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Choosing a paint color for your kitchen cabinets is a big decision—after all, they take up a lot of visual real estate and set the tone for your whole space. Whether you’re looking for bold color ideas for painting your kitchen cabinets, or playing it safe with a classic white, the right choice comes down to more than just trends.
In this guide, I’m breaking down the best painted cabinet colors—from designer-approved neutrals to bold blues and modern earth tones. I’ll also share how to pair them, which undertones to watch for, and how to create a cohesive palette that works with your kitchen’s style and light.
What to Consider Before Picking a Cabinet Color
1. Your Kitchen’s Lighting
- North-facing = cooler light (emphasizes blue/gray)
- South-facing = warmer light (pulls out yellow/red tones)
- East- and west-facing = mixed lighting
2. Your Kitchen’s Style
Modern, traditional, coastal, farmhouse—your cabinet color should support the overall vibe.
3. Your Finishes
Look at your countertops, floors, backsplash, and hardware. Matching undertones = a more polished look.
Related: Looking to DIY the paint job? You’ll need to know the best paint for kitchen cabinets.
Best White & Neutral Cabinet Colors
(Great for timeless, versatile kitchens)
1. Sherwin Williams Pure White
A soft, neutral white with a touch of warmth. It’s clean without being stark and pairs well with both cool and warm finishes. This is my personal go-to.
Pairs well with: white quartz, brass hardware, greige walls
2. Sherwin Williams Alabaster
Warm and creamy, without being yellow. Ideal for farmhouse or traditional kitchens with wood accents.
Pairs well with: marble, butcher block, gold fixtures
3. Benjamin Moore White Dove
One of the most popular Benjamin Moore cabinet paint colors. It’s soft, warm, and works well with both light and dark countertops.
Watch for: it can go yellow in warm light—test first!
4. Sherwin Williams Repose Gray
A greige that feels airy and soft. I love this for cabinets in homes with lots of mixed undertones.
Pairs well with: wood tones, cool or warm metals, neutral walls
5. Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter
A slightly warmer greige than Repose Gray. If you want something deeper but still neutral, this is a beautiful choice.
Best Blue Paint Colors for Kitchen Cabinets
(Perfect for coastal, classic, or two-tone kitchens)
6. Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray
This is what I used in my pantry and I still love it. It’s a soft blue-gray that can lean slightly green depending on the light.
Pairs well with: white uppers, marble backsplash, brass accents
7. Benjamin Moore Van Courtland Blue
A classic colonial-meets-coastal blue. It’s soothing and timeless, not too bold.
Palette idea: White Dove walls, Van Courtland Blue lowers, wood open shelving
8. Sherwin Williams Naval
A deep navy with rich saturation. Great for a high-contrast kitchen island or full lower cabinetry.
Pairs well with: Pure White uppers, warm brass, walnut wood floors
Best Green & Earthy Cabinet Colors
(Bring the outside in with these nature-inspired tones)
9. Sherwin Williams Pewter Green
This muted, dark sage green is trending for a reason. It’s rich and cozy but still sophisticated.
Pairs well with: Alabaster walls, black hardware, natural wood accents
10. Benjamin Moore Char Brown
An unexpected but stunning earthy brown. If you’re leaning into the mushroom trend or love wood tones, give this one a look.
Design tip: Pair with olive or copper touches for a moody, earthy kitchen
Best Dark & Bold Cabinet Colors
(Statement-making but surprisingly versatile)
11. Sherwin Williams Peppercorn
A dark charcoal that shifts from gray to soft black with the light. Beautiful for cabinets or a dramatic island.
Great for: two-tone kitchens, moody contrast, mixed with white countertops
12. Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black
Want pure drama? Tricorn Black is the boldest choice. Use it on a kitchen island or all lowers in a space with lots of natural light.
Design idea: Tricorn Black lowers, Pure White uppers, warm wood stools
RELATED: Paint colors that go with cherry cabinets.
Cabinet Color Combinations
Here are a few tested combinations to get your ideas flowing:
Classic & Timeless
- Cabinets: SW Pure White
- Island: BM Chelsea Gray
- Walls: SW Repose Gray (50% lighter)
- Trim: SW Pure White
Coastal Cool
- Cabinets: BM Chantilly Lace
- Island: BM Van Courtland Blue
- Backsplash: Honed marble
- Walls: BM Chantilly Lace
- Trim: BM Chantilly Lace
Earthy Modern
- Cabinets: SW Pewter Green
- Island: Natural wood
- Walls: SW Drift of Mist
- Trim: SW Pure White
How to Test Cabinet Paint Colors (Without Regret)
- Use peel-and-stick samples from Samplize or paint large foam boards.
- Test in different lighting: morning, afternoon, evening.
- Hold your sample next to counters, backsplash, and flooring—not just a blank wall.
- Look at sheen—satin is usually best for cabinets.
Frequently Asked Questions
A: SW Pure White or BM White Dove—they never go out of style.
A: Try SW Alabaster, BM Simply White, or Greek Villa.
A: Yes—but consider using them on your island or lowers only, paired with white uppers to keep things light.
No! Just make sure the undertones don’t clash (i.e., warm with warm, cool with cool, or neutral with either).
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.
The Takeaway
The best painted cabinet colors aren’t always trendy—they’re the ones that work with your kitchen’s light, finishes, and your personal style. Whether you lean traditional with warm whites or want something fresh like blue paint for kitchen cabinets, there’s a shade that fits your space.
Need a place to start? Try one of the palettes above—or head to your local paint store with a few samples and see what sparks joy.
And if you’ve painted your cabinets recently – I’d love to see them! Tag me on Instagram @jennakateathome and show off your kitchen glow-up.
Such a great post! My husband and I are looking into getting our kitchen cabinets painted and it has been quite the ordeal trying to figure out what will look best in our kitchen. I’m so glad I came across your site to help me! Thanks for sharing!
What color are the walls in the picture with pure white cabinets
Hi Mary, you’ll have to click through to the source and see if they have the info. It’s not my home.
Awesome post. I like the Courtland Blue cabinets for their classy look. I bought the best paint sprayer for cabinets to accomplish this task.
oh my gosh I love that blue cabinet refinishing!
Great post! My kitchen and bathroom cabinets are a beautiful sage green. We built in 2015 and even our builder and his wife, an Interior Designer, were not sold. But we love it and it’s amazing how anyone coming to our home loves the colors. It was a gamble but I’m happy to see that the trend is now to have options with color.
Chy