My Favorite Non-White Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colors

While I love a white kitchen as much as the next girl, and I still find them timeless, I’m noticing a trend towards kitchen cabinets that aren’t white.  And I like it.  I’m seeing a lot of light, warm gray/greige/taupe colors trending on kitchen cabinets, and I think they’re a great look.  They still give you a light and airy feeling, but they offer a bit more warmth and dare I say, interest, to them.  And you all know, that I love painting cabinets in colors that I don’t come across on a regular basis.  It keeps things interesting.  With this trend, I thought I’d share some of my favorite non-white cabinet paint colors.

My Favorite Non-White Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colors

Apparition (Benjamin Moore)

Apparition, a Benjamin Moore color, is another one that gives a new take on non-white kitchen cabinet colors.  This tone on tone look is so appealing to me, and I love the cabinets paired with a lighter countertop.  If I had my way, this is the direction I would go if I were building a home or remodeling a kitchen.
My Favorite Non-White Cabinet Colors - Apparition - Benjamin Moore

I’m not sure how I feel about the trim being painted the same color as the cabinets throughout the rest of the room, but it’s growing on me.

Purbeck Stone (Farrow and Ball)

The Europeans seem to have high end kitchens down to a science, and Humphrey Munson is one of my favorites to watch for kitchen trends.  I’m absolutely smitten with this kitchen color combination of Purbeck Stone and Downpipe on the built in hutch (both are Farrow and Ball colors).  Don’t even get me started on that stunning marble backsplash above the stove.Farrow and Ball Purbeck and Downpipe Kitchen Cabinets

Edgecomb Gray (Benjamin Moore)

Edgecomb Gray is another color that plays well with lighter countertops.  I have this color on my own cabinets, and I have to give the caveat that with darker countertops, it doesn’t have the same look and feel.  It reads as more of a creamy white (which is why it leaves me aching for new countertops and backsplash).  But, in the right context, it’s a stunner.  Not that I don’t like it, I just wish the color read the same way as it does in this kitchen.Edgecomb Gray Kitchen Cabinets

 
Here’s another shot of this beautiful kitchen.  Such a subtle stunner, isn’t it?

Hardwick White (Farrow and Ball)

Again with the stunning European kitchens.  These cabinets are painted in Hardwick White, and you can see by looking at the walls, that it’s not a white by any means.  Again, very subtle and classic, without being white.  I think this kitchen really demonstrates what I’m talking about, in that the non-white kitchen cabinet color gives this kitchen a bit more depth and interest.  So very elegant.Non-White Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colors - Hardwick White - Farrow and Ball

Mindful Gray (Sherwin Williams)

While the color is subtle, I think that’s what I love about it.  Mindful Gray (Sherwin Williams) is a warm gray that pairs well with white perimeter cabinets, as in this photo, or all by itself.

Non-white Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colors - Mindful Gray (Sherwin Williams)

Revere Pewter (Benjamin Moore)

Of course, I can’t go through non-white kitchen cabinet paint colors without mentioning Revere Pewter.  It is such a classic, whether on walls or cabinetry.  Here you can see how stunning it is with light cabinets in Kayla’s kitchen from Painted by Kayla Payne.  And the hardware she chose really makes it shine even more.

Favorite Non-White Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colors - Revere Pewter (Benjamin Moore)

Flagstone

This kitchen embodies exactly what I’m talking about, when I say that a kitchen can be light, bright and timeless with cabinets that aren’t white.  It’s so classic and elegant, I can hardly stand it.  The paint color on the perimeter cabinets is Flagstone, but this is via Houzz, and they didn’t provide the paint company.  It also might be a color that is associated with the cabinet maker, I can’t be sure.  Either way, if you find a color that is from a cabinet maker, you can always have it color matched if you’re looking to have your kitchen cabinets painted.  That’s what I did when I painted my kitchen cabinets.

Anew Gray (Sherwin Williams)

I know I have mentioned this color before, but I still can’t get it out of my mind, it’s so pretty.  Anew Gray is a light, but warm gray/beige, it plays well with existing beige and brown finishes, while still giving you a modern look.  I know a lot of you have a lot of brown finishes in your home that aren’t going away anytime soon, and choosing the right color is key to keeping it current without drawing further attention to it in a negative way.  Check out this Anew Gray kitchen here.

Gray Painted Kitchen Cabinets Sherwin Williams

Fieldstone (Benjamin Moore)

Fieldstone (Benjamin Moore) is another kitchen cabinet color that falls outside of the lines of the “norm”, but is striking and different as well.

