Kitchen Paint Colors that Complement Wood Cabinets

Choosing the perfect paint colors to complement your kitchen's wood cabinets can totally transform the look and feel of your space. Whether your cabinets are light, medium-toned, or dark wood, the right hues can make them pop while also creating a cohesive color scheme. With some planning and testing, you can find colors that enhance your cabinetry while reflecting your personal style.

We'll recommend specific shades that pair beautifully with light, medium, and dark cabinetry. You'll also learn paint finish options to complement your woodwork along with tips for pulling everything together into a unified look.

Factors to Consider When Picking Paint Colors

Several variables come into play when determining which paint colors will complement your kitchen's wood elements. Here are some of the most important things to think about:

1. Type of Wood

The natural color and grain of the actual wood will impact the cabinetry's undertones. For example, oak has golden undertones, while cherry skews reddish-brown. These innate wood tones will come through even if the cabinets are stained or painted.

2. Color of Cabinets

Lighter natural wood cabinets will reflect more of the wood's undertone than darker stained or painted cabinets. The darker the wood, the more you can minimize the natural undertones.

3. Natural Light

The quantity and quality of natural light can affect how paint colors appear in your kitchen. North-facing rooms may require lighter colors, while southern exposures can handle deeper hues.

4. Kitchen Size & Layout

Smaller kitchens feel more expansive with light, airy paint colors. Larger kitchens can accommodate deeper shades without feeling closed in. Layout also impacts sight lines, so color placement matters.

5. Personal Preferences

Consider the mood you want to create and how color makes you feel. Cool blues and greens can be calming, while reds and oranges evoke energy. Determine colors you find pleasant and on-trend.

Best Paint Colors for Light Wood Cabinets

Light natural wood cabinets retain more yellow, orange, or reddish undertones. Cool paint colors help counterbalance the warmth while providing contrast. Here are some great options:

Whites & Creams

Crisp whites like Chantilly Lace or cottony eggshell whites complement light wood's natural warmth. Softer creams like Swiss Coffee also offer a nice neutral pairing.

Soft Greens

Muted sage greens like Belle Aqua or Sea Salt are great go-tos for lightening and cooling yellow cabinet tones. Deeper shades like English Laurel can also work well.

Grays

Look for greige shades like Gray Owl or warmer taupes like Accessible Beige to elegantly contrast light woods. Soft Coastal Fog is another gorgeous option.

Light Blues

Pretty dusty blues like Beach Glass, watery shades like Raindrops, and robin's egg blue-green combinations tastefully offset light wood cabinets.

Yellows

Tone-on-tone yellows like Creamy or buttery options like Melted Butter echo light wood tones while injecting brightness.

Best Paint Colors for Medium or Reddish Wood Cabinets

Medium-toned cabinets in oaks, chestnuts, cherries, and mahoganies have more pronounced reddish-brown undertones. Here are paint shades that beautifully balance the warmth:

Emerald & Forest Greens

Deep green hues like Hale Navy, English Holly, and Amazon Soil temper medium wood redness with earthy contrast. Lighter greens like Silver Peony also work.

Navy Blues

From bright sailors' blues like Glasgow to deeper shades like Polo Blue, navy hues pop against reddish cabinetry for a classic combo.

Sage Greens

Muted, dusty shades like Sage Eucalyptus, Lilac Bush, and homemade Nettle counterbalance medium wood tones with subtle contrast.

Soft Yellow

Warm golden hues like Banana Leaf, Harvest Dawn, or Marigold offset cherry and mahogany tones while aligning with their warmth.

Taupes

Complex earthy greige shades like Edgecomb Gray, Accessible Beige, and Chelsea Gray temper medium cabinet redness in a more neutral way.

Best Paint Colors for Dark Wood Cabinets

Since darker cabinetry minimizes wood undertones, you have more freedom to choose paint colors. Opt for lighter counterparts that make the wood pop. Consider:

Crisp Whites

Bright whites like Ultra Pure White, Decorators White, or Extra White provide gorgeous contrast against dark espresso cabinets.

Light Grays

Cool, ethereal tones like Gray Screen, Rain, Cityscape, and Classic Gray elegantly play off dark cabinetry for a modern vibe.

Sky Blues

Serene sky blue shades like Clear Day and Late Summer Sky offer a refreshing pop of color against dramatic dark cabinetry.

Citrus Yellows

Zesty paint colors like Lemon Twist, Citron, and Taxicab Yellow provide a joyful, energizing contrast against darker kitchen cabinetry.

Minty Greens

Cool greens like Spa, Bayberry, Hint of Mint and Cucumber provide a revitalizing pop against darker wood elements.

Choosing Paint Finishes

Beyond color, the paint's finish will also impact the look and feel. Consider how these options pair with cabinetry:

Eggshell

Eggshell provides subtle sheen that gently contrasts with wood cabinets without competing with the natural grain.

Satin

With medium reflectiveness, satin offers a smooth accent next to woods. It resists scuffs better than flat finishes.

Semi-Gloss

Semi-gloss has more luster that calls attention to trim and creates dynamic contrast next to wood elements.

High Gloss

Ultra reflective high gloss is attention-grabbing next to wood. Use it sparingly on accent walls or cabinets.

Achieving a Cohesive Look

Tying everything together is the final step for a harmonious kitchen. Here are tips to create a polished look:

Accent Colors

Use accents like pendant lights, barstools, or appliances in colors that complement your cabinetry and wall paint.

Echo Wood Tones

Incorporate wood elements like open shelving, butcher blocks, or furniture in tones that echo your cabinets.

Tie in Countertops

Choose countertop materials and backsplashes that coordinate with your cabinetry's natural colors.

Weave in greenery and decorative objects in colors that enhance your kitchen's complete palette.

You can find the perfect paint colors for your wood cabinets with careful planning. Pay attention to undertones, natural light and your kitchen's proportions. Then have fun trying out colors and finishes. Before you know it, your kitchen will feel fresh, cohesive and uniquely you!