Decorating Color Paint Colors The 10 Best Paint Colors for White Kitchen Cabinets, According to Paint Pros Experts share their favorite kitchen paint color pairings to inspire your next renovation. By Sophie Flaxman Sophie Flaxman Sophie Flaxman is a home writer at Better Homes & Gardens. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Published on January 5, 2023 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Courtesy of BEHR White is a popular kitchen cabinet color because it is timeless and highly versatile. White cabinets bring a clean and fresh feel to kitchens of all design styles and provide a blank canvas for experimenting with different colors throughout the rest of the space. But because of their versatility, it can be hard to narrow down a paint color to go with your white cabinets. Before you go color hunting, use these tips from paint color experts to create the feel you're going for. Arianna Cesa, associate manager and color marketing and development specialist at Benjamin Moore, suggests studying your cabinets' shade of white before you begin. Not all white paints are the same, and many tend to lean warmer or cooler. "White paint colors come in many tints and shades, and the colors you place next to them can affect how the undertones of the white paint color cast," she says. Warm white cabinets should be paired with a warm color on the walls and vice versa. "This helps to create a cohesive color flow and can lessen the chance of sneaky undertones coming through," she says. For more kitchen color inspiration, we asked the color experts for their favorite shades to pair with white cabinets. Here’s what they said. 01 of 10 Sophisticated Dark Olive Courtesy of Valspar If you're looking to add color but don't want to stray too far from a neutral palette, Sue Kim, director of color marketing at Valspar suggests Flora as a dark, sophisticated alternative. Flora is "a deep, blackened olive that embodies choosing quality over quantity to create a new sense of purpose," she says. Its black undertone gives it a rich quality and strong presence without overpowering. "This color incorporates charm and sophistication and would look great paired with warm wood tones to emphasize the inspiration from nature," Kim adds. Paint color: Flora by Valspar 02 of 10 Dusty Blue Courtesy of Sherwin-Williams "Blues pair well with white cabinets, as they are extremely versatile and can match the various undertones of white kitchen cabinets," explains Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams. She recommends painting a kitchen in Stardew SW 9138, a muted slate blue with a perfect balance of warm and cool undertones. "It’s a beautiful dusty blue that feels calming, and it has a hint of grey that gives it a modern and refreshing twist," she adds. Paint color: Stardew SW 9138 by Sherwin-Williams 03 of 10 Delicate Dusty Pink Courtesy of Farrow and Ball "I always think white units work better with softer colors or mid-neutrals," says Patrick O’Donnell, color Cconsultant and international brand ambassador for Farrow & Ball. "If the color is too dark or strong, the units can ‘shout’ a little too loudly. Though, this can vary depending on the amount of cabinetry in your kitchen." With this in mind, O’Donnell suggests opting for something surprising but with a joyful and gentle air, like Pink Ground or Setting Plaster. The subdued dusty pink shades are "the perfect antidote to the cleaner white of your cabinetry," he adds. Paint color: Setting Plaster by Farrow & Ball 04 of 10 Peppered Black Courtesy of BEHR Erika Woelfel, vice president of color and creative services at Behr Paint Company, suggests creating visual contrast with Behr’s Cracked Pepper. The near-black shade is moody yet elegant and less solemn than black. It’s powerful without overwhelming the space, which makes it ideal for an accent piece. If you’re hesitant about dark walls, start by painting something small, like an accent wall or kitchen island. Like most gray shades, Cracked Pepper is well-suited to modern and industrial kitchen styles. Paint color: Cracked Pepper by Behr 05 of 10 Cool Undertones Courtesy of Benjamin Moore If your white cabinets cast cooler in your kitchen, Cesa recommends looking for a shade with a similar cool green, blue, or gray undertone. For example, Benjamin Moore’s White Heron and Decorator’s White have cool undertones that pair perfectly with gray shades like Gray Owl and Iced Slate. If you want to add a splash of color to your kitchen, you might like Van Deusen Blue HC-156 or Palladian Blue. The soft blue shades are the perfect backdrop for a classic or modern kitchen and lend an air of elegance and calm to any space. Paint color: Palladian Blue by Benjamin Moore 06 of 10 Invigorating Green Courtesy of Valspar "Bring the calm and liveliness we seek from the outdoors straight into the kitchen with a hazy green shade like Green Trellis," Kim suggests. "Immersing oneself in nature allows us to ground ourselves and this color emphasizes nature and calmness," she says. Paired with white cabinets, the subdued gray-green shade feels fresh and invigorating, particularly in a kitchen with lots of natural light. The versatile shade works well with a range of countertop finishes and flooring, but particularly with natural materials, like wood, ceramic, and stone. Paint Color: Green Trellis by Valspar 07 of 10 Deep Violet Courtesy of Sherwin-Williams "If you want to make more of a statement, Carnelian SW 7560 is a deep red that looks classic and sophisticated when paired with white," Wadden says. The deeply saturated violet color has warm red undertones and can even look brown in some lighting. This color combination is great for those looking to achieve the tuxedo cabinet look—a dark color on lower cabinets, paired with a light color on uppers. "It suits all sorts of design styles, from cottage to contemporary," she adds. Paint color: Carnelian SW 7560 by Sherwin-Williams 08 of 10 Moody Blue-Gray Courtesy of BEHR ‘White is a great supporting neutral for both dark and light colors,’ Woelfel says. To add depth to the scheme, she suggests a moody blue-gray shade, like Behr's Adirondack Blue. The gray undertone gives the blue shade a sense of sophistication and maturity while creating a calm and composed ambiance. Liven up the decor with a patterned tile backsplash and other kitchen accessories in matching hues. Paint color: Adirondack Blue by Behr 09 of 10 Soothing Sage Green Courtesy of Farrow & Ball O’Donnell also suggests a smart, verdant shade like Calke Green in Modern Emulsion for fresh and clean kitchen decor. Sage green is a gentle mid-green with inherently restful and grounding qualities. Named after the popular culinary herb, there’s no better place for the color than in the kitchen to inspire delicious and nutritious cuisine. The versatile green shade slots effortlessly into any kitchen style and acts as "an elegant backdrop, especially when teamed with clean white woodwork on your trim such as our classic All White in Modern Eggshell," O'Donnell says. Paint color: Calke Green by Farrow & Ball 10 of 10 Warming Neutrals Courtesy of Benjamin Moore For warmer white paint colors like Benjamin Moore’s Simply White and White Dove, Cesa suggests opting for warm neutral shades for a cohesive scheme. Neutrals are comforting in their simplicity and reliability, transforming a sterile white kitchen into a cozy and inviting environment. Light neutrals with a hint of gray, like Grant Beige and Rodeo, work well in a contemporary kitchen. A light, buttery yellow like Weston Flax suits a more traditional-style decor. Paint color: White Dove by Benjamin Moore Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit