Popular Neutral Colors for Kitchen Cabinets
Choosing a neutral color for your kitchen cabinets allows flexibility in design while promoting a relaxed and inviting kitchen environment. Soft whites, elegant grays, warm beiges and tranquil tans offer a versatile canvas that pairs well with many styles. As neutral cabinet colors trend in modern kitchens, here's an in-depth guide on how to pick the best shades to complement your space.
The Draw of Neutral Kitchen Cabinets
Neutral cabinet colors like white, gray, beige and cream have surged in popularity for several key reasons:
- They act as a subtle backdrop that puts the focus on other elements like countertops, tile backsplashes and decorative accents
- Softer shades help make small kitchens appear larger and brighter
- Crisp whites promote an airy, spacious aesthetic
- Neutrals are easy to mix and match with various hardware finishes, counters and floors
While neutral may come across as "safe," the right hue and finish can convey elegance, warmth or modern simplicity. By testing colors in your actual kitchen light, you can find the perfect neutral tone to complement your space.
Factors that Impact Neutral Cabinet Color
Kitchen cabinet colors don't exist in isolation. Their ultimate appearance depends on other elements in the room that bounce and absorb light. As you evaluate neutral paint colors, keep the following factors in mind:
Lighting: Natural & Artificial
The direction, intensity and color temperature of lighting impacts how colors are perceived. North-facing rooms may read cooler in tone than southern exposures awash in warm daylight. Cool fluorescents can drain the richness from beiges and creams, while incandescent bulbs cast a golden glow.
Countertops & Backsplashes
Lighter granite, quartz and marble counters allow white cabinetry to stand out, while darker surfaces enable shades of gray or tan to pop. Backsplashes in glossy tile, colorful glass or rich wood add depth against neutral cabinetry.
Flooring
Floors ground a kitchen's color palette. For a seamless flow, select cabinet and floor hues with similar undertones. Warm oak floors and cool-toned gray cabinets can feel disjointed. Allow bold floor tile to shine against quiet white or beige cabinetry.
Personal Style & Taste
Factor in your overall aesthetic tastes when evaluating neutral colors. Do you lean modern or traditional? Appreciate bold contrast or softer harmony? Draw inspiration from favorite decorator colors and patterns when fine-tuning the perfect neutral cabinet shade.
The Best Neutral Cabinet Paint Colors
Ready to explore shades that work in a range of kitchen designs? Here are the most popular neutral color contenders for cabinets:
Crisp White
Classic white kitchen cabinets project an airy, spacious look, reflecting light beautifully. Crisp whites like Wickham Gray evoke modern minimalism. Softer whites like Accessible Beige or Swiss Coffee lend traditional grace. Designer favorites include:
- Benjamin Moore Simply White
- Sherwin-Williams Extra White
- Behr White Metal
Warm & Inviting Creams
Nothing says welcome home like creamy kitchen cabinets. From buttery pale to deeper caramel, cream cabinets add subtle color while feeling wonderfully neutral. Popular options include:
- Behr Cappuccino Foam
- Benjamin Moore Linen White
- Sherwin-Williams Accessible Beige
Soothing Gray
Gray kitchen cabinets offer a palette pleasing modern or traditional. Cool grays like Gray Owl feel crisply elegant, while greiges like Revere Pewter add subtle warmth. Trending gray cabinet colors include:
- Benjamin Moore Gray Owl
- Behr Peppercorn
- Sherwin-Williams Mindful Gray
Warm Beiges & Tans
Nothing says relaxed and welcoming like beige cabinets with golden undertones. Pair with butcher block counters for stunning contrast. Beach-inspired favorites include:
- Benjamin Moore Beach Glass
- Behr Roasted Chestnut
- Sherwin-Williams Accessible Beige
Browning Beiges
Deeper beiges offer flexibility between warm and cool depending on accompanying elements. Browning beiges like Sherwin-Williams Kilim Beige complement granite counters in a traditional kitchen or sleek surfaces in modern spaces.
Tips for Choosing & Applying Neutral Cabinet Colors
Making neutrals shine requires attention during color selection and paint application. Consider these pro tips:
Test Colors On-Site
Evaluate paint strips and samples in the kitchen's actual light at different times of day. Colors appear differently in morning sun, midday brightness and evening incandescence. Testing on-site helps avoid surprises.
Collect Inspiration Images
Compile inspiration photos of kitchen designs you love highlighting cabinet and counter combos. Analyze what specifically draws you and apply elements to your own space.
Hire a Pro or DIY
Refinishing kitchen cabinets demands thorough prep and high-quality primer and paint to avoid chips or yellowing. If DIYing, allow extensive dry time between coats. Pros complete the job quickly with specialized equipment.
Add Pops of Color
Prevent neutrals from falling flat by layering in hits of brightness. Display colorful dish collections in glass cabinets, hang cherry red pots, or install an azure blue subway tile backsplash.
Caring for Neutral Kitchen Cabinets
Maintain the beauty of neutral painted cabinets through:
- Gentle Cleaning: Use mild soap and water rather than harsh cleansers. Avoid excessive moisture.
- Prompt Touch-Ups: Quickly fix nicks, scrapes or dings in cabinet paint using the original hue.
- Heat & Moisture Protection: Install shields behind appliances that release steam and heat to prevent damage.
Neutral cabinet colors grant flexibility in kitchen design, acting as a subtle foundation for personalizing with wall hues, finishes and accents. Choosing a shade aligned with your style that fits well with the room's lighting and surfaces ensures cabinets enhance rather than overwhelm the space. Crisp whites promote openness, warm grays invite tranquility, deep beiges whisper coziness. Determine the vibe you wish to convey, then implement neutral cabinets to help set the intended tone.