What are the 10 best kitchen cabinet paint colors?
Let’s ask an expert about the best paint for kitchen cabinets!
White cabinets kitchen photo courtesy of True North Cabinets.
10 best kitchen cabinet paint colors according to the experts
Kitchen cabinetry can really make a difference in the look of your kitchen, when you’re pulling together your interior design concept.
So, it’s no surprise to me – reader questions on cabinetry colors and kitchen paint ideas are super popular around here.
Since I’m pretty partial to white kitchens and my own kitchen paint color, which you can see here, I thought it would be helpful to have a kitchen cabinet expert weigh in.
Luckily, I happen to know a very knowledgeable one!
So let’s find the perfect color for your kitchen cabinets…
First things first, let me introduce you –
Louise Pascal is a principal at True North Cabinets – a nationally published, award winning firm based right here in New Canaan, CT.
With over twenty years experience in the cabinet making industry, I know you’re going to really appreciate hearing Louise’s kitchen cabinet color recommendations!
White kitchen cabinets give a classic, timeless look to your kitchen.
This is my white kitchen in the image above.
But not all whites are created equal.
If you’re wondering what the best kitchen paint colors for your cabinet doors are, Louise knows the ten most popular paint colors for kitchen cabinetry based on her experience.
So without further ado, here are the best kitchen cabinet paint colors according to kitchen design expert, Louise Pascal, principal at True North Cabinets.
Picking out a kitchen cabinet paint color can be one of the most confusing home improvement decisions, but it doesn’t need to be!
Darker cabinets (in almost any darker shade) can contribute to a more moody, edgy or modern look depending on the cabinetry style.
While bright colors or brightly colored cabinets appear lighter, creative and bit more whimsical.
However, one of the most classic looks will always be white cabinetry.
So it’s really no surprise these popular kitchen cabinet colors all fall in the white paint color scheme category.
Update: My kitchen cabinets are white, but if you’re at all curious about the wall paint color, it’s Farrow and Ball Elephant’s Breath.
1. Benjamin Moore – Simply White
Simply white is such a popular color for a reason.
It’s a fresh and basic white that’s perfect for both kitchen cabinets as well as for ceilings, trim, and walls.
Basically, your entire kitchen!
It’s off-white so it’s won’t be too bright, but it’s light enough that it will still add a fresh and clean look to your kitchen.
This shade works beautifully with both polished nickel cabinet hardware as well as brass hardware.
This is a great choice for your kitchen ceiling too, or any ceiling in your house!
You can read more about ceiling paint choices here.
Benjamin Moore’s Simply White in a transitional modern kitchen by True North Cabinetry.
2. Farrow and Ball – Pointing
A warm and welcoming off white.
The opposite of a start white, this designer white has warm undertones that soften the overall effect.
This quality paint will brighten your home without being too harsh and will beautifully complement darker colors and elements of any room.
Farrow and Ball’s Pointing on the walls of this country kitchen with dark sage green cabinets.
3. Benjamin Moore – Decorators White
Decorator’s White is one of the top ten best kitchen cabinet paint colors for a reason.
It is the perfect subtle shade if your looking to give a cooler tint to your cabinets without losing the brightness of the white.
This is perfect for if your kitchen walls have cooler undertones.
You can read and see more of this versatile white paint choice here!
Benjamin Moore’s Decorators White in a fresh modern small kitchen by True North Cabinetry.
4. Sherwin Williams – High Reflective White
This highly reflective white (hence the name) has warm undertones, making it a great option for your kitchen cabinetry.
Because it has a bit of yellow undertones, it goes particularly well with tan or green shades.
Sherwin William – SW 7757 High Reflective White
5. Farrow and Ball Wimborne White
This shade of off-white is enhanced by a slight yellow pigment and yellow undertones.
This makes this particular white a little more of a versatile color in that it’s a little less harsh.
A favorite of professional interior designers, Winborme White works well with many different shades.
This is because it constrasts nicely with cooler shades and complements warmer shades.
Farrow and Ball Wimborne White.
6. Benjamin Moore – Cloud White
Cloud white is less off-white and more completely, true white.
It has enough of a warm undertone that it won’t be too harsh, and it will complement almost any other color.
7. Sherwin Williams – Pure White
This shade of white is so beautiful and a great choice if you’re looking for a light color to pair with grays.
It’s a bit off white and has enough warm undertones to match the coolness of the gray.
Sherwin Williams Pure White in a classic modern kitchen by True North Cabinetry.
8. Benjamin Moore – Ivory White
Ivory white is a classic shade and another great looking color choice
This will really work in any kitchen at any time.
This color pairs particularly well with earth tones such as greens, blues, and deep purples.
