10 Popular Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colors

Decor experts weigh in on hues that look good and stand up over time

By
Deirdre Sullivan
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Deirdre Sullivan
Deirdre Sullivan is an interior design expert and features writer who specializes in home improvement as well as design. She began her career as an assistant editor at Elle magazine and has more than a decade of experience. Deirdre contributes content for brands including The Spruce and Realtor.com, and has been a featured speaker at various conferences.
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Updated on 07/05/21
Kitchen cabinets with white paint colors

The Spruce / Almar Creative

When you are ready to redo your kitchen cabinets, changing the paint color can provide a fresh new look at a fraction of the cost. Save the money you would have spent refacing or replacing your cabinets, and invest that in good quality paint that will last. The right kitchen cabinet color will instantly freshen a tired kitchen.

  • Color Family: Includes black, white, gray, beige, blue, and green
  • Complementary Colors: Most colors
  • Pairs Well With: Most colors
  • Mood: Fresh
  • Where to Use: These are top choices for cabinets, but the versatile selections work well for trim, too

Here are the 10 best kitchen cabinet colors picked by decor experts.

  • 01 of 10

    Best Cool White: Sherwin-Williams Snowbound

    Snowbound by Sherwin-Williams SW 7004

    The Spruce

    Jessica Salomone, the owner and principal interior designer at Lotus and Lilac Design Studio, loves to update kitchen cabinets with paint when designing new spaces. One of her top picks for cabinetry is Snowbound by Sherwin-Williams. The hue has a slightly cool undertone, unlike commonly used warm whites. "This crisp, clean white is perfect for transitional and modern interiors," she says. Sherwin-Williams hues come in all types, including acrylic, latex, oil-based, and more.

    Tip

    If your cabinets were previously painted with water-based latex paint, stick with that. You can use latex over oil, but oil won’t adhere well over latex. Oil-based paints may be smoother and more durable, but they produce fumes. Latex is a safe bet if you don’t know which type the old paint is.

  • 02 of 10

    Best Dark Gray: Sherwin-Williams Web Gray

    Web Gray Sherwin-Williams

    The Spruce

    "Web Gray by Sherwin-Williams is a stylish yet timeless and versatile color for kitchen cabinets," says Melissa George, the decor blogger behind Polished Habitat. "It is a little unexpected, but still a solid neutral that works with everything from modern gold accents to farmhouse style. It's the paint color that readers ask about most in our house." While it's easy to become intimidated by deep colors, this dark gray is a nice transition if you're looking to go from white or light-colored cabinets to dark ones.

  • 03 of 10

    Best Navy Blue: Sherwin-Williams Salty Dog

    Salty Dog Sherwin-Williams Paint

    The Spruce

    "Navy is a classic paint color for kitchen cabinets that will never go out of style, and it works great with warm-toned metals, such as brass and copper," says Rebecca Langman, an interior designer and owner of Revision Custom Home Design. She recommends Salt Dog from Sherwin-Williams. It's a beautiful true navy that works with most kitchen hardware finishes for faucets, knobs, and cabinet pulls.

  • 04 of 10

    Best Green: The Spruce Best Home Matcha

    The Spruce Paint color swatch in Matcha

    The Spruce

    "The outdoors inspires my work, so I enjoy greening up interiors with colors found in nature," says New York City architect John Mochelle. "The Spruce Best Home Matcha is a lovely color for kitchen cabinets. It is a muted shade of green with a delicate yellow undertone. I suggest pairing with terra-cotta floor tiles." This 32-color curated collection includes timeless neutral shades and bold statement hues.

    Continue to 5 of 10 below.
  • 05 of 10

    Best Sage Green: Farrow & Ball Pigeon

    Farrow & Ball Pigeon No. 25

    The Spruce

    A light sage green is a luscious color for kitchen cabinets, according to Jessica Salomone, the interior designer behind Lotus and Lilac Design Studio. "I recommend Farrow & Ball's Pigeon. It is a gorgeous hue perfect for a broad range of decorating tastes from traditional to modern farmhouse style," she says. This sage hue is also a popular choice for kitchen islands.

  • 06 of 10

    Best Warm White: Benjamin Moore Decorator's White

    Decorator's White Benjamin Moore

    The Spruce

    Architect Taryn Bone from Bone Collective Studio is fond of Decorator's White from Benjamin Moore. "It has a warmth that bright white misses, but it is not too warm, so it still works well with cooler tones such as gray and blue," she says. You can't go wrong with this timeless color favored by home DIYers and decor professionals for sprucing up any set of cabinets.

  • 07 of 10

    Best Black: The Spruce Best Home Phantom Black

    The Spruce paint swatch in Phantom Black

    The Spruce

    "For drama, The Spruce Best Home Phantom Black is a chic option for cabinetry," says architect John Mochelle. "If you are going for the two-tone look, it works beautifully on base cabinets when paired with upper cabinets in a contrasting neutral color. I also think it is a great hue for kitchen islands because it can hide those pesky scuff marks." This brand comes in three sheens: matte, satin, and semigloss, using low-odor, low-VOC ingredients that are stain-resistant, washable, and long-lasting.

    Tip

    Semigloss is a good paint finish for cabinets. Or if you want them really shiny, go with gloss. The cabinets will be easier to clean than if you paint them in flat or eggshell.

  • 08 of 10

    Best Beige: Magnolia Home Gatherings

    Magnolia Home Gatherings

    The Spruce

    As an interior designer for Fantastic Services, Issabel Williams has helped countless homeowners pick the best paint colors for their particular spaces. "Gatherings by Magnolia Home is one of those paint shades that look beautiful in almost any light, making it an ideal choice for kitchens with or without natural light," she says. "In sun-drenched spaces, the paint color can lean toward a greige-tinged white. In darker rooms, it feels more beige with an undertone of gray." This paint comes in eggshell, matte, and satin sheens. The brand describes this hue as golden gray with amber and tan undertones.

    Continue to 9 of 10 below.
  • 09 of 10

    Best Charcoal Black: PPG Black Flame

    Black Flame by PPG Paints

    The Spruce

    "Dark hues are trending in cabinetry," says PPG Porter Paints color expert Dee Schlotter. "For a modern look that infuses sophistication and elegance into your cooking space, incorporate black matte lower cabinets with upper open shelving. Coat your cabinets in PPG Black Flame, and pair with burnished gold or amber handles for a dramatic look sure to impress dinner guests." Black cabinetry might sound daring, but it's always a stunning choice. Not to mention the charcoal in this shade helps mellow things out. PPG describes this color as a dark, cool mulberry black with a royal blue undertone. This paint also pairs well with creamy white trim.

  • 10 of 10

    Best True White: Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace

    Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore

    The Spruce

    "If white cabinetry is the goal for any style kitchen, I am partial to Benjamin Moore's Chantilly Lace," says Ryan Bernstein, an interior designer with Foreground Design. "It's an incredibly versatile white—not too cool, not too warm, right down the middle. It really is the perfect white." It's a fail-proof choice when you're in search of white kitchen cabinetry that will hold true to its color. Benjamin Moore says this crisp, clean white evokes the feeling of soft silk and linen.

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