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Choosing the perfect white paint for your kitchen cabinets can feel like an impossible task. With so many undertones, finishes, and lighting situations to consider, it’s no wonder so many people end up disappointed by their final choice. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the most popular white paint colors for kitchen cabinets – and more importantly, how to choose the one that will actually look good in your specific kitchen. We’ll cover lighting, undertones, hardware, style, and even offer real-life cabinet color combinations to make this your most helpful resource yet.
My Top 5 Whites at a Glance
| Paint Color | Undertone | Best For | LRV |
|---|---|---|---|
| SW Pure White | Neutral, slightly warm | Most kitchens | 84 |
| BM White Dove | Warm, creamy | Traditional | 85 |
| BM Chantilly Lace | Neutral but slightly cool, crisp | Modern | 92 |
| SW Alabaster | Warm | Farmhouse | 82 |
| SW Extra White | Cool | High contrast | 86 |
3 Things to Know Before You Pick a White Paint
1. Your Kitchen’s Natural Light Exposure
The direction your kitchen faces plays a huge role in how white paint reads:
- North-facing: Cool light enhances gray or blue undertones.
- South-facing: Warm light may exaggerate yellow undertones.
- East-facing: Bright morning light, cooler in afternoon.
- West-facing: Cooler in morning, warm in late afternoon.
Pro Tip: Always sample white paints at different times of day in your kitchen. Morning light can make a color look totally different from afternoon or evening light!
2. Your Hardware & Fixtures
Cool-toned hardware (chrome, nickel) pairs best with cool or neutral whites. Brass, bronze, or copper finishes tend to look best with warmer whites.
3. Your Countertops, Flooring & Backsplash
Look at the undertones in your countertops and flooring. Pairing a creamy white with a cool-toned marble can make the cabinets look dingy in comparison. Matching undertones = cohesive look.
Best Cool White Paint Colors for Kitchen Cabinets
Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace
The brightest, cleanest white in the BM lineup. Slightly cool, with barely-there blue undertones. Beautiful in modern kitchens with lots of natural light.
Want to learn more about this paint color? Read my full Chantilly Lace paint review.
Sherwin Williams Extra White
A crisp, cool white that can lean blue in shadowy light. Looks great with navy, black, or gray countertops.
My SW Extra White paint color review has lots more detail about whether it’s a good choice for you.
Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White
A soft, cool white with gray undertones. Can look muted in lower light or next to brighter whites—great for a subtle look.
Is this cool toned white right for you? Learn more about Decorator’s White in my full paint color review.
Best Neutral White Paint Colors for Kitchen Cabinets
Sherwin Williams Pure White
My go-to white. Neutral with just a touch of warmth and gray. Works beautifully with both warm and cool finishes. If you’re unsure where to start—start here.
There’s so many reasons why this is my favorite white paint color. Read my Pure White paint color review to see why.
Sherwin Williams High Reflective White
SW’s brightest white with no discernible undertone. Not always stocked, but an excellent substitute for BM Chantilly Lace.
Benjamin Moore Simply White
A warm-leaning neutral white. Looks creamy in low light, clean and fresh in sunlight. Great with warm metals and wood tones.
Best Warm White Paint Colors for Kitchen Cabinets
Benjamin Moore White Dove
A creamy white with soft gray and green undertones. Can turn yellow in certain lights or when paired with cooler elements. Test carefully!
I personally prefer a brighter white cabinet, but White Dove is one of my favorite paint colors. Read my White Dove paint color review to learn more about this soft white paint color.
Sherwin Williams Alabaster
A warm white with beige and gray undertones. Looks soft and cozy in sunlight, but may show yellow in artificial light.
This one can be tricky so be sure to read my full Sherwin Williams Alabaster paint color review.
Sherwin Williams Greek Villa
A creamy white with a beige undertone. Bright but soft—works beautifully with warm wood floors and brass hardware.
This paint color is becoming more popular every year! It’s a lovely cabinet color but also a great wall color. Read more about it as well as its undertones and limitations in my Greek Villa paint color review.
Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee
A popular designer favorite with subtle green undertones. Often lightened by 25% for a softer look (like Shea McGee does). Test this one carefully—it can shift dramatically depending on lighting.
Again, not the white I would personally choose because it can skew a little green, but designers love it! Read more about this creamy shade of white in my Swiss Coffee paint review.
Best Whites by Kitchen Style
Modern Kitchens
- BM Chantilly Lace
- SW Extra White
- SW High Reflective White
Traditional & Farmhouse Kitchens
- BM White Dove
- SW Alabaster
- SW Pure White
Low-Light Kitchens
- SW Greek Villa
- SW Pure White
- BM Simply White
Real-Life White Cabinet Color Combinations
Need help pulling your palette together? Here are a few cabinet + wall + trim combinations to inspire:
- Classic & Timeless:
Cabinets: BM White Dove
Island: BM Hale Navy
Walls: SW Repose Gray (50%)
Trim: SW Pure White - Soft & Organic:
Cabinets: SW Alabaster
Island: Wood stain
Walls: SW Drift of Mist
Trim: SW Pure White - High Contrast Modern:
Cabinets: SW Extra White
Island: SW Iron Ore
Walls: SW Pure White
Trim: SW High Reflective White
Cabinet Sheen & Ceiling Tips
Ceiling color tip: If your cabinets go to the ceiling, use the same color on both to avoid contrast clashes. Otherwise, off-the-shelf ceiling white works fine for cool or neutral whites.
Use satin or semi-gloss on cabinets—they’re easier to clean and more durable. Avoid flat or matte sheens on cabinetry.
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
SW Pure White or BM White Dove—both are soft, versatile, and flattering in most kitchens.
SW Alabaster, BM Simply White, or Greek Villa
Stick to SW Extra White, Chantilly Lace, or Decorator’s White
Yes—but make sure they share the same undertone family and use them intentionally (like cabinets vs. walls).
Final Thoughts
The best white paint for your kitchen cabinets isn’t about what’s trending—it’s about what works in your space. Lighting, countertops, floors, and hardware all impact how white paint looks once it’s on your cabinets.
Start by narrowing down the undertone that works best in your kitchen, then test 2–3 samples in different spots and lighting conditions. If you’re still unsure, Pure White by Sherwin Williams is a safe and versatile option that works in most homes.
And if you’ve found a winning combo—share it! I’d love to see it. Tag me on Instagram @jennakateathome or drop a comment below.
What white paint is in the opening photo?
BM Simply White
Yes! Not all white shades are the same – been telling this as well. Although I am partial to warm shades of whites. They are my “favorite”.
This was so unbelievably helpful. Thank you so much for your insight, doing the homework for us & sharing. Cheers!!!
Hi Jenna! I love your style! I’m looking to refinish my cabinets to white, and currently have agreeable gray on the walls which I love! I don’t have a lot of natural light but have windows with green views. Any thoughts on colors to try? Thanks!!