Go Custom 

This kitchen caught my eye, and when I looked for the information on the color, it is listed as “Glidden’s Barley Beige, 50% darker.”  So, if you’re struggling with finding the perfect color, consider going custom and essentially, create your own color.  Your options are endless!

There were a lot of kitchens at Homearama 2018 that fell into the category of non-white cabinets.  Do you remember any of them?

I don’t know the color of these cabinets, but you can see that they’re similar to some of the colors I’ve shared here.  I fell in love with this kitchen on the tour.  It’s set up for entertaining, but is also so polished and pretty.

Large kitchen with greige cabinets

This is another greige kitchen that I remember loving on the tour.  The brass hardware, brick wall and wood finishes really tie it all together beautifully.

Greige kitchen with island

What do you think of the trend of non-white kitchen cabinets?  Are you on board, or still on the sidelines about it?  Would you choose to redo or build a kitchen like this?

Jenny

30 Comments

  • Reply
    Mike Belk
    January 10, 2019 at 7:08 am

    Personally, I like to see color in the kitchen. Not sure about blue or purple islands, but definite color contrast from the cabinetry and the tile and even the countertops, it is nice to see color in the kitchen design.

  • Reply
    calypsointhecountry
    January 10, 2019 at 8:27 am

    Pretty examples…I never get tired of looking at kitchens! Although, white is still my first choice, I do love the grays too. Enjoy the rest of your week!
    Shelley

  • Reply
    Peggy
    January 10, 2019 at 8:33 am

    I’m on board with non-white cabinets! Mine are painted Loggia (SW from Lowe’s). My trim is painted the same color, and my island is painted navy blue (Salty Dog SW).

    • Reply
      Jenny
      January 10, 2019 at 12:50 pm

      That sounds like a gorgeous color combination Peggy! I love navy blue, and I’ll bet it looks really sophisticated with the Loggia!

    • Reply
      Theresa
      March 16, 2019 at 6:34 pm

      Peggy
      I’m looking at painting my oak cabinets loggia. Can you post a pic? Thank you

  • Reply
    AliJ
    January 10, 2019 at 1:36 pm

    I’ve never been a fan of white for my own kitchen. I had one in our previous house and hated it! I was constantly having to wipe down the cabinets. I’m not a fan of my current kitchen and we are in the process of having it completely gutted and I chose wood cabinets but also am talking to the cabinet maker about possibly a color as I like either look.

  • Reply
    Gayle Eatchel
    January 10, 2019 at 5:36 pm

    I currently have yellow oak cabinets and I hate them. They are extra tall and makes my kitchen look like they are stuck in 1980, YUCKY! Problem is that my husband loves natural wood. We plan on selling our home in two to three years. I am going to have a real estate agent over asap so we can get an appraisal. I really hope that will help in changing his mind. Please PRAY for me!!! I absolutely love every kitchen you displayed they’re all stunning.

  • Reply
    Karin M
    February 4, 2019 at 2:56 pm

    I have orangy wood trim. Ugh! Any recommendations on what color to paint the cabinets?

    • Reply
      Jenny
      February 4, 2019 at 11:18 pm

      I look at paint colors for cabinets and try to cue off of existing finishes in the kitchen – floors, counters, etc… That’s the best way to draw colors for the cabinets that will work with the room as a whole.

  • Reply
    classiccasualhome
    February 24, 2019 at 11:10 am

    Beautiful examples!!!

  • Reply
    Mary Evans
    March 21, 2019 at 4:15 pm

    So very beautiful. My countertop in this house is the same at in this house you just completed. I was wanting to,paint them white and not sure how they would look, you have show me Howe beautiful my kitchen would look, thank you for sharing this lovely kitchen.
    Blessings, Mary

  • Reply
    Dorothy Gibson
    September 26, 2019 at 2:31 pm

    Jenny,
    Could you kindly help me out.
    I had my kitchen cabinets painted Gray Screen by SW.
    I just can’t get used to it.
    I wish they were a white.
    Every time I look at them I see blue not gray.
    I am so frustrated.
    Kindly advise.

    Warmly

    • Reply
      Jenny
      October 2, 2019 at 2:46 pm

      Send me a photo – maybe adjusting the wall color will help? Is repainting an option? Painter’s remorse is the worst!

  • Reply
    Debbie
    October 7, 2019 at 9:53 pm

    May I ask you a question? I have black appliances and black floor and black countertops(alot of black I know). I want to paint my cabinets and walls in my kitchen, what colors would you recommend?

