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White and gray have a stranglehold on kitchen cabinets akin to vanilla’s domination of ice cream flavors (remarkable in a world that includes Cherry Garcia). But you don’t have to follow that path in your own home; tasting the aesthetic rainbow has benefits. Colorful cabinets can assist in concealing spills, or they can be the perfect way to set a mood in an open-concept living space.
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Like employing spices in a dish, “adding pops of contrasting color to a kitchen design can bring vibrancy and life to the space,” says designer Melanie Millner, founder of The Design Atelier in Atlanta. If you’re still afraid to commit, paint only the inside of cabinets, says Anne Hulcher Tollett, founder of Hanover Avenue in Richmond. You’ll get an injection of style every time you reach for a mug. We asked several designers to share their favorite paint hues for spicing up a kitchen. Here are their suggestions.
Tired of beige? Designers share their favorite go-to bold paint colors.
Benjamin Moore Black
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Inky and drama-inducing as pepper, black is one of Palm Beach, Fla., designer Cindy Rinfret’s go-to cabinet colors. “It’s timeless and sexy but can be tricky to get right,” she says. “You want to select a black that has depth to it, so it doesn’t look flat.” One of her regulars: Benjamin Moore Black 2132-10. “The finish is also very important,” Rinfret adds. “When you use any dark color, you want to either do a semi-gloss or lacquer to bring light into the space; otherwise, it can feel overwhelming.”
Farrow & Ball Green Smoke
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“It’s just like the name says: a smoky pine green,” says Manhattan Beach, Calif., designer Mary Beth Christopher, of MBC Interiors. “It’s a great color to ground a kitchen without it feeling heavy or depressing.” She recently used it on the cabinets in a house and says Green Smoke “gave the kitchen a moody feel, which was important in the otherwise light-flooded, light-toned home.”
Benjamin Moore Witching Hour
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This dark blue shade performed a veritable magic trick in a Lake Michigan house designed by San Francisco’s Jay Jeffers. “This served as their summer home, so we wanted it to feel extra soulful and match the home’s historic log-cabin vibe,” he says. “Some people shy away from dark colors with lower ceilings, but it actually helped to open up the kitchen and add depth, especially juxtaposed against the light wood panels on the ceiling.”
Benjamin Moore Lafayette Green
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“Green has been my favorite color for kitchen cabinets recently,” says Mia Jung, director of interiors at New York City’s Kligerman Architecture & Design. “I like Lafayette Green: It’s the right shade, especially used with coordinated natural stone countertops. A fresh departure from a traditional white or soft tonal kitchen, and timeless.”
Farrow & Ball Arsenic
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Los Angeles designer Betsy Burnham kept the upper cabinets a warm white in a kitchen for clients in Santa Monica, Calif., but she went wild on the lower cabinetry and island, with Farrow & Ball’s Arsenic. “It’s a bright, blue-green and was definitely a risk,” she says. “The payoff was a hip, modern, lighthearted space.”
Benjamin Moore Shady Lane
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When in doubt, look to your surroundings for color inspiration. For a guesthouse near the Great Smoky Mountains, Charleston, S.C., based designer Tammy Connor settled on Benjamin Moore’s Shady Lane, an acid-olive green, applied in a semi-gloss finish. “They reflect the vibrant mountain greenery that’s just outside the window, making the entire space feel effortless and cohesive,” Connor says. “Green cabinetry is inviting and classic but doesn’t feel staid or overdone.” An added bonus: The earthy tone mingles beautifully with all the exposed wood in the space.
Sherwin-Williams Amaryllis
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To inject an upbeat energy in the kitchen, Richmond-based designer Sara Hillery sometimes opts for red or pink on cabinets. “Kitchens are at the center of entertaining, so I like to keep things lively with punchy pops of an unexpected shade,” she says. She recommends spraying cabinets with paint in a hard-wearing satin lacquer finish, which is “forgiving for busy families.” She recently painted cabinet backs and part of the ceiling in a client’s home with Sherwin-Williams Amaryllis for a cheerful look.
Kathryn O’Shea-Evans is a design and travel writer in Colorado.
FAQs
Those looking for something sleek and modern will likely gravitate toward black kitchen cabinets or gray kitchen cabinets. Alternatively, a homeowner with a bohemian flair may not balk at something bolder, like an emerald green kitchen or vibrant blue kitchen cabinets that complement the rest of their home design.
