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White cabinets are a classic kitchen choice for a reason. They’re versatile, timeless, and can be paired with a variety of colors to create different looks. But what are the best kitchen colors to go with white cabinets? In this blog post, we’ll share some of our favorite combinations, as well as tips for choosing the right colors for your kitchen.
If you were to rebuild your kitchen, you would want to choose white cabinets since they are traditional and timeless. Excellent decision. White cabinets provide a simple background that highlights other features like accent colors, flooring, and countertops. Choosing the ideal combination for your room may be intimidating, however, since there are so many choices available for appliances, accent colors, worktops, and cabinets. We’ve got you covered, so don’t worry. We looked through design blogs, Pinterest, and Instagram to uncover the most well-liked, current color schemes for kitchens with white
cabinets. You may add bold color accents or natural wood elements to your white kitchen to make it seem everything from plain. The possibilities are unlimited. Continue reading for 15 gorgeous kitchen color schemes that go well with white cabinets that will really inspire a redesign.
Why White Cabinets Are a Timeless Choice
White kitchen cabinets are a timeless choice that provide a clean, bright backdrop for a variety of design styles. They make a small kitchen feel more open and airy while allowing your countertops, flooring, and backsplash to shine through as the focal points.
White cabinets instantly freshen up a space and give it a crisp, modern feel. They reflect light to make a kitchen brighter, especially when paired with lighter-colored walls. White kitchen cabinets also create an ideal blank canvas, allowing you to add pops of color through accents like kitchen linens,
rugs, open shelving, lighting fixtures, or bar stools.
For a minimal modern look, pair white Shaker-style cabinets with gray concrete countertops and stainless steel hardware. The neutral color palette will keep your kitchen looking sleek and uncluttered. For a rustic farmhouse kitchen, white cabinets complement butcher block countertops, wrought iron fixtures,
and an apron sink.
If white feels too stark, tone it down with wood accents like butcher block cutting boards, wooden bowls, or a live-edge wooden mantle. Warm up an all-white kitchen with natural light wood flooring, woven baskets, and plants. Copper or rose gold accents also add a touch of warmth against a white
backdrop.
With so many options to dress them up or down, it’s easy to see why white kitchen cabinets remain a timeless, versatile choice for any home. Keep them looking bright white with regular cleaning, and avoid hanging dark-colored pots and pans on the cabinet doors where they can potentially stain or scuff
the finish. By providing proper care and maintenance, your white kitchen cabinets will stay stylish for years to come.
Best Paint Colors for Kitchens With White Cabinets
With white kitchen cabinets, you have lots of options for wall colors that will make your space feel bright and airy. Some of the best paint colors for kitchens with white cabinets include:
Soft neutrals
Colors like beige, tan, light gray, and soft blue are neutral but warm. They provide a subtle contrast for an open, airy feel. Try colors like:
- Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter or Classic Gray
- Sherwin Williams Repose Gray or Light French Gray
These muted shades work with any decor and won’t overpower your white cabinets.
Pale pastels
For a whimsical cottage kitchen vibe, consider pale pastel colors like mint green, peach, or sky blue. Colors to consider include:
- Benjamin Moore Mint Julep or Beach Glass
- Sherwin Williams Sea Salt or Frappe
Pastel colors evoke a light, cheerful feeling and pair perfectly with white cabinets. Just keep the walls the same pastel color for a cohesive look.
Bright accent walls
If you want to make a bolder statement, paint one wall in your kitchen a bright, vibrant color and keep the remaining walls neutral. Some eye-catching options for an accent wall include:
- Benjamin Moore Lemon Sorbet or Orange Burst
- Sherwin Williams Wild Orchid or Vermillion
A brightly colored accent wall behind your stove or sink will make that area a focal point and add drama to your white kitchen. The neutral walls prevent the look from becoming too loud.
With so many options, you can create a kitchen color scheme you’ll love. Whether you prefer neutral and natural, whimsical pastels, or a pop of vibrant color, white kitchen cabinets provide the perfect blank canvas. Choose colors that reflect your personal style and make your kitchen a place you enjoy
spending time in.
Warm Neutrals That Complement White Cabinets
Warm neutrals like beige, tan, and light brown pair beautifully with white kitchen cabinets. They add subtle warmth and depth without overpowering the bright, open feel of an all-white kitchen.
Beige
A shade lighter than tan, beige is a warm neutral that complements white cabinets. Consider beige for:
- Walls: Painting just one or two walls in a soft beige tone creates a cozy accent wall that makes a statement without darkening the space.
- Countertops: Beige granite, quartz, or laminate countertops harmonize with white cabinets for a balanced, earthy look.
- Flooring: Beige tile, stone, or wood floors complete the warm neutral color scheme. Tile or stone will make cleanup easy, while wood adds rustic charm.
- Accessories: Beige placemats, rugs, towels, and other accent pieces tie the neutral color palette together for a cohesive look.
Tan
Slightly darker than beige, tan is another great warm neutral for a white kitchen. Some tan-colored options include:
- Walls: For drama, paint all the walls in your kitchen a rich tan shade. The dark walls will make the white cabinets pop while creating a cocooning feel.
