Choosing the perfect paint color for cabinets can be agonizing because there are so many gorgeous colors out there that can be almost impossible to narrow down choices. I wanted to share with you 30 beautiful cabinet paint colors for kitchens and baths that are also some of the most dependable and versatile colors out there for cabinetry. Many of these colors I have either used myself for my own projects, or have recommended to my clients. I’m also sharing a few tricks that I use with my clients as we select the best cabinet paint color for a space that we won’t regret.
While these colors that I’m sharing with you are dependable colors, it’s still very important that you sample a color before you paint in the space so you can see how your lighting throughout the day impacts the color. The color may not be what you envision and that’s no fun, especially if you skipped sample testing and went straight to painting.
Balanced Whites
One of the first things I consider about when choosing a kitchen/bath/media center cabinet paint color for a client is to determine if we want the color to contrast, or blend into the space. In spaces with low ceilings or tight spaces, I like a cabinet color that blends and is either the exact wall color (or very close), so the space appears larger and ceilings appear higher than they really are.  In these type of low ceiling spaces, balanced whites with a neutral undertone (that are not too warm or too cool), will always make a space appear larger if used on both the wall and cabinetry.
Imagine this beautiful space below if the built-in cabinetry was painted a dark contrasting color. The space would feel a lot smaller.
Sherwin Williams Alabaster via Heather Scott Home
Some of the most beautiful balanced neutral whites that I like to recommend for cabinetry are (keep in mind that the white paint color cards below look warmer online than in person);
Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White
Sherwin Williams High Reflective White
Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace
Benjamin Moore Simply White
Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White
In smaller kitchens, that are not open to the living room, I also like to stick with the same color on both the cabinets, wall color and select a backsplash in the same color (some contrast in tile would still work as long as it’s the same color) to make the space appear larger. Of course, neutral whites or very light (almost white) balanced grays can make a space appear larger vs. selecting a mid-tone or dark color.
                                           via Artisan Signature Homes
If you want to lighten up a space like a bathroom and laundry room, which traditionally doesn’t have much natural light, Sherwin Williams High Reflective White will do the trick!
                        Sherwin Williams High Reflective White via Martha O’Hara Interiors
Dark Moody Colors
 In spaces with high ceilings, I like to recommend a color for the cabinetry that contrasts the wall color, especially for media cabinetry in a living room because it makes a space appear cozier with spacial balance. I loved how Millhaven Homes selected the perfect contrasting dark moody color (Benjamin Moore Trout Gray) in this living room space below to balance the high ceilings.
 
Benjamin Moore Trout Gray
Dark moody colors are predicted by the paint companies to be one of the biggest trends in paint colors in 2019 and this is something that I have really been seeing the last year in new construction, especially when it comes to cabinetry colors. These dark rich colors on cabinetry in spaces with white walls are a stunning contrast and such a beautiful option.
Benjamin Moore Hale Navy via Studio McGee
Sherwin Williams Porpoise
Dark moody colors on cabinetry in the right spaces can make a beautiful statement and add a richness to a space instantly!
Here are some of my favorite moody colors that look incredible on cabinetry;
Sherwin Williams Needlepoint Navy
Sherwin Williams Urbane Bronze
Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue
Benjamin Moore Dragon’s Breath
Neutral Balanced Grays
Neutral colors, such as balanced grays are always a great choice for cabinetry and still one of the most popular choices with consumers according to the paint manufacturers. I like to stick with the lighter warm grays vs. mid-tones because just like whites, lighter shades of neutrals can also help to keep the whole space feeling light.
Benjamin Moore Fieldstone
Benjamin Moore Fieldstone
I like to recommend either Sherwin Williams Mindful Gray or Repose Gray more than any other color for cabinetry for my clients because these light warm grays are nearly perfect without a strong undertone. I don’t have to worry about different lighting situations and know that these two neutral grays will always look beautiful on cabinetry in any room of a home.
                         Sherwin Williams Mindful Gray via Mawr Design
Sherwin Williams Mindful Gray
A word of warning though when it comes to choosing warm grays… It’s critical that you sample the color you’re considering in the space with the lighting. Light warm grays can instantly lean blue, green or even peachy depending on undertones in certain light. It’s best to play it safe!
Some of the most beautiful balanced neutral warm grays that I recommend to my clients for cabinetry are;
Sherwin Williams Mindful Gray
Sherwin Williams Repose Gray
Benjamin Moore Stonington
Benjamin Moore Gray Owl
Muted Colors
Keep in mind as you choose cabinetry colors that you don’t want to have to re-paint each year, which too many layers of paint can add up to uneven finishes and durability problems. If you choose a timeless paint color, you can go longer without having to re-paint and change colors. As tempting as it is to choose a fun bold color for the moment like an electric blue, softer colors like a muted transitional blue are timeless and less trendy.
