Most popular shades of paint for cabinets in the kitchen and bathroom
Hands down, when it comes to kitchen cabinets, white is the most popular color, and this is followed by closely by gray (as well as greige) and then navy. Cooler colors are most in style, so will also see some other light blues and even aquas.
In this article, I’m going to share the most popular colors and shades for cabinets. If you’re looking for advice on how to paint kitchen cabinets, check out this article: How to paint cabinets the RIGHT way.
Please note that this article contains affiliate links; you can see my full disclosure at the bottom of the page
✅ Check out these tools you can use.to paint your cabinets.
And, if you’re overwhelmed by your kitchen remodel, I made these handy printables to simplify the process.
Should you do the same color on the island as the rest of the cabinets?
This is completely up to you. The trend is towards using a different color for the island, especially if you have a larger kitchen. Sometimes people change just the cabinets. Sometimes, they also change the color on the counter tops.
If you use 2 different colors, I would recommend that they have a large contrast (i.e. one is much lighter than the other. One could be white and the other black. Or a light gray and dark gray. One could be white and the other navy. You get the idea.
If you’re going to do a color on one, I’d recommend that the other be neutral. Also, some people choose to do the top cabinets a different color than the bottom cabinets. There is no right or wrong here; it’s a matter of preference…and balance.
NOTE: Many of the full kitchen pictures in this article link to Wayfair, and you can buy many kitchen and bath items at Wayfair, including farmhouse sinks, pendant lights, tiles, vanities, etc. One of the great things about Wayfair’s site is if you click these room scenes and continue on to their site, if you hover over the picture, you’ll see little price tags…and if you click those, you can find out how much the item costs (and even buy it, too). So, those pictures are labeled with a link under them that says “Shop the post.” Click the link or the picture and you will be taken there.
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Best shades of white for painting cabinets
Why is white the most popular color for kitchen cabinets?
The answer is simple. It’s lighter and brighter so it makes your space look larger and cheerier. White cabinets are also neutral, so they go with virtually any type of flooring, counter top, and it gives you more flexibility on your backsplash.
White also looks clean and modern.
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Creams and off whites are also popular, but the whiter you go the easier it is to coordinate.
If you are planning to sell your house in the next few years, I’d recommend you stick with white as it is the most popular and will make your space look larger. And, I’d recommend gray paint for the walls (see: Best paint colors for selling a home)
Which are the whitest whites?
When it comes to whites, there is a myriad of options. Yes, if you go to the paint store, you will find over 100 whites…maybe even 200. It gets a bit overwhelming. No paint is a perfect white, all of have undertones of some sort – a hint of gray or a hint of yellow or a hint of beige or a hint of something.
But if I were to choose the whitest white, these would be my selections. For Sherwin Williams, I think the most white white is Highly Reflective White. And, Extra White and Pure White are also very white. All are great options. For Benjamin Moore, I choose Super White, followed by Pure White.
When you look at these colors in isolation, they will all look pretty white. As you look at the chart to the right where you can see them all together, you’ll see the subtle differences. But, do bear in mind you only need to make one selection…and when it’s in your kitchen, you won’t see it next to the other whites. So, choose what you love…and what goes best with your other kitchen selections.
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Great off-white selections:
Sometimes going with an off-white or slightly creamier color is better, given the other selections you’ve made in the room. Here are some great “off-whites”…and bear in mind the term off-white is subjective. Some people may call them whites. It doesn’t matter what it’s called, select what you like best and what goes best with your countertop, floor, and backsplash. (or make sure those selections go well with paint LOL).
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For Sherwin Williams, I love these amazing whites/off-whites:
- Alabaster
- Snowbound
- White Duck
- Zurich White
Check out these two cabinet make overs to see the difference between one of the white whites and an off white. The one on the left is Sherwin Williams Extra White and the cabinets on the right are Sherwin Williams Duck White.
Before committing to a color, especially a white color, I’d recommend that you go to a store and invest in a tester. They are generally in the range of $5-$7 and well worth the investment.
Remember that whites are highly reflective, so they can be influenced by other objects around them (e.g the tint of your light bulb, the leaves of the trees through the windows, pieces of furniture).
Paint Samples
Now, let’s talk about samples…
It’s always best to test the paint colors in you own home and own lighting. The colors do look different pending your lighting and can even look different room to room.
You can definitely go to your local painting store to buy some samples (and a brush…be sure to paint with 2 coats), but I have a MUCH EASIER way for you. Check out SAMPLIZE.
Samplize offers 12” x 12” peel and stick paint samples that are EASIER, AFFORDABLE and more ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY.
Here are a few reasons why I recommend Samplize to my clients:
- Samples come right to YOUR DOORSTEP in 1-3 business days, pending on location
- At $5.95, they’re more affordable than the samples/brushes/foam boards than traditional samples…and of course easier and way less messy
- If you keep the samples on the white paper, you can move them from wall to wall and room to room
They are amazingly accurate as they are made with 2 coats of real paint, so they are color correct.
Visit the SAMPLIZE website HERE.
Do you need any paint shade fan decks?
Amazon can help with that. It’s so much easier when you have the full color wheels and can see all of these in your own home (vs. going back and forth to the store MULTIPLE times).
Sherwin Williams Benjamin Moore
Best gray shades for painting cabinets
Gray is the 2nd most popular color, and it’s on the rise. Light grays are most popular, but mid and dark gray work super well. I love gray cabinets with Calacutta marble…or quartz look-alikes. And, gray cabinets look stunning with dark hardwood floors.
If you have a large kitchen with an island, consider using a light gray for the main cabinets and a darker gray for the island (could be a mid gray or a dark gray).
Gray is stunning and sophisticated. It looks great on the walls, the cabinets and the floors…it’s popular in all 3 areas. But, make sure you don’t over use it. If you plan on using gray on the walls, make sure that one of those grays is significantly lighter than the other (generally 2-3 shades lighter).
As you can see there are also many grays, some with warmer tones, some with cooler ones. If you’re using gray or marble on the counter tops or in other places test the grays together to find the best fit.
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Here are some of my favorite grays:
Light grays:
- Sherwin Williams: Reflection, Silverpointe, Gray Screen
- Benjamin Moore: Bunny Gray, Gray Owl
Mid grays:
Sherwin Williams: Repose Gray, Light French Gray, Online- Benjamin Moore: Stonington Gray, Metropolitan, Coventry
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Dark grays:
- Sherwin Williams: Software, Kendall Charcoal, Steely Gray
- Benjamin Moore: Gray (yes, that’s a real color), Kendall Charcoal, Chelsea Gray, Amherst Gray
Best gray kitchen cabinet ideas:
Oh, and check out this video for some more gray cabinet ideas. There are some great backsplashes and other design ideas I love.
Most popular greiges for painting cabinets
As the name implies, greige is a combo of gray and beige. These are warmer grays and they are also very popular as they are neutral so they go with almost everything. They have a way of pulling in both cool and warm tones for a room.
Here are my top greige picks for cabinets:
Sherwin Williams: Agreeable Gray, Useful Gray, Analytical Gray, Mindful Gray (my favorite of the bunch)
Benjamin Moore: Revere Pewter, Ozark Shadows (my favorite of the bunch), Fieldstone
As you can see, some of these greiges are more beige, some more gray, some more taupe.
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Best shades of blue and navy for cabinets
Blues are soothing and stylish, and they are growing in popularity. By far, the most popular blues are in the navy family (this holds true for cabinets, walls, area rugs and other home decor). See 10 Clever ways to decorate with navy. Navy has almost become a neutral color.
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Navy is great because it goes well with both silver and gold hardware (but I recommend brushed nickel as it never goes out of style and shows finger prints less). It also goes well with white and grays. I see navy cabinets often used for the island as a key focal point.
Other blues work well for the kitchen, especially some of the lighter more powdery blues, especially if you plan on using a white farmhouse sink.
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Best shades of navy for kitchen cabinets:
Best shades of navy for kitchen cabinets:Benjamin Moore:
- Kensington Blue
- Van Deusen Blue
- Newburyport Blue (my favorite)
- Hale Navy
Sherwin Williams:
- Indigo
- Commodore (my favorite)
- Honorable Blue
- Dress Blues
- Naval
Be careful not to go to dark with navy in the kitchen, especially if you don’t have a lot of natural light. If you go too dark, it can look like black and it takes away from the cool navy trend.
Did you find my tips helpful? If so, feel free to buy me a coffee and support my blog.
Best light and mid blues for cabinets:
If you’re looking for a light or mid blue for your cabinets here are some amazing choices. The numbers correspond to the graphic.
- Sherwin Williams Mild Blue
- Sherwin Williams Hinting Blue
- Sherwin Williams Wondrous Blue
- Benjamin Moore Palatial Skies
- Benjamin Moore Celestial
- Benjamin Moore Blue Dragon
- Benjamin Moore Riviera Azure
- Sherwin Williams Honorable Blue
- Sherwin Williams Commodore
- Sherwin Williams Dress Blues
Best paint shades for a beach/coastal look (aquas, teals, greenish blues)
If you’re looking for a coastal look – either for your home near the beach or to create an oasis, check out these amazing aquas, teals, turquoises, coastal blues and greenish blue hues.
