21 Kitchen Cabinet Ideas You’ll Love

Use unmatchable paint colour in a carefully selected finish and stay up to date with kitchen cabinet trends.

A wall of beautiful light teal-painted kitchen cabinets behind a wooden tabletop with wicker placemats, wooden tableware, and three wood chairs. A wall of beautiful light teal-painted kitchen cabinets behind a wooden tabletop with wicker placemats, wooden tableware, and three wood chairs.

Replacing your kitchen cabinets every few years with new ones is a stretch—even for those with the biggest budgets. Happily, there is a colourful, much less expensive alternative: The combination of Benjamin Moore’s unmatchable colours and Advance® Interior, a premium paint formulated specifically for cabinetry.

On this page, you’ll find kitchen cabinet ideas curated by our colour and design team that will help kick off your kitchen cabinet redesign. From traditional off-white hues to sleek monochromatic looks, to a video on how an all-white kitchen got a refreshing colour update, we have all the inspiration you need. We’ve even got how-to tips and tools to get started if you are doing it yourself.

Inspiring Kitchen Cabinet Colour Ideas

Start by finding the design, style, and colour idea you love within your own home. What do you dislike, love, or want more of? When considering new colour for your cabinets, look to your countertop, backsplash, fixtures, and flooring. Let these colour cues inspire an updated look for your cabinet colours.

What’s trending with kitchen cabinets? Create a Pinterest board to keep your favourite looks top of mind. Add in the dynamic colour ideas you love from this curated list:

Bright, white-painted loft space with black-painted upper cabinets, a two-tone white and wood lower cabinet, a director’s chair, and tall white shelves in a back room over a piano. Bright, white-painted loft space with black-painted upper cabinets, a two-tone white and wood lower cabinet, a director’s chair, and tall white shelves in a back room over a piano.

1. Two-tone Kitchen Cabinets

Infuse a playful touch in your kitchen with two-tone cabinets and use colour creatively. Two-tone cabinet paint colour pairings we love include:

A dark gray painted kitchen featuring beautiful built-in kitchen shelving with a light blue back wall and gray shelves holding white ceramic tableware and glassware, next to a stainless-steel refrigerator. A dark gray painted kitchen featuring beautiful built-in kitchen shelving with a light blue back wall and gray shelves holding white ceramic tableware and glassware, next to a stainless-steel refrigerator.

2. Accessible Open Shelving

Open shelving is convenient—and stylish. Consider combining these tones for kitchen open shelving:

A bright, beige-painted kitchen with floor-to-ceiling and glass cabinets, an island with a marble countertop, an open pantry door, and white balloons on the floor and island. A bright, beige-painted kitchen with floor-to-ceiling and glass cabinets, an island with a marble countertop, an open pantry door, and white balloons on the floor and island.

3. Glass-front cabinets

Pair sleek glass doors and windows with pales and soft pastels. We love these soft colour combinations:

A white-painted kitchen with a light blue-painted floor, red refrigerator and white floating shelves. A white-painted kitchen with a light blue-painted floor, red refrigerator and white floating shelves.

4. Coastal-Inspired Kitchen Cabinets

Use a variety of finishes to add dimension. Here, soft and balanced Cloud White OC-130 gives this coastal kitchen a bit more depth:

  • Eggshell on walls
  • Ultra-flat on ceiling
  • Pearl on cabinets and shelves
Rich, brown-painted kitchen cabinets, a brown marble backsplash and an ornate mirror create a sumptuous culinary setting. Rich, brown-painted kitchen cabinets, a brown marble backsplash and an ornate mirror create a sumptuous culinary setting.

5. Dark, Monochromatic Kitchen Cabinets

Bring a dose of drama to your kitchen with a deep colour.

Here, dark brown Char Brown 2137-20 in pearl infuses luxury. Get the look with these dark brown favourites:

Light green-painted cabinets and white dinnerware add a soft glow as a backdrop to a dining table and white slipcovered chairs. Light green-painted cabinets and white dinnerware add a soft glow as a backdrop to a dining table and white slipcovered chairs.

6. Kitchen Cabinets in Gentle Greens

Green paint colours conjure nature and health.

Here, gentle Antique Jade 465 in Advance® Semi-Gloss is calming and refined. More soft greens we love for kitchen cabinets:

This light gray-painted kitchen keeps it fresh with white cabinetry and subway tile backsplash, adding a dash of depth with black countertops. This light gray-painted kitchen keeps it fresh with white cabinetry and subway tile backsplash, adding a dash of depth with black countertops.

