Painted Kitchen Cabinets Color Combinations
Tired of staring at the same old oak cabinets in your kitchen? Give them new life with a fresh coat of colorful paint! Painting kitchen cabinets opens up endless possibilities for infusing personality and style into your space. But with so many colors to choose from, where do you start? Read on as we explore popular painted cabinet color combinations to inspire your next kitchen makeover.
Paint breathes new life into worn, dated kitchens instantly. And it's budget-friendly compared to a full remodel. Whether you love clean, bright whites or rich moody hues, keep reading for stylish kitchen cabinet color ideas.
Benefits of Painting Kitchen Cabinets
Before diving into colors, let's review why painting cabinets is popular.
- Painting is more affordable than replacing cabinets, costing a fraction of the price.
- Fresh paint updates the look of older cabinets quickly without a full renovation.
- Painted cabinets are on-trend and give personality to generic cabinetry.
- Color coordinating your cabinets and other elements creates a cohesive style.
Painting lets homeowners upgrade cabinets for thousands less than new cabinetry. And it allows customizing colors to your taste. Whether you love clean whites, striking black, or bold blues, paint offers flexibility.
Choosing Paint Colors for Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen cabinet colors influence the whole room's mood and style. Where white elicits feelings of purity and clarity, navy blue evokes depth and drama. Consider the emotions you want to inspire before deciding.
Neutral Cabinet Paint Colors
Neutrals like white, gray, and beige are top choices because they're versatile. They also make small kitchens appear larger.
White
White kitchen cabinets project cleanliness and brightness. The color enhances lighting, making kitchen tasks easier. All-white kitchens are a top trend, but white cabinets also pair well with contrasting islands, backslash tiles, or accent walls.
Gray
Gray beautifully bridges traditional white and bold black cabinetry. For a soft look, try a warm griege tone. Cool grays lend modern appeal. Gray painted cabinets suit transitional spaces blending modern and traditional elements.
Beige
Beige cabinets provide flexibility in design. Depending on the hue, they can read traditional, rustic, or contemporary. Deeper beiges like almond work in traditional cookspaces, while greige suits modern designs.
Bold Cabinet Paint Colors
Vibrant cabinet colors make the kitchen the home's colorful showpiece. Blues, greens, reds, and yellows grab attention.
Blues
Navy blue kitchen cabinets are trending because blue is associated with restfulness and serenity. Navy suits traditional to contemporary styles. Lighter sky blues are also popular for a soothing, laid-back look.
Greens
Green cabinetry from sage to emerald suits classic to eclectic kitchens. Dark green cabinets strike an elegant, refined tone. Lighter greens like pistachio read playful and casual.
Yellows
Yellow inspires joy and energy. Newer on the scene than blue for cabinetry, it makes a cheerful color statement. Pair sunny yellow cabinets with contrasting navy or dark green for a vibrant look.
Two-Tone Kitchen Cabinet Colors
Mixing cabinet paint colors amps visual interest. Common pairings include:
- White uppers, green lowers
- Blue uppers, wood-look lowers
- Black island, white perimeter cabinets
Two-toned kitchen cabinets make small spaces appear larger and add modern personality. If an all-white or all-black palette feels too stark, introduce color through island or lower cabinets.
Factors to Consider When Selecting Paint Colors
Cabinet color decisions impact the whole kitchen. Consider these factors first:
Countertops
Countertop and cabinet combinations greatly influence color flow. White, beige and black cabinets suit most countertops from gleaming white quartzite to inky soapstone. Granites, marbles, and quartzes with bold veining or pattern pair best with white or neutral cabinetry. Choose a color that complements without competing.
Backsplash
Like countertops, splashy backsplashes with vibrant tiles stand out best against a neutral backdrop. Save money by using neutral cabinets as a blank slate for an eye-catching mosaic tile or colorful accent wall behind the work zone.
Flooring
Cabinets should complement flooring without exact color matching. Similar tones keep the kitchen unified. Natural wood cabinetry looks beautiful against wood-look porcelain plank tile or hardwood flooring.
Lighting
Factor in how cabinet paint colors work under both natural and artificial light. Bold navy cabinets can appear almost black under pale bulbs or sunlight. Test colored paint samples at varied times of day.
Wall Color
Wall color impacts cabinet appearance. Whites stand out against black or charcoal walls. Soft blue-grays enhance crisp whites. Collect wall paint swatches as you preview cabinet samples to compare.
Preparing Kitchen Cabinets for Painting
Proper prep work leads to smooth, lasting painted finishes. Don't skip these key steps:
Cleaning
Thoroughly clean cabinet surfaces and hardware of oils, grease residue, soap scum and dust using a degreasing cleaner. Rinse and let dry completely.
Sanding
Lightly sand glossy finishes to rough up the surface so fresh paint adheres properly. Use extra-fine grit sandpaper to avoid scratching wood.
Priming
Quality primer creates a bonding layer so paint sticks to cabinets. For the smoothest finish, opt for oil-based over water-based varieties.
Application and Finishing Touches
Follow this advice for getting optimum painted cabinet results:
Brush vs. Spray
For DIY novices, apply cabinet paint with a high-quality angled brush. Spray painting requires expert technique but creates a smooth factory-like finish.
Clear Top Coats
One or two protective clear coats prevent painted finishes from yellowing over time while adding sheen. Consider satin or semi-gloss for durability and easy cleaning.
Complete your kitchen's transformation by replacing outdated hardware with recessed pulls, cup or bin pulls, or sleek handles that align with your new color scheme.
The next time you feel the urge to renovate your cookspace, consider the transformative power of painted kitchen cabinets first. Fresh color quickly modernizes worn kitchens without the expense of brand new cabinetry. Just think through practical factors along with your color preferences. Then prepare surfaces properly so your painted finish withstands years of cooking activity with elegance.