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durri

Kitchen cabinet color...please help me decide!

2 years ago

I'm updating my kitchen from its 1989 oak glory days and recently replaced the counters with calacatta quartz and am in the midst of installing new backsplash (whitish/grayish subway tiles).


I was determined to NOT paint the cabinets white or gray cabinets and instead was trying to find a "greige" or something softer to warm up the room. I have south facing windows with mostly artificial LED lights to brighten it up. My floors are a darker greyish/brown as you can see in one of the pics.

However, the more I look at the space the more I think white is my only safe option. I put up some "greige" samples and they just looked too beige/brown in the space. I'm looking for something timeless and not overly trendy, as I can't afford to update my kitchen every few years.


Thoughts? If white, is there one you recommend? Or a color, a specific one that will complement the space? I need to decide by Thursday and keep changing my mind! Thank you fellow Houzzers!




Comments (18)

  • 2 years ago

    Maybe you can track down this paint, but it may not work with the white subway tiles and gray pattern, which are now your "givens."

    Green Hills Elegance · More Info


    Two tone white and gray could work. This subway tile reminds me of yours.

    Tuxedo Kitchen Remodel · More Info


    This pale gray has a taupe look to it.

    Gray Cabinets Brighten This Small Light & White Transitional Family Kitchen · More Info


    Duri N thanked housegal200
  • 2 years ago

    Take a small piece of your countertop and your backsplash tile with you to the paint store, and find the white that looks the best with them. You cant find a color on the internet, because our monitors all show different than the actual white you have in your kitchen already.

    Duri N thanked cat_ky
  • 2 years ago

    I would not default to white when there's a lack of natural light. You lose much of the nuances of off-whites and LEDs make everything look stark. Counterintuitively, dark colors may work well.

    Duri N thanked HU-918119203
  • 2 years ago

    Creekstone is the name of a cabinet finish in my top photo. It does have some gray to it. Do a very large sample on butcher paper of whatever non-white or gray that you choose to put against floors, countertops, and subway tile. On my screen I just put sample below against your two photos, and Creekstone looked compatible, but natural and artificial light in the actual space is the only way to see what works.

    https://www.ultracraft.com/finish/creekstone/?mid=129


    Duri N thanked housegal200
  • 2 years ago

    "Calacatta" seems to be a more general term for quartz, rather than specifying one color. So I know my search is of limited help to you, but try reading this article for inspiration: https://www.msisurfaces.com/blogs/post/2020/03/19/dreamy-duos-quartz-paint-perfect-color-pairings-for-countertops-cabinets.aspx

    Duri N thanked Jenny
  • 2 years ago

    I like the color of this kitchen. You may want to try these Benjamin Moore colors against your countertop and backsplash.



    Duri N thanked ffpalms
  • 2 years ago

    @ffpalms: BM Silver Fox is lovely, at least on the screen. I don't see a window in this kitchen, so light colors would probably be best.

  • 2 years ago

    What is the color on the back of the peninsula? It looks like a possibility to me. If you don't like that for your cabinets maybe you can use it as a jumping off point to find what you like. As cat_ky said, monitors frequently don't show colors the way they look in real life, so it's difficult for any of us to be able to tell you exactly which color will work. The most popular BM whites used on cabinets are White Dove, Simply White, Cloud White and Chantilly Lace. The first three are warmer, but you are looking to match the floors and counters, so that's what you're going to have to go by. Bring home chips for everything that looks even remotely like a possibility and when you have it narrowed down, graduate to larger samples. If you can, have one door done as a sample before having the whole kitchen done as the type of finish also affects how we perceive color. If you're ever in the position of having to do this type of project again, the best order to make your choices is cabinets, counters and then backsplash (assuming floors are fixed).

    Duri N thanked kandrewspa
  • 2 years ago

    Thank you all - some really great suggestions. The color on the back of the peninsula is SW Agreeable Gray but when I put a sample on the actual cabinets, it looks completely different. More beige. I was choosing warm gray/greiges but for some reason, the lighting makes them look even warmer. So I'm thinking I need to find more neutral/cool colors. I'm trying to stay away from dark colors as I do want to brighten up the space.