7. Timeless White Kitchen Cabinets

Popular finish combinations we love to enliven an all-white kitchen include:

  • Eggshell on walls and pearl on cabinets for subtle contrast (shown here)
  • Pearl on walls and semi-gloss on cabinets for a slightly higher sheen combination
  • Matte on walls and high-gloss on cabinets for a contrasting look; keep in mind that matte finish is less durable/washable than finishes that are eggshell and higher.
An airy industrial style kitchen taps into deep colours, from a black-based centre island with a white countertop to deep, green-brown painted cabinetry. An airy industrial style kitchen taps into deep colours, from a black-based centre island with a white countertop to deep, green-brown painted cabinetry.

8. Kitchen Cabinet Idea: Pair Black and Brown

Combine black and brown for a cozy cafe-meets-industrial look. Here, Southern Vine 2138-10, a dark olive verging on brown, pairs effortlessly with Blacktop 2135-10, a sleek black.

Consider these black/brown paint colour pairings our experts love:

A bright and airy contemporary kitchen with white-painted cabinets and centre island with a wood top, and light blue walls. A bright and airy contemporary kitchen with white-painted cabinets and centre island with a wood top, and light blue walls.

9. Cool & Contemporary Kitchen Cabinets

Stir up modernity.

Ice Mist OC-67, seen here, keeps the cool vibes coming with walls in Smoke 2122-40, a versatile gray with blue-green undertones.

Love this look? Try:

A kitchen with light pink-painted cabinets, a pink toaster, cutting board, dishes, and tan-painted wall with blue clock. A kitchen with light pink-painted cabinets, a pink toaster, cutting board, dishes, and tan-painted wall with blue clock.

10. Pretty in Pink Kitchen Cabinet Colors

Balance a pop of pink paint with neutrals.

Bring subtle retro design to your kitchen. Pink kitchen cabinet pair with these neutrals to provide beauty and balance:

A charming kitchen with white-painted shiplap walls and ceiling, gray cabinets and crown moulding, an open blue Dutch door, and wood floor. A charming kitchen with white-painted shiplap walls and ceiling, gray cabinets and crown moulding, an open blue Dutch door, and wood floor.

11. Pair Cabinets & Crown Moldings

Elevate off-white kitchens with creative use of cabinet colours, as seen here with the same hue on crown mouldings and cabinets.

Here, Stone 2112-40, a deep neutral, elegantly connects the kitchen cabinets to crown mouldings with White Opulence OC-69, a fresh white, on walls. Consider these winning colour combinations:

An open floor plan living space with white-painted walls and vaulted ceiling, dark gray kitchen cabinets, a wooden dining table and black chairs, and stone fireplace. An open floor plan living space with white-painted walls and vaulted ceiling, dark gray kitchen cabinets, a wooden dining table and black chairs, and stone fireplace.

12. Neutral Spaces with Bold Cabinets

Spike an all-white space with a pop of colour.

Here, kitchen cabinets in Steep Cliff Gray 2122-20, a dark gray with cool green undertones, amps up an all-neutral look. Check out these other dark gray hues with strong undertones.

A pleasant, white-painted kitchen with black cabinets, marble countertops, open wood shelving holding tableware, and a wood-based island and stool. A pleasant, white-painted kitchen with black cabinets, marble countertops, open wood shelving holding tableware, and a wood-based island and stool.

13. The Minimalist Kitchen

Marble-topped cabinets with smoky mirrored drawers? Yes please. Winter Snow OC-61 in eggshell, shown here, is the perfect backdrop for this minimalist look.

Other white hues with blue-green undertones we love include:

A sleek, contemporary kitchen with white-painted walls and ceiling, a black accent wall, painted black cabinets, and a large island, open to a white hallway. A sleek, contemporary kitchen with white-painted walls and ceiling, a black accent wall, painted black cabinets, and a large island, open to a white hallway.

14. Who Says the Kitchen Can’t Be Luxe?

Consider foundational Black Tar 2126-10, shown here on this chic kitchen. Other dark, bold kitchen cabinet paint colours we love:

A white-painted French country kitchen with open shelving and patterned plates above black-painted cabinets, and a black and white tile floor. A white-painted French country kitchen with open shelving and patterned plates above black-painted cabinets, and a black and white tile floor.

