Decorating a working kitchen without compromising hygiene

Coatings that suit a wash-down environment

Standard emulsion doesn't survive repeated steam, grease and chemical cleaning in a working kitchen. We specify washable, often gloss or semi-gloss systems designed to withstand routine wash-down, and in the wettest zones — behind sinks, above cooking lines — a fully waterproof, tile-grade coating is usually the better answer.

• Washable gloss or semi-gloss systems used for general kitchen wall areas
• Waterproof, tile-grade coatings specified directly behind sinks and cooking lines
• Matt or porous finishes avoided entirely in food preparation zones

Isolating food contact and preparation surfaces

Worktops, prep tables and any surface food actually touches get fully covered and sealed before work starts nearby, and we treat this as non-negotiable regardless of time pressure. Overspray or dust settling on a prep surface is a genuine food safety incident, not a cosmetic issue.

Timing around service and delivery schedules

Kitchens have their own daily rhythm — deliveries, prep, service, close-down — and we build the working day around it rather than expecting the kitchen to adjust to us. Work usually happens after close-down and before the following morning's delivery, giving a full clear window without service pressure.

Drying, curing and reopening to inspection

We confirm full cure time for whatever coating is used, not just surface dryness, before any food preparation resumes in a painted area, and we're happy to provide the product data sheet showing food-area suitability if an environmental health visit is expected shortly after the work.

• Full cure time confirmed before any food handling resumes
• Product data sheets kept available to support any hygiene inspection