The Best Neutral Paint Colors for Kitchen Cabinets
Your kitchen is the heart of your home, so the color you choose for your kitchen cabinets is so important. And neutral paint colors are a popular choice for a reason! They are versatile and timeless. Whether you're aiming for warmth, sophistication, or a fresh and airy vibe, consider these popular shades of white, beige, greige and gray that designers and homeowners love.
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Popular White Paint Colors for Kitchen Cabinets
Simply White by Benjamin Moore
Like its name implies, Simply White by Benjamin Moore is a clean bright white. I love it as a choice in this remodeled-to-look-original kitchen. It feels fresh and like the way a farmhouse should feel! It is a mild warm white with just a touch of yellow to keep it from feeling cold. This white is one that is easy to use on the entire kitchen, not just the cabinets!
Pure White by Sherwin-Williams
If you are looking for a crisp white color for your kitchen cabinets, a very popular choice is Sherwin WIlliams Pure White. Pure White is a well-balanced white that is soft and clean without being too stark or cold, which makes it popular for interiors and as a kitchen cabinet color. In fact, it is the color we chose for our cabinets as part of the total kitchen renovation we tackled in our old house. We loved the bright, clean look. And it's so versatile–it works well as a backdrop for neutral decor or colorful decor!
Creamy White by Benjamin Moore
Creamy White by Benjamin Moore is a warm off-white bisque color. You can see the shade difference between the stark white hood and the marble white countertops and the cream-colored cabinets, and the contrast is stunning. The brass hardware is the perfect accent choice with the neutral color scheme!
Alabaster by Sherwin Williams
Sherwin William's Alabaster is always at the top of the list for popular white paint colors! It is a gorgeous barely off-white that feels softer and warmer than a stark white because of its beige undertones. This designer used it both on her walls and cabinets and the effect is beautiful. It looks amazing with stainless-steel appliances for a fresh clean kitchen.
Ivory White by Benjamin Moore
This DIY remodel used Ivory White by Benjamin Moore on the kitchen cabinetry for a soft off-white with warm undertones. It pairs beautifully with the organic feel of black iron, wood and stone for a rustic vibe. Because it has a faint yellow tint, it reads more warm than stark.
Raw Silk by Fusion Mineral Paint
When I gave my good friend Thea's kitchen a makeover a few years ago, I chose Raw Silk by Fusion Mineral Paint for her upper cabinets. It's a very light, creamy off-white that I absolutely love.
Popular Greige and Beige Paint Colors for Kitchen Cabinets
Beige and greige colors have become popular for kitchen cabinets because they are versatile and timeless but a bit more interesting and sophisticated than white cabinets. These neutral tones are not overly trendy, so you shouldn't have to worry about them “going out of style” any time soon. Like white cabinets, greige and beige cabinets are neutral enough to work well with a variety of color palettes and design aesthetics.
Accessible Beige by Sherwin Williams
Accessible Beige is a perfectly balanced neutral that has just the right amount of warmth and depth without any unwanted yellow or orange undertones. And it's still light and airy enough to be a great option for people who like the brightness of white kitchen cabinets, but want something a bit different. That is exactly why we chose it for the cabinetry in our current kitchen renovation that we are currently in the middle of! It took us months of research and testing paint colors to choose a cabinet color. The image below was the one that turned us on to Accessible Beige and I'm so glad it did!
Natural Cream by Benjamin Moore
This soft neutral is a favorite among designers for kitchens. Natural Cream by Benjamin Moore is considered a light greige/beige and it is a really beautiful creamy neutral. Here it pairs well with mixed metals and bright walls for a warmer feel to the cabinets compared to the backsplash and walls.
Repose Gray by Sherwin Williams
Repose Gray is one of Sherwin Williams' most popular colors for good reason! It is considered a greige, and it reads as a very pale gray with the tiniest hint of violet. This is a beautiful cabinet color if you are looking for a light gray instead of a more stark white. I love it in this kitchen with the marble counters and wood accents. The combination is perfect!
Popular Gray Paint Colors for Kitchen Cabinets
Popular shades of gray for cabinets range from barely there color to deep dark charcoals. Gray cabinets feel clean and contemporary, while its huge range of shades—from soft light grays to deep charcoal—can create very different moods in a space. There are both warm and cool gray tones, so you can find a shade that works best with the colors you prefer to decorate with.
Dove Tale by Farrow and Ball
A warm light gray, Dove Tale by Farrow and Ball has lilac-purple undertones and is a great neutral color for choice for kitchen cabinets. The Dove Tale looks lovely with the dark countertops in this kitchen!
Cracked Pepper by Behr
For a dark dramatic color, Cracked Pepper by Behr is the perfect pop. It is a beautiful deep charcoal gray that is almost black, with blue undertones. It is an excellent choice if you are looking for dark kitchen cabinet paint colors but don't want to commit to a true black. I love it here paired with the stainless steel, gold pulls and white to-the-ceiling tile backsplash.
Neutral Painted Cabinets with a Hint of Color
Want a neutral paint color for your kitchen cabinets that isn't white, beige or gray? There are so many neutrals to choose from that have color and are beautiful choices for kitchen cabinet paint colors. Some of these just have a hint of color, while others are dark neutrals. Dark kitchens bring a dramatic flair that I love–they have depth and weight. But a shade with just a hint of color is nice and airy and light! If you want more than grey or white look no further than these designer picks.
Vert de Terre by Farrow and Ball
Vert de Terre by Farrow and Ball is a beautiful muted sage green. Because it doesn't have a ton of color it is easy to put it in the neutral category, but it brings something interesting and fresh when compared to plain white! It pairs well both warm and cool colors and has undertones of blue.
Beguile by Valspar
If you want a neutral that is a bit of a chameleon, look to Beguile. It is described as a blue-green-gray, but as with any paint color, how it will look in your home will depend on your light. Here, on the lower cabinets, it appears more blue, but in other lighting and on Valspar's site, it has a more green-gray feel. This is a perfect example of the importance of always trying a sample in multiple places in your kitchen! It is a beautiful neutral and may be the perfect combination of blue-green you are looking for.
Evergreen Fog by Sherwin Williams
Evergreen Fog by Sherwin-Williams is a beautiful soft sage green. It is no wonder it was the Sherwin Williams color of the year for 2022! This is a cool green with blue undertones and it has a gray feeling to it. It pairs well with the off-white walls below, but it also looks amazing with the bright white of the sink and counters! So it is clearly a versatile neutral grey-green.
There's no doubt that choosing the perfect neutral paint color for your kitchen cabinets can significantly impact the overall aesthetic and design vibe of your space. I hope this post has shown you that there are countless neutral tones to choose from! Whether your style is modern minimalist or cozy traditional, a neutral cabinet color will help you create a timeless look you will love for years to come. These versatile hues not only create a timeless, elegant look but also provide a flexible foundation that pairs seamlessly with various countertops, backsplashes, and hardware finishes.
Don't forget before you start painting to put the prep work into picking the correct color. I recommend you try out a sample of your color. I love using Samplize Peel and Stick paint samples to try out your color options! If you aren't sure how to choose your color read How to Choose A Paint Color for all my tips!
More Paint color Posts
Other Kitchen Posts You May Enjoy:
- How To Paint Kitchen Cabinets Without Sanding or Priming
- How to Paint Your Tile Backsplash in 5 Simple Steps
- How to Paint Countertops to Look Like Marble
- 15 Affordable DIY Countertops That Will Blow Your Mind
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Hi. Do you know what the white wall color is with the natural cream BM cabinet pic? Do you think BM China white would look similar to the natural cream if I go with a white wall? Thank you
I don’t know, I’m sorry. I’m not familiar with BM China White.
Hi. We are considering Pure White for our kitchen/ family room walls. Which white would work for the cabinets? Thanks!
Hi Lulu! I can’t give you a specific recommendation since so much depends upon the lighting in the room and the rest of your decor, but I do have a post about the best neutral paint colors for kitchen cabinets that you can check out here: https://designertrapped.com/neutral-paint-colors-for-kitchen-cabinets/