How to Choose the Best Kitchen Cabinet Colors in 2024
The kitchen is the heart of your home and choosing kitchen cabinet paint colors can be a daunting task. But picking out the perfect kitchen cabinet color will help create a fresh look for your outdated kitchen cabinets and give you a space that is uniquely yours.
The question for many homeowners is what colors they should be using to paint or stain their kitchens. With so many choices out there, it can be difficult to decide which one to pick!
In this article I’m going to cover different ways to go about choosing kitchen cabinet colors for your kitchen. We’ll cover the latest trends, as well as timeless cabinet colors that never go out of style so you can create your dream kitchen!
Choosing Kitchen Cabinet Colors
Contents
When you are choosing kitchen cabinet colors you want to consider the style of your home and the other colors in your kitchen.
Do you have a traditional kitchen? You may want to go with stained dark cabinets or a creamy white. If your home is more modern you may want bolder colors.
Think about the color of your walls and trim and whether you want to pick a shade that will stand out for a nice focal point or blend in for a neutral look.
You also need to take into consideration that dark tones can make a small space feel smaller, while lighter shades will make it feel bigger.
One of the easiest ways to decide when choosing kitchen cabinet colors is by looking in magazines or online for inspiration. Head to your local Barnes and Noble and grab a stack of home design magazines and a coffee and start browsing.
Or hop on Pinterest and search for kitchen cabinet colors according to the style of your home. Create a board to save your favorites to refer back to later. You should start to see a pattern for what you’re drawn to when it comes to colors or stains.
Kitchen Cabinet Color Trends
Now that we’ve discussed ways to narrow your options down, let’s talk trends and popular kitchen cabinet colors.
This year it’s all about the neutrals, but that doesn’t mean lack of color! A bold hue can still be considered a neutral color depending on what decor it is being paired with.
Warm Neutral Kitchen Cabinets
In 2024, warm tones on kitchen cabinetry have emerged as a prominent trend in interior design, captivating homeowners and designers alike.
These earthy tones not only give kitchens a sense of comfort and coziness but also exude a contemporary elegance that aligns seamlessly with the current design landscape. Soft beige, muted taupe, and earthy caramel tones have become the go-to choices, reflecting a desire for warmth and tranquility in living spaces.
This trend resonates with clients seeking a timeless space that transcends fleeting fads. The versatility of warm neutral cabinets allows for effortless pairing with various countertop materials, backsplashes, and hardware.
As we navigate the design landscape of 2024, warm neutrals stand out as a choice that not only follows the currents of contemporary taste but also promises enduring appeal in the years to come.
Sage Green Kitchen Cabinets
Green has made a comeback in recent years. Sage green kitchen cabinets are a great option if you’re looking for a way to make a statement while adding some life and softness to your kitchen.
This beautiful kitchen designed by Poppy of Dust Sheets and Decor features sage green cabinets with white tiled backsplash and white oak flooring to add some warmth to the space.
Oil Cloth by Benjamin Moore is a great light sage green color for cabinets.
Dark Green Kitchen Cabinets
But if you’d like to add some drama to your kitchen, dark green kitchen cabinets are a great choice! A versatile color, dark forest green kitchens can be paired with light or dark quartz countertops or stained butcher block.
Use a creamy white or a light beige like Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige on the walls to enhance dark green kitchen cabinets.
Did you know you can order peel and stick paint samples from Samplize? Try these popular Farrow and Ball kitchen cabinet shades of green:
Yellow Kitchen Cabinets
Another popular trend for kitchen cabinet colors is yellows. From soft buttery yellows to bright lemon yellows, this happy color is perfect for kitchens that need a boost. Pairing yellow cabinets with white walls and appliances is a classic look that will never go out of style.
Try Benjamin Moore’s Yellow Lilies for a softer yellow or Delightful Yellow for a brighter yellow!
Black Kitchen Cabinets
Still trending in cabinet paint colors this year is black, particularly matte black. While black kitchen cabinets can seem overwhelming, using them as an accent or with white walls and appliances is a minimalist look that works in any home.
Choosing black kitchen cabinets with stained floating shelves like this kitchen by Anna West Interiors can make a beautiful statement.
Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black is a popular choice! We chose this color for our bathroom cabinets and love how they turned out!
Navy Blue Kitchen Cabinets
Navy blue is a perfect cabinet color for your kitchen. It’s a bold color that can make a room feel cozy and intimate. Paired with beige or white walls and brass hardware, navy blue cabinetry with a satin finish are elegant and create a timeless look.
Benjamin Moore’s Hale Navy is a beautiful choice for kitchen cabinets!
Remember: Try ordering different paint color samples from Samplize to get the perfect shade for your cabinets!
Trendy Kitchen Cabinet Stain Colors
Darker stains are making a comeback this year and are a great way to add some character to your kitchen. If you’re looking for a traditional look, try a dark mahogany or cherry stain. For a more modern feel, go with an ebony or black stain.
But a lighter shade and natural wood are still very popular and can give your kitchen a fresh, airy look. Try a light oak, maple or birch stain for a traditional feel or a white wash for a more modern look.
No matter what style your kitchen is, there’s a cabinet color or stain to match! So get creative and have some fun with it. The possibilities are endless!
Timeless Kitchen Cabinet Colors
Now that we’ve covered the latest trends in kitchen cabinet colors and stains let’s talk colors that stand the test of time.
