Kitchens carry more paint regret than most rooms. It’s not hard to see why.
From the outside, it feels like any other repaint, pick a colour, tape the edges, roll it on. But once things get started, the space has a way of showing everything. Grease stains, missed corners, patches that don’t dry evenly, and paint that never quite holds.
A fresh coat can transform a kitchen. But in a room this functional and this exposed, what works in theory doesn’t always hold up in practice.
Here’s where things tend to go wrong, and why kitchens require a bit more respect from the roller.
Using the Wrong Paint for the Job
Standard interior paint doesn’t belong in a high-use kitchen. The heat, humidity and grease do more than dull a surface, they break it down. The result? Staining, cracking, or a sheen that dies out before the year’s done.
Walls need moisture-resistant finishes. Ceilings need to hold up against steam. Trims and cabinetry demand harder coatings that can take a wipe-down without flinching. The right paint isn’t always the one that looks best on the swatch, it’s the one that still looks good six months in.
This kind of product pairing is standard in residential interior painting projects that involve spaces like kitchens, laundries, or bathrooms, places where function always comes first.
Painting Over Grease, Dust, or Old Cleaning Product
Kitchens look clean before they are. That’s the trap.
Walls and surfaces pick up layers of airborne grease, oil vapour, cleaning residue and fine dust that don’t show until paint hits the wall and lifts. Even ceiling corners and doorframes collect film over time, especially near stovetops and sinks.
Skipping the degreasing step might save ten minutes, but it costs more when paint begins to peel or discolour. A thorough clean, rinse, and dry-down is non-negotiable. Especially when older surfaces are involved.
Underestimating the Lighting
Kitchens reveal more than most rooms. Harsh downlights, morning sun, and reflections off glass splashbacks create a brutal lens. The smallest roller line or brush drag will catch the light, especially in corners or above cabinetry.
Painting in low light, or without checking the finish from multiple angles, leaves room for patchiness and inconsistent sheen. The finish may look fine at night, only to show every flaw in daylight.
This is where professionals tend to gain ground, not just in skill, but in how they see a room. Knowing how light will land on a surface is half the finish.
Skipping the Primer (Because the Wall “Looks Fine”)
Primer isn’t just for repairs. It’s what keeps the topcoat stable, especially on surfaces that have already been sealed, stained, or exposed to steam over time.
Without a bonding or stain-blocking primer, colour can bleed through, or worse, peel away. This is common in repaints where a dramatic colour change is involved, or where a semi-gloss finish is being replaced with matte or low-sheen.
The right primer gives the paint something to grip onto. It also helps keep colour consistent across the entire surface.
Using the Same Paint on Every Surface
Kitchens are layered. Walls. Ceilings. Trims. Cabinetry. Tiles. Each one plays by different rules.
Walls might need a soft, cleanable finish. Skirting and doors need something harder, like enamel. Cabinetry needs an entirely different prep and product stack, especially if it’s laminate, timber veneer, or already painted.
What works well on plasterboard can crack or scratch on cabinets. And what holds on timber may fall apart on tiles.
It’s one reason cabinet painting is often approached as a separate task altogether, because it is.
Painting at the Wrong Time (and in the Wrong Weather)
Brisbane’s humidity plays a role here. Paints that dry beautifully in air-conditioned bedrooms behave differently in hot, damp kitchens. Coats can stay tacky for longer, causing scuffs or streaks with the slightest touch. Worse, they can dry unevenly, creating texture where none was meant to exist.
Drying times should adjust to the season. Doors and windows should be planned into the process. Rushing a coat rarely saves time in the long run.
Your Next Move
No room in the house works harder than the kitchen. Which is why good paintwork doesn’t just cover, it holds. Against humidity. Against scrubbing. Against changing light, heat and time.
The difference often comes down to what happens before the roller comes out. Cleaning properly. Choosing the right product. Matching paint to surface. Knowing how to prepare and when to wait.
If the plan involves more than just a colour refresh, if it involves ceilings, trims, walls or cabinetry that need to perform, book a free quote and get a plan that respects the space. One that’s built to last, not just look good for now.