- Countertops: Tan-colored granite, soapstone, or concrete countertops pair strikingly with bright white cabinets.
- Flooring: Tan wood, tile or stone floors create a warm base for an all-white kitchen. Consider tan travertine, terracotta, or wood planks.
- Accessories: Tan potholders, dish towels, baskets, and other decorative items continue the warm color theme.
Light Brown
For a darker neutral, go with a shade of light brown. Some suggestions:
- Walls: A light cocoa brown creates a dramatic look for walls in an all-white kitchen. Use it on one accent wall or paint all the walls for a bold statement.
- Countertops: Light brown granite, wood, or quartz countertops harmonize with white cabinets for a natural, rustic vibe.
- Flooring: Light hardwood floors in a shade like oak, hickory, y or pecan beautifully complement an all-white kitchen. Tile or stone in a light brown tone also works well.
- Accessories: Light brown wicker baskets, pottery, linens, and rugs incorporate touches of the warm neutral color.
Warm neutrals add a touch of coziness to an airy, all-white kitchen. Beige, tan, light brown—any of these hues pair perfectly with white cabinets for a timeless, balanced look.
Cool Tones to Modernize Your White Kitchen
Cool tones like blue and green are perfect for balancing an all-white kitchen. They add color without overwhelming the neutral palette. Some of the best choices include:
Sea Green
A shade of blue-green, sea green is a coastal color that evokes feelings of relaxation. It’s ideal for small appliances like a stand mixer, blender, or coffeemaker. You can also paint one accent wall in sea green or choose sea green ceramic tiles for a backsplash.
Navy Blue
Dark and dramatic navy blue creates a stylish contrast with white cabinets. Use it on focal points like an island, range hood, or pantry door. Navy blue accessories like towels, rugs, pitchers, and platters also pair nicely with a white kitchen.
Teal
Vibrant teal is an energizing pop of color for an all-white kitchen. Paint your lower cabinets or an accent wall in teal, or choose teal appliances, bar stools, lighting fixtures, or decor. For a more subtle look, use teal ceramic tiles on your backsplash or flooring.
Aqua
A bright aqua tone evokes feelings of cheerfulness and creativity. Use aqua on open shelving, a kitchen island, or an accent wall. Aqua accessories like glassware, linens, small electrics, and decor are simple ways to incorporate this fun, spirited color into your white kitchen.
Pale Blue
For a calming look, choose a pale shade of blue, like powder blue or sky blue. Paint your ceiling, trim, or accent wall pale blue. Pale blue linens, dishes, lighting, and decor also pair beautifully with white cabinets for an airy, ethereal feel.
By incorporating cool tones of blue and green, you can create a modern kitchen with timeless style and character. Start with small splashes of color and build up from there, finding the right balance that makes you smile each time you enter your kitchen. Your all-white kitchen will become a blank canvas for
exploring different shades of blue until you find colors that soothe your senses.
Using Black and White for high-contrast Drama
Using black and white together creates a high-contrast, dramatic look in any kitchen. With white cabinets as your base, black accents and decor instantly transform the space into something bold and striking.
Flooring
For the flooring in a black and white kitchen, you have a few options. Black and white checkerboard tile is a classic choice and creates a retro diner vibe. Charcoal-stained or painted wood planks also pair nicely with white cabinets. If you want something more neutral but still in high contrast, go with a light natural stone like marble or slate. The varied grays and veins will complement the stark black-and-white color scheme.
Countertops
For countertops, black granite, soapstone, or slate all provide dark, dramatic surfaces that balance white cabinets. Black quartz countertops are a low-maintenance option with a similar bold look. If black countertops feel too dark, choose a neutral stone with dark gray veining or flecks, like gray
marble.
Backsplash
A white subway tile backsplash keeps things bright, but black grout provides contrast. For more visual interest, incorporate a geometric black and white-patterned tile. A stone slab backsplash in black marble, slate, or granite also serves as a dramatic focal point.
Hardware
Swapping out basic hardware for black fixtures and accents is an easy way to accessorize your black-and-white kitchen. Black cabinet pulls, knobs, and hinges create cohesion. A black farmhouse sink, black faucet, and black pendant lighting complete the look.
Accessories
Finally, don’t forget black and white accessories to finish the space. A black and white rug, black placemats or a table runner on a white dining table, black dishes and serveware, black bar stools—all help achieve a cohesive, high-contrast style.
With black accents thoughtfully balanced throughout, a white kitchen takes on a bold, contemporary look that is anything but boring. The timeless black-and-white color combination creates a kitchen space you’ll love for years to come.
Incorporating Wood Tones for a Natural Look
Incorporating wood tones is a great way to warm up an all-white kitchen and give it a natural, organic feel. Wood adds visual interest and texture, balancing out the smooth, clean lines of white cabinetry.
Wood countertops
Reclaimed wood, butcher block, or rustic wood planks make stunning countertops that complement white cabinets. Their natural grain and imperfections give the space character. Wood countertops require more maintenance to keep sealed and stain-free,but theyt are worth the effort for their beauty.
Wood flooring
Hardwood flooring, especially lighter oak or maple, pairs perfectly with white cabinets. The wood tones ground the room, while the lighter floor prevents it from feeling too dark or heavy. For high-traffic kitchens, engineered wood or laminate planks offer the look of hardwood with more durability.
Wood accents
If wood countertops or flooring aren’t in your budget or style preferences, you can still incorporate wood accents. A wooden cutting board, utensil holder, paper towel rack, or tray makes a statement on a white countertop. Floating wood shelves are an easy way to display decorative items or plants.
Natural wood tones
When selecting wood pieces, opt for lighter stains or natural wood tones like pine, oak, maple, or ash. These complement white cabinets best. Darker, warmer woods like mahogany or walnut can make a small kitchen feel closed in and cramped. For a cohesive look, choose wood pieces in similar hues.
By bringing in wood accents and natural materials, you add warmth and texture to an all-white kitchen. A mix of wood tones, from countertops to flooring to accents, helps create an inviting space with rustic charm and depth. Wood and white are a timeless combination that will make your kitchen glow.
Pastels and Brights: Making a Statement With Color
Pastels and bright colors are perfect for making a statement in an all-white kitchen. Whether you want a pop of color or to go bold, here are some stunning options to consider:
Mint Green
A fresh coat of mint or seafoam green paint on one wall acts as an accent that brightens up the space without overpowering it. This soft green pairs beautifully with the crispness of white cabinets. You can also bring in mint green accessories like canisters, towels, or small appliances.
Coral
For a cheerful burst of color, coral is a wonderful choice. A coral pendant light fixture over a kitchen island or coral seat cushions in a breakfast nook helps warm up an all-white kitchen. Coral plates and serving pieces also make a fun decorative statement.
Sunny Yellow
Yellow, the color of sunshine, adds a bright and cheery vibe. Paint one wall yellow or add touches of yellow through accessories like a yellow kettle, kitchen tools, linens, or cabinet hardware. A yellow tile backsplash is
another option for adding a pop of this happy color to an all-white kitchen.
Sky Blue
The color of a clear blue sky has a calming effect and gives an airy, open feel. Incorporate sky or powder blue in your all-white kitchen through items like glass storage canisters, linens, and small appliances, or by painting one wall. A blue tile backsplash or countertop offers an easy way to bring in this beautiful color.
Whether going bold with an accent wall or starting small with decorative accessories, pastels, and brights are an effortless way to make a stylish statement in an all-white kitchen while keeping the space open and airy. By choosing a color that you connect with, you can create a kitchen that is a vibrant expression of your personality.
Achieving Balance With Mix-and-Match Colors
Once you’ve decided on your primary color palette, it’s time to achieve balance and harmony in your kitchen by incorporating accent colors. Mixing and matching complementary accent colors with your main shade creates visual interest and a custom look.
Pastel Pop
If your base color is crisp white, soft pastels are a great way to add subtle depth and dimension. Consider light shades of blue, green, pink, or yellow. For example, a pale robin’s egg blue pairs beautifully with white cabinets. So do a mint green or coral pink. Use pastel accents sparingly, like on an island, in a backsplash, or on pendant lights. The overall look should be
light and airy.
Saturated Accents
For a bolder pop of color, choose a vibrant accent shade like cobalt blue, emerald green, or eggplant purple. Paint one wall in your accent color, or use it on cabinets in an island or pantry. Deep colors work well in small doses. Alternatively, bring in saturated accents with decorative touches like colorful patterned tiles, a statement light fixture, or vivid countertop appliances.
Metallic Glint
The shiny, reflective surface of metals like copper, brass, and nickel provides an elegant accent for white kitchens. Faucets, hardware, pendant lights, and barstools are all ideal ways to incorporate metallic accents.
Stainless steel appliances also pair nicely with white cabinets for a contemporary kitchen. Using metallic touches in varying tones and finishes creates an industrial vibe.
Natural Wood
The warmth of wood is a perfect foil for the coolness of white. Wooden accents like butcher block countertops, wide-plank or tile flooring, an overhead beam, or open shelving introduce natural texture. For a rustic look, choose distressed wood with visible grain. Teak, walnut, or hickory have beautiful
brown tones. Bamboo adds subtle striping. Keep the overall space bright by limiting wood accents to one or two statement pieces.
With the right balance of accent colors, your white kitchen will have character, depth, and timeless style. Mix and match to find the perfect complementary combination for your space.
Conclusion
So there you have it, some of the best color combinations to pair with your white kitchen cabinets for a classic, timeless look. Whether you prefer cooler hues like blue and gray, warmer tones such as red and yellow, natural greens, or dramatic darks, the options are endless. The key is to choose colors you
genuinely love and will enjoy for years to come. Your kitchen is the heart of your home, so make it stylish and inviting with a perfect pop of color. Now get out the paint samples or wallpaper books and start designing your dream kitchen – you’ve got this! With the right color palette, those white cabinets
will be the perfect blank canvas for creating a space you’ll never want to leave.
