I have received so many emails and questions asking for suggestions of kitchen cabinet paint colors that I thought I would go ahead today and share some of my favorite kitchen cabinet colors. ** I just updated this post with new colors on 2/8/15 with the most updated popular paint colors.  You can get to that post by clicking the image directly below:
I think kitchen cabinets are the toughest paint color decision that we’ll make (it’s agonizing really).  I hope these images and colors I’m sharing with you today will get you a little closer to finding that perfect  color.
I have narrowed down my favorites to nine colors that have a lot of depth, are fairly safe and are also versatile. Â I am steering clear of the whites because shades of white really boil down to the undertone of your adjacent wall color, counter tops and flooring. Also, if you want to see more cabinet colors, be sure and look through my “Pick a Paint Color” board on Pinterest here, where I have almost 200 images of paint colors with the name and brand.
So let’s jump right in;
1) Gettysburg Gray by Benjamin Moore
Gettysburg Gray by Benjamin Moore is by far my favorite kitchen cabinet color right now. Â In fact, this is probably what I will be going with in the next few months when I repaint my cabinets:
This gray color has a slight green undertone and this is a beautiful color with a lot of depth and it’s also versatile. Â As I look at the paint card in my kitchen, it is possible that it could be too dark for those who do not have a lot of natural light in the kitchen. Â If it’s too dark for you, consider going up a shade (on the same card) to either Sandy Hook Gray or Rockport Gray, which are lighter versions of this gorgeous color.
2) Iron Mountain by Benjamin Moore
Iron Mountain by Benjamin Moore is one of those colors that every time I see an image of it in a different space, the color looks different. Â I call colors like this chameleon colors because they change so much depending on the amount and type of light and the paint finish that is used.
Here in this image below, the color almost looks like a dark brown with a very slight hint of gray (keep in mind that this kitchen has a lot of natural light from overhead):
Source: Coco Cozy
This image below, which appears to have more artificial light than natural, takes on a more lighter gray color than dark brown. The island is Iron Mountain and the cabinet color as well, which is Stone Harbor by Benjamin Moore:
In my kitchen, the paint card looks like a neutral espresso dark brown. Â I have a lot of natural light. Â It’s really a rich and gorgeous color and if I had lighter colored counters, I would probably go with this color. I have black granite counter tops, so I am very limited.
3) Ashwood Moss by Benjamin Moore
Ashwood Moss by Benjamin Moore is a new color for me to come across but I have to say, it was love at first sight. Â I am not able to find any images of this color on kitchen cabinets but I think these two images below from For the Love of a House will give you a pretty good feel for the color:
Source: For the Love of a House
Source: For the Love of a House
I love this Ashwood Moss because it’s not too dark and it’s not too light, just in the middle. Â I don’t know with certainty but I suspect this is another chameleon color that will really look different in every space. Â I could see it taking on a blue hue or a green depending on the lighting and surrounding colors. It’s a very rich gray with a lot as depth as well.
By the way, if you get a moment, you should check out Joan’s beautiful blog For the Love of a House, where she shares her journey of transforming an antique farmhouse into her home. Â This piece is just one of many transformation that Joan has shared.
4) Fieldstone by Benajmin Moore
I have been in love with Benjamin Moore’s Fieldstone for several years now ever since the fabulous Joni from Cote de Texas showed us Sally Wheat’s kitchen:
source: Cote de Texas
Source: Cote de Texas
Fieldstone again with gorgeous brass hardware designer Kristin Prickett from the beautiful blog bestfromournest:
Fieldstone is a light gray color that just comes to life in kitchen. Â I love it because it is safe but has a lot of depth. Â It works well with either silver or brass hardware and it is such a versatile color and could work in a lot different palettes.
5) Dark Granite by Behr
Dark Granite by Behr paints is another color that I just love and you can see in the image below that it really packs a punch in the kitchen with it’s depth:
Dark Granite is really a the truest dark gray that I have seen. Â As I look at the paint card in my kitchen, I cannot see an undertone at all and its just a true dark gray about two shades up from black. Â Colors like this-with very little undertone, work well by picking up the surrounding tones. Â Notice how the flooring, lighting and the counter tops bring out a warm tone in this color. Â It’s so interesting because there is no warmth in this color at all. Â The color is reflecting the tones of the room.
