How To Choose The Right Cabinet Color?

Imran Habib • Jul 15, 2021

The extent to which color can impact the look and feel of a kitchen is quite surprising. Considering that apart from your bedroom, the most time one spends is in the kitchen, so making sure that you select the suitable color theme is imperative. This includes choosing the right cabinet colors.


After all, your choice can make or break the aesthetic appeal of your kitchen. Sounds stressful, right? Don't worry! Choosing the right color might seem like a daunting task, especially when you think of all the colors out there. But, if you approach the task methodically, you have nothing to worry about.

To ensure that you don't feel too overwhelmed, we will guide you to select the right color for your kitchen cabinet.


Why bother choosing cabinet colors?

Before we delve into the types of best kitchen cabinet colors out there and how you select the right one, let us take a step back and understand why making such a choice is necessary.


Unless you are a fan of décor and interior designing, the chances are that you aren't looking forward to all the intricacies that come with kitchen modeling, including choosing the color of paint for all the different elements of the room.


If you find yourself nodding while reading the previous paragraph, here are some of the reasons why you will have to bear through this process, regardless of your weariness for the task. The color you select will:


  • Help in deciding the intensity of light reflected in the room.
  • Establish your kitchen as a welcoming and homely place.
  • Favorably alter the room's perceived size, thereby making a small kitchen look more open and airy.


The art of choosing the right kitchen cabinet color

You might be surprised, but there is a whole science behind selecting an apt kitchen cabinet color!


Whether you are trying to change the kitchen cabinet color to liven up the room or selecting a paint color for the first step as you step into your new abode, you need to be careful about how you proceed.


Here are some factors that you must consider while selecting the right cabinet colors.

cabinet door colors

Another thing that governs the kitchen cabinet paint colors is the type of cabinets installed. Again, this is because certain colors complement certain cabinet styles differently.


For starters, selecting subdued shades of brown and cream for an inset cabinet is the ideal choice. Why? The cabinet style gives off a traditional vibe, and the mentioned colors best reflect this.


On the other hand, a shaker-style cabinet will look aesthetically pleasing when painted in white, off-white, or cream colors. This style is on the contemporary side, and modernistic kitchens tend to give off the feeling of minimalism and sophistication.


Kitchen Size and Lighting

Everyone wants a kitchen that is highly spacious and is bestowed with natural light. That's the ultimate dream, right? Sadly, when you begin house hunting, you will notice that getting such a kitchen is like finding a unicorn (unless you build your house yourself from scratch or have a huge budget!).

Instead, the cabinet colors, as well as the wall colors you use, govern whether your kitchen will look spacious or not. Gauge the size and lighting of your kitchen to identify the type of colors that will best help your kitchen is looking better.


A poorly lit or small kitchen can seem more prominent and well-lit if the kitchen cabinet has subdued and light colors. That is because light colors tend to give a perception of spaciousness and brightness. But, if you are already living the dream with a large and well-lit kitchen, the sky is your limit.

Here, you can select bold as well as dark colors and get away with it. While such colors tend to make a room feel smaller, the colors will make space look warmer and more private if you already have enough light and space.


However, if you do not have enough budget, you can opt for Kitchen Cabinet Refinishing to give your old kitchen cabinets a new look at lower prices.


Wall Paint and Décor Theme

Gone are the days when people didn't care about following a consistent décor theme throughout their house.


After all, according to Allied Market Research, the home décor market is expected to reach a market value of a whopping 838.6 billion USD by 2027! The increased interest and dedication towards home décor and interior designing is undoubtedly fueling this demand.


Therefore, we are sure that your house must have a consistent theme. Whether it be rustic, contemporary, bohemian, or mid-century modern, how you have chosen to decorate the rest of your house will play a role in deciding which kitchen cabinet color ideas you can consider.


For starters, if you have opted for a minimalistic all-white wall paint throughout your house, your kitchen wall paint will have to follow the same. However, this doesn't mean that your cabinets have to be white. Here, you can create a contrast by selecting dark mahogany cabinets.


Similarly, if the furniture throughout your house is of a neutral shade, use the same shades for your cabinet and pair it with dark wall paint instead.


The mood you wish to create

Did you know that colors affect our feelings? According to statistics collected by Online Psychology, 62% to 90% percent of first impressions are formed based on color. And yellow is universally the most eye-catching color!

emotional triggers of colors





The color you choose for your kitchen cabinets will decide the general mood of the room. Here are specific colors and the effect they tend to create:


  • Red helps in filling a room with energy since it signifies excitement. When used with artificial light, it looks elegant and subdued.
  • Blue gives off a relaxing feel. While the lighter shades of blue make a room feel colder, the darker shades are generally associated with sadness. It is best to use contrast to balance the two.
  • Green also fosters calmness and relaxation. It helps in associating a given space with nature. This is an excellent choice for houses with an earthy vibe.
  • Purple signifies royalty and creativity. It is the right color if you wish to create a dramatic impact.
  • Yellow is associated with light and sunshine and is hence considered to be a happy color. However, it should be used as a secondary color to avoid making a space seem overwhelming.


Kitchen Cabinet Color Combinations: Our Top Picks

Now that you know the factors you must keep in mind when selecting the color for your kitchen cabinets, here are some color ideas you can take inspiration from. Remember only to use them as references. Your final decision should be made based on the considerations mentioned above!


1.     Dove and White

For those of you who love the minimalistic all-white color theme but hate how basic the idea is, you can opt for dove and white cabinets. The color dove gives the cabinet a little more dimension and depth while retaining the airiness associated with the white color.

2.     Cream and Gray

The safest option is always neutral colors. After all, color trends tend to change. So while vibrant shades may seem a good choice today, they might not work in few years when the world moves onto the next movement. But, for some reason, neutral shades like cream and gray remain timeless and are hence a good investment.

3.     Blue and white

Keep the upper cabinets white and the ones below the countertop blue. This contrast will help provide a burst of color to the kitchen while reflecting a classic look.

4.     Blue and Gray

Since blue can be a tad too bright when paired with white, we understand that it may not be everyone's cup of tea. However, for those of you who find the contrast to be too evident, you can select a cool tone of blue and pair it with gray.


Pro Tip: Complement the chosen color with a matte finish

Regardless of the color, there is one thing that will give life to your kitchen: the finish of your cabinets.


2019 was the year of shiny kitchen cabinets. But, post-2020, people love everything in matte. Naturally, this includes their kitchen cabinets as well!

Opting for a matte finish also increases the color options you have. Even bold colors and designs tend to look naturally subdued and classy when in matte form! However, do remember that since matte finishes tend to absorb light, don't opt for it if you have a poorly lit or small kitchen.


It is time to decide!

Congratulations! You are now well-versed in the science behind selecting cabinet colors. So, go ahead and choose a suitable color scheme for your kitchen. Don't be afraid to opt for unconventional if you believe that size, lighting, cabinet style, and color perception are in your favor. Good luck! 

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