High Gloss Paint Tips and My Kitchen Banquette

If you’ve ever perused the paint aisles of your local home store or taken on a DIY paint job, you’ll know that paint is about more than just color – it’s also about the texture and finish that make your space come together.  

There’s eggshell, semi-gloss, and satin. Then there’s acrylic vs oil paint. Each one can help you achieve a different look, depending on the aesthetic you’re going for.  

But there’s one type of paint that’s been getting a lot of hype lately, and (spoiler alert) I’ve fallen in love with it. It’s high gloss acrylic paint.  

Whether used on walls or furniture refinishes, high gloss paint gives a high-quality look that elevates a room and brings a breath of fresh air to a space in need of a pick-me-up.  

In this blog, I’ll share all there is to know about high gloss paint, how I used it in my kitchen refresh, and how you can apply it to your next paint project! 

The 411 on High Gloss Paint 

Before we get started, look at the paint on your walls. Is it muted? Does it shine? Does it reflect? The answer is probably no, which means it’s likely an eggshell or flat matte finish, which are both very common.  

This is the difference with high gloss acrylic paint. High gloss acrylic paint has the highest reflective appearance in its final finish. Because of its shine, it’s also one of the most durable paints. It’s typically used for doors and cabinets, but has become increasingly popular on walls and is often hailed as one of the best furniture paints on the market.  

Why? Because its shiny, smooth look offers an elegant touch. It complements other finishes in the space and can make for a beautiful stand-out accent piece. It’s a breeze to keep clean and smudge-free, not to mention it’s also water-proof. 

Acrylic vs Oil Paint  

Ok, before you pop into Home Depot, make sure you know all the specifics – you want to be ready when you head to the paint counter. There are two different forms of high gloss paint: high gloss acrylic paint and high gloss oil paint.  

And there are a few significant differences in acrylic vs oil paint. In general, acrylic paint requires less maintenance than oil-based paint. It’s easier to clean (because oil-based paints stain quickly), and it doesn’t give off the horrible odor that oil-based paint does.  

One of my favorite reasons to choose acrylic paint is because it’s cheaper and more budget-friendly. Acrylic paint is the obvious choice for those looking to check off the DIY paint job as fast as possible with an option that’s economic and that will create a high-impact look.  

Creating the Perfect Kitchen Banquette

By now, you’re probably as in love with high gloss paint as I am. I couldn’t wait to test it out for myself when I set out to create a banquette in my kitchen. I knew I’d need something to complete the look I was going for, and as high gloss paint is the best furniture paint out there, I knew it was the one. 

But let’s rewind and start from the beginning of my DIY project.  

I recently decided I needed more storage and seating in my breakfast nook area. The best way to achieve this was to design a banquette with storage underneath.  

After clearing out the area, I was able to get a better look at the space I was working with. I sketched a couple of different options and went with a custom design that I gave to my trusted carpenters at Custom Carpentry by Carlos. I decided on an L-shaped design to maximize seating and drawers underneath.  

Soon after sending my sketch to my carpenters, they sent a team to measure it and had the bench ready within a week. It looked amazing! And the custom toe kick detail was perfection. 

Next, it was time to pick a paint color and officially get started on my DIY paint job. While I love deep greens, I knew this wasn’t the space for it – I eventually landed on Deep Reddish Brown by Farrow and Ball. Once the paint was done, it was time to put some hardware on! 

While the finished look is one that I’m still head over heels in love with, I also have to admit there were some surprises along the way. To save you the stress, I want to share what I learned so you can be prepared to take it on with ease!   

Using High Gloss Acrylic Paint to Create a Custom Piece

Once I started this DIY paint job and fully committed to the high gloss paint, I realized that it’s not like your regular prime and paint job. But it’s absolutely worth it.  

Here are some paint tips for beginners who are looking to create their own beautiful, custom piece of furniture – just like my stunning banquette! 

Learn How to Prepare Surfaces for Painting 

While this step-by-step guide will cover how to prep paint, you’ll also want to brush up on how to sand wood, as you’ll need that skill throughout. 

Step #1 – Inspect 

Assess the furniture piece you’ll be painting and fill in any nail holes. If you’re not sure how to go about patching the holes, learn how to become a pro! After doing this, you’ll want to sand, sand, sand! 

Step #2 – Clean 

Once patching is complete, wipe down the area with a damp cloth. 

Step #3 – Prime 

Before you apply the high gloss paint, apply a primer. My advice is to use a tinted primer. Don’t use white like I did if you’re using a dark color. Keep in mind that red is especially finicky and comes out almost like a glaze.  

Pro tip: You can get your primer tinted to match the actual color of your paint.  

Step #4 – Re-sand and Clean 

Between each coat of primer, sand the surface with a 220-grit sanding block and re-wipe the area. 

Step #5 – Paint 

Once the primer dries, you’re finally ready to paint! The biggest lesson I learned with high gloss acrylic paint: warm paint is happy paint. This is especially true when it comes to high gloss sheen because it goes on smoother, and brushstrokes and roller marks are less apparent.  

Set your paint can in a bowl of boiling hot water prior to application – this works like a charm! 

Know How to Properly Apply and Cure Paint 

Now that you know more about the intricacies that go into painting furniture and other areas, here are two tips that you’ll want to keep in mind: 

1. If you can spray the paint, do it. It’ll be the most efficient and easy way to get the job done. Personally, I couldn’t tape up the entire area for spraying, but if you can do it, you’ll be so glad you did! 

2. High gloss paint takes a while to dry. Whatever the dry time on the paint can is, double it. Depending on how humid it is, it could take up to two days to dry each coat of paint. It also takes a long time to cure, so make sure you give it about two weeks to fully cure before actually using the piece of furniture. 

This Is Just the Beginning 

Applying high gloss paint is not as easy as your typical DIY paint job, but as I said, it’s worth it.  

For my kitchen banquette, it’s added a high sheen and beautifully glossy look to the area that’s eye-catching every time you walk in. It’s also super kid-friendly, and its durability drastically reduces the need for that Mr. Clean magic eraser in an area that gets high traffic.  

So if you’ve got your eye on refinishing a piece of furniture, are looking to really up the stakes with an accent piece, or have just want to try the high gloss paint look, here’s your push to go for it! Using my tips, you’ll accomplish it with ease and be 10x more in love with your home.  

For more inspiration about using high gloss paint, make sure to follow me on Instagram or send me a message!