I would keep the finishes similar myself. We had a mudroom that was very visible from our kitchen and I kept the cabinets a cream color like our kitchen cabinets. We had a dark dark walnut floor which was in both areas. That being said, if the tile is white and you have the ebony stained island which is in the same sight line then maybe you could do the cabinets in that same wood/stain to set it off