15. Black & White: A Polished Look

Pair off-white and black hues to elevate traditional kitchens.

Here Jet Black 2120-10 in Pearl finish, punctuated by simple white drawer pulls, makes a subtle statement against Vapor AF-35-painted walls.

Check out these black and white kitchen colour combination ideas:

A white-painted kitchen with white cabinets and open shelving, a yellow accent wall, a white table and orange chairs. A white-painted kitchen with white cabinets and open shelving, a yellow accent wall, a white table and orange chairs.

16. Tropical Accents Punch Up White Kitchen Cabinets

Add zing to a white kitchen with saturated yellow walls. Here, Sunflower 2019-30, delivers a cheery dose of sunshine in any season.

Bring the happy in with these eye-opening bright yellows:

An English heritage-style kitchen with blue-painted cabinets, an accent wall painted in navy, and wood furniture. An English heritage-style kitchen with blue-painted cabinets, an accent wall painted in navy, and wood furniture.

17. The Blues Have It

Infuse ocean, sea and sky into your kitchen cabinets.

Here, an accent wall in Westcott Navy 1624 pairs effortlessly with Blue Nose 1678. Other blue kitchen combinations we love include:

A greige-painted kitchen wall with a tall white hutch, white fireplace, white kitchen cabinets, and a red and white striped rug. A greige-painted kitchen wall with a tall white hutch, white fireplace, white kitchen cabinets, and a red and white striped rug.

18. White Kitchen Cabinets with Warm Brown & Taupe

Create earthy, organic vibes with browns and taupes.

Here, Coastal Path AF-380, a nuanced greige from our mix-and-match Affinity® collection, provides a warm backdrop for this country kitchen. Other warm neutrals we love for kitchens include:

A sleek kitchen space with uniformly green painted built-in cabinets and wall, a white ceiling, modern turquoise chair, and a yellow-striped rug on a blonde wood floor. A sleek kitchen space with uniformly green painted built-in cabinets and wall, a white ceiling, modern turquoise chair, and a yellow-striped rug on a blonde wood floor.

19. Green with Envy

Go for all-green for an enveloping, modern look. We love emerald Balsam 567, shown here. Bold green kitchen cabinet paint colors include:

A pretty sunlit kitchen with dark navy-painted cabinets and floating shelves, a white wall, and natural wood beamed ceiling. A pretty sunlit kitchen with dark navy-painted cabinets and floating shelves, a white wall, and natural wood beamed ceiling.

20. Kitchen Cabinet Idea: Mind the Accents

Deep navy elevates classic white hues.

Pull a bold colour from your kitchen cabinets through accents like floating shelves and window mullions. We love these black-meets-navy hues:

Pretty teal-painted doors open to a kitchen with teal cabinets, trim and backsplash, and floating wood shelves against a light gray wall. Pretty teal-painted doors open to a kitchen with teal cabinets, trim and backsplash, and floating wood shelves against a light gray wall.

21. Teal This Look

Try a captivating hue for statement-making kitchen cabinets.

Here, Newburg Green HC-158, from our Historical Collection, is a sophisticated, stylish star on doors, trim, backsplash and kitchen cabinets. Love this hue? Consider:

Creative Kitchen Cabinet Ideas with Innovative Finishes

Choose a durable, high-end finish for kitchen cabinets

Benjamin Moore’s Advance® Interior provides a hard, furniture-quality finish making it the gold standard for painting or repainting kitchen cabinets. Available in all of Benjamin Moore’s 3,500+ paint colours, Advance brings ultimate creative choice to the challenge of finding just-right cabinet colours.

An airy white kitchen with lower cabinets painted in a light mint green, a large picture window over a black sink, white countertops, and upper cabinets with open shelving in light wood. An airy white kitchen with lower cabinets painted in a light mint green, a large picture window over a black sink, white countertops, and upper cabinets with open shelving in light wood.

Finish (also called sheen) is a measure of how much light–or lack thereof—reflects off a painted surface. The kitchen cabinet finish you ultimately select provides both functionality and beauty. Advance offers:

  • Pearl Offering slightly higher gloss than an eggshell finish, Advance Pearl provides better stain resistance and durability than lower sheens, including eggshell. Smooth pearl finish is similar to that of a hand-rubbed lacquer.
  • Semi-Gloss Luminous yet understated, Advance Semi-Gloss is one of the most popular finishes for kitchen cabinets. With its subtle gloss, it creates dimension in the kitchen.
  • High Gloss With an almost mirror-like quality, the elegant shine belies this finish’s tough sheen. Easy to clean, stain-resistant and stunning, Advance High Gloss is a showstopper.

