Few things define a kitchen like its cabinets. Much more than storage space for your pots, pans, and dishes, kitchen cabinets are a beacon of design in the room. For starters, they cover your kitchen, taking up more space than any appliance, and can stretch from one side of the kitchen to the other. This makes them a crucial factor in the overall design of your space. That said, choosing the right colors is essential. Fortunately, you have options. Selecting the best paint for kitchen cabinets comes down to your decor aesthetic. Like the decor in your living room or bedroom, your cabinets should convey much more than color.

Takeaways New Hide ▲

Butter yellow cabinets bring

cheerful, sunny energy

to modern kitchen decor

Greige delivers a balanced

neutral look, blending

warmth and cool sophistication

Cobalt and blue tones

add bold personality

while staying trendy

Sage green creates a

subtle, earthy vibe

in kitchen cabinetry

❮

❯

Choosing the right color can make or break your kitchen’s design. An airy shade can make it feel open and clean, while a soft color can give it a modern feel. Lighter shades, such as cream, beige, and white, are commonly used in the kitchen. But that doesn’t mean you can’t embrace something bold and deep. From trendy hues to classic colors, there are lots of shades to choose from. Ahead, we’ve gathered the six best that deserve your attention.

Best Paints For Kitchen Cabinets

Butter Yellow

Butter yellow decor is trending, but when it comes to painting, the shade works best in the kitchen and, more specifically, on the cabinets. Bright and sunny, it livens up old cabinets to give them a cheery look. It’s no wonder the hue is trending for spring and summer. If you’re looking to give your kitchen an energetic feel, opt for a bold shade with a creamy finish. The combination works even better in kitchens with lots of light.

Greige

This hybrid shade perfectly balances warm and cool tones to create a stunning neutral color. It blends icy gray with warm beige and brings the best of each hue together. Using it to paint a room can sometimes come off as boring, but when used on kitchen cabinets, it has a completely different effect. The undertones work in tandem with kitchens that have limited or lots of sunlight. It’s the perfect neutral for minimalists and provides a blank canvas for maximalists to get creative.

Creamy White

If gray feels too bland for your kitchen cabinets, a creamy white paint may be a more fitting choice. This simple color is a favorite for kitchens thanks to its clean and airy look. Crisp and classic, it’s the perfect choice for brightening up a dark kitchen and can even give the illusion of a light-filled space. Beyond that, a creamy shade with neutral undertones can refresh an old space and add a modern touch to dated cabinetry.

Sage Green

Like yellow, green paint is having a major moment in the design world. But the key to using these colors is selecting a softened shade that won’t overpower a room. Sage green fits the bill with its subtle, muted hue and smooth look. It’s the kind of green that works well on the walls or the cabinets to give your kitchen an earthy and sophisticated appearance. Plus, it looks great with a range of hardware, whether you prefer classic brass or a fun, colorful option.

Cobalt

While most of the paints on this list stick to a softer palette, cobalt offers a bold and daring pop of color. It’s not for the timid, but when painted on kitchen cabinets, it provides the perfect backdrop for creative accessories—think contrasting trims, shiny hardware, and patterned tea towels. To nail the look, select a few shades spanning from navy to marine and see which fits best with your backsplash and lighting.

Slate Gray

Deep charcoal tones are the key to this moody hue. On kitchen cabinets, it has a dramatic effect without being too dark and dismal. That said, it’s a good idea to keep lightning in mind. A deeper shade of cabinets needs a good amount of light to keep the kitchen looking luxe. If your space doesn’t have much natural sunlight, invest in good overhead lighting and glowing lamps above the stove.