                                  Benjamin Moore Night Train via Vanessa Frances
Just like whites and the lightest warm grays, lighter muted colors can do double-duty when it comes to cabinetry by helping to keep a space feeling light, while at the same time adding some beautiful contrast.
Benjamin Moore Van Courtland Blue via Stephanie Gamble Interiors
Farrow and Ball Green Blue via Cortney Bishop Design
My favorite muted/softer colors that I like to recommend for cabinets are;
Sherwin Williams Sea Salt
Sherwin Williams Copen Blue
Sherwin Williams Stardew
Blacks and Almost Blacks
I love the drama and contrast that a great black on cabinetry in the right space.
Benjamin Moore Onyx via Realm InteriorsÂ
Black cabinetry in the wrong space can sometimes overwhelm and fight with other elements in a space like floor wood tones and other undertones. If you have what or black tile (like the space above), a true black can be breathtaking. However, other spaces with wood floors or wood tile floors, I like to play it safe and recommend an “almost black” for cabinetry just to ensure that everything in the space works together. You still get that great contrast but by simply choosing an almost black with a gray or brown undertone, you add that hint of warmth that beautifully blends and compliments wood tones.
In my client’s kitchen below, the client wanted black on the island but I convinced her to do an almost black (Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron) instead because of the slight warmth in Wrought Iron to better compliment/blend with the wood tones in the flooring and it would not be as harsh.
Some of the most beautiful almost blacks and dark browns for cabinetry to look at are;
Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron
Benjamin Moore Cheating Heart
Beautiful blacks for cabinetry that I recommend to my clients are;
Sherwin Williams Greenblack
Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black
I have been recommending Benjamin Moore’s Dragon’s Breath for cabinetry and interior doors for almost 10 years now and it’s still one of my all-time favorite colors.
Benjamin Moore Dragon’s Breath
Matte Satin, Semi-Gloss or High Gloss
It’s pretty easy these days to choose a cabinetry sheen because most of what’s trending with consumers is matte satin sheen. I very rarely see a new home these days that has a semi-gloss or high gloss. Once in awhile, I will see high gloss maybe on office cabinets or a bathroom vanity for a design impact but it’s very rare.
The reason matte/satin is so popular with cabinetry sheen is that matte hides imperfections better, the color is more uniform and you don’t see brush marks. Semi-gloss and high gloss bounces light so the color will appear uneven because of the shine and brush marks and imperfects really jump out.
You will notice that I mainly shared Sherwin Williams paint colors in today’s post (I sprinkled in some Benjamin Moore colors). I prefer Sherwin William paints for cabinetry, so I usually stick with Sherwin Williams. I’m not a fan of color matching Benjamin Moore to Sherwin Williams paint for cabinetry because the bases are not the same. However, below are a list of Benjamin Moore’s most popular paint colors right now that are all beautiful for cabinetry if you prefer Benjamin Moore paint.
Thanks so much for stopping by today!
Cheers!
Cyndy
Stephanie S Robinson says
Love your blog!! I just painted my kitchen cabinets in BM Hale Navy and added brushed brass hardware. It is such a fantastic color. I get so many compliments that my cabinets are now becoming famous in my neighborhood. BM paint was so easy to use and with some planning it was not an overwhelming project. Just had to be disciplined, organized and remember to use quality products down to the brushes. Thank you for the inspiration!!
Cyndy says
Thanks for your kind note Stephanie! Yes! BM Hale Navy is a fantastic color! Always looks so pretty! That’s awesome that you did it yourself! You’re so right, the right brushes and products will make all the difference! Thanks for your note! 🙂
Kellie says
Hi Cyndy,
I love your blog. The above cabinet picture (the one with the glass containers with the cookies) can you tell me the name of the gray cabinet color?
Thanks, Kellie
JEn says
I’d love to know the colour as well. I am looking for a matte gray like the one in the last picture with cookies
Edna says
I also would like to know the color of the cabinet in in the last picture that has the cookies on top. Thank you
Margaret says
I would love to repaint the bathroom cabinetry! My husband hates the smell of paint and I hit a brick wall when mentioning painting. Can I paint over the enamel paint with acrylic with less odor?
Cyndy says
Thanks for your note Margaret! You will need to paint a layer or two of primer over an oil based enamel to use a water based paint but the great news is that there are several good primers like KILZ that make low odor primer. After that, you are good to go and yes, you can find a low odor water-based paint option with almost every brand of paint. I hope that helps! 🙂
Thelma Tone says
I’m renovating a master bath and using a faux marble tile. Since it has shades of grey and various shades of whites what do you recommend as a color for tge vanity cabinets.
