with one built-in wall
• 10 L — approx. 30–40 m² with two coats: an open-plan kitchen-diner, walls and ceiling combined

Example: a kitchen with 10 m² of floor space and a ceiling height of 2.50 m works out to roughly 32 m² of wall area. Subtract the window, door and the area behind the kitchen units, and you're left with approx. 18–20 m² — 5 L is enough. Add the ceiling, and go for the 10 L. With darker previous colours, consumption can be higher. You'll find the detailed calculation in Küche streichen: Anleitung, Kosten, Farbe.

The classic kitchen mistakes

• Not degreased. The most common reason paint chips or stains bleed through in kitchens. Degreaser isn't an optional step.
• Matt instead of satin above the worktop. Looks the same on day one, but the difference becomes clear after the first proper clean.
• Poorly taped splashback. Grout lines soak up paint, and once it's in there, it isn't coming out. Press the tape edge down firmly, and check twice rather than once.
• Cooking while the paint was still fresh. Steam on wet paint leaves marks. Set aside a day when the kitchen can properly be a building site.
• Colour judged only under ceiling light. Kitchens often have under-cabinet lighting with its own character. Check the shade beforehand with the Farbmusterbox 65 Stk under exactly that lighting.

Common questions about painting a kitchen

Which paint suits a kitchen?
For wall areas around the stove and sink, satin is the right choice, as it's hard-wearing and easy to clean. For the ceiling and calmer walls, matt works well too. Both come in the same shades and sizes.

Can I paint over old kitchen paint?
Yes, as long as the existing coat is sound, clean and dry. Chalky or flaking areas need to be removed first, and grease always has to go. On heavily absorbent or fresh plaster, a primer is worth it.

How much paint do I need for a 10 m² kitchen?
A kitchen this size usually needs 5 L for two coats — that covers roughly 15–20 m² of wall area. If the ceiling is included, or the kitchen is open to the dining area, plan for 10 L. Measure the free wall area beforehand.

Do I need to tape the tiles?
Yes, grout lines absorb paint and won't let it go again. Tape the splashback carefully and press the edge of the tape down firmly. Pull the tape off while the paint is still slightly wet.

How long does delivery take?
Delivery takes 3–5 working days from receipt of payment, within Germany. Since every paint is mixed to order only after purchase, order in good time before your planned weekend. Custom-mixed paints are excluded from the right of withdrawal.

What about the kitchen fronts?
Fronts, doors and wooden surfaces aren't painted with wall paint, but with furniture lacquer. The build-up is different: bonding primer first, then lacquer. For tips on painting a wall without stripes, see Wände streichen ohne Streifen.