When designing a kitchen, choosing the right cabinet color is one of the most impactful decisions. The shade of your cabinets sets the tone for the whole room, affecting how inviting, spacious and stylish your kitchen feels. With limitless options from bright white to bold blues to warm wood tones, it can be overwhelming to select cabinet colors that perfectly suit your space.
We’ll go over key factors to keep in mind, popular color schemes and the latest trends. By the end, you’ll have the knowledge to confidently choose cabinet hues that make your kitchen shine.
Factors To Consider When Choosing Kitchen Cabinet Colors
Many elements come into play when determining the most flattering and functional kitchen cabinet colors. Carefully considering the following factors will ensure your color selection meshes well with your overall kitchen design.
Kitchen Size and Layout
A kitchen’s size and floorplan should significantly influence your cabinet color choice. Darker cabinets make small kitchens feel more closed in and cramped. Opt for light, bright white or pale gray cabinets to open up the space visually. In a spacious kitchen, there’s more flexibility to use bolder navy or black cabinets without feeling overwhelming.
Also note how the cabinet color appears next to walls, appliances and edges. In a galley kitchen, you see the cabinet sides, so a harmonious color is key. With L-shaped and U-shaped layouts, you primarily view the cabinet fronts, allowing more versatility.
Style of Kitchen and Home
Aim for cohesive design by selecting cabinet colors that align with your kitchen and home’s overall style. For contemporary spaces, sleek white, gray or black cabinets make a sophisticated statement. In modern farmhouse kitchens, classic white paired with wood tones fits right in.
Make sure your cabinets coordinate with other finishes like hardware, lighting and accessories too. The colors you choose for these elements and the cabinetry should feel cohesive.
Type of Cabinet Materials
Factor in how your cabinet color will look with the cabinet materials. With wood cabinets, your options include various stains from light birch to dark walnut. Painted wood cabinets allow even more versatility. Laminate and thermofoil cabinets limit you to their pre-set colors, which are often neutral.
Also consider the cabinet boxes. Having different colored fronts and boxes can look disjointed. For a seamless, built-in look, make the tones complementary.
Countertops and Backsplashes
Your countertop and backsplash materials also affect cabinet color selection. Contrasting cabinet and countertop colors make each stand out. White upper cabinets provide a crisp contrast to a rich butcher block counter. Similar cabinet and countertop tones blend for a streamlined look. For example, pair concrete-colored countertops with pale gray cabinets.
When it comes to backsplashes, matching materials create a cohesive effect. Blue mosaic tile complements navy blue cabinets beautifully. Or go for contrast with a neutral travertine backsplash and bold teal cabinets.
Popular Kitchen Cabinet Color Ideas
Now that we’ve covered the key considerations, let’s explore some favorite kitchen cabinet color palettes along with their benefits.
Bright White
It’s no surprise that white reigns supreme when it comes to popular kitchen cabinet colors. Crisp, clean white instantly brightens up any kitchen. The light reflects off the cabinetry, making the space feel more open and airy. White cabinets pair effortlessly with any countertop material from gleaming white marble to rich wood.
White also complements any decor style. Contemporary kitchens benefit from sleek white cabinets. Farmhouse kitchens feel inviting with classic white painted cabinetry. For a bit more warmth, opt for white with a subtle cream undertone.
Cool Grays
For a more modern, sophisticated look, gray kitchen cabinets are a top choice. They provide an ultra-neutral backdrop that allows other elements like a colorful backsplash or hardware to stand out.
The shade of gray makes a difference. Greener-tinged grays like sage bring subtle depth. Blue-gray shades keep things airy and light. And for a cozy cottage feel, weathered charcoal gray fits right in.
Classic Blue
While blue may not be your go-to cabinet color, it offers some beautiful benefits. Pale blue-gray cabinets provide a calming, spa-like effect. Navy blue makes a dramatic impact combined with white countertops. Even a blue-green, reminiscent of the ocean, feels peaceful and inviting.
Rather than overwhelm with all-blue cabinets, use blue as an accent. Try it on an island cabinet or just the lower ones. This allows you to enjoy that pop of blue without it overpowering the space.
Inviting Wood Tones
You simply can’t go wrong with the natural beauty of wood cabinets. Wood brings warmth and texture to kitchens in a way that painted cabinets cannot. Popular wood species like maple, oak and cherry each have their own unique grain patterns and colors ranging from creamy white to deep brown.
Staining wood cabinets allows you to customize the intensity of the color. A light natural stain keeps things airy, while a dark walnut stain amps up the drama. For a coastal feel, opt for a weathered gray driftwood stain. No matter what you choose, wood adds organic richness.
Charismatic Black
While dark colors can overwhelm in a small kitchen, don’t count out sophisticated black cabinets. The deepest shade available, black makes a serious style statement. Against a light backdrop, glossy black cabinets command attention.
For a more nuanced look, try adding texture. Matte black cabinets minimize boldness. Or go for an elegant black stained wood finish. Use black in moderation, like just on the lower cabinets or island. This prevents it from visually closing in the space.
2023 Kitchen Cabinet Color Trends
Ready to get ahead of the latest kitchen cabinet color trends? Here are some new and unique shades predicted to rise in popularity in 2023.
Nature-inspired greens like sage and forest green are emerging in kitchen cabinets and beyond. These organic hues bring the outdoors in. Pair green cabinets with natural wood accents for a relaxed, earthy vibe.
We’re also seeing new interpretations of classic colors. Navy cabinets feel fresh again combined with brass hardware. Black gets a modern update with velvety matte finishes and black stainless steel appliances.
Warm, earthy tones are also on the rise. Think rich terra cotta, camel and burnt orange. These cozy shades add warmth and vibrancy to both modern and traditional spaces.
While white, gray and wood tones remain sought-after, these novel hues put a current twist on kitchen cabinet color trends.
Tips For Selecting Your Kitchen Cabinet Colors
Once you’ve narrowed down your preferred cabinet color options, keep these tips in mind as you finalize your selection:
- Order samples: Have small color swatches shipped so you can view them in your kitchen.
- View in all lighting: Colors appear different in morning vs. evening light.
- Test combos: Paint color patches on cardboard to visualize combinations.
- Coordinate with appliances/cookware: Compare to larger elements like your fridge.
Finding a harmonious kitchen cabinet color ultimately comes down to you and your personal taste. Keep in mind how the shade fits into your space as a whole. Be sure any companions like backsplashes, countertops and hardware complement it. With the considerations covered here guiding you, you’ll choose a hue that makes your kitchen glow.
Kitchen cabinet colors have a big impact on the ambiance of the space. Factors like the room size, layout and overall style should inform your selection. Popular and timeless choices like bright white, soothing gray and rich wood will never go out of style. And new trends like emerald green and terra cotta give you fresh, contemporary options.
Whichever cabinet color you settle on, the tips above will help you make the optimal decision. With cohesive, harmonious kitchen cabinet colors, you’ll have a kitchen that looks as good as it functions.
