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How To Choose a Kitchen Cabinet Color According to Designers
By: Andrew Saladino | 
7 min
Whether you're refinishing your outdated kitchen cabinets or springing for a shiny new set, the color you pick will have a huge impact on the overall look and feel of your kitchen. However, our design experts advise you to rely on more than just personal taste when choosing the best kitchen cabinet color for your space.
In this guide, we'll help you choose your perfect kitchen cabinet color based on factors like lighting, countertop color, and the size of your kitchen. While crisp white kitchen cabinets are a safe bet, you may find a color that's better suited for your space and style.
Looking for expert kitchen design advice? Our NKBA certified designers can offer personalized recommendations on the best kitchen cabinet color, style, and finish to bring your dream kitchen to life.
Consider the Size of Your Kitchen
Kitchen size is one of the most important factors when determining your kitchen color scheme. Some colors can help open up and brighten a small kitchen, while others may cause it to feel busy and cramped. On the contrary, those same bright shades may cause a large kitchen to feel sterile and cold.
“Sizing, as well as window/door placement, plays a huge part in cabinet color selection,” says Jessica DiSanto, one of Kitchen Cabinet King's top NKBA-certified designers. “Certain finishes will make the space feel smaller, while others can help the room appear larger.”
Swatch colors referenced: Ice White, Townplace Cream, Lait Gray, Xterra Blue
Small kitchens are often best served by muted colors or classic white cabinets that can make your kitchen feel larger. Shades of white, cream, sage green, or powder blue reflect light, enhancing the sense of space and making the perimeter of a small kitchen appear to recede. You'll amplify this effect with a high-gloss cabinet finish or polished backsplash.
While white cabinets are often the go-to for small kitchens, you can still add color without overwhelming your space. Two-tone kitchen cabinets, for example, allow you to choose a grounding color like navy blue for your base cabinets or island, while white upper cabinets maintain the illusion of more space. You can also choose an eye-catching accent color for your countertop decor, servingware, or appliances.
Swatch colors referenced: Midtown Gray, Imperial Blue, Bowery Laurel, Tribecca
You'll have more cabinet color options when working with a space that's 10x10 square feet or larger.
According to DiSanto: “There is a little more freedom in a larger space. You can still opt for lighter colors/tones to create even more openness, or you can go with the medium- to darker-toned cabinets for something more dramatic.”
Dark or light colors will work well in a large kitchen, but pay special attention to how they're used.
For example, baby blue or pastel pink cabinets might work in a smaller kitchen, but all that bright color in a large space may be a bit overwhelming. Similarly, stark white for both your upper and lower cabinets may cause your kitchen to feel more like a hospital and less like the heart of your home.
The best cabinet colors for large kitchens strike a balance between cozy and clean - think forest greens, dark stained wood, slate grays, and classic creams.
If you have a sprawling kitchen island, consider highlighting it with an accent shade to add color and contrast to your design.
Keep Your Design Style in Mind
If you're leaning toward a more traditional style kitchen, creamy white, beige, or gray shaker cabinets will lend themselves to a cozy yet luxurious aesthetic. Dark-stained wood cabinets also have a place in traditional kitchen design, especially when paired with light stone countertops.
On the other hand, transitional and modern kitchens may incorporate more natural wood, moody blues, calm greens, and even pink pastels. If you want to add a pop of personality to an ultra-modern kitchen, glossy slab cabinets in bold red or sunny yellow can add some serious interest to an otherwise neutral color palette.
Work With Your Lighting
You'll also want to consider how your kitchen lighting and orientation can work with (or against) your color choice. Understanding the type of natural light your kitchen gets will help you decide which hues work best.
It's common design knowledge that dark colors will make a space feel smaller, while light colors can open up a room. If you're lucky enough to have a large south- or west-facing kitchen window and plenty of warm natural light, you can accentuate the space with light-colored cabinets like white or sage.
However, if you have a north-facing kitchen with cold natural light, you may want to avoid cool-toned colors like stark white or ice blue - these shades can cause your kitchen to feel even more chilly. In this case, cabinets in warmer shades like these madison honey or bowery laurel cabinets can make your space more inviting. Dark colors with warm undertones will also work well.
On the other hand, dimly lit kitchens may benefit from light cabinet colors like bowery seabreeze, as these shades reflect light and can make the space appear brighter. Avoid dark-colored cabinets in dim kitchens, as these will appear to absorb more light (unless you're going for that trendy black-on-black look, in which case the lack of contrast can actually make your space feel wider).
Complement Your Countertops and Backsplash
Whether you want to add a bit of contrast to your color scheme or take a cue from modern monochrome kitchens, coordinating your kitchen cabinet color with your countertop and backsplash is essential for creating a cohesive design.
