My Top Paint Color Picks for Dark Kitchen Cabinets
I’m a day late with this blog post, but I hope your week is going well so far! As we’re already into August and our focus slowly begins to shift toward fall, I’ve been feeling inspired by darker colors. One of the most asked design questions I receive is, “What color are your kitchen cabinets?” and I’ll admit, I absolutely love our moody kitchen and dark cabinetry. If you’re also considering dark kitchen cabinets, I wanted to share my top paint color picks, with my designer stamp of approval. These are some of the best paint colors I’ve bookmarked and saved specifically for dark kitchen cabinets in mind. I’ve selected darker colors and swatches for five classic color categories: navy, black, rich brown, deep green, and burgundy hues. Click through to see my selections and be sure to save or pin these for later!
If you’re curious about my exact kitchen cabinet paint color, check out this post on Color Matching Our Kitchen Cabinets. Or- if you’re purchasing new cabinetry… this post contains My Favorite Readymade Cabinetry Colors. If you’re renovating your kitchen on a budget, I’d highly recommend a door swap with a fresh coat of paint! This post will be helpful on How to Replace & Upgrade Your Cabinet Doors while keeping the existing frame and footprint.
Kitchen Design Tips for Integrating Dark Cabinetry
I think a common misconception is that a small kitchen or a kitchen with a low amount of natural light must be painted a shade of white or creamy neutral. When it comes to kitchen design, oftentimes dark colors or bold colors can add personality, depth, striking contrast, and much needed character to low light or small spaces, actually making them appear larger than they actually are. The key to choosing the perfect paint color is to swatch test a variety of colors using classic palettes to see how they interact and work within your space. Here are five of my best designer tips for integrating dark cabinetry…
- Always swatch your paint! What looks nice in my home, may not be the right fit for yours… and what translates from your screen (displayed in RGB) may look totally different in person (CMYK). It’s important to test your paint to see how it absorbs and reflects the light in your space. So many factors come into play, it’s the only sure way you can feel confident moving forward- especially with dark paint. Check out this detailed designer trick post on choosing the perfect paint color!
- Make a moodboard using materials you’ll include in the kitchen design (paint chips, a cabinet door sample, countertop swatches, hardware, tile or flooring material, etc). Check out this post for instructions on how to make a physical interior design moodboard. Bring the moodboard into the kitchen to see how things look in the actual room.
- Don’t limit yourself to light countertops- dark countertops paired with dark cabinetry is equally as beautiful and classic. I used soapstone (black) paired with my dark navy-ish cabinets. Light countertops can provide a nice contrast, but either will work depending on the aesthetic you’re going for.
- Consider the flooring material to lighten or add warmth when balancing dark cabinetry. I love hardwoods in the kitchen for that exact reason… especially paired with our navy cabinets- they’re the perfect complement.
- Add contrast and warmth with visually lighter plumbing fixtures, such as polished nickel, living brass, or antique brass for a timeless and balanced look. Check out this post on how to mix metals and choose kitchen plumbing fixtures.
I’ve hand picked the following dark cabinet colors- all of which are classic picks that feel sophisticated, higher-end, aren’t overly saturated, and will withstand the test of time. Hopefully within them, you’ll find the right color for your home…
Neutral Navy
Mount Etna // Gale Force // Naval // Sea Serpent // Submarine Gray // Mysterious
First, let’s chat about neutral navy blue… these all have cool undertones that pair beautifully with wood tones, basically any natural stone, and provide a timeless look. You could easily combine them with lighter materials, such as carrara marble or a lighter backsplash tile, for a brighter high contrast look. If you’re curious about the EXACT color of my cabinets, check out this post on color matching our kitchen cabinets. I always treat navy as a neutral, and these are all safe bets.
Classic Black
Tricorn Black // Jet Black // Black // Caviar // Black Iron // Pitch Black
Next… black cabinets will never go out of style! It’s a great option for creating a classic moody kitchen. Tricorn Black is my go-to deep black swatch, but I also appreciate the lighter options- like Pitch Black and Black Iron. Pairing different hues of black will also create a nice layered depth. I like pairing black cabinetry with dark bronze or brass for a warm aesthetic.
Rich Brown
Dark Clove // Tea Leaf // Van Buren Brown // Rue Bourbon // Sable // Middlebury Brown
While rich brown swatches are certainly having a moment this year, I do think these historic shades have a classic appeal that will withstand the test of time. These warm neutral colors are anything but boring, and are a great way to offset cooler materials- such as marble, high contrast porcelain tile, soapstone, and slate.
Dark Green
Laurel Woods // Trailing Vines // Vintage Vogue // Field Trip // Shade-Grown // Rookwood Dark Green
Dark green remains one of my personal favorite colors. It also seems to be the popular dark paint color choice for kitchen cabinetry. There is something about deep forest green paired with timeless brass fixtures that really make a kitchen feel inviting. It’s one of my favorite classic combinations. You can also see more of my favorite green paint colors here!
Wine & Burgundy Hues
Bewitched // Brinjal // Sommelier // Carnelian // Arroyo Red // Hodley Red
Last year, I used this color palette in my maroon guest room and couldn’t help but think how lovely these darker hues with warm undertones would look on kitchen cabinetry. They’re bold, historic, and would be stunning in any paint finish… gloss or matte. Red hues have gained popularity this year and I see no slowing of that trend. It’s also a shade that feels very luxe and designerly. If you’re craving personality, go for a bold shade in this palette!
FAQ
I prefer the lighter and warmer contrast of polished nickel or brass plumbing fixtures alongside dark cabinets. My exclusion is black cabinetry… I do love the monochromatic look of black cabinets paired with dark bronze fixtures, but brass is a close second.
Absolutely! I always recommend grabbing a few paint sample pots, swatching them in the actual space, then live with them for at least a few days. See how they change throughout the day, observe how they absorb and reflect the light, check how they look during the evening hours with the lights switched on, and see how they play with the other materials in the space (tile, flooring, stone, hardware, etc). A kitchen is a big investment, so really take the time to swatch and choose the perfect color for your cabinets. It’s worth the extra effort!
Related
Looking for more paint colors, swatches, and designer approved top picks? Find my best paint color choices and advice in these posts from the past:
- How Paint Color Percentages Work and When To Use Them
- Favorite Benjamin Moore Paint Swatches
- Timeless Paint Colors and Favorite Pairings
- Color Matching Our Kitchen Cabinets
- Paint Colors As Seen Throughout My Home
- Favorite Paint Swatches from the Sherwin-Williams Designer Deck
- My Favorite Green Paint Colors
- Designer Trick : Choosing the Perfect Paint Color
- My Favorite (Non White) Neutral Paint Colors
- My Favorite Readymade Cabinet Colors
I hope this post was helpful if you’re trying to nail down kitchen paint colors! Please let me know if you have any questions in the comment section below- I’m always happy to help. I’d also love to hear which color family you’d be most likely to use in your own home? While our main kitchen is finished and our basement kitchen & bar is also complete, we’re currently working to design & build an outdoor kitchen– which will have white cabinetry. After that, the last set of cabinets we’ll need to address is our future laundry room renovation. I’ve yet to decide if those will be light, medium, or dark. I do love a renovation that includes cabinetry! Here’s to a great week ahead. We’ve just sent our niece back home, so it’s back to the regular daily grind over here… which is why I’m running a little behind this week!