Room Design
Kitchen Design
By
Kristin Hohenadel
Kristin Hohenadel
Kristin Hohenadel has written on design for publications including the New York Times, Interior Design, Slate, Fast Company, and the international editions of Elle Decor.
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Published on 09/05/23
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When choosing kitchen cabinet colors, many people end up defaulting to white. But if you want to add some color to the hub of your home, painting your kitchen cabinets is a simple way to make a big impact without remodeling.
From soft neutrals to pastels, earth tones to jewel tones, and dark and moody hues, check out this rainbow of options to find the ideal kitchen cabinet color to lift your decor or completely transform your space.
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Earthy Olive Green
Paint your cabinets in an earthy olive green with yellow undertones to add a bold dose of color that is neutral enough not to overwhelm. Cathie Hong Interiors defined the kitchen area in this open-plan midcentury modern home with dark olive paint that complements the white walls and marble backsplash.
Suggested paint: Relentless Olive, Sherwin-Williams
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Vibrant Terracotta
Paint your kitchen cabinets in a vivid shade of terracotta that will add a mood-boosting dose of earthy orange to your kitchen. Fantastic Frank drenched the walls and floor-to-ceiling cabinets in the same glowing terracotta color for a modern tonal look. Gold-toned hardware and white countertops add extra luminosity.
Suggested paint: Rejuvenate, Sherwin-Williams
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Soft Butter Yellow
Add a subtle dose of color to a bright neutral kitchen with soft yellow paint. This Scandinavian kitchen from Fantastic Frank has butter yellow cabinets that add warmth and energy to this otherwise neutral kitchen without overwhelming the streamlined design.
Suggested paint: Butter Yellow, Behr
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Sandy Beige
Add subtle definition to a neutral kitchen by painting cabinets in a sandy beige. Whittney Parkinson Design painted the upper and lower cabinets and pantry doors of this traditional English country-inspired kitchen in warm beige that is complemented with soft white walls, mixed wood tones, and a gray stone backsplash.
Suggested paint: Neutral Territory, Clare
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Navy Blue
Navy kitchen cabinets are a modern trend with a classic feel, perfect for styles ranging from traditional to coastal and modern farmhouse. Blythe Interiors painted the wall and island cabinets in the same shade of navy blue and paired it with white countertops and walls and silver-toned finishes for a clean, modern feel.
Suggested paint: Naval, Sherwin-Williams
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Dark Chocolate Brown
Paint kitchen cabinets in a rich shade of chocolate brown to create a moody feel that is warm and inviting. Ashley Montgomery Design paired dark brown cabinetry with aged bronze accents and a dark stained wood backsplash in this homey kitchen.
Suggested paint: Hearthstone Brown, Benjamin Moore
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Pistachio Green
Add fresh green energy to your kitchen cabinets by painting them pistachio. This space from Velinda Hellen Design has pistachio green base cabinets pared with clean white countertops. A collection of plants in the window above the kitchen sink are the perfect complement.
Suggested paint: Pistachio, Benjamin Moore
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Light Taupe
Break up a modern farmhouse kitchen with taupe cabinets. Jessica Nelson Design chose a light taupe shade for base cabinets and window trim, and painted the shiplap walls off-white for a mellow dose of color that complements the farmhouse style decor.
Suggested paint: Edgecomb Gray, Benjamin Moore
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Blush Pink
Blush pink is a fresh and mood-boosting color that works well with neutral finishes. This L-shaped kitchen from Pluck Kitchens has a soft wash of blush pink on the cabinets that adds a warm glow to the space and softens the industrial-style windows.
Suggested paint: Pink Ground, Farrow & Ball
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Sage Green
Sage green cabinets will lend your kitchen a soothing and natural feel that brings the outdoors inside. Ashley Montgomery Design paired sage green cabinets with brass kitchen hardware that add soft color to the neutral space finished with quartz countertops and white shiplap walls.
Suggested paint: Dry Sage, Benjamin Moore
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Forest Green
Pair forest green cabinets with gold-toned hardware and a white backsplash for a crisp, high-contrast look. Marie Flanigan Interiors contrasted forest green flat-front cabinetry with a gleaming white handmade zellige tile backsplash for a play on textures.
Suggested paint: Forest Green, Benjamin Moore
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Fresh Cream
Paint cabinets in a fresh creamy shade of white to make a small kitchen feel timeless and warm.Leanne Ford Interiors painted the walls and cabinets in this U-shaped kitchen in a warm shade of cream that complements the classic marble countertops and vintage lighting.
