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Looking for kitchen color schemes with cherry cabinets that feel stylish—not dated? Cherry wood cabinetry adds warmth, richness, and character to a space, but finding the right paint colors to pair with it can be tricky. Depending on the exact shade—deep red, reddish-brown, or light cherry pink—you might want to tone it down, highlight it, or create a more modern contrast.
In this post, I’m sharing the best paint colors to use with cherry cabinets, whether you’re trying to complement the warmth, soften the red undertones, or create a fresh, updated palette that works with the rest of your home.
How to Downplay or Highlight Your Cherry Cabinets
Ever wonder why certain colors look so good together, while others just… don’t? That’s where color theory comes into play, and it’s a game-changer for decorating your space, especially when you’ve got standout features like cherry cabinets to work with.
Understanding Complementary Colors
Complementary colors sit opposite each other on the color wheel. For cherry cabinets, which typically lean red or reddish brown, the complementary shades are in the green and blue-green families. Using them will create contrast and draw attention to the cabinetry.
On the other hand, if you want your cherry cabinets to blend more seamlessly into the room, you’ll want to work with soft neutrals or paint colors that have subtle undertones that complement rather than contrast.
Colors That Complement Cherry Cabinets
1. Rich Cream
Creamy colors with pale yellow undertones enhance cherry wood’s warmth. Try:
- SW Creamy (SW 7012)
- BM Navajo White (OC-95)
2. Deep Green
Muted greens provide contrast without overpowering. Great options:
- SW Evergreen Fog (SW 9130)
- BM Essex Green (HC-188)
3. Earth Tones
Terracotta or clay colors echo the warmth of cherry wood. Consider:
- SW Cavern Clay (SW 7701)
- BM Firenze (AF-225)
Colors to Avoid
Some colors don’t play nicely with the red undertones of cherry cabinets:
- Cool grays or greiges with green undertones (like BM Grant Beige) can feel “blah”
- Bright whites create too much contrast
- Soft blue-greens like SW Sea Salt often clash
- Bright blues such as BM Stratford Blue overly emphasize red undertones
Best Wall Colors To Modernize Cherry Cabinets
If you want your cherry cabinets to feel more current without painting over them, these modern wall color picks are a great place to start.
The following paint colors have been chosen because of their soft taupe or pink undertones, which helps to tone down and modernize the cherry tones, instead of accentuating them like a contrasting (complementary) color would.
1. Benjamin Moore Classic Gray
Classic Gray is a soft off-white greige that creates a calm, neutral backdrop and mutes the red tones of cherry wood beautifully.
Read the full Classic Gray review.
2. Sherwin Williams Alpaca
Alpaca is a warm greige that offers just enough contrast while gently softening the intensity of cherry cabinets.
Read the full Alpaca review.
3. Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist
Light greige with a violet undertone that gently diffuses red.
4. Sherwin Williams Heron Plume
Heron Plume is an ethereal, off-white greige that provides lightness without high contrast.
5. Sherwin Williams Incredible White
With its taupe-violet undertones, Incredible White strikes a perfect balance between softness and contrast.
6. Benjamin Moore Pale Oak
Pale Oak is a warm beige-gray neutral that enhances cherry wood without overpowering it.
Read the full Pale Oak review
Pale Oak’s understated elegance allows the cherry cabinets to stand out, providing a clean and inviting look that’s both timeless and modern.
7. Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige
Accessible Beige has a pink-taupe base that helps neutralize the red tones of cherry cabinets, creating a balanced, welcoming space.
Read the full Accessible Beige review.
Coordinating Paint, Cabinets & Finishes
Can I mix cherry cabinets with a painted island or lowers?
Yes! A painted island or base cabinets in soft greens (like SW Evergreen Fog) or greiges (like Accessible Beige) can create contrast and modernize the look while keeping the warmth of cherry wood.
What about flooring—how does that play a role?
If your flooring is warm-toned, opt for cooler or neutral wall colors for balance. If your floors are cool (like gray tile), use warm neutrals to tie the cabinets into the space.
Additional Design Tips
- White countertops: Offer crisp contrast and a timeless look
- White backsplash: Adds brightness and works well with most palettes
- Small kitchens: Use lighter paint colors to open up the space
Don’t Forget…
Don’t forget – no matter what you’ve read or photos you’ve seen online, it’s really important to sample paint colors in your home before committing!
Samplize provides real paint samples that are easy to move around your home, and cheaper than buying a gazillion paint pots! It’s the only way I buy paint samples.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most cherry cabinets have warm red or reddish-brown undertones. Depending on the stain, some may lean slightly pink or orange. Understanding this helps you choose paint colors that either tone down or highlight that natural warmth.
Neutral paint colors with taupe, warm gray, or pink-beige undertones help soften and tone down red hues in cherry wood. Colors like BM Pale Oak, SW Accessible Beige, and BM Balboa Mist are excellent options.
Ever wonder why certain colors look so good together, while others just… don’t? That’s where color theory comes in. Complementary colors (like green or blue-green) sit opposite red on the color wheel, so they’ll emphasize cherry cabinets and make them a focal point.
Want a softer, more subtle look? Stick with paint colors that share similar undertones—like warm grays or taupes—to help the cabinets blend in instead of stand out.
Yes, but if you love the richness of cherry wood, consider modernizing with paint color instead. Soft greiges and warm off-whites can dramatically update the look while preserving the beauty of the wood.
It depends. Cooler shades with violet or blue-gray undertones (like SW Incredible White or BM Balboa Mist) can work well if they’re soft and not overly icy. Avoid sharp, cold colors like bright white or blue-greens, which can clash with red undertones.
Stick with soft, slightly warm whites like SW Alabaster or BM White Dove. Crisp whites (like Chantilly Lace or SW Extra White) can look too stark next to cherry wood and emphasize red tones in a jarring way.
Bringing It All Together
Color theory is your secret ingredient to picking the perfect paint color to work with your cherry kitchen cabinets. By carefully selecting the right paint color and considering the overall design elements like countertops, backsplash, and flooring, you can create a beautifully harmonized kitchen that enhances the natural beauty of cherry cabinetry.
Whether you’re aiming for a traditional look with earth tones or a more contemporary style with light colors and modern accents, the right color palette can transform your kitchen into a space that feels both unique and inviting.
I’m trying to update our kitchen on a budget. It never occurred to me that changing the paint color could help. Glad I found this post! I really like the SW accessible beige. What backsplash and cabinet knobs would you recommend with this paint color and cherry cabinets?