The right cabinet color can completely change the way your kitchen looks and feels. It can make a small kitchen feel bigger, a dark room feel brighter, and an outdated space feel brand new. But picking the perfect color isn’t always easy. With so many options, it’s hard to know where to begin.
Learning how to choose a paint color for kitchen cabinets can make or break your kitchen renovation. In this blog post we’ll cover everything you need to know to make a confident choice. From understanding your kitchen layout to following the latest cabinet color trends.
Table of Contents
- Understanding Your Kitchen’s Foundation
- Coordinating with Existing Elements
- 2026 Kitchen Cabinet Color Trends
- Practical Selection Tips
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- FAQ: Common Questions About Kitchen Cabinet Colors
- Choose a Paint Color for Kitchen Cabinets With Confidence
Understanding Your Kitchen’s Foundation
When learning how to choose paint colors for your kitchen, size is the most critical factor. Some colors make small kitchens feel open and spacious, while others can make large kitchens feel cold or sterile.
Consider Your Kitchen Size
For small kitchens, stick with muted or light colors like white, cream, sage green, or powder blue. These shades reflect light and make the walls appear to recede. Use high gloss finishes or polished backsplashes to enhance this effect.
Two-tone cabinets are another great option—try navy or forest green base cabinets to add interest without crowding the space.
For large kitchens, you have more flexibility. Both light and dark shades can work, but balance is key. Pastel pink or baby blue can be overwhelming in a large space, while stark white can feel clinical.
Instead, go for cozy yet clean tones like forest green, slate gray, dark-stained wood, or cream. A bold color on a large island is also a smart way to introduce contrast.
RELATED: The Best Paint Colors to Make a Room Look Bigger
Evaluate Your Lighting
Understanding your lighting is essential when deciding how to choose kitchen paint color. Natural light plays a big role in how colors appear. The more natural light, the lighter and brighter the paint appears. Darker spaces cause paint colors to appear darker.
- For south- or west-facing kitchens with warm light, these can handle cooler or lighter colors like white or sage.
- North-facing kitchens with cool light should avoid stark white or ice blue, which can make the room feel colder. Try warmer tones, gray greens, bold colors, or a warm stain.
- Dim kitchens benefit from light-reflecting colors like Bowery Seabreeze PPH-35 by BEHR. Avoid dark shades unless you’re going for a black-on-black look, which can widen the space visually.
Match Your Design Style
Your cabinet color should reflect the overall style of your kitchen as well as your home. Coordinating the paint color (or stain) with the style of your kitchen gives a complementary feel:
- Traditional: Creamy white, beige, gray shaker cabinets, or dark-stained wood with light stone counters enhance the traditional feel.
- Transitional: Soft neutrals or muted greens, paired with natural wood elements, leave room for a variety of style options.
- Modern: Moody blues, calm greens, glossy finishes, or bold colors like red or sunny yellow help make a statement in these spaces.
Coordinating with Existing Elements
When selecting a color for your kitchen cabinets, it is important to consider the colors and style of the backsplash and countertops. Ensuring that all the colors work together to complement the space gives you the design and style you want.
These principles also apply when learning how to choose a paint color for kitchen walls. All the elements in your kitchen should work together visually. Use a color wheel to pick complementary or contrasting cabinet colors based on your countertops and backsplash.
Countertops and Backsplash Harmony
For a natural look, combine earthy green cabinets with butcher block counters or stone backsplashes. To make your island a focal point, consider wooden slats painted in a bold tone. Texture matters too. Try beadboard or louvered cabinets, color blocking, or mixing solid cabinets with a few glass-front options.
Flooring and Wall Color Coordination
If you’re keeping your wall color, make sure it doesn’t clash with your cabinets. Neutral wall shades like cream, white, or gray give you the most flexibility. Doing a full remodel? Use the space between your base and wall cabinets as an opportunity for a bold accent wall. Also, consider:
- Two-tone cabinets to create depth
- Matching surrounding room tones for visual flow
- Wooden slats or dowels for the island
The right mix of color and texture helps create a cohesive, long-lasting design you’ll love for years to come.
2026 Kitchen Cabinet Color Trends
To achieve the right look for your kitchen cabinets, it is important to understand how to choose paint colors for your kitchen. Trends come and go, so make sure to consider the look you love.
Warm Neutrals
Warm neutrals are trending for those wondering how to choose paint colors for your kitchen. Popular choices include Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige SW 7036 and Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray HC-173. Even deep reds and burgundies are making a comeback in 2026. The Red in My Mind by BEHR MQ 1-10 is a bold and classic choice. Keep in mind that neutral shades are more versatile, timeless, and pair well with many design options.
Deep Earthy Tones
Moody hues like Benjamin Moore Knoxville Gray HC-160, Rockport Gray HC-105, and Backwoods 469 add depth and personality. These work especially well on lower cabinets or islands. Pair these bold colors with lighter upper cabinets for a dramatic effect.