Suggested paint: White Tie, Farrow & Ball
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Pastel Mint Green
For a light dose of color in a minimalist or Scandi-style kitchen, paint your cabinets in a fresh pastel shade of mint green. Cathie Hong Interiors paired soft mint green cabinetry with a pale gray Japanese tile backsplash in this light and airy Northern California kitchen.
Suggested paint: Soft Mint, Dunn-Edwards
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Neon Yellow
You don't have to paint the whole kitchen to make an impact with color. A Beautiful Mess turned the base cabinets into a focal point with bright yellow lower cabinetry that energizes this otherwise neutral kitchen.
Suggested paint: Golden Yellow, Valspar
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Robin's Egg Blue
A fresh shade of blue will add color and luminosity to a small kitchen. Cathie Hong Interiors chose a timeless shade of robin's egg blue for upper and lower cabinets in this midcentury modern kitchen renovation. Black hardware echoes the plumbing hardware and window frames.
Suggested paint: Bird's Egg, Benjamin Moore
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Dark Teal
Dark teal works especially well in a traditional kitchen. Studio Peake painted base cabinetry in a deep shade of blue-green and paired it with brass swan neck handles. The rich, saturated color complements dark wood cabinetry in the traditional English kitchen.
Suggested paint: Nocturnal Sea, Dunn-Edwards
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Dove Gray
Dove gray is a soothing and timeless choice for kitchen cabinets that can be paired with a brighter wall color to energize the look. This traditional style kitchen from deVOL Kitchens paired dove gray base cabinets with vibrant curry yellow walls, a quirky twist on a classic color pairing that adds vibrancy to the space.
Suggested paint: Half Dome, Glidden
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Midtone Blue
Drench your kitchen in a relaxing shade of mid-tone blue on both the cabinetry and backsplash for a chic monotone feel. This Scandinavian kitchen from Fantastic Frank has contemporary flat-front cabinetry and seamless backsplash bathed in a cool shade of blue for a cohesive and high-impact look.
Suggested paint: Water's Edge, Benjamin Moore
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Matte Black
Anchor kitchen cabinets in an open-plan space by painting them matte black. Maydan Architects chose sleek slab upper and lower cabinets without visible hardware to add definition to this chic one-wall Manhattan kitchen.
Suggested paint: Black, Benjamin Moore
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Dark Red
Dark shades of red, burgundy, and crimson add antiquated vibes to a traditional kitchen. In this classic English space from deVOL Kitchens, deep red cabinets are fitted with brass hardware and painted soft gray on the inside for an elegant, timeless look.
Suggested paint: Eating Room Red, Farrow & Ball
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Turquoise Blue
To introduce color into your kitchen without overwhelming, try two-tone cabinets. Louis Duncan-He Designs painted the upper cabinets in this two-tone kitchen with turquoise paint that adds vibrancy and contrast with the white walls and brown wood base cabinets.
Suggested paint: Turquoise Blue, Behr
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Seafoam Green
Seafoam green adds a luminous dose of color to kitchen cabinets that is both fresh and full of nostalgic charm. Calimia Home paired seafoam green base cabinets with white marble countertops and a mix of gold and copper accents.
Suggested paint: Delicate Mist, PPG Paints
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Emerald Green
Deep emerald green cabinets will add contrast to an all-white kitchen. Hub of the House Studio chose jewel-toned cabinetry that structures the kitchen sink and adds an elegant feel when paired with gold-toned hardware.
Suggested paint: Green Bay, Benjamin Moore
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Greige
Greige is a mix of gray and brown that has both cool and warm tones, making it a versatile choice for kitchen cabinetry. Living With Lolo painted the floor-to-ceiling cabinets in this modern kitchen in a pale shade of greige that complements the tile backsplash and wood slat range hood.
Suggested paint: Flatiron, Clare
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Dark Navy
Pair dark navy and textures of bright white for a high-contrast look. House of Chais chose a nearly black shade of navy blue to highlight the decorative arched upper cabinets in this modern kitchen. The arched shape of the cabinets creates a scalloped effect that stands out against crisp white walls, a white hex tile backsplash, and white quartz countertops.
Suggested paint: Hale Navy, Benjamin Moore
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Bubblegum Pink
Add oomph to glass-front cabinetry by painting it in a bright color like bubblegum pink. Paired with bold backsplash tiles in shades of green, this space from deVOL Kitchens is vibrant and joyful.
