Should is often used when giving advice or suggestions, but ultimately, deciding what color to paint your kitchen cabinets is up to you. Cabinet colors influence the overall look and feel of a kitchen, so it’s important to choose a color that you love and that fits your style.
You should paint your kitchen cabinets the colors you like. But depending on the circumstances, it may be better to follow timeless choices that meet your needs. The best color for cabinets compliments the rest of your kitchen and home design. Timeless colors such as white and shades of gray are versatile and easily blend with most styles, so it can help guide your choice to start there.
Here’s a more detailed discussion of good colors to paint kitchen cabinets. We’ll also review popular trends and how to incorporate color into your kitchen design. But let’s start with factors to consider when choosing a color for your kitchen cabinets.
Consider Your Kitchen Style When Choosing the Color for Cabinets
Architectural designs vary and fall into various categories. The most common kitchen styles are Scandinavian, modern, traditional, and contemporary.
The architectural design sets the overall tone of your kitchen. It’s important to consider this when choosing a color for your cabinets. For example, white or gray cabinets would perfectly complement the look if you have a modern kitchen with clean lines and a minimalistic design.
In contrast, a traditional style kitchen with warm tones blends best with classic wood stains or cream-colored cabinets. Traditional designs also blend well with timeless shades like navy blue, forest green, and burgundy.
What if you keep a rural, farm-style kitchen? This style often features open shelves and natural wood elements. In such cases, you can think outside the box with colors like sage green or even olive green cabinets to bring a touch of nature into your kitchen.
For contemporary styles, you have more room to play with bold colors like black or bright pops of red or yellow. Here’s where trends also come into play. Let’s take a look at some popular trends in kitchen cabinet colors.
The trick is choosing a color that complements the style of your kitchen while also reflecting your taste.
Trends vs. Timeless Colors
Trends come and go, but timeless colors are always in style. Still, you can fuse trends into your cabinet color choice, and always repaint when the trend is gone.
One current trend is using two-tone cabinets, where you paint the upper and lower cabinets in different colors for a unique and eye-catching look. This trend works well in both traditional and modern kitchens, but ensure the colors you choose complement each other.
Another popular trend is using dark hues such as navy blue or black for kitchen cabinets. These bold colors are dramatic and sometimes ooze sophistication.
If you’re worried about these colors being too dark, you can balance them by incorporating light countertops and backsplashes.
Evaluate Your Kitchen’s Lighting to Pick the Best Cabinet Colors
Let’s discuss natural vs. artificial light and examine how they impact your cabinet color choice.
Natural Light
If you have a kitchen with large windows that let in lots of natural light, you’re very lucky! You have the perfect space for lighter-colored cabinets. Natural light reflects off lighter colors, making your kitchen look bigger and brighter.
You’ll enjoy a lively place with minimal utility bills because you rely less on artificial lighting. Lighter cabinet colors also make it easier to see what’s inside your cabinets, helping you stay organized.
That said, natural light can also wash out certain colors and make them appear dull. If you’re set on using a specific color, consider testing it in different lighting conditions before committing to it.
Generally speaking, cooler tones like blues and greens work well with natural light, while warmer tones like yellows and reds may appear too intense.
Artificial Light
Most apartments and modern homes have kitchens with limited natural light. In such cases, pay close attention to your artificial lighting when choosing cabinet colors.
Recessed or track lighting can create a cozy and intimate feel in the kitchen, but it often casts shadows. It’s generally best to avoid dark-colored cabinets that may make your kitchen appear even smaller and darker.
Instead, prefer lighter-colored cabinets to reflect light and brighten your space. Also, add under-cabinet lighting to increase visibility and enhance the overall look of your kitchen.
Match with Countertops and Backsplash
The perfect kitchen design considers multiple factors, including cabinet functionality, and all elements must come together to create harmony.
Matching countertops and backsplash create a cohesive, polished look that ties the entire space together. It also helps to create visual flow, making your space appear larger and more harmonious.
Additionally, matching countertops and backsplash allows you to experiment with textures, patterns, colors, and materials. It frees up limitless possibilities for unique and personalized kitchen designs.
Consider the Functionality
While aesthetics are important, you should also consider the functionality of your kitchen cabinets. After all, you’ll use them daily to store and organize your cooking essentials.
Consider factors like storage space, ease of access, and durability. Dark-colored cabinets may show smudges and fingerprints more easily, while lighter colors can better hide them.
Additionally, think about the maintenance required for different cabinet colors. Darker colors may require frequent cleaning due to visible dust and grime buildup, while lighter colors may need occasional touch-ups for scratches or stains.
The Psychology of Colors
Another factor to consider in repainting your kitchen is that colors affect human psychology in different ways. For example, neutrals like white, gray, and beige evoke feelings of calmness, cleanliness, and simplicity. They’re excellent options for a minimalist design or an open floor plan.
Bright colors like yellow and orange evoke energy, warmth, and excitement in your kitchen. They’re great choices for those who love to entertain or want a more lively atmosphere in their cooking space.
Dark colors like black, navy blue, and forest green exude sophistication and elegance. These colors work well in modern or traditional kitchens and can add depth and drama to your space.
If you have a small space, you want kitchen cabinet colors that can make it feel more open and spacious. Lighter colors like white, cream, or pale gray reflect light, making spaces seem larger.
If you have a large kitchen that you want to cozy up, darker shades can help achieve that warm and inviting atmosphere.
The Four Best Colors for Cabinets by Popularity
We did a piece on popular kitchen cabinet colors in 2024, but here’s another short take featuring the best four over the years.
1. White Cabinets
What’s more timeless than white for kitchen cabinets? It’s been stylish since before the Victorian era and is still classy today.
White delivers a clean and bright look, making spaces appear larger and more open. It’s versatile and easy to pair with different accents, such as backsplashes or countertops. It also makes your space feel clean and hygienic.
2. Gray Cabinets
Gray has become increasingly popular in recent years. It intricately balances modernity and tradition across a gradient of gray hues. You can pair gray with numerous classic and contemporary styles. It’s also a popular choice because it hides smudges, dirt, and scratches that would be more apparent on lighter cabinets.
Gray cabinets can make your kitchen feel refined and sophisticated. They are perfect for adding depth to an open floor plan or creating a focal point in your space.
3. Blue Cabinets
One of the most versatile colors in kitchen cabinet design is blue. You can choose from light shades like sky blue or deeper hues like navy blue.
Blue cabinets give off a calming and serene vibe, making them ideal for those who want a peaceful atmosphere in their kitchen. They also work well with both modern and traditional styles, depending on the shade you pick.
4. Two-Tone Cabinets
If you can’t decide on just one color, why not try two-tone cabinets? It’s a growing trend in kitchen design that mixes dark and light shades to create a unique and eye-catching look.
For example, you can have white upper cabinets and blue lower cabinets. Another option is to have contrasting colored cabinets side by side, such as black and white or gray and navy.
The Best Kitchen Cabinet Color Depends on You
To wrap it up, let’s agree that the best cabinet color varies with personal taste and architectural design. While white, gray, blue, and two-tone cabinets are popular, be bold enough to try other colors that speak to you.
Remember to also consider the overall look and feel of your kitchen, as well as any color schemes or design elements in the space. With the right color choice, your kitchen cabinets can truly elevate your home’s aesthetic.
So go ahead and choose a color that you love – it’s your kitchen after all! But if you plan to sell, go for popular colors among your buyer demographics.