Painted fitted furniture can look crisp and modern or soft and traditional. The difference often isn’t the colour. It’s the sheen, the way the paint is applied and how the piece is used. A finish that looks right in a quiet living room may not suit a busy hallway.
This guide explains the choices behind a paint finish so you can talk them through with your maker.
Sheen: matt, satin or gloss
Sheen is how much light the paint reflects. In general:
- Matt or flat finishes look soft and hide small marks in the surface. They can show fingerprints and scuffs more on handles and edges.
- Satin or eggshell finishes have a low sheen. They’re a common middle ground for furniture, and are easier to wipe.
- Gloss finishes are shiny and very wipeable, but they show every ripple in the surface underneath.
The right sheen depends on the room, the light and how often the furniture is handled. Ask to see the sheen on a sample if you can, and look at it in the room where the furniture will go. A sheen that looks subtle on a small card can look stronger across a whole wall of doors.
Spray painted or hand painted
Spray painting is done in the workshop. It gives a smooth, even, factory-like finish with no brush marks. Hand painting can be done on site, shows a little more texture and is easy to touch up later. Both use paint colours agreed with you.
Our guide to spray-painted vs hand-painted furniture compares the two in more detail.
The board underneath matters
Paint shows what’s under it. MDF is stable and takes paint well, giving a smooth surface on doors and panels. Moisture-resistant grades suit kitchens, rooms next to bathrooms and external walls. Birch plywood is strong and holds screws well. Its layered edge can be shown as a feature or painted over, which gives a different look.
See MDF vs plywood for how each one behaves.
Thinking about fitted furniture? We design, make and fit it across London: we visit, measure and talk through the design, then send a written quote. Arrange a design visit.
Choosing a colour
Colours look different in different light. A colour that looks warm on a chart can turn cool in a north-facing room. A few tips:
- look at a sample in the room at different times of day
- look at it next to the walls, the floor and any worktop
- think about whether the furniture should blend in with the walls or stand out
- remember that a large area of colour looks stronger than a small sample.
Matching the furniture to the wall colour can make tall units feel lighter. A contrasting colour makes them a feature.
Match the finish to the room
Think about how each room is used:
- Kitchens see steam, grease and lots of handling. A wipeable sheen helps.
- Hallways and boot rooms take knocks from bags, shoes and buggies.
- Children’s rooms need a finish that can be cleaned easily.
- Living rooms and bedrooms are gentler, so a softer sheen may suit.
Planning for touch-ups
Painted furniture can be touched up over the years. It helps to keep a note of the colour and sheen, and a little of the paint if any is left. Paint needs time to cure fully, so treat new paintwork gently at first. Read looking after painted fitted furniture for more.
Quick answers
Which sheen is best for fitted wardrobes?
Many people choose a low sheen such as satin or eggshell. It’s wipeable without showing every mark in the surface. Matt suits quieter rooms.
Can I choose any paint colour?
The paint colour is agreed with you. Look at samples in the room, in different light, before you decide.
Is spray painting better than hand painting?
Neither is better for every job. Spray painting gives a very smooth, even finish. Hand painting can be done on site and is easy to touch up.
Related services
More advice
- Spray-Painted vs Hand-Painted Furniture
- Looking After Painted Fitted Furniture
- MDF vs Plywood for Fitted Furniture
- Planning a Bespoke Kitchen in a London Home
- All advice
This guide is general information about fitted furniture. It isn’t legal, planning or building advice; for those, speak to the council, your landlord or managing agent, or a suitably qualified professional.