  • Reply
    Sarah White
    December 3, 2019 at 2:46 pm

    Thanks for this post Jenny, I just pinned it! I am a fan of Benjamin Moore paint and I’m considering getting my kitchen cabinets repainted using Revere Pewter. It looks beautiful in the image, and I love the hardware that was used. I’m planning on using my current hardware that is dark and vintage looking, do you think this would still go with that color? Thank you! 🙂

    • Reply
      Jenny
      December 5, 2019 at 10:09 am

      I don’t think you can go wrong with Revere Pewter – my favorite paint color ever!

  • Reply
    Denise
    January 5, 2020 at 2:24 pm

    I really like the different grays, however my walls are painted Navajo White which has yellow undertones and not sure that the gray color combo would work. Have you seen a gray with the Navajo white or can you suggest a cabinet color in a white? Thanks!

  • Reply
    Denise
    May 19, 2020 at 5:06 pm

    Hi Jenny. I have a small kitchen. My house is on the dark side and I would like to paint my cabinets. I will not be able to get new counter tops. What I have at this time is tile in the tan and beige tones. Can you suggest a color for my cabinets. Wanted gray but I don’t think they would look good with my tile. Thanks for your help. Denise

  • Reply
    Ann McMartin
    May 22, 2020 at 5:56 pm

    I am redoing my kitchen which has an island 128 inches long with cabinets on the back wall. My new counter top is Taj Mahal. I am thinking about painting the cabinets Edgecomb Grey and was thinking about painting the island another color. What would you suggest. The home is a contemporary , located in the mountains with lots of natural light and views of mountains and trees. I was wondering if keeping the color all the same for the cabinets and. Island has a more timeless. contemporary look
    Would you suggest another color for the cabinets?
    I appreciate your suggestions

    • Reply
      Jenny
      May 26, 2020 at 8:13 pm

      I would have to see photos to make recommendations.

  • Reply
    Melanie Rodrigues Bayer
    July 14, 2020 at 11:12 am

    I am thinking about painting the cabinets SW Anew Grey or SW mindful grey from dark woodd.
    Its more like the cabinets you had showcase from dark wood to Anew Grey.
    The counter infact looks alike and backsolash What would you suggest. The home is a contemporary , t with natural light .
    I love the mindful grey cabinets but just wondering whether it would be too dark
    I ike the greige look.
    Then i saw Anew grey so confused
    Would you suggest another color for the cabinets?
    I appreciate your suggestions and your help
    Please and thank you
    I’ll be happy to forward some images too

    • Reply
      Jenny
      July 23, 2020 at 4:13 pm

      Send me a couple of photos and I can take a look. 🙂

  • Reply
    Tara
    April 3, 2021 at 10:04 pm

    I am considering painting my kitchen cabinets Benjamin Moore sagebrush and my island Benjamin Moore Swiss coffee. What do you think?

    • Reply
      Jenny
      April 11, 2021 at 7:30 pm

      So much depends on your other finishes – I can’t offer advice based on paint colors alone.

  • Reply
    Daphyne Buckworth
    October 20, 2021 at 7:40 pm

    Jenny, these are beautiful kitchens… my cabinets are honey oak… I like the natural wood look but would like to maybe glaze them.. either way.. what color counter top would you recommend for these light oak cabinets? My backsplash is going to be antique white distressed tin panels… just don’t want my kitchen to be washed out.. my walls are SW Natural Linen.. I really appreciate any advice you have.

    • Reply
      Jenny
      October 26, 2021 at 6:46 am

      You could really go two ways here – something like a soapstone (not necessarily soapstone, but the same color/look – I’ve seen it in granite and it’s beautiful), or you could go light with a quartz/quartzite. I’m thinking with the tin panel backsplash that a soapstone look would probably complement it best.

  • Reply
    Jane
    January 20, 2022 at 8:38 am

    I’m about to update kitchen (paint cabinets and new countertops) the drawback is our floors- they are glossy red terracotta (not my favorite but they are staying). I can’t decide if cabinets need to be very dark (moody) or do something like pale oak on cabinets and then add the color pop to builtins nearby. I also love the muted sage colors right now but with the floors it may look too Spanish for my style.

  • Reply
    Nancy
    January 26, 2022 at 10:32 pm

    What are some of your favorite creamy whites? I’d like something less sterile that a true white, but I’d like to something bright that isnt gray and doesn’t present too yellow. Any suggestions?

    • Reply
      Jenny
      March 6, 2022 at 2:35 pm

      Dover White, White Dove, Simply White – all good places to start!

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