The best color for kitchen cupboards really depends on your style, the size of your kitchen, and the amount of natural light you have. Choosing the right shade can change the feel of your whole home. This guide will look at the top five trends right now and give you simple tips to make the best choice for your space. We will explore many kitchen cabinet color ideas to help you decide.
The Current Landscape of Kitchen Cabinet Colors
The world of kitchen design is always moving. What was popular last year might feel dated today. Right now, homeowners are seeking a mix of classic comfort and bold, personalized statements. They want colors that feel both timeless and fresh. Finding the best paint colors for kitchen cabinets involves balancing current trends with long-term satisfaction.
Current Top 5 Kitchen Cupboard Color Trends
Several colors are standing out in 2024 and beyond. These trending kitchen cabinet colors offer versatility and style.
| Rank | Color Trend | Vibe / Style Match | Key Selling Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deep Forest & Olive Greens | Earthy, Traditional, Modern Farmhouse | Adds depth and connects to nature. |
| 2 | Warm Whites & Creamy Neutrals | Timeless, Bright, Scandinavian | Softer than stark white; very inviting. |
| 3 | Dusty & Muted Blues | Calming, Coastal, Classic | Sophisticated alternative to grey. |
| 4 | Bold Black & Charcoal | Dramatic, Luxe, Modern | Creates striking contrast and focus. |
| 5 | Two-Tone Combinations | Flexible, Dynamic, Customized | Allows mixing trends and defining zones. |
These trends show a move away from purely cool tones toward warmer, richer colors that feel grounded.
Trend 1: Earthy Greens – Bringing the Outside In
Green shades are hugely popular. Think deep forest green or soft olive. These colors bring a sense of calm and nature into the kitchen. They work well with wood tones and brass hardware.
- Forest Green: This deep hue adds drama. It looks amazing with natural wood kitchen cabinets used for open shelving or islands. It provides a luxurious feel.
- Sage and Olive: Lighter greens feel airy yet grounded. They are fantastic choices for cabinets if you want a color that won’t quickly go out of style. They are great popular kitchen cupboard colors for a relaxed look.
Trend 2: The Evolution of White – Warm Neutrals Reign
White kitchen cabinet ideas will never truly leave, but the trend has shifted. Stark, brilliant white can sometimes look cold. Today, designers favor warm whites, creams, and soft off-whites.
These warmer whites bounce light beautifully. They make small kitchens feel bigger and brighter without feeling sterile. They pair perfectly with light oak floors or natural stone countertops.
Trend 3: Sophisticated Blues
Muted blues are a fantastic middle ground. They offer color without being overwhelming. They feel classic, similar to traditional navy but softer.
- Dusty Blue: This shade works well with shaker styles. It offers a touch of color that feels soothing.
- Consider Contrast: Blue looks wonderful paired with bright white trim or light grey countertops. This keeps the look clean and fresh.
Trend 4: Drama with Black and Charcoal
For a bold statement, black cabinets are making a comeback. This choice is powerful and elegant. It creates immediate high contrast.
- Modern Kitchen Cupboard Colors: Black is a staple in sleek, contemporary designs. It works best in kitchens with plenty of light, either natural or artificial.
- Matte Finish: A matte or flat black finish often looks richer and less harsh than a high-gloss finish.
Trend 5: The Power of Two-Tone Kitchen Cabinets
Mixing colors is perhaps the biggest trend right now. Two tone kitchen cabinets let you play with color safely. You get the best of both worlds.
- Classic Layout: Often, the perimeter cabinets stay light (like white or cream). The island gets painted a bold color (like navy or dark green). This anchors the room.
- Upper vs. Lower: Some people paint the lower cabinets dark and the upper cabinets light. This keeps the upper sightlines feeling open while grounding the base.
Deciphering Color Choices for Your Kitchen Layout
The color you pick impacts how the kitchen looks and feels. Light colors expand space. Dark colors make spaces feel cozier and more intimate. You must think about the room’s physical traits before choosing.
How Light Affects Cabinet Color
Light is crucial. A kitchen facing north gets cool, indirect light.
- North-Facing Rooms: Avoid cool greys or stark whites. They can make the room feel shadowy. Choose warmer shades—creamy whites, light taupes, or warm greens. These colors will counteract the cool light.