The ceiling is 8’. The size of the bathroom is about 10×12.. The adjoining master bedroom has shades of gold, beige, green with aqua.. Walls are BM Stonehouse which could be changed if needed.
I read your blog consistently and I’m impressed with your designing. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Thelma
Dorothy Lee says
Your blogs are so helpful and informative. I really appreciate what you are willing to share. Thank you for all the effort you make.
JR says
Great article, thank you! Which colors listed above blend well with golden oak trim? I would like to repaint some but not all of the wood and walls in our home.
Denise says
I have that same granite counter in my bathroom in the above pic, what is the grey color of cabinet? I like it, but think I would go one lighter. Thanks
Cyndy says
It’s Benjamin Moore Pigeon Gray.:)
Diane Brady says
Cyndy, the Information you provided in this blog was so helpful. I would like to know with what color the cabinets are painted in the picture with the kitchen cabinets under the counter with 2 cookie jars?
Cyndy says
Thank you Diane! The island color is Benjamin Moore Pigeon Gray. I hope that helps! Thanks for your note! 🙂
Helen Warren says
Love the article and learned so much!! I have the same question as JR above. I am painting the cabinets in two smaller bathrooms with golden oak trim. Would you recommend SW MIndful Gray, Repose Gray or BM Fieldstone? Is there another color you like better with golden oak trim? Thank you!!
Cyndy says
You can’t go wrong with any of those colors! I would sample both SW Repose Gray and BM Fieldstone just to see which color looks better in your light. Mindful Gray is one shade darker than the other two and may be a tad too dark for the space you described. Keep me posted! 🙂
Patricia Murphy says
Any way to find out where to get the bar stools on the Benjamin Moore fieldstone pictures? I love the kitchen as well.
Laura says
I have a lot of oak trim cabinetry/trim in our house and want to update it all with white. I’ve read your post on what white to pick for trim (there are so many options) and I think I’ve settled on decorators white. We have an open floor concept and lot of natural light in that space but not elsewhere in the house. Would you suggest I do the same color for my kitchen cabinets?
Cyndy says
Yes! I would for sure suggest that you carry the same white color on your trim and cabinets to keep everything cohesive and flowing. I would also suggest that you go ahead and sample both Decorator’s White and Simply White (both Benjamin Moore colors) just to make sure it’s exactly what you want. If you do not have a lot of natural light in your kitchen, Decorator’s White will lighten the space up. I hope that helps!
Pat says
We are remodeling a 1968 mid century modern and I am having the most difficulty choosing the exterior color. The home is in FL by a lake. I hired an online consultant who recommended grey for the main level and a slate blue for the lower level . With a Greystone roof (medium gray with blue undertones) wont the house look smaller between two darker colors and it is not a high roof- looks like a ranch-has a bridge to the front door which goes over a hill and the bottom level
Tracy Hampton says
I am in the planning phase of remodeling the kitchen, which will include painting lower cabinets BM Hale Navy and upper cabinets BM Decorators white (I will also request the Floetrol :)). The floors will be a dark wood tile (TBD on exact shade) with maybe a few morocco mosiac tiles thrown in here and there.
Any recommendation on wall color? I am thinking of maybe a lighter blue or a white with blue undertones??? I always get stuck on the wall color..
Cheryl says
We are currently remodeling our 27 year old oak kitchen cabinets and have pretty much decided on SW alabaster or BM white dove for the cabinets (we don’t want stark white cabinets) and BM evening dove for the island cabinets, would you suggest SW repose gray for the walls or SW agreeable gray? I like them both. Our kitchen/eat in kitchen has south and southwest windows.
I’ve enjoyed reading all your blogs and have learned so much!
Thank you, your thoughts would be truly appreciated!
Cheryl
Cyndy says
You didn’t mention if you had a lot of natural light in your kitchen. I’m going to assume that you do since you have south/southwest facing windows. SW Alabaster is slighter warmer (more yellow undertone) than BM White Dove. I would recommend that you sample both on poster boards in your light to make your final decision. My first instinct is that Alabaster could be too warm for kitchen cabinetry but that may be what you’re looking for. White Dove is warm but is a popular kitchen cabinetry color because it’s in between bright white and warm white. Instead of Repose or Agreeable, I would actually encourage you to look at BM Gray Owl. The warmth in the undertone would (in my opinion) better compliment both whites. Again, I would sample Gray Owl on poster board in your light to see what it does but I think it’s a safer route with what you have described. I love the BM Evening Dove on the island. Whatever you decide, these are all colors that can be somewhat finicky in certain lighting (except Evening Dove) and I would hate for you to not be pleased with the colors once you’ve painted them. Keep me posted! 🙂
Ellen Lind says
Great articles, both this one and the gel stain article. I have cherry wood cabinets and black granite kitchen, and although the cabinets are only 11 yrs old I am itching to make a change as I am over the cherry color and they are beginning to show their wear. What would you suggest from a house resale stand point, I have friends telling me don’t paint your cabinets! But I personally love the look of the painted wood. And if you do suggest painting, which color do you think would look the best with shiny black granite with flecks of green?
Thanks in advance for your reply!
tamiko mccloud says
I Have a very small kitchen that im renovating right now and plan to paint the cabinets. i need a light gray that will make space appear larger? do u recommend pigeon gray or mindful gray? im going to take your advice and paint the wall the same color just different sheen. i loved this post.
Diane says
We recently renovated our condo; installed new kitchen cabinets (MDF). We decided on the colour BM AF 680-Wish with the trimming Chantilly Lace. Having a heck of a time choosing a colour for the main living areas that would harmonize well with the kitchen cabinets. The condo is an open concept, kitchen, living room, fireplace and dining room. We have a lot of natural sunlight. The windows around the balcony are shaped in a “L” form so as you can imagine there’s a lot of lighting. I’ve tested various colours that I thought would to go well with the AF-680 Wish and have taken the liberty of listing them. Gray Owl, Collingwood, Classic Gray, Balboa Mist, Silver Satin, Calm, Sea Pearl and Etiquette. I was also thinking of cutting AF-680 Wish in 1/2 in order to make the colour lighter..
What would you suggest? In need of your assistance, running out of ideas.
I’ve enjoyed reading all your blogs and have learned so much!
Thank you, your thoughts would be truly appreciated.
Warmest regards,
Diane
Rachaels says
Hey there
Love the needle point Navy. My question though is what method do you use to paint the cabinets and make them have this look. I have the unfinished cabinets from Home Depot. So would you do satin or semi gloss, or…? And would you sand them down prior? What kind of brush etc. I want to make sure they look as great as the pictures. If you could detail exactly the method of how to achieve this (paint finish, sanding, clear sealer etc. that’d be AWESOME!!
Cheryl McGary says
We’re remodeling the kitchen/dining area by painting the cabinets, BM White Dove, Island BM Newburyport Blue and I am trying to decide on wall color. I like BM Collingwood. I have painted on white boards and it goes well with the quartz counter we picked, Pietra. We have moderate amount of natural like in the South and Southwest facing windows. Any thoughts on the wall color? I wanted a gray that is more neutral not really cool. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Melissa says
Your blog is very helpful. What do you think about the color snowbound for kitchen cabinets? I’m also planning on light grey subway tile with a white with grey vein quartz countertop.
Carol Cummings says
Hi Cindy,
I happened onto your blog and I need help with decorating. I have greyish blue (darker tint) with a white background in a floral print on my living room curtains, I love the colors. I bought new carpet and it is a lighter blue. I painted the walls a ligh grey but my lazy boy chairs and couch don’t match anything. It feels like its not finished. I like the carpet, but I feel I should have went with a mid dark grey. With it being new, I hate to have it pulled up, but I could use it in a different bedroom and have the living room get the grey colored carpet. I also need a total remodel in a very small kitchen and a very small bath. I could use some ideas
Leah says
Late to the party , but thanks for the great advice. One question, I’ve read that after you paint the cabinets you should use a Polyurethane finish or wax them. Is this something you recommend? Or is the paint on its own fine? Thank you so much!
Cyndy says
Sorry for the delay in responding Leah! If you use a great latex water based enamel or oil based enamel, you do not need a top coat. These paints have hardeners in them that are very durable and do not require a top coat. I hope that helps!
Cheryl Denny says
Hi
I really Learned a lot and am so glad I came across your great ideas and insights on colors for cabinets. My question is on the kitchen photo for Benjamin Moore fieldstone on cabinets what is the color of the sliding door. Is it porpoise or something else.? It’s the photo under where you are talking about neutral greys. 4 bar stools and 3 pendant lights are in picture for reference
Thank you so much
Kathy Painter says
I have off white cabinets and black granite( black pearl) counters with rustic white subway tile. My floors are a neutral creamy porcelain tile with a little gray.in them. The back of my glass front cabinets are painted BM iceberg. Love them. I want to paint to paint my island a darker blue gray but cannot seem to fine good complementary color for iceberg. Do you have a suggestion? Would ice berg work for the wall color too or would it seem to bedroom? Thanks, I love your blog! Kathy