A Beginner Friendly Comprehensive Guide To Kitchen Cabinet Colors (2024)

Your Stress-Free Guide to Choosing Kitchen Cabinet Colors

Whether you’re just refreshing your kitchen with a new paint color or completely renovating it, choosing kitchen cabinet colors can be nerve-wracking.

Will it go with the rest of your theme? Would you still like it a couple of years down the line? Are you following a trend or choosing timeless hues? Add the sheer number of cabinet colors available, and the process can be downright overwhelming.

This guide is designed to make the entire thing less stressful. From the importance of color to the selection process, we got you covered.

How important is choosing the right kitchen cabinet colors?

You’ve heard it before: color can entirely transform your kitchen. The cabinets are one of the most visible parts of the space, which mean their colors has a profound influence on your kitchen’s final look and feel.

Additionally, it’s more than just aesthetics. Colors can affect everything from your mood to your appetite, and the visual size of the room. It can also reduce or raise the property value of your home. While a lot depends on your choice of cabinet colors, it doesn’t have to be as hard as you might think it is.

Create Your Desired Sense of Space with Kitchen Cabinet Colors

Dark-colored cabinets can make your kitchen look smaller, while lighter shades can make it feel bigger and more open.

If you have a large kitchen and want to make it look cozier, we recommend dark brown, black, and dark greys for your cabinet. The bigger the contrast, the more compact the space will feel.

On the other hand, light colors work best for small kitchen. Select white or beige kitchen cabinets to create a sense of space. Enforce the effect by painting your walls with neutral colors and lighter shades for your backsplash and floor.

The Top Kitchen Cabinet Colors of All Time

Before you begin shopping for cabinetry, learn more about how colors can affect the vibe of your kitchen. When it comes to kitchen cabinets, certain colors really shine. This includes red, yellow, blue, gray, white, and green. Each one creates a different effect:

  • Red – known to stimulate the appetite and adds a nice pop of color when used sparingly.
  • Grey – a beautiful neutral hue that can work wonders for your kitchen cabinets. It’s the perfect base to build the rest of your color theme because it blends with other colors well.
  • Blue – works fantastic for many design directions. Light blue kitchen cabinets create a clean look, while dark blue adds a sense of drama. However, use it strategically, since blue can overpower the room. Combine it with neutrals like gray and white to tone down the intensity.
  • Yellow – this invigorating color is light a ray of sunshine when used for kitchen cabinets. Like red, it’s believed to stimulate appetite and make people hungry. It also has a calm and soothing quality. It’s a great option for smaller spaces and can make the room feel brighter and bigger. Pair with gray and white accents.
  • Green – another nice shade to use with kitchen cabinets, it goes really well with wood and white accents. It gives a jolt of energy to the space when used for cabinets.
  • White – elegant white is one of the most timeless choices for kitchen cabinets. Its neutral hue is the perfect base for any color scheme, and it’s effective for both big and small kitchens. An all-white kitchen is the definition of classic, and creates a terrific canvas to play around with accent colors.
  • Brown – another classic, brown or wood hues are a staple in many kitchen styles such as contemporary, traditional, and transitional. It adds a comforting sense of warmth into the space.
  • Black – ideal for adding phenomenal contrast to the space, it’s best for kitchen cabinets in a large or open-plan kitchen.

How to Choose Kitchen Cabinet Colors

Armed with a better understanding of kitchen cabinet colors, it’s now time to start picking out the one you like! To make the right choice, you need to be methodical about the process. Follow these steps:

Look at your kitchen’s design style

The style of your kitchen is one of the best guides to choosing cabinet colors. For instance, classic kitchen cabinet colors such as whites and creams are highly-recommended for traditional kitchens. Contrasting tones and bright kitchen cabinet colors work really well for modern spaces. If you have a transitional aesthetic, go with deep browns.

Factor in the color of your walls

This is a key element for picking out your kitchen cabinet colors. Make sure they complement the existing paint of your walls. Got white walls? Almost any color will blend in beautifully. If you have dark-colored walls, consider lighter shades to prevent the room from feeling cramped and drab.

Think about the mood you want to create

What kind of vibe are you looking for? Kitchen cabinet colors should also express your personality. Bright colors like yellow create a perky ambiance, while dark shades look intense and dramatic. White, greys, and blacks are ideal if you want an elegant, minimalist feel.

Explore kitchen cabinet color inspiration

It’s a good idea to get inspiration from interior design platforms. You can check out online galleries, interior design magazines, and design websites to give you a better view of your choices. Our Inspiration Gallery shows kitchen cabinet colors in action. Take your time exploring so you can see more of what’s out there.

Choice Cabinet: Versatile Kitchen Cabinet Colors for Any Space

Finally, we’ve got one more advice for you— choose what you like. There’s nothing wrong with following trends, but remember that it’s you who lives in your home. Kitchen cabinet colors should make you feel relaxed, comfortable, and happy in your own space. It should make you enjoy spending time in the kitchen.

We’d love for our kitchen cabinets to be part of creating that amazing ambiance. To help you do that, Contact Our design experts today. Be sure to check out our Cabinet Products for more inspiration!