- South-Facing Rooms: These rooms get warm, bright light all day. You can use cooler tones here, like pale blues or true greys. Even darker colors handle bright light well without feeling too heavy.
- Small Kitchens: Use lighter colors on most cabinets to push the walls out visually. If you use a dark color, limit it to just the island or the lowest cabinets.
Cabinet Style Matters: Shaker vs. Flat Panel
The style of your cabinet door heavily influences the best color choice.
Shaker Style Cabinet Colors
Shaker style cabinet colors are incredibly versatile. Shaker doors have clean lines and a recessed panel. This style suits almost any color.
- Traditional Look: Whites, creams, and soft blues look classic on shaker doors.
- Modern Look: Dark greys, blacks, or deep greens give shaker cabinets a contemporary edge while keeping the familiar frame.
Flat Panel and Modern Designs
Modern kitchen cupboard colors often lean towards bold, deep shades or very crisp whites. Flat panel (slab) doors lack the detail of shaker doors, so the color itself carries the design weight.
- Matte finishes work very well here.
- You might see more use of deep charcoal or even muted terracotta shades in very modern settings.
The Appeal of Natural Wood
Natural wood kitchen cabinets offer warmth that paint simply cannot replicate. Wood brings texture and a sense of history to a space.
- Light Woods (e.g., Maple, Light Oak): These align well with Scandinavian and Japandi styles. They keep the kitchen feeling light.
- Dark Woods (e.g., Walnut, Cherry): These create a rich, luxurious, and traditional atmosphere. They pair beautifully with brass hardware.
Exploring Popular Paint Colors for Cabinets
When you decide to paint, you need specific shades. This section dives deeper into the most popular kitchen cupboard colors and what makes them successful.
White Kitchen Cabinet Ideas: Beyond Basic White
White kitchen cabinet ideas remain a top choice for good reason: they are timeless and reflective. But choosing the right white is key.
- Chantilly Lace (Benjamin Moore) or Extra White (Sherwin-Williams): These are crisp, clean whites. Use them if you have strong natural light or want a very modern, gallery-like feel.
- Swiss Coffee (Benjamin Moore) or Alabaster (Sherwin-Williams): These are warmer whites with creamy undertones. They feel softer and are perfect for traditional or farmhouse styles. They hide dust slightly better than pure white.
Grey Kitchen Cabinet Colors: The New Neutral
Grey was dominant for years, and it remains a strong contender, especially the warmer variations.
- Warm Greys (Greige): These mix grey with a touch of beige. They are extremely versatile and work with almost any countertop material, from quartz to granite.
- Deep Charcoal: This shade acts almost like a soft black. It’s sophisticated and anchors the kitchen beautifully, especially when contrasted with light wood floors or white subway tile backsplashes.
Bold Choices: Jewel Tones and Deep Hues
If you want drama, look at deep, saturated colors. These work best when used strategically or in kitchens that have good light.
- Navy Blue: A classic choice. It reads as a neutral but adds far more personality than grey. It looks fantastic with gold or brass hardware.
- Deep Emerald or Forest Green: These offer a rich, organic feel. They pair wonderfully with marble or light quartz countertops to keep the space from feeling too dark.
- Deep Plum or Aubergine: While less common, these rich, reddish-purple tones can feel incredibly luxurious, especially in high-end modern designs.
Expert Design Tips for Choosing Your Perfect Hue
Selecting the color is only the first step. How you apply and balance that color is what makes a design successful. These tips will help you make the right decisions.
Tip 1: Test, Test, Test Your Colors
Never pick a paint color from a tiny chip in the store. Paint large sample boards (at least 2ft x 2ft). Place them against your counters, backsplash, and flooring. Look at them at different times of the day—morning, noon, and night. The way light hits the color changes everything.
Tip 2: Coordinate with Fixed Elements
Your countertops, flooring, and backsplash are very hard to change. They are your fixed elements. Your cabinet color must harmonize with them.
- If your granite has warm gold and brown flecks, choosing a cool, blue-toned grey for the cabinets might cause a clash. Opt for a warm greige instead.
- If you have very busy, patterned tile, select a simpler, solid cabinet color (like white kitchen cabinet ideas or a soft neutral) so the room doesn’t feel overwhelming.
Tip 3: Hardware as the Accent
Hardware finishes tie the color scheme together. The hardware acts like jewelry for your cabinets.
