skip to main content

white cabinets on white walls in kitchen help

15 years ago

Our kitchen BADLY needs repainting (150 sq ft). It is a very dirty-looking creamy beige color painted who knows when ago.

The house is a 1960's ranch, and there is paneling in the kitchen which is currently painted the ugly color. We want to go for the cottagey look, which is good, because the paneling is staying put.

DH wants white on white. I am less than thrilled, but will compromise since we did the bathrooms how I wanted. We have been told that we should paint the cabinets not the same shade of white, but slightly different so they will offset. We will also eventually update the backsplash which will help a lot in this area, too, probably some blue/white small mosaic tiles. We have blue ceramic tile for the kitchen floor.

I would like to use the SW Pro Classic for the cabinets. So, what would work for the walls vs. cabinets? Should the cabinets be the brighter white or should the walls? I would almost like the very lightest blue for the walls.

BTW, I saw the thread for "what are your favorite whites", so it seems like we should avoid whites with yellow in them because the floor is blue.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

paintguy1
15 years ago
Post your question to this forum under color, you'll get great color advice there.

http://boards.hgtv.com/eve/forums/a/cfrm/f/9334079532
randita
15 years ago
gsciencechick - I have seen pictures of white wainscoting and antique white walls and it looks very elegant. White is a common color for trim and cabinetry, so that's what I would choose for your cabinets. Then go different on your walls.

I'm not sure about the wall color. Ask at the Home Decorating Forum.
Related Discussions
White or Off White Kitchen Cabinets with ? wall color
Q
Comments (6)
What color is your floor? Drapes? Counters? I just had a color consult for my cream w/brown glazed cabinets, hazelnut (dark) hardwood, and granite (greys, blacks & browns), cream trim, brown, turquise & gold drapery treatment, and they suggested a milk chocolate paint color. I'm waiting for the sample to see if it will work.
...See More
SW Pure White Kitchen Walls, what White for Cabinets?
Q
Comments (17)
We have decided to get countertops first! However, what do you guys think about SW Pure White Walls with BM Paper White cabinets? Will it be tacky, is it enough contrast to look good together or should we stick with everything being Pure White. BM Paper White on the walls in the picture. This would be on our cabinets. SW Pure White on the cabinets in the picture. This is on our walls. Thoughts?
...See More
decorators white kitchen cabinets need bright white wall/ceiling/trim
Q
Comments (2)
thank you so much for your response! The floors are quarter sawn white oak that will be stained a warm med tone walnut color. nothing too dark. I did realize when i posted this that my cabinets will touch the ceiling so I decided to go with the same white throughout most of the house on the ceilings, Decorators White. On the top floor, which is our master bedroom suite I think I'm going to use the Chantilly lace. It's a bit darker up there and I'm trying to make it as bright as possible. Thats the color of our vanity in the masterbath, so I may just do all the trim and ceilings that color. That floor is a clean break from all the other walls and trim, so it won't look like a mistake! Truthfully the place was a mess before renovation (we bought it that way) so I really just want everything clean and white!! I may end up doing what you suggested with the walls...still wishing for white, but don't I can steer away from the Decorators white without making the cabinets look dingy.
...See More
Help with white kitchen: cabinets, walls, trim in different whites?
Q
Comments (10)
@Gaby Buller Take a look at SW 7042 Shoji White, for the walls. You can definately do a beautiful white palette. Since all color has a DNA (Hue family, Value and Chroma), you can be guided by framework to create a palette that is harmonious and pleasing to your eye. When pairing whites, a good principle that works is having at minimum 0.2 difference in Chroma (last number) between your whites. A little spacing on the color wheel also helps. This principle ensures there is enough contrast between your whites so that one will look more neutral than the other, and they don't look dingy or dirty. The other way to add contrast is to change the sheen level. For example, you can play with sheen levels on BM White Dove and use it as the Trim Color, in a higher sheen than the cabinets and use BM White Dove in Matte on the walls. This will also provide the contrast your eye needs without looking dull. Other colors that may fit your vision and work with the above mentioned framework are: SW 7013 Ivory Lace SW 7010 White Duck SW 9586 White Sesame BM OC-13 Soft Chamois
...See More
gsciencechick
Original Author
15 years ago
I posted some pics in the Home Decorating forum XP.
maxineshell
2 years ago
It's totally fine for the walls, cabinets, everything to be the same white. It can look really well put together and a great monotone look. I'm more nervous to have a bunch of different whites that don't match.

Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGN Cooking With Color: When to Use White in the Kitchen

By Jennifer Ott Design

Make sure your snowy walls, cabinets and counters don't feel cold while you're riding white's popularity peak

KITCHEN DESIGN Dream Spaces: 12 Beautiful White Kitchens

By Lisa Higgins

Snowy cabinets and walls speak to a certain elegance, while marble counters whisper of luxury

DECORATING GUIDES Downsizing Help: Color and Scale Ideas for Comfy Compact Spaces

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

White walls and bitsy furniture aren’t your only options for tight spaces. Let’s revisit some decorating ‘rules’

KITCHEN DESIGN How to Keep Your White Kitchen White

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Sure, white kitchens are beautiful — when they’re sparkling clean. Here’s how to keep them that way

WHITE KITCHENS 4 Dreamy White-and-Wood Kitchens to Learn From

By Mitchell Parker

White too bright in your kitchen? Introduce wood beams, countertops, furniture and more

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen of the Week: Brick, Wood and Clean White Lines

By Becky Harris

A family kitchen retains its original brick but adds an eat-in area and bright new cabinets

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Color Hits the Spot in a White-on-White Scheme

By Laura Garner

Bright red furniture strikes a dramatic pose against snowy walls and floors in a Montreal loft

KITCHEN OF THE WEEK Kitchen of the Week: A Punch of Pink for a White Kitchen

By Jeannie Matteucci

A homeowner shows her love of pink in bold walls that impart a cheerful vibe

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen of the Week: Geometric Tile Wall in a White Kitchen

By Cathy Rebecca

Skylights, bifold doors, white walls and dark cabinets star in this light-filled kitchen addition

DECORATING GUIDES 10 Wonderful Ways to Colorize a White-Walled Room

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

Drawing a blank on white walls, you say? These decorating ideas can help your rooms come alive with color

Sponsored

Mary Shipley Interiors

32 Reviews

Columbus OH Premier Interior Designer 10x Best of Houzz

More Discussions

Please Help! Palette & Style Conundrum-Modern Tropical Glam vs Coastal

70

Do I need shutters on my 1908 cottage style home?m

6

Need help to break the plainness please!

15

Exterior Paint Spiral

8

color for wicker headboard and dresser?

0