A Beginner Friendly Comprehensive Guide To Kitchen Cabinet Colors (2024)

FAQs

How do I pick the right color for my kitchen cabinets? ›

The same rules for paint colors apply to your cabinets. Darker colors will make the space look smaller, while lighter colors enlarge a living area. Since your cabinets will take up most of the wall space, many designers recommend choosing this color first, then deciding the rest afterward.

How to paint kitchen cabinets for dummies? ›

  1. Step 1: Gather painting supplies. ...
  2. Step 2: Remove cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and hardware. ...
  3. Step 3: Clean the cabinetry. ...
  4. Step 4: Use wood filler to repair scuffs and nicks. ...
  5. Step 5: Sand the cabinet doors. ...
  6. Step 6: Apply a coat of primer. ...
  7. Step 7: Sand the cabinet doors again. ...
  8. Step 8: Paint the kitchen cabinets.
Sep 13, 2023

What is the number one kitchen cabinet color? ›

Many design experts swear that Simply White by Benjamin Moore is their go-to paint color for kitchen cabinetry. And we don't disagree, as this warm white can cozy up even the most sterile, cold kitchen layouts.

How to calculate paint needed for cabinets? ›

Typically, you will use about one gallon of paint for every 350 square feet of surface you want to paint. In nonrenovation speak, that means one gallon will cover a medium to large kitchen with over 20 cabinets. Ehrlich says that estimate can vary, depending on sheen and color choice.

Should cabinets be lighter or darker than countertops? ›

Experts recommend working with a lighter countertop than a cabinet for the perfect color blend.

What is the most timeless kitchen cabinet color? ›

Arguably, the most timeless kitchen cabinet color is white. Bright white cabinets suit a variety of beautiful kitchens, including modern, contemporary, and farmhouse styles. Brilliant whites work to give kitchens a light and airy feel, and off-white options, like the White Dove shade, provides warmth.

Is it better to paint cabinets with a roller or brush? ›

Using a brush for cabinet painting ensures that you will get a smooth, even finish on your cabinets. A brush can also help get into all the nooks and crannies of your cabinets, which a roller might miss.

How do you paint kitchen cabinets like a professional? ›

Directions
  1. Set up a painting station (ideally in an enclosed area to avoid dust/debris)
  2. Clean/prep your surface (sand first if using a pre-finished surface)
  3. Apply primer.
  4. Sand with a 220 grit (or finer) sanding sponge.
  5. Apply paint.
  6. Sand with 400-600 grit sanding sponge/paper.
  7. Apply second coat of paint.
Apr 14, 2021

Where do you start when painting kitchen cabinets? ›

Paint Kitchen Cabinets
  1. Step 1: Paint the Cabinet Frames. Start with the cabinet frames, using a high-quality brush for smaller areas and a foam roller for larger surfaces. ...
  2. Step 2: Paint the Cabinet Backs and Fronts. On the cabinet doors, paint the backs, let them dry and then paint the fronts. ...
  3. Step 3: Apply a Second Coat.

What is the most popular kitchen cabinet color for 2024? ›

The most popular kitchen cabinet colors for 2024 will be warm neutrals, jewel-toned blues, and moody darks. Two-toned cabinets will also continue to be a favorite choice among homeowners and designers because of their visual variation.

What is the most popular kitchen color for 2024? ›

1. Earthy Greens. Green has been a popular color for a while now, but in 2024, we're seeing a shift towards more earthy, muted tones. Think olive greens or sage, which bring a sense of calm and tranquility to your kitchen, according to Calm Sage.

Is 1 gallon of paint enough for kitchen cabinets? ›

One gallon is usually enough to cover 12 cabinet surfaces.

However, it will save you a couple of weekends of prep work. The finish won't be quite as smooth as if your cabinets were professionally done. Having said that, the difference will be small unless you plan on using a high-quality paint sprayer.

Do I need 2 coats of paint on cabinets? ›

When it comes to the actual paint, you will need at least two coats. For some cabinets, though, you may need a third coat. Knowing how many coats of paint to put on the cabinets will ensure a long-lasting paint job so that you don't have to do touch-ups for several years.

Is 3 coats of paint too much for cabinets? ›

* C – If your kitchen has already been professionally hand-painted and it is still in good condition preparation plus 2 finishing coats may be realistic option if you want a colour change rather than a refurbishment. But in general, I would say 3 coats is the starting point for a top hand-painted kitchen job.

What color kitchen cabinets sell best? ›

Most real estate agents will tell sellers that neutral colors will appeal to the widest audience. While white is a very popular color for kitchen cabinets, other neutrals like gray, black, and beige are also good. Stained wood cabinets have an appeal, especially if they are of high quality.

What color kitchen cabinets make it look bigger? ›

Stick to white or light colors

Dark colors in small spaces tend to crowd the eye and make a room feel claustrophobic. Use white or light colors on both your walls and cabinets to reflect light around your kitchen and make it feel bigger.

What color cabinets make a kitchen look bigger? ›

White kitchens are on-trend and this is the best colour for visually opening up a space. If you want to go for something brighter, yellow can create a welcoming, sunny kitchen, giving a country vibe even in the middle of a city. Green is a colour that symbolises the natural world and tranquility.

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