Designers’ Favorite Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colors (That Aren’t White)

Interior designers know that there’s a world of options to consider when it comes to kitchen cabinet paint colors. However, some shades hold a special place in designers’ hearts and are ones that they keep coming back to time and time again when decorating kitchens. Here, we’re sharing four shades the pros are absolutely loving lately—and surprisingly, none of them are white!

Deep Blues

It’s safe to say that designers are all for blue kitchen cabinetry. “Blue kitchens are one of the most flexible cabinet options out there,” says Darlene Molnar, the founder of an eponymous design firm. “A classic navy, for example, can be taken in a preppy coastal direction or moody urban direction,” she explains, noting that blue is her most commonly requested hue for kitchens. “It’s not white, but it’s just as flexible!” she adds.

Deep blue hues also weave in some dramatic flair. “As a designer, I’m always drawn to colors that feel classic yet unexpected,” says Kerrie Kelly, designer and creative director of Fabuwood, a custom cabinetry brand.

Within the family of deep blues, there are a number of options to choose from color-wise. Kelly cites Fabuwood’s Denim Blue as a top pick. “It’s rich and refined without being overpowering, making it the perfect foundation or standout moment,” she says.

Benjamin Moore’s Stillwater, which Molnar used in a beachside Delaware kitchen, is an excellent similar contender. “Paired with white hardware, it really brings a summery feel to the kitchen,” the designer says.

Beige and Wood Tones

Warm up your kitchen with wood or beige-colored cabinets that “bring the shades of nature indoors,” recommends Julee Ireland, Fabuwood’s design ambassador. “The right cabinet color (or combination, if you’re mixing a few) should evoke a sense of warmth, contrast, and harmony,” she says.

Ireland is a proponent of using Fabuwood’s Desert Oak to achieve this look, though if you want to use traditional paint, opt for Accessible Beige by Sherwin-Williams.

For a lighter option, try Drifting by Dunn-Edwards, which Jennifer Beget, the founder of J Beget Designs LLC, utilized in a kitchen with white walls. “Selecting a beige color for our client’s cabinets allowed us to maintain a neutral yet warm feel against the bright white walls throughout the home,” says Beget, who adds that the color “offered a calming and natural aesthetic that’s easy on the eye.”

Greens

Beige and light wood tones aren’t the only ways to weave a natural color palette into your home. “Green tones bring a sense of calm and a connection to nature, which is something more clients are craving lately,” says Dorothy McGhee, the founder of McGhee Studios. “We know that biophilic design is something that’s become more popular in the post-Covid world.”

The designer’s favorite green of the moment is Rockwood Jade by Sherwin-Williams. “It works beautifully in kitchens and built-ins where you want warmth and depth but still want the room to feel grounded,” she says.

Another green not to miss is Create by Sherwin-Williams, a softer hue that Lisa Graham, the founder of Laurel Alexander Interiors, considers versatile and sophisticated. “It strikes a perfect balance between warmth and tranquility—a dusty, muted sage with just enough pigment to feel intentional without overpowering a space,” she says.

Burgundy

Why not think a bit outside the box by bringing some burgundy into the kitchen? Interior designer Patrice Nichole McCollum likes to drench kitchen cabinets in this shade for a couple of different reasons.

“Burgundy is a sophisticated jewel tone color, but it’s not as expected as blue or green especially in cabinetry,” she says. “It complements a lot of natural stones and looks great on so many different cabinet door styles.”

Rebecca Plumb, the founder of Studio Plumb, is equally drawn to this shade. “There’s something so romantic and grounding about a deep wine color, especially in a dining space,” she points out.

One of McCollum’s go-tos is Sommelier by Sherwin-Williams, shown on the above kitchen cabinets in a high gloss finish, while Plumb is partial to Deep Maroon by Sherwin-Williams.