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cwilsongilbert

How do I choose the right white for my kitchen cabinets?

4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago

I had my perimeter cabinets in the kitchen painted in BM White Dove and I couldn't be more disappointed in how they turned out. Our house is west backing so we do a lot of direct sun. I purchased sample tins and painted an entire panel to test the colour and see it at different times of the day. White Dove looks so yellow and creamy in my kitchen. I used the same paint on my cabinetry in the butlers pantry and laundry room. It looks great. I now need to have my cabinets in the kitchen painted again to get rid warm yellow colour. I went to get sample cards of Super White, Chantilly Lace, White Heron, Decorator's White and Frostine. I do not want to be disappointed again. I have cool brick layed backsplash tiles, and Calacatta Nuvo Caesarstone and my island is painted BM Paloma Gray. In theory the white dove worked but there is something that's reflecting on the cabinetry in the natural light that's causing it to look like so yellow and I can't live with it, it bothers me too much. 80% of the time we don't even use lighting in this room. I need help with choosing a new neutral or cool white. Please help!




Comments (17)

  • 4 years ago

    Your floor may be reflecting a bit of yellow onto the lower cabinets, but I think they look fine. Maybe give it a little time before you rush into repainting them a different color?

  • 4 years ago

    I think, it is pretty as is. As other recommended, wait and see if it is still going to bother

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    I've lived with them for 6 months now. I hate it. When the direct sun is in the house they look buttercup yellow. I think it's because it looks like a mistake on the white paint choice. The tone is too warm compared to the backsplash, and counters.

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    I don't see what you are seeing. It looks very good. I wish all the white painted cabinets we see on this forum looked as good as yours.

    "When the direct sun is in the house they look buttercup yellow."

    If you re-paint, I'd have a concern that when the sun is not hitting it - like in the evening when we spend the most time in the kitchen - you won't like the color then.

  • 4 years ago

    Looks great to me!

  • 4 years ago

    It does look good!! I personally wouldn’t mess with it. Maybe add a runner and some stuff to the counter to distract

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    I sympathize. It’s not easy.

    My freshly painted SW Snowbound cabinets have some yellow tones in certain light. (And that was the case even before they uncovered my floors, so I know it’s not that.) The lowers look as-intended; sometimes the uppers do, but more often not quite. I have a theory that lacquer paint changes things (vs your general sample).

    I’m telling myself to get over it, be grateful, and wait until everything is truly done. 🙏🏻

    My suggestion to you for now, respectfully: Think about what else you might enjoy doing more with the thousands it would cost to repaint. (I’m also talking to myself, there - haha!) Overall, you’ve done a beautiful job on your kitchen and I hope you enjoy the freshness of your space!




  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    The issue is the backsplash looking some cold and gray that it makes the cabinets look cream in comparison. Tape over it with printer paper and live with that for a couple of days.

  • 4 years ago

    Another thing: Compare against the beautiful kitchen of the week. If you look by the window, its cabinets are also creamier than the cool of the backsplash (to my eye- but perhaps that’s what I want to see…).


    https://www.houzz.com/magazine/kitchen-of-the-week-creamy-whites-and-grays-brighten-things-up-stsetivw-vs~153893607

  • 4 years ago

    To the OP and toJulie R— both of your kitchens are to die-for! Stunningly gorgeous. I wouldn’t change your paint.

  • 4 years ago

    Your cabinets are GORGEOUS!! Not a huge fan of the tile, but dunno if I would bother to change it.

  • 4 years ago

    The backsplash looks light blue, which brings out the yellow in the white cabinets. Agree with covering it up with white poster board and see how the cabinets look without the backsplash next to them.

  • 4 years ago

    Love your kitchen. I have the same countertop and creamy white cabinets but my backsplash has more gray in it and it all blends well (though I only have a tiny East facing window) and floors are a white/off white tile. I'm wondering if it's the wood floor and cool back splash tile that is contributing to the yellow you see certain times of the day. What time of day and how many hours do you see this yellow in your cabinets? I know you've lived with it 6 months, but maybe once there are wood toned cutting boards and other color accessories, that feeling will fade

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    When all the samples were paired prior to install they looked great together. I wanted a white tile backsplash to add a layer of texture vs. colour. I had about 20 different white tiles and they were all bright white or warm white. So I opted for a multi tonal tile so it would pull all tones of white/grey. Unfortunately, the backsplash is so cool and the cabinets are so warm it has made the tone difference look a lot greater than it should. I have full sun on the cabinets from 11:00 am until sun down every day so its a lot. We rarely need to turn any lights until winter when the sun sets earlier. I know the sun is a huge culprit. I have having built ins installed in my living room which is directly across from the kitchen (so I would have to paint them the same as the kitchen white). The entire back wall of my house is windows so I know I’ll have the same issue there. This is why I need to have the cabinets sorted before because it will drive me crazy to see yellow everywhere.



  • 4 years ago

    I see what you are saying. I wonder, if you changed the pulls to something like a satin brass, if it would pull together the greys and warm tones. I think the gray metal on the cabinets may be causing the problem. It wouldn’t be expensive to get a couple of satin brass pulls and give it a try.

  • 4 years ago

    Hello, if you are still monitoring this post… I am dealing with similar dilemma and need to make sure there won’t be any yellow in my cabinet Color. What are your backsplash tiles?