Suggested paint: Nancy's Blushes, Farrow & Ball
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Medium Gray
Medium gray paint is a versatile neutral that can add definition in an otherwise all-white kitchen. Cathie Hong Interiors painted the base cabinets in this bright space in a cool medium-toned gray for a minimalist and calming effect.
Suggested paint: Set In Stone, Clare
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Midnight Blue
Choose midnight blue paint to define blocks of cabinetry in a large kitchen. Blogger Ursula Carmona of Home Made By Carmona painted base cabinets and a block of cabinetry housing the stove and refrigerator in midnight blue that makes appliances recede. Upper cabinets are painted white to match the walls, ceilings, countertops, and waterfall island.
Suggested paint: Midnight Blue, Behr
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Dark Blue-Green
Dark blue-green is a relaxing and shade that will complement white walls and wood floors. Urbanology Designs paired dark blue-green cabinets with dark stone countertops and natural wood open shelving and glass-front upper cabinets for a cozy, balanced feel in this family kitchen.
Suggested paint: Hague Blue, Farrow & Ball
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Shades of Yellow and Orange
Midcentury modern kitchens often featured vibrant shades of yellow and orange on everything from the kitchen cabinets to the walls and appliances. Dazey Den brought back the spirit of the era with this Palm Springs kitchen renovation that includes perforated cabinetry in shades of sunny yellow and glowing orange.
Suggested paint: Sunshine + Orange Juice, Benjamin Moore
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Glossy Gray
Stormy gray cabinets will add a moody feel to your kitchen. BHDM Design chose a high-gloss finish paired with brass accents and a black herringbone tiled backsplash to balance light and dark.
Suggested paint: Stormy Gray, Behr
Tip
A satin finish will blend in with the walls and is easy to wipe clean. A high-gloss finish will bounce light around but require more maintenance to wipe away fingerprints.
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True Black
True black paint will lend a timeless and moody feel to kitchen cabinets in a modern or traditional space.Mary Patton Designcontrasted white walls and countertops with painted black cabinets in this traditional U-shaped kitchen.
Suggested paint: Tricorn Black, Sherwin-Williams
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Royal Blue
Bright royal blue is an assertive color that pairs well with white, gray, or color accents. Pluck Kitchens contrasted royal blue flat-front cabinetry with cut-out handles that are backed with natural wood. Bright yellow accents add cheer.
Suggested paint: Blue Ocean, Behr
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Charcoal Gray
Charcoal gray can appear black but feels softer, particularly in a room with abundant natural light. In this space fromdeVOL Kitchens, charcoal black cabinets help to ground and define the space. White subway tile with black grout and polished concrete floors add an industrial touch.
Suggested paint: Peppercorn, Sherwin-Williams
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Peachy Coral
Shades of peach, coral, and terracotta add brightness and warmth and work well with white and wood finishes. Michelle Berwick Design painted the base cabinets and scalloped range hood in a peachy coral that changes the mood in this otherwise black and white space.
Suggested paint: Pop, Clare
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Dark Royal Blue
Dark royal blue cabinets paired with black and white finishes adds dimension to a neutral kitchen. Brophy Interiors paired a wall of dark royal blue cabinetry with light wood base cabinets, mixing in a heavily veined backsplash and a blackened wood dropped ceiling for a sophisticated modern look.
Suggested paint: Dark Royal Blue, Benjamin Moore
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Pure White
If you prefer to paint your cabinets white and accent with color, pay attention to finishes. Leanne Ford Interiors chose flat-front base cabinets and glass-front upper cabinets in matte shades of pure white that complements the textured white tile backsplash to add some subtle texture to the all-white space. Tomato red accents pop against the immaculate white backdrop.
Suggested paint: Super White, Benjamin Moore
What is the most common color for kitchen cabinets?
The most common color for kitchen cabinets is undoubtedly white. Runners-up include cream, beige, black, and navy.
What is a timeless cabinet color?
Timeless cabinet colors include neutral shades like white, cream, beige, taupe, gray, or greige. Navy, black, and forest green cabinets can look timeless when paired with classic finishes and fixtures.
Which cabinet color is best in a small kitchen?
In a small kitchen, you can choose white cabinets for an all-white look that will make the space feel light and airy. The same principle works for other light colors such as cream, beige, or paler shades of gray or taupe. Or you can take an opposite approach and paint your cabinets and walls dark (such as black, brown, navy, forest green) to blur the lines of where the walls begin and end and make the small space feel larger.