Things You'll Need:
- Oil-based or water-based paint
- Samples of paints in various sheens and colors
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Step 1
Decide if you are going to have oil-based or water-based paint; oil-based paints adhere better and are good for covering walls that already have many layers of paint on them, but they do have a strong odor, take longer to dry, and require paint thinners that need to be used and disposed of properly. Water-based latex, meanwhile, is fast-drying, smells less and cleans up easily with soap and water.
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Step 2
Figure out next what type of paint sheen you want. Consider what you want the finished wall to look like, how cleanable the surface needs to be and the severity of existing surface flaws (the shinier the paint, the more you will see flaws). Choose between four paint sheen grades: flat (will not reflect light and is hard to clean) gloss (the shiniest finish, it will reflect light and is easy to clean), semi-gloss (reflective but more subtle than gloss, it is easy to clean and usually a good choice for kitchens) or satin (somewhat duller than a semi-gloss, but lends some warmth to the surface).
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Step 3
Select several paint samples in the range of colors that you are deciding on. Look at them for at least a few days or even tape them up on your kitchen walls. Ask for the paint store for a few samples that you can actually paint on your surface. Choose your color scheme and pick interior kitchen paint that is perfect for your project.
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Step 4
Experiment with different types of finishes, if desired, such as blotting with sponges, rags or textured rollers.
