Painted Kitchen Cabinets Color Inspiration

Transforming the look of your kitchen often starts with painting the cabinets. Painted kitchen cabinets allow homeowners to update the style and color of their kitchens without a full renovation or replacement of cabinetry. Painting cabinets is an affordable DIY project that can completely change the mood and atmosphere of your home's heart.

When we refer to painted kitchen cabinets, we mean refinishing the existing cabinet boxes and doors with paint instead of wood stains or clear finishes. Paint allows you to cover up old, dated cabinet colors for a fresh facelift. Popular color choices include white, gray, blue, green, black, and more.

Definition of Painted Kitchen Cabinets

Painted kitchen cabinets utilize high-quality cabinet paint to refinish or refresh the existing cabinetry. Rather than installing brand new cabinets, painting allows you to transform the look by applying new colored paint.

Benefits of Painting Kitchen Cabinets

• More affordable than new cabinets
• Freshens up existing cabinetry
• Allows you to change color schemes
• DIY friendly

Factors to Consider When Choosing Paint Colors

• Cabinet style
• Countertops
• Backsplash
• Flooring
• Lighting
• Wall color
• Personal style preferences

Most Popular Painted Kitchen Cabinet Color Ideas

When selecting a color for your painted kitchen cabinets, the options are endless. However, certain shades tend to be the most popular choices year after year. These include:

White

Crisp, clean white never goes out of style. White painted cabinets pair well with any color accents and choices of hardware. From bright white to antique white, the classic shade makes kitchens look light and airy.

Gray

Gray beautifully balances modern and traditional kitchen elements. Depending on the undertones, gray painted cabinets set a mood from light and airy to cozy and dramatic. Gray also matches well with other colors.

Navy Blue

Navy blue makes a bold color choice for painted kitchen cabinets. The dark hue contrasts beautifully against white countertops and walls. Navy blue evokes a nautical vibe yet also works in traditional decor.

Sage Green

Earthy sage green offers a vibrant yet calming color for painted cabinets. It pairs nicely with natural wood tones as well as white, black, and brass accents. The versatile soft green suits many decor styles.

Soft Yellow

Warm and cheerful, soft yellow is a rising trend for painted kitchen cabinets. Paired with white trim, yellow evokes cottage charm. Or combine with gray for a trendy yet cozy aesthetic.

Paint Sheen for Kitchen Cabinets

The sheen or glossiness of the paint impacts its look and durability. Common sheens for cabinet paint include:

High-Gloss

Ultra shiny finish like that on a new car. Shows imperfections.

Satin

Smooth finish with a subtle sheen. Resists marks and yellowing.

Semi-Gloss

Medium-high sheen halfway between gloss and satin. Easy to clean.

Matte

Flat, non-reflective finish. Hides imperfections but harder to clean.

Painted Kitchen Cabinet Color Combinations

While a single color can make a statement, creative pairings offer visually striking options for painted cabinets. Popular combinations include:

White and Gray

Classic white cabinets grounded by charcoal gray island or base cabinets.

White and Navy Blue

Crisp white perimeter cabinets contrast a bold navy blue island.

Gray and Sage Green

Warm up cool grays with earthy sage green lowers or accents.

Navy Blue and Yellow

Nautical navy blue uppers or base cabinets with sunshine-yellow island.

Creative Painted Kitchen Cabinet Color Schemes

Beyond one color or two, some painted kitchen cabinets showcase even more creative applications of color. Unique approaches include:

Ombre or Two-Toned Cabinets

Cabinets transition from dark to light shades of one color for an ombre effect.

Contrasting Island

Paint the central island in a different color than the surrounding cabinets.

Mix and Match Colors

Use multiple colors across upper and lower cabinets for an eclectic look.

Complementary Elements for Painted Kitchens

While painted cabinets make the biggest impact, other kitchen elements influence the overall scheme. Coordinating or contrasting choices in these features complement the cabinet colors:

Backsplash

Tile, metal, glass, and other backsplashes intersect with cabinet colors.

Countertops

Countertop materials like quartz, granite, or butcher block enhance the cabinets.

Flooring

Hardwood, tile, or vinyl flooring completes the aesthetic.

Lighting

Pendant lights, under cabinet lighting, and natural sunlight affect perceptions of color.

Preparing Kitchen Cabinets for Painting

Proper preparation is crucial for getting an enduring, quality finish with painted cabinets. Key steps include:

Cleaning

Remove all visible grease, dirt and grime from cabinet surfaces with TSP substitute cleaner.

Sanding

Lightly sand surfaces to rough them up for better paint adhesion.

Priming

Apply quality bonding primer like Kilz to all surfaces before painting.

Caulking and Filling Holes

Use painter's caulk and spackle to patch cracks, nail holes and imperfections.

How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets

From products to techniques, carefully approach your cabinet painting project for best results:

Brushes vs Rollers vs Sprayers

Use angled trim brushes for painting cabinet frames vs foam rollers for wide surfaces and door panels. Sprayers quickly apply an even coat but require tenting off your kitchen.

Paint Types

Water-based cabinet paints like Advance by Benjamin Moore offer great bond and durability for high-use kitchens.

Painting Techniques

Remove doors and drawers for easiest access. Apply multiple thin, even coats allowing proper drying time between coats.

Drying and Curing

Oil-based paints dry faster than latex at approximately 24 hours. Full curing takes longer--up to 30 days.

Maintaining Painted Kitchen Cabinets

Keep your painted cabinets looking fresh by:

Cleaning

Use mild dish soap and water for regular cleaning, avoiding harsh chemicals or abrasives.

Touch Ups

Inspect cabinets periodically and use small artist brushes to quickly fix nicks or scratches.

Recoating

Plan to repaint every 2-5 years depending on durability of topcoat and quality of prep work.

Hiring a Professional Painter vs DIY

Tackling a painting project yourself saves money but requires time and learning. Professional painters charge more but offer experienced techniques for superior, lasting results. Considerations around cost, quality and effort include:

Cost

DIY cabinets cost $2,000+ for supplies only versus $4,000+ for a pro painter providing all materials and labor.

Quality of Results

Professionals have the right tools, skills and workspace needed to expertly paint cabinets.

Time Investment

DIY painting takes 20+ hours across supplies shopping, prep work, painting and cleanup whereas pros typically complete the job in 2-3 days.

Inspiring Photos of Painted Kitchen Cabinets

The following photos showcase a range of painted cabinet color schemes and ideas in beautiful kitchen designs:

Painting kitchen cabinets allows creativity in choosing color while saving the cost of full cabinet replacement. With proper prep work and application of quality paints in complementary hues, you can transform the look, mood and style of your kitchen. Painted cabinet ideas suit range of decor aesthetics from contemporary to classic. We hope this overview of considerations around painted kitchen cabinets inspired exciting new color ideas for your home.