Nowadays, our kitchens are more than just functional spaces: From preparing everyday family meals to hosting informal get-togethers with friends to serving as homework central for our kids, we want them to be relaxed, easygoing places where everyone enjoys spending time. Making that happen decoratively, can be as simple and inexpensive as adding a new coat of paint. Unlike installing new countertops, cabinets, or appliances, paint can upgrade a space for a fraction of the cost and in a fraction of the time -- most paint jobs take a weekend or less. No one likes to be without a kitchen for long, and with Benjamin Moore’s latest low-odor products, Natura and Aura (both low or zero-VOC paints), you can paint and get back to cooking the same day.

There are also more finishes to choose from with Aura and Natura.  In addition to eggshell and pearl, which impart a subtle glow without highlighting every flaw, Aura offers a matte finish that’s durable enough for kitchen use. On moldings and trim, gloss and semi-gloss finishes flatter and withstand repeated cleaning. And because most ceilings call for a very flat finish that masks imperfections and doesn’t scatter light in all directions, Benjamin Moore’s ultra-flat ceiling paint is ideal.

For a fast and fun kitchen project, one that can be completed in a day,turn a kitchen wall or door into a chalkboard. Two coats of Benjamin Moore’s Chalkboard paint—durable, washable, and erasable—and you’ve got a place for grocery lists, family schedules, or the latest masterpieces from the youngest members of the household.

New cabinets are one of the most desirable upgrades in the kitchen, but even the most basic options are expensive and costly to install. Most often, the structure of the existing cabinets is fine but the look feels dated or dowdy—yellow-blonde or dark brown wood or even laminate faced—so a fresh coat of paint can work some real magic. A couple of coats of pearl finish paint will produce the nearest thing to new cabinets without the expense. Add some new hardware, and you’ve completed a whole new look.

Repainting kitchen cabinets properly is not a weekend job and, unless you’re accomplished at DIY, should probably be done by a professional. However, it more than repays the effort. To start, remove all the cabinet doors so all the sanding can be done outside or in a garage and so the doors can be painted flat to minimize drips. Sand the existing finish lightly, then apply primer plus two coats with a brush, fine nap roller, or even sprayer. Bear in mind, kitchen cabinets hang at eye level so you want the finish to look as good as possible – afterall, you’re going to live with them for many years. For detailed information on how to get the best results, go here .

Of course, the real power of paint is in the unlimited color options it offers and all the transformative power that color brings. Color can define a room and change its personality -- it can brighten it, make it feel larger or smaller, warmer or more inviting, give it energy or make it feel calmer. More than 3,000 choices can quickly get overwhelming so we give some tips and advice on selecting colors and look at a few good combinations for the kitchen here