Each of these Advance Interior paint finishes stands up to the repeated washing that’s necessary for a busy kitchen.

A modern farmhouse kitchen with light blue painted walls, white cabinets, dark green-painted lower cabinets and a red stool. A modern farmhouse kitchen with light blue painted walls, white cabinets, dark green-painted lower cabinets and a red stool.

Use Paint Finish to Heighten Design

Using one colour, in a variety of finishes is one way designers create a subtle yet striking effect in any space. For example:

  • Use a low sheen such as matte or eggshell on the walls.
  • Opt for a semi-gloss or high gloss sheen on the kitchen cabinets.

Even if you use the same colour, using different finishes will reflect light differently in your space. The result is an elegant, understated contrast.

Painted Kitchen Cabinet Ideas: Real-life Success Stories


How One Family Transformed Their Kitchen with Cabinet Colours

In this video, the homeowners loved the fresh, clean look of their all-white kitchen. Upon seeing the huge impact blue paint made on their kitchen cabinets however, they were delighted at the transformation colour made in their busy kitchen.

The newly painted cabinets “makes the space come alive,” says the homeowner. Added bonus? Thanks to Advance Interior’s easy-to-clean finish, the messy handprints of their two little ones wipe away effortlessly.

See the design impact of colour in one busy family’s kitchen.

A Cabinet Makeover with the Power of White Paint

Overwhelmed by too many kitchen cabinet colours? Stick with a classic white hue. White and off-white paint colours make any kitchen feel more spacious and bright—highly valued traits.

Even with its existing countertops and cabinet hardware, this corner kitchen’s white cabinet paint job delivered a major glow-up in Benjamin Moore’s go-to Cloud Cover OC-25, with a Pearl finish.

A Kitchen with wood cabinets, black countertops and appliances before a makeover. A Kitchen with wood cabinets, black countertops and appliances before a makeover.

Before

The same kitchen after a makeover, with fresh white-painted cabinets, black countertops and appliances. The same kitchen after a makeover, with fresh white-painted cabinets, black countertops and appliances.

After

How to Refinish Your Kitchen Cabinets with Paint Colour

Ultimate tips on refinishing cabinets with paint colour #1

Ready to put your kitchen colour ideas into action? Check out our step-by-step video tutorial, which includes expert tips for the ultimate kitchen cabinet makeover. You can also download our how-to guide on repainting cabinets with Advance Interior paint.

#1 Remove all drawers, doors, and hardware. Select an area that gives you enough room to work—and enough space to let everything dry.

#2 Prep is a critical step: Cabinets and doors must be clean and dry. Use grease remover if necessary. Then sand and wipe away dust.

#3 Protect your surroundings with a drop cloth.

#4 Prime with an acrylic primer like Fresh Start® High-Hiding All Purpose Primer and allow at least 24 hours to dry.

#5 Sand again.

#6 Paint! Using a nylon/polyester brush, apply Advance Interior in your choice of Pearl, Semi-Gloss or High Gloss. Let dry for a minimum of 16 hours.

#7 Sand a third and final time.

#8 Apply second coat of Advance Interior paint.

#9 Let it dry for at least 24 hours.

Get tips for refinishing your cabinets - from prepping to painting - in this video

Dive deeper into these DIY steps and check out the how-to video. Keep in mind: Painting cabinets is a heavy lift for DIY-ers. Hiring a painting professional is a smart option; ask your local Benjamin Moore store for recommendations.

White-painted kitchen cabinets, a built-in wine rack and drawers, with a black countertop displaying water bottles and a bowl of lemons. White-painted kitchen cabinets, a built-in wine rack and drawers, with a black countertop displaying water bottles and a bowl of lemons.

Ultimate tips on refinishing cabinets with paint colour #2

Choosing a Paint for Kitchen Cabinets: The Critical Components

When looking to refinish your cabinets, look for the following features in a specialty cabinet paint:

  • Exceptional application and feel
  • Outstanding coverage and hide
  • A hard, furniture-quality finish
  • Low VOC, even after tinting
  • Availability in thousands of colours
  • Surface flexibility—the best kitchen cabinet paints are suitable for oak, cherry, mahogany, maple, as well as fabricated woods, Formica® laminate and other high-pressure surface materials

Advance Interior paint hits all of these critical elements and more. It’s unique waterborne alkyd formula makes it super easy to apply, and soap and water cleanup is a breeze.

Professionally Painted Kitchen Cabinets: Before & After

As we’ve shown, paint colour provides endless creative potential for transforming your kitchen cabinets. If you’re a DIY-er looking for more insights on painting cabinets, check out:

A bright, open kitchen with wood cabinets on one wall, and a large white island with a sink before a makeover. A bright, open kitchen with wood cabinets on one wall, and a large white island with a sink before a makeover.

Before

The same kitchen after a makeover, with white-painted upper cabinets, dark blue lower cabinets and island, white countertops, and a small dining set. The same kitchen after a makeover, with white-painted upper cabinets, dark blue lower cabinets and island, white countertops, and a small dining set.

After

The Pros Know: Before and After Kitchen Cabinets with Advance®

Professional painters recommend Advance Interior paint for repainting cabinets, trim, doors and more. The balance of formula, consistency and aesthetics makes Advance Interior a premium product that stands apart from the rest.

A kitchen with off-white painted cabinets, light-blue walls, a center wood island, and a checkboard floor before a makeover. A kitchen with off-white painted cabinets, light-blue walls, a center wood island, and a checkboard floor before a makeover.

Before

The same kitchen after a makeover, with white-painted upper cabinets, dark gray lower cabinets and island, white countertops and white walls. The same kitchen after a makeover, with white-painted upper cabinets, dark gray lower cabinets and island, white countertops and white walls.

After

"Advance® is unlike anything we've ever used. It has great open time and you always get a smooth finish.”

Rosanne Courtien, Owner, ARC Painting & Refinishing

Ready to Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets?


Selecting your kitchen cabinet colours can often be the hardest part of getting a painting job off the ground.

Call or stop by your locally owned Benjamin Moore store for more tips and all the premium Benjamin Moore products you need to bring your kitchen cabinet ideas to life.

Frequently Asked Questions


Q. What are the best kitchen cabinet colours that are timeless?

A. Ever-versatile, white and off-white paint colours are timeless choices for kitchen cabinets. In addition to classic neutral kitchen cabinets, other popular timeless hues include light grays, soft greens and wood tones. For darker timeless paint colours, navy blue gives rich, nautical vibes while a dark black paint colour brings a dose of drama to any kitchen. Aegean Teal 2136-40, a blue-green with a hint of gray—and a former Benjamin Moore Colour of the Year—is a beloved kitchen cabinet selection.



Q. What kitchen cabinet colours are low maintenance?

A. Dark paint colours like forest green, charcoal gray, dark brown and black are all apt to hide dirt better than lighter hues on kitchen cabinets. Choosing a high-quality paint product also helps with maintaining kitchen cabinets: Advance® Interior paint provides a furniture-like finish that withstands wear and tear. Available in any Benjamin Moore colour and available in Pearl, Semi-Gloss and High Gloss, Advance offers endless creative design opportunities.



Q. Should cabinets be lighter or darker than countertops?

A. Colour choice is always a matter of personal taste. Many homeowners love the crisp, minimalist envelope of white countertops and matching white kitchen cabinets. Others prefer the contrast of a timeless white countertop with an eye-catching deeper hue on kitchen cabinets and kitchen islands. Sleek black countertops act like a neutral and pair elegantly with kitchen cabinets in a wide range of hues including cool light grays, airy light blues, organic greens and of course, classic white kitchen cabinets.



Q. What cabinet colours make a kitchen look bigger?

A. Kitchen cabinets in lighter colours—think off-white, white, and any light neutral—tend to make smaller spaces, including kitchens, feel more open and spacious.



Q. What are the most popular colours for kitchen cabinets?

A. Whites and off-whites are by far the most popular kitchen cabinet colours; Benjamin Moore colour experts love Cloud Cover OC-25, Simply White OC-117, and Silver Satin OC-26. If you are looking for saturated hues, homeowners love Lush AF-475, Oxford Gray 2128-40, and Hale Navy HC-154, from the Historical Colour Collection, for kitchen cabinets and kitchen islands.



Advance® Interior Paint

ADVANCE® Interior Paint

With its durable, furniture-like finish for cabinets and trim, it's the finish professionals prefer.

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Bright, airy light blue kitchen with center island and cliffside view.

Kitchen Colour Ideas & Inspiration

Refresh your kitchen with colour.

Get Inspired