Soft Whites and Off-Whites
White cabinets have taken a back seat to more bold or other neutral colors, but they are back in 2026. Whites like Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17 and Sherwin Williams Alabaster SW 7008 avoid the starkness of bright white while maintaining a clean look. These neutral-colored cabinets leave the door wide open for a variety of countertop, backsplash, and cabinet color choices. They also pair well with gold or matte black hardware.
Two-Tone Combinations
The contrast of two tones can be appealing, adding interest to your space. This style helps modernize your kitchen while adding design impact. Two-tone options expand possibilities for how to choose paint color for kitchen cabinets. Painting the lower cabinets a darker color while using white or another light color on the top cabinets creates a light and airy feel. Try combining navy, forest green, black, or charcoal base cabinets with white, muted gray, or blush on the uppers. This approach adds depth and lets you play with color safely. Using a natural finish adds warmth to a modern kitchen, adding balance. A dark gray stain on the lower with white or cream on the uppers creates an appealing contrast.
Practical Selection Tips
Testing and Sampling
Proper testing is crucial when learning how to choose kitchen paint color. Always test samples directly on your cabinets. Observe them throughout the day to see how lighting affects appearance. Peel and stick color samples are a good option before committing to a color.
Portable sample boards or applying the paint to a poster board can help if you want to test different spots before applying the paint. Another option is applying two coats of paint to a square of drywall, then moving the sample in various locations by your cabinets to decide. Get recommendations from friends and family about their favorite colors. You can also upload a photo of your room at Sherwin Williams’ Color Tools to visualize your dream kitchen: Sherwin Williams Color Tools.
Long-Term Considerations
There is so much to consider when selecting the perfect color for your kitchen cabinets. You’ll want to select a color that you love, that is timeless, and is appealing to a potential home buyer if you are planning on selling in the near future. Also consider how easy the cabinets will be to maintain over time.
- Match colors to your personal style (look at your wardrobe or home furnishings for clues).
- Stick to neutrals if you’re thinking about resale as painting could add value to your home.
- Think about how you use your kitchen—quiet retreat vs. family hub.
- Coordinate colors with nearby rooms for a smooth visual flow.
Professional vs. DIY Considerations
Often, the most difficult decision is picking the right color! With so many to choose from, it can become overwhelming to decide. The next question is whether to hire a professional or do it yourself.
The professional house painters at Pro 1 Painters can help you pick the perfect color and make sure the job is done right and will last for years without having to repaint. Here are some more tips:
- Consider hiring a pro for bold or dark colors that require precision.
- Use high-quality paint.
- Satin or semi-gloss finishes are easier to clean and more durable.
- Natural wood? Try staining instead of painting to highlight grain.
RELATED: The Best Way to Refresh Kitchen Cabinets Without a Full Remodel
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Feel like you’re ready to pick the perfect cabinet color? There are common mistakes many DIYers make when tackling a project.
Avoiding these can mean the difference between a professional-looking job and one that ends with a few ‘oopsies.’ With careful planning and consideration, you will avoid these blunders:
- Ignoring lighting conditions.
- Not considering kitchen size.
- Choosing colors in isolation.
- Skipping the sample phase.
- Following trends without considering your personal taste.
- Properly prepping the cabinets.
If you’d rather skip the trial and error, consider working with professional kitchen cabinet painters who know how to avoid these blunders.
RELATED: Professional Tips for How to Clean Kitchen Cabinets Before Painting Them
FAQ: Common Questions About Kitchen Cabinet Colors
What is the most popular color for kitchen cabinets?
White, beige, and gray are the most common choices because they work with almost everything and never go out of style.
Should cabinets be darker or lighter than the wall?
It depends on your style. Lighter cabinets can open up a room, while darker ones add contrast. Matching walls and cabinets create a sleek, modern look.
What cabinet colors are timeless?
Neutrals like white and gray are always in style. Sage green and navy blue are also considered timeless today.
What color cabinets show the least amount of dirt?
Dark navy or espresso with a satin or semi-gloss finish shows the least dirt. Avoid bright white, matte black, or very light colors.
Choose a Paint Color for Kitchen Cabinets With Confidence
There are so many factors to consider when selecting a color (or stain) for your cabinets. With these guidelines, you now know how to choose a paint color for kitchen cabinets with confidence.
Start by testing samples, thinking about your lighting, and deciding what colors truly reflect your style. Your cabinets are often the first design element people notice in your kitchen, and you’ll spend a large amount of your time each day there.
Whether your goal is comfort, style, or resale value, your cabinet color choice will shape the entire space. Simply put, your cabinets set the tone for your entire space—make it one you love. We love to paint, and it shows! Contact us at Pro 1 Painters.