- Warm Tones (Greens, Creams, Wood): Pair well with brass, gold, or oil-rubbed bronze.
- Cool Tones (Blues, Cool Greys, Blacks): Look sharp with matte black, polished chrome, or brushed nickel.
Tip 4: Mastering Two-Tone Kitchen Cabinets
When using two tone kitchen cabinets, think about visual weight.
- Dark colors feel heavy and grounded. Put them on the bottom cabinets or the island.
- Light colors feel airy and lift the space. Put them on the upper cabinets. This classic approach ensures the kitchen doesn’t feel top-heavy or dark.
Tip 5: Finish Matters: Matte vs. Gloss
The sheen level changes how the color looks and how durable it is.
- Satin or Semi-Gloss: These are the most durable finishes for kitchens. They are easy to wipe down. They add a slight sheen that makes colors pop a bit more. They are the standard choice for most popular kitchen cupboard colors.
- Matte or Flat: These finishes absorb light, giving the color a deep, velvety look. They are fantastic for modern kitchen cupboard colors like black or deep navy, but they can be slightly harder to clean if spills are left too long.
Specialized Considerations for Kitchen Cabinet Painting
Painting cabinets is a big job. Getting the paint right means choosing the right type of product specifically designed for cabinetry.
Primer is Non-Negotiable
If you are painting over existing wood or laminate, you must prime correctly. Skipping primer leads to paint peeling and chipping quickly. Use a high-quality bonding primer formulated for slick surfaces. This step is crucial for a long-lasting finish, regardless of your final color choice.
Choosing the Right Paint Type
Cabinetry requires a very hard finish. Standard wall paint will not hold up to daily scrubbing and moisture.
| Paint Type | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Oil-Based Alkyd | Maximum durability | Very hard finish, but yellows slightly over time and has strong fumes. |
| Waterborne Alkyd (Urethane Modified) | Great balance of durability and ease of use | Dries very hard, resists yellowing, low odor. Often considered the best paint colors for kitchen cabinets currently. |
| Cabinet Specific Acrylics | Good durability, easy cleanup | User-friendly for DIYers. May need a durable topcoat for heavy-use areas. |
Updating Dated Styles
If you have old cabinets but want a modern feel, color can be your best friend.
- If you have older, ornate cabinets, a muted color like sage green or a warm grey can modernize them without requiring a full replacement.
- If you have shaker style cabinet colors in a dated wood stain, painting them a bright white or a deep charcoal instantly updates the look.
Integrating Natural Wood Elements
Even if you paint most of your cabinets, mixing in wood can add necessary warmth. Consider:
- Leaving the flooring as natural wood.
- Adding one natural wood kitchen cabinet piece, like a floating shelf or a pantry end panel.
- Using wooden cutting boards or rolling pins as permanent countertop decor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kitchen Cabinet Color
Q: Can I paint my kitchen cabinets dark grey if my kitchen is small?
Yes, you can, but use the dark grey strategically. Consider painting only the lower cabinets dark grey and keeping the uppers white. This keeps the sightlines open while still getting the grounding effect of the dark color. This application works well for two tone kitchen cabinets.
Q: Are grey kitchen cabinet colors still in style?
While the peak of grey has passed, sophisticated warm greys (greige) remain very popular because they act as excellent neutrals. Pure, cool greys are less common now, often replaced by deep charcoals or warmer, earthier tones.
Q: Should I match my upper and lower cabinets?
Not necessarily. Matching them creates a uniform look, which is great for traditional styles. However, using two tone kitchen cabinets allows you to add contrast, emphasize the island, or break up visual monotony, making the space more interesting.
Q: What is the easiest color to maintain in a kitchen?
Mid-tone colors that are slightly muted are generally easiest to maintain. Colors like medium taupe, sage green, or creamy off-whites hide minor smudges, fingerprints, and dust better than very stark white or very dark black cabinets.
Q: Which colors work best with stainless steel appliances?
Nearly all colors work well with stainless steel. However, cool colors like blues and true greys complement the cool tone of stainless steel beautifully. For a warmer look, pair the steel with natural wood accents or warm white cabinets.
Q: How do I make my white kitchen cabinet ideas look less boring?
To prevent white cabinets from looking flat, use contrasting textures and hardware. Add a bold backsplash (like patterned tile), use black or brass hardware, or paint your island a contrasting color. This contrast keeps the white feeling fresh and intentional.