9. Benjamin Moore – Chantilly Lace
Chantilly Lace is another wildly popular choice.
It’s a crisp white which will add sophistication to your kitchen aesthetic.
You can choose a different shade for both your upper cabinets and your lower cabinets or kitchen island.
Just remember to pick at least one neutral tone (like this one.)
10. Benjamin Moore – White Dove
This shade of white is such an excellent choice.
It can brighten up any room and will compliment dark or earthy tones in other aspects of your kitchen.
Personally, it’s one of my favorite white paint colors to use almost anywhere.
Far from a stark white this shade is more of a creamy warm white.
Read more about White Dove and see many more examples, here!
Our former kitchen cabinets in New York painted with Benjamin Moore’s White Dove-works so well with white marble countertops.
Once you have your kitchen cabinet paint color sorted out, be sure to check out this post all about beautiful kitchen cabinet hardware options!
Best Kitchen Cabinet Colors – Conclusion
I hope you got some great kitchen cabinet color ideas here today.
If you limit your options to the best paint colors Louise discussed above, I promise your kitchen cabinets will look amazing!
Whether you go with straight up classic white or a more muted, neutral color for kitchen cabinets.
Remember, before you so much as even paint the door to one cabinet or kitchen drawer fronts, to always test out your paint samples in both artificial and in natural light – SO IMPORTANT.
A great new way to test out a paint colors and to help you choose the right paint, are these large self sticking paint samples.
Doesn’t this sound so clever?
No more endless trips to paint stores and no more messy paint cans to deal with before you commit! Win/win!
If you’re at all curious, you can find them here and try it out as a sample in your home first!
I’ll be using the Samplize stick paint samples for every paint project going forward.
I hope this round up of kitchen cabinet paint colors was helpful!
Remember, if you love the look, don’t be afraid to paint your wood cabinets.
A few more paint tips…
We had ours done professionally where they spray paint the cabinet doors and drawers to avoid brush marks.
This type of paint job allows for a very smooth finish.
As far as paints go, I’ve heard from more than a few people to go with Benjamin Moore Advance, as it’s known for being the best for cabinets and doors.
This is a water based paint which I’m told dries very quickly.
In addition I’ve been told to stay away from “primer and paint in one” products – the time saving short cut you get. will ultimately not yield a nice looking finish.
Tell me which ones you’re leaning towards in the comments below.
And, please feel free to ask any related paint questions too!
I’ve already answered a popular inquiry on which paint finish to choose in this post, just in case your wondering:)
Another shot of our current kitchen. Read more about marble vs. quartz countertops.
But, which finish to use on kitchen cabinets specifically?
I would say absolutely go with a semi gloss.
This type of gloss finish is much easier to wipe clean and more durable over time.
However, we did decide to go with a darker color high gloss in our butler’s pantry, and LOVE how it looks.
Now that we’ve reviewed all these great looking white colors, you might want to check out some more neutral colors with these top cream kitchen cabinet paint colors OR some more colorful hues and dark colors with these popular bold colors to paint your kitchen cabinets.
Also-
Don’t miss this post on the best white paint colors to use on trim and baseboards, and these great ideas on to how to warm up an all white kitchen.
If you’re looking for some other great neutral paint colors, be sure to check out this blog post on Benjamin Moore Cumulus Cloud and this one on Benjamin Moore’s Sea Salt!
Hope you enjoyed this post on the most popular kitchen cabinet paint colors. Just a few more things…
ADDITIONAL HOME DECOR INSPIRATION
If you’re looking for even more home decor and paint inspiration, be sure to check out these other posts by clicking on each title below-
The Best Warm Gray Paint Colors To Use In Your Home
An Easy Guide For Mixing Metals In Your Kitchen
The Best Paint Color For Kitchens With White Cabinets
The Best Color For Your Living Room
Colorful Interior Trim Paint Ideas
Why Painting Wood Floors Might Be A Good Idea
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Simply white for me – I have a polished nickel faucet and brass hardware so it was an easy choice – thank you so much
So glad to hear it! Thanks:)
My walls are OC 23 – classic gray (reads off white)
I’m having my kitchen cabinets painted white. What Benjamin Moore white would you suggest.
Countertops are dark gray quartz.
Thanks
I would try testing out both Dove White and also Simply White,side by side first on the cabinets before committing to one.
Good Luck!
Hi Sue,
Thank you for this post. Hits is such a tricky color and you post has made it so much easier to choose the right white.
Many thanks,
Lucy
Can you please suggest great white paint colors for the outside of your home.
Yes! Great idea for a blog post!
Off the top of my head I know both Oyster White by Sherwin Williams and Pure White by Benjamin Moore are both beautiful!