If you're having trouble visualizing the elements of your kitchen together, the color wheel is a simple yet valuable tool designers often refer to when piecing together a kitchen color scheme. If you've already chosen a countertop or backsplash, you can use the color wheel to help you determine the perfect complementary cabinet color. Here are a few combinations our professional kitchen designers recommend:
Play It up With Color Combos, Tone, and Texture
Color isn't the only way to highlight an eye-catching element in your kitchen. Consider how textures can add dimension to your color palette. For example, pair earth green or sage cabinets with natural materials like butcher block countertops, stone backsplashes, and woven baskets. Or, draw attention to your island with wooden slats painted in a vibrant color.
Some other suggestions are:
- Installing two-tone cabinets
- Checking out some of the more textured cabinet styles, like beadboard or louvered cabinets
- Experimenting with color blocking to highlight certain areas of your kitchen
- Using a different material for your kitchen island, such as wooden slats or dowels
- Highlighting your island with a bright accent color
- Swapping out a few of your solid wall cabinets with glass-front cabinets
There are endless possibilities when choosing colors and textures for your cabinets. Since a kitchen remodel only happens every so often, the best combinations are the ones that'll spark joy for years to come. Pick colors and designs that speak to you rather than those you think are a safe bet.
Coordinate With Your Wall Color
If you're not planning on painting your kitchen walls, make sure your cabinets and wall colors don't clash. If your walls are a neutral shade of cream, white, or gray, you should be able to choose from any shade of cabinet color.
However, if you're planning a full kitchen remodel, your walls will likely need a refresh. If this is the case, look for opportunities where an accent wall color can shine. The space between your base countertops and wall cabinets is the perfect place to add a fun pop of color, especially if you chose a neutral color for your cabinets.
Tips To Choose a Cabinet Color You'll Love for Years to Come
Your kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your home. Whether you're planning on hosting family holidays or simply stopping in for a quick cup of coffee, you should look forward to spending time in your kitchen. If you're planning a kitchen renovation, here are a few more ideas to help you determine the kitchen cabinet colors you'll love the most.
- Refer to your wardrobe: The colors you wear most can be a good indicator of the shades you feel most comfortable with. “If you are someone who tends to wear a neutral palette, stick to what you feel good in,” advises DiSanto. “This will decrease the chances of you becoming bored with your selection. If you tend to experiment or live in more bold colors, extend that into your kitchen design.”
- Consider resale value: If you're thinking of selling your home in the near future, avoid bold colors and stick to neutral hues like white or gray.
- Combine two tones: If you're indecisive or don't want to fully commit to a bold color, choose a statement color for your base cabinets and keep your wall cabinets neutral. Dark base cabinets also hide dirt and fingerprints better.
- Try staining instead of painting: Solid wood cabinets look amazing when their natural pattern and grain is visible. For a more organic feel, try staining your wood cabinets instead of painting them.
- Match the tone of your kitchen: Are you a lively entertainer? Or someone in need of a quiet retreat? Think about how you plan to use your kitchen and how colors can affect the overall mood and tone.
- Think about the rest of your home: Your kitchen is probably a central area of your home, so try to match the color scheme of the surrounding rooms to help the space flow.
How To Choose a Kitchen Cabinet Color FAQs
What is the most popular color for kitchen cabinets?
Neutral shades like white, beige, and gray are the most popular kitchen cabinet colors due to their versatility. These colors pair well with just about any counter or backsplash and are safe choices for all decor styles.
Should cabinets be darker or lighter than the wall?
There are no strict design rules when it comes to pairing cabinet and wall colors - it all depends on personal preference. Walls may be darker, lighter, or even the exact same shade of your cabinets if you're going for a seamless, modern design.
What cabinet colors are timeless?
Neutral kitchen cabinet colors like white, beige, and gray have been the most popular cabinet shades for decades. However, versatile paint colors like navy blue and sage green are also proving to be timeless choices for those wanting a bit more flair.
What color cabinets show the least amount of dirt?
Dark-colored cabinets like navy blue or espresso-stained cabinets with a satin or semi-gloss finish show the least amount of dirt and fingerprints. If you're worried about grime buildup, avoid white, black, and matte-finish cabinets.
Your kitchen cabinets are often the first things people notice when they enter your kitchen. Whether you want to create a calm, soothing atmosphere or a lively family hub, the kitchen cabinet color you choose will have a noticeable impact on the look and feel of your space.
For more cabinet inspiration, browse our collection of ready-to-assemble and pre-assembled kitchen cabinets. Whether you're looking for classic white shaker cabinets or a more striking style, we have the perfect cabinets for every kitchen design.