While all of the colors I’ve mentioned are trendy this year, there are also some timeless kitchen cabinet colors that will never go out of style.
Classic White Kitchen Cabinets
White is a timeless color and is always a safe choice. It will never go out of style regardless of what anyone says. White paint colors are perfect for almost any design style and can be paired with virtually any color scheme.
The downside of having white cabinets is that they can show dirt and stains. If you want white cabinets, you may want to choose white uppers and go with a darker color on the lowers, which we’ll talk more about later.
Timeless Black Kitchen Cabinets
Black cabinets, while currently trendy, are also another timeless classic that can give your kitchen an updated look. Whether your home is traditional, farmhouse or more modern, black cabinets can make a beautiful statement.
They can also be paired with a wide variety of wall colors making it a versatile color.
But you’ll want to take into consideration the size and lighting in your kitchen. If you have a smaller kitchen that doesn’t get a ton of natural light, black cabinets may make it feel small. Choose a light wall color like white to contrast the darker cabinets.
Versatile Gray Kitchen Cabinets
Gray kitchen cabinets continue to stand as a timeless and sophisticated choice for homeowners, earning their status as a classic in Interior designers appreciate the enduring appeal of gray cabinets, which effortlessly blend modern aesthetics with a touch of timeless elegance.
The neutral and versatile nature of gray allows for seamless integration into various design styles, from sleek and contemporary to more traditional and rustic settings. Whether in light shades like dove gray or deeper charcoal tones, gray cabinets provide a neutral foundation that allows other design elements to take center stage.
Moreover, the adaptability of gray makes it easy for homeowners to refresh the look of their kitchen over time by incorporating different accents and accessories.
Two-Tone Cabinets
Two-toned kitchen cabinets continue to be a popular and a top choice for homeowners. By using a contrasting color or stains on your cabinets, you can add visual interest to your kitchen and make it stand out from the rest.
The combination of contrasting colors or materials on upper and lower cabinets adds visual interest and depth to the kitchen design. This approach allows homeowners to play with a variety of color palettes, textures, and finishes, creating a look that reflects their individual style.
Whether it’s pairing classic white cabinets with a rich wood tone or blending muted neutrals with bold pops of color, the versatility of two-toned cabinets opens up a world of design possibilities.
Beyond being aesthetically pleasing, this trend also offers a practical solution for breaking up a large kitchen or defining specific zones within the space.
In 2024, the enduring popularity of two-toned kitchen cabinets showcases a homeowner’s desire for a personalized and beautiful, welcoming space.
Here are a few more color options to try when mixing kitchen cabinet colors:
- Sage green lower cabinets with white oak upper cabinets
- Soft yellow cabinets with a gray island
- Dark stained cabinets with white island
- Black lowers with white uppers
- Dark green lowers with buttery yellow uppers
- White oak cabinets with a black island
The options are endless and will really make your kitchen pop!
Changing Kitchen Cabinet Colors
If you’re looking to change kitchen cabinet colors and it’s not in the budget to hire a professional, be sure and check out my article and video on How to Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets (the Right Way!).
When we moved into our home, we had off-white cabinets sorely in need of a fresh paint job. We opted to paint them ourselves using SW Perpetual Gray and have absolutely loved them!
And if you’re getting ready to remodel here are 10 ways you can save on a kitchen renovation!
Kitchen Cabinet Colors FAQs
How do I pick the right color for my kitchen cabinets?
Take into consideration the style of your home along with the current color scheme. What will match with what you already have in place? Don’t forget to look at other design features like your countertops and backsplash.
Do you have marble countertops that go with almost any shade or granite countertops with a color pattern that will narrow down what shades you can choose? Use these features for inspiration.
Should kitchen cabinets be lighter or darker than walls?
If you have dark walls, lighter kitchen cabinets will provide contrast and brighten up your kitchen. If you have light walls you can go with a darker cabinet color.
Light walls and light cabinet colors work well together, too. For example, light gray cabinets with white walls provide a light and airy feel.
Should kitchen cabinets be painted the same color as the walls?
Generally speaking, you do not want to use the same color on your walls and cabinets unless you’re going with a lighter or darker shade of the same color for contrast.
What is the most popular kitchen cabinet color for 2024?
Earthy tones, warm grays, and neutral beiges are trending for popular cabinet paint colors in 2024. Homeowners are flocking to these shades to add a cozy and peaceful feel to their kitchens and home in general.
What color cabinets show the least dirt?
Stained cabinets tend to show the least amount of dirt. Medium paint shades like sage green, grays or blues also work well to hide dirt.
Should cabinets and trim be the same color?
This is really your preference. If you want to create a cohesive feel then having your cabinets and trim the same color will bring unity. If you want to add visual interest and a pop of color then opt for different colors like white trim and gray cabinets.
How can I make my kitchen look bigger?
If you’re wanting to achieve the feel of a larger kitchen opt for lighter colors on the walls and cabinets. This will give the illusion of space and will give your kitchen a roomy and airy feel!
What’s the best color to paint kitchen cabinets for resale?
Stick to neutral paint colors like white or gray if you’re painting your kitchen cabinets for resale. Neutral colors appeal to the masses and a lot of times it’s the kitchen that is the deciding factor in making the sale.