If you are concerned about undertones and are looking for a darker color, Dark Granite is a great place to start!
6) Urbane Bronze by Sherwin Williams
I wanted to throw a great kitchen accent color into this post and Urbane Bronze by Sherwin Williams is the perfect color to use to add a small pop. Â I’m not sure about painting all of the cabinets in this color but a center island, the back of open shelving or even a pop out cabinet, this color is perfect for adding a little drama.
Source: Nest Egg
Source: Honey We’re Home
By the way, Urbane Bronze is also a great door color as well:
Source: Emily A. Clark
7) Raccoon Hollow by Benjamin Moore
Raccoon Hollow is a color that I have only recently come across and I just love it. Â Again, it’s a safe neutral grayish-slight yellow/brown undertone with a lot of depth as well:
Source: Venegas and Company via Houzz
You can get a better feel of this color and it’s yellow/brown undertone by seeing it painted on a wall here:
Source: Decor Pad
8) Rockport Gray by Benjamin Moore
Rockport Gray has been around awhile as well and it’s one of those tried and true colors that works well on both the wall and on cabinets. Â Rockport Gray is the lighter shade on the same card as my favorite Gettysburg Gray. Â Again, this color has a slight green undertone:
Source: Visual Comforts
The lowers and the island are painted in Rockport Gray:
Source: Cote de Texas
9) Downpipe by Farrow & Ball
Downpipe by Farrow & Ball is another one of my favorites because again, it’s a gorgeous rich, darker color with a lot of depth:
Source: House and Home
Source: House and Home
Source: Mo Theach
I don’t have a Farrow & Ball fan deck to tell you more about the color/undertone (I really need to get one), but it looks to me that this color has an obvious blue undertone and I think it’s a true slate color. Â I especially love this color mixed with brass hardware.
Well, did you see a color that you like? I would love to know which of these kitchen cabinet colors jumps out at you the most? Â I know one thing, it’s going to be really hard for me to make my final decision because there are just so many beautiful colors out there.
If you need a little help in narrowing down a paint color and choosing a color with the right undertone for your space, you can check out my post Tips and Tricks for Choosing the Perfect Paint Color for a little help. I also shared more paint color images in that post as well if you want to see more colors.
Thanks for hanging out with me today for Friday Favorites and I hope you guys have a wonderful weekend!
Cheers!
Cyndy
Arlene@Nanaland says
Loved this post….choosing paint colors is always such a chore. Then once you choose them you just hope that it looks like you “think” it will look in your home!!
Cyndy says
You’re right Arlene, it can be such a chore to choose just the right color. I have learned the hard way that the best way to make a decision is working backwards and eliminating tones and shades that won’t work. If I do this process in the space with the lighting, I have so much more control. Thanks so much for stopping by Arlene!
Gwen says
Thanks for all your tip/tricks/information! Love this. I’m struggling with my home. Kitchen cabinets are painted an off white/beige color, and all trim in my house is about the same color. Many wall and cabinet colors will not “pop” against a beige trim or cabinets. To add to the problem, I have tile countertops, which I love, but they’re that 80’s hunter green! Trying to find a wall color and eventually a cabinet color that tone down the hunter green. I tried a Tuscan red – ended up with a Christmas kitchen! 🙂 I have plantation shutters, so changing out the entire house to white trim/shutters is out of the question. As for the colors of grey for a kitchen – when we were searching for a home prior to purchasing this one, I went inside a home with the prettiest grey cabinets. They had a black table that appeared to be granite, but not certain. Prettiest kitchen I’ve ever seen. Keep up the great work – love reading your creativity exchange!
Megan says
So many wonderful tips and ideas! I love them all! 🙂
Molly says
Hi Cyndy, When trying to print the cone patterns, I am unable to write anything in the “scaling” box. Will they be the right size if I write 100% for the scale? Thank you very much.
Lisa says
Do u have any suggestions for cabinets with dark granite tops? Mine is UBS tuba with black green tones. All of your samples had light tops which were beautiful
Alissa says
I have hickory cabinets with a good deal of grain. Do you suggest going to the extra effort to put a skim coat to fill in the grain before painting? Would also love a paint color suggestion that will work with Uba Tuba granite. Thanks
Abid says
Hi, I liked all the colors that you suggested. I have 1973 walnut colored cabinets and yellow countertops and I’m really tight with budget. Granite guy told me that he can give me a good deal with uba tooba. Floor will be hickory laminate and appliances black. There is no natural sunlight in the kitchen. What color will u suggest? You have great taste and I’m counting on u to make a decision. Many thanks.
Judi says
Thanks for the great article! I am going with Racoon Hollow for my new kitchen cabinets. Any suggestions for wall/trim color in kitchen or colors that would look good to use in dining/living room (which is now open to kitchen since we’ve removed a wall). I am awful with color but want good flow & something that pops a little in the kitchen.
Thanks!
Ann says
I am about to paint my kitchen cabinets..need help.I would like to get a paint color to look like hickory in color.Is this possible?I am on a budget and in no way afford Hickory cabinets..but love the color.Thanks
Viva says
Having a difficult time choosing Paint Colors. Have painted with ‘revere pewter’ (Benjamin Moore Paint) – not really liking it. Windows are PVC – color ‘Sandalwood’ (kind of taupe/brown) and cabinets grey brown stain. Would like a warm color not too dark. Stainless steel appliances and black countertops with brown, off white, gray flec.
Please help with wall color and window frame (I tried to match frames with color of window) unsure. Would like warmth that’s why not sure about gray tones. Any ideas would be appreciated!
Beth Jackson says
I love these colors! Reminds me of some colors I saw for the premium paint that Carolina Heartwood Cabinetry offers..
Linda Sherman says
Dear Cindy:
Please help!!! I have tile granite in “tan brown” on my counters and walls. I need to paint my oak cabinets and want a really updated somewhat sophisticated look. Can you please tell me what color you would choose? P.S. My walls are kind of a very light mossy green color (kind of like the walls on the picture above of the vanity with the gold mirror)and I just don’t know if using Rockport Grey will work well with this particular granite (I know I should have done slab, and also something cooler, but now I’m stuck) Please give me your best advice!! Could I email you a picture??
Christy Taylor says
Which color did you finally decide on? I am just curious since I have dark granite countertops as well and am looking to repaint my kitchen cabinets too!
Michelle A says
Love the color suggestions! I’m a bit on the fence with Iron Mountain, but am loving the Urban Bronze! I read your post about how to pick wall colors, but do you have any suggestions on how to decide on a color for cabinets? Our granite has green, gray, a bit of beige, and a very dark espresso color. It’s gorgeous, but I’m undecided if I want to go with a cream color cabinet or dark. Our floors are pretty neutral – dark beige, with white appliances and trim around the house.
dorothy says
hi,my kitchen looks sad old white cabinets top and bottom which once was white looks dingy and old.want to paint the kitchen a green but have hard time chosing colors.help.i have upper and lower cabinets witha countertop that is fake oak laminate top and a brownish gold floor which hopefully eventually change to a grey .i need help?
Grace says
I too have black counters with black appliances. I also just put white beadboard for backsplash. I love the country green colors for cabinets. Can I put white for the top cabinets and country green distressed for the bottom? Your opinion would be greatly helpful and appreciated!
linda says
I have a condo in Florida and am redoing my rather small kitchen. I have two nice size windows and have plenty of light. I chose light grey cabinets, white subway tile back splash and white and grey vein matte porcelain floor tile. Also have a stainless tin tile ceiling. Suggestions for counter top, wall color and cabinet hardware are most helpful. I have wwhite applances. Thank you, Linda
Leesa Hernandez says
I was wondering if you had any recommendations for paint color with ‘Venetian Gold’ granite countertops…and I’m thinking of only painting the lower cabinets and island while leaving the remaining white. Since the kitchen is open-planned and has southern exposure, natural light is in abundance.
Tina Hanselman says
I love all of this information. I have a very tiny galley kitchen with not a ton of natural light.
I love the idea of dark gray lower cabinets, and white upper cabinets, white walls and a white/gray “marble-like” counter top. Plain white subway tile. We are looking for an inexpensive/cosmetic re-do.
Leaning toward the Behr Dark Granite with Benjamin Moore Simply White upper cabinets and walls.
I like the idea of Benjamin Moore Iron Mountain, but I don’t really want anything that will look brown.
I just stumbled across your blog post, and I really love all of your suggestions. I am checking out your info on white paint next.
Any ideas you may have, please chime in. Thanks so much.