  • 2 years ago

    navy would be the best. I'd choose longer pulls in a polished nickel or some metal.... is there a way to remove the last upper wall cabinet .....near the key hanger? just that bit of reduction would make a difference. you can tile up or place an open shelf or two there. Seems like something a little more varied at eye level would help.


    here are some darker navy shades[maybe almost charcoal] Hale Navy is a popular paint

    I think the longer pulls would be good...


    Navy Blue Kitchen Cabinets Perfect Fit for a Classy and Sophisticated Kitchen · More Info


    Temptation Gray Bar · More Info


    Duri N thanked herbflavor
  • 2 years ago

    You've put the cart before the horse by picking the cabinet colour after the counter and backsplash. But that doesn't mean there isn't a solution - it just means you've made the job a little harder to find just the right colour to pull it all together.

    I see in your comment that you were trying to stay away from either grey or white. To bring together the elements which are now fixed (floor, counter, backsplash tile) you need to find a colour that will work well with all of them. They all clearly have a grey tone of one sort or another.

    But I think if you can find the right colour of "greige" that leans toward a cooler grey colour, it might do it. You'll need to pick up lots of samples and keep trying until you find what works in your space with the light you've got. Remember that light bulbs can vastly change the appearance of colour in your room so I'd start by choosing a bright white bulb (somewhere between 3000 and 4000), if you don't have that already.

    Then as advised above, take samples of your tile and counter, and flooring (if you have some) to a good paint store (not a big box) and find someone to provide some guidance on colour choices

    . I've had really good luck with Benjamin Moore people - YMMV.

    Here are some ideas. Get samples and once you've narrowed down some choices, ask whomever is painting your cupboards to do some trial doors for you.


    Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist


    SW Mindful Grey








    BM Light Pewter


    Duri N thanked mvcanada
  • 2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    The floor is gray tone, the counters need a gray companion, the subway tiles surely show gray.



    Do gray for the cabinets and change the wall color.



    Duri N thanked elcieg
  • 2 years ago

    If you are looking at your colors while your floor has protection paper over it, it can really change what you are looking at because the light doesn't reflect off it the same way. (I just went through this too and it made such a difference to look at colors with the floors uncovered.)


    I would also tape a gigantic piece of white paper over your cabinets, or hang a sheet over them, then hold up your colors. They are probably getting really thrown off by holding them up next to the background of the cabinets.


    I too think that the back of your peninsula looks great. Do you have any left over paint from that? If so, I'd paint a poster board the side of a cabinet door and move it around the kitchen and try it on the uppers and lowers. I think it looks fantastic, though it does get different light than your other cabinets will.


    Your material choices so far are beautiful.

  • 2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    dont paint the cabinets gray. floor is a huge area of gray especially without daylight. White would be better than gray. But find a color if you can. There isnt that much to look at with the same layout/ no window for view / all white and gray , so far. Color provides interest when there is not very much going on....


    here's a soft green...just leave the grays at the floor and let color into your space...2nd pic.....a little more saturated green. can be nice.


    LL Flooring · More Info



    Narrow Bath · More Info


  • 2 years ago

    no more grey - do a soft green with a hint of grey.

  • 2 years ago

    If this cabinet painting is going to be diy, remember you need a paint that is actually for cabinets, not regular type paint. There is a lot of prep to do too. Its not a quick job, and you want it to hold up well. Lots of cleaning, and when you think its good and clean, clean it again.. It needs to be sanded well. Then wiped down good. A top quality primer that is a sealing bonding primer needs to be used. Finally 2, or possibly even 3 coats of paint. Please check all cans of primer and paint for the drying time, before it can be recoated.

  • 2 years ago

    Hello all - thank you so much for your input, You all certainly gave me a lot to consider! After much deliberation and sleepless nights pouring over the paint colors you recommended, ended up choosing white (SW Pure White to be exact). I figured keeping the cabinets as timeless as possible would help me play with color on the walls and accessories more, especially since another kitchen refresh is likely not in my future for a LONG time. I will post pictures once complete!