These can work well in the kitchen or the bathroom. These paint shades look amazing on wall, too.
- Sherwin Williams Swimming
- Sherwin Williams Tidewater
- Sherwin Williams Open Air
- Benjamin Moore At Sea
- Benjamin Moore San Clemente Teal
- Sherwin Williams Tradewind
- Sherwin Williams Meander Blue
Benjamin Moore Crystal Springs- Blue Allure
- Aqua Marina
Benjamin Moore Crystal Springs
You can find this aqua vanity here.
Paint Samples
Now, let’s talk about samples…
It’s always best to test the paint colors in you own home and own lighting. The colors do look different pending your lighting and can even look different room to room.
You can definitely go to your local painting store to buy some samples (and a brush…be sure to paint with 2 coats), but I have a MUCH EASIER way for you. Check out SAMPLIZE.
Samplize offers 12” x 12” peel and stick paint samples that are EASIER, AFFORDABLE and more ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY.
Here are a few reasons why I recommend Samplize to my clients:
- Samples come right to YOUR DOORSTEP in 1-3 business days, pending on location
- At $5.95, they’re more affordable than the samples/brushes/foam boards than traditional samples…and of course easier and way less messy
- If you keep the samples on the white paper, you can move them from wall to wall and room to room
They are amazing accurate as they are made with 2 coats of real paint, so they are color correct.
Visit the SAMPLIZE website HERE.
Conclusion for best paint colors for kitchen cabinets
As you can see, there are many options for painting kitchen cabinets. When it comes to paint, the possibilities are endless and the world is your oyster. The whites are most popular, and if you’re selling your home, I’d recommend this option. But, as you can see, there are so many wonderful gray, greiges, blues and aquas. Which is your favorite?
Shop the post – find the items in this kitchen
Oh, and if you’re looking for advice on how to paint your kitchen cabinets or the best types of paints/finishes for cabinets, check out this article on how to paint your kitchen cabinets the right way.
Do you need any paint shade fan decks?
Amazon can help with that. It’s so much easier when you have the full color wheels and can see all of these in your own home (vs. going back and forth to the store MULTIPLE times).
Sherwin Williams Benjamin Moore
Related articles:
- How to paint kitchen cabinets the RIGHT way
- Trends for kitchen cabinet hardware
- How to replace kitchen cabinet pulls and knobs
- Most popular farmhouse sinks
- What are the best types of flooring for kitchens
- Most popular shades of gray paint
- Best paint colors for selling a house
- Best shade of white for base molding and other trim
Great Debbie. Keep these posts coming in.
Thank you so much, Meredith. I appreciate that.
Hello I found your post to be very helpful. I have been put in charge of choosing the paint colors of my sister’s new home. The flooring in her kitchen is a dark marble type tile and I want to brighten up the space. I was deciding between white cabinets or a charcoal gray with nickel hardware. Do you think steel blue on the walls will be too overpowering, she does have a lot of natural light in the kitchen. we want the kitchen to appear big, also there was an addition added on but the wall separates that area from the kitchen but if it was open it would be one huge kitchen. How would choose colors to bring that whole area together?
Aza – Since the floors are dark, you want to go lighter on walls and cabinets. A gray can definitely work for the cabinets, but the I would do a white for the walls. Or, if you do white for the cabinets, I would do a light gray for the walls. You want kitchens to be lighter. Always err on the side of lightness with kitchens. Brushed nickel would be great for hardware and don’t forget you’ll probably have stainless steal for appliances so that will add more gray.
Hi Debbie, just found your blog last evening, I have read few articles, really appreciate the way you write.
My favorite floor is the light color 🙂
Greetings from Italy Francesco
Francesco – Oh thanks. That’s so nice to hear. I love Italy, too. I’ve been there twice.
Hi Debbie. Enjoyed your article. I just painted my kitchen cabinets alabaster. Should the trim/crown moulding be the same color ?
Barbara – Yes, I think that Alabaster will look great with that and make everything consistent.
Hello, I’m painting my cabinets gray with white shiplap backsplash. Would you recommend painting the walls the same color as the shiplap and the trim the same as the cabinets? Thanks for your help and for sharing such great information!
Darren – Thx. In general, I strongly prefer shiplap white and all trim should be the same white. This looks more premium and lightens up the room.