How to Choose the Right Color for Kitchen Cabinets

As a space for gathering, creating, and going about day-to-day necessities, the kitchen is arguably the most important room in your home. Therefore, whether you’re building a brand-new kitchen or undertaking a major renovation, it’s important to carefully choose each fixture, finish, and appliance.

Among the key components of any kitchen are the cabinets, which play a significant role in the room’s overall look and functionality. In addition to choosing a style and material for your cabinets, color is a main consideration. While some homeowners opt for natural or stained wood cabinets with varying amounts of the wood knots and grain visible, there are also numerous paint colors to choose from, ranging from cool whites and light grays to soft, warm hues such as buttery yellows or sage greens, to bold colors like blue, red, or even black. With so many options available, it can be difficult to know where to start in choosing a shade that will complement the style of your home. Here are some key factors to help guide your decision:

The size of the kitchen. If your kitchen is on the smaller side, it’s probably best to stay away from dark-colored cabinets, which can make the space feel more cramped. On the other hand, lighter colors—such as white, cream, and light gray—can open up the room and make it appear more spacious. Another idea for smaller kitchens is to add a glossy finish to the cabinets as a way to create the illusion of depth.
The amount of natural light that streams in. Closely related to the size factor is the amount of natural light that enters your kitchen. If you have large windows that let in plenty of light, you’ll have more flexibility and can likely choose light or dark colors, or anywhere in between. However, if your kitchen is dimly lit, sticking with cabinets in cool or neutral tones offers a way to reflect light. Warm yet lighter colors, such as buttery yellows, are another great option.
The style of your kitchen and home. Another important consideration is the design aesthetic of your kitchen and your home overall. For instance, if your home has a more traditional style, you may want to opt for white or cream-colored kitchen cabinets, or alternatively, leave wood cabinets unpainted but with a rich stain that will emphasize the wood’s natural grain. On the other hand, if your home leans toward contemporary, consider stark neutrals—such as white, gray, and black—or bold hues, like deep blues, striking reds, or vibrant yellows.
The colors and finishes of the surrounding elements. The kitchen is made up of several different components, and the colors and textures of each should work together to create a cohesive look. Therefore, when choosing a color for your cabinets, it’s important to consider the color of the countertops, backsplash, and surrounding walls. There are two basic options: to have the color of the cabinets blend in with these items for a sleek, seamless appearance (such as in the case of the ever-popular all-white kitchen), or to choose contrasting yet complementary colors. With the latter, there are several possible variations. While combining dark shades with white or very light cabinets (and vice versa) is always an appealing choice, you might also want to mix it up by looking at the color wheel and selecting other complementary hues. For example, bold yellow or orange cabinets may work well with a soft blue backsplash; black cabinets can complement a red-painted island; and mint or sage green can be beautifully paired with cabinets in the brown family.
The impact on your home’s resale value. When remodeling your kitchen, you are probably focused on your own family’s enjoyment of the space—but as with any other home improvement project, the impact on your home’s resale value is a potential consideration. If you think you might move anytime in the next few years, it may be best to opt for neutral colors, such as white, cream, or light gray, as darker and bolder hues could be off-putting for some buyers.
Current kitchen cabinet trends. While the above factors should weigh most heavily in your choice of kitchen cabinet colors, you might also draw inspiration from current trends in kitchen design. An array of gorgeous shades have been popular in 2022, including greens ranging from light mint to calming sage to a rich hunter green, yellows from warm and buttery to sunny and vibrant, deep navy blue (which is commonly paired with antique brass hardware), and black, which provides a striking complement to white or very light gray countertops, backsplashes, and wall colors.

When installing new kitchen cabinets, the color you choose will help set the tone for the entire room and your home overall. In addition, there are many other important factors to consider, such as the material the cabinets are made from, the finish, the style (such as Shaker, beadboard, or glass front), and the hardware that you pair with them.

At Primera, we understand that the right cabinets are integral to your kitchen, and we strive to make the process of choosing cabinets as easy and exciting as possible. Whether you’re a home builder, buyer, or designer, our team is here to guide you through our extensive selection of cabinet choices and assist with your design decisions.