What color to paint kitchen cabinets not white? ›
Those looking for something sleek and modern will likely gravitate toward black kitchen cabinets or gray kitchen cabinets. Alternatively, a homeowner with a bohemian flair may not balk at something bolder, like an emerald green kitchen or vibrant blue kitchen cabinets that complement the rest of their home design.
What is the best neutral color to paint kitchen cabinets? ›
Some popular neutral paint colors for the kitchen include white, beige, gray and sage. White is a classic kitchen color. It's crisp and clean, and it goes hand-in-hand with the part of the house where food is prepared.
What is the number one color to paint kitchen cabinets? ›
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. As with most white paint colors, this shade works best with plenty of natural light.
What is the most versatile color for kitchen cabinets? ›
A mashup and gray and beige, greige is a versatile color that pairs with a variety of countertop and backsplash materials. "This cabinetry color also complements any metal finishes, so hardware, appliances, and fixtures can be changed as the homeowner desires," says Alexandra Peck, owner of Alexandra Peck Design.
What color cabinets never go out of style? ›
The 7 Best Kitchen Cabinetry Colours That Will Remain Timeless
- Natural Wood Cabinetry. ...
- Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore. ...
- Olive Grove by Sherwin Williams. ...
- Skimming Stone by Farrow & Ball. ...
- White Dove by Benjamin Moore. ...
- Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore. ...
- Your Favourite Colour is Always a Timeless Choice for Your Cabinetry.
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 cabinet color right now? ›
White remains the most popular kitchen cabinet color for this year, although clinical pure whites are being replaced with warmer and more natural tones. White is timeless and will create an airy and refreshing ambiance that will never date.
What color is timeless for kitchen cabinets? ›
White is the most timeless cabinet color of all, with popularity dating back over half a century. It's hard to beat the crisp, clean beauty of bright white cabinets. They lighten the entire room and lend a refreshing, airy feel.
What is the best color for low maintenance kitchen cabinets? ›
White is the color of choice for most homeowners because of its simplicity and elegance. It can pretty much go with any kitchen. Even if the cabinet gets scratches, the damage will not be evident in this color. It's the main reason why this is the color of choice for traditionally designed homes.
Elegant but simple seems to be the name of the game in Martha Stewart's timeless cabinet playbook. Gray and natural wood, small hardware, and flush surfaces unite for a look that will never go out of style.
How do I pick the right color for my kitchen cabinets? ›
Size & Lighting
A lighter color on your cabinets is going to give the space a more open, airy feel that can make a small or poorly lit space feel larger. Darker colors, on the other hand, work better in larger, well-lit spaces where you want to create a more dramatic look.
What is the best color for old kitchen cabinets? ›
It's a tale as old as time: White kitchen cabinets are an ageless classic, and for good reason. They have a way of lightening up even the darkest room, look sparkly clean with just a basic wipe-down, and match with pretty much anything. So there's no reason to feel bad if you prefer basic white cabinetry.
What color cabinets make a kitchen look bigger? ›
Go with Light Colors
Light colors are more reflective than dark colors and they will make your kitchen appear bigger as well as more open and airy. Light blues, greens, or pale yellows are other great colors to make your space look larger than life.
What color cabinets brighten kitchen? ›
Wall Color and Daylight Will Impact the Look
If you already have a lot of color in the room, it's best to go with white or neutral cabinets. There are many different shades of white to choose from, but all of them will help your room feel bright and fresh. White cabinets can also brighten up a dark room.
Should cabinets be lighter or darker than countertops? ›
Should cabinets be lighter or darker than countertops? This can work both ways, depending what you want to get out of the space. Lighter tones are better for opening the space up and making it feel bigger, which can be especially helpful in smaller kitchen spaces.
What is the new color for kitchen cabinets? ›
It includes blue, green, gray, and black, providing options to suit various design styles. These colors are versatile and can complement different styles of cabinets and kitchen designs. From modern and minimalist to traditional and rustic, these trends for 2024 reflect a desire for serenity.
What color kitchen cabinets are low maintenance? ›
Oil-rubbed bronze, satin bronze, polished nickel, brushed nickel and white hardware are the cream of the crop as far as easy maintenance goes. Choose the look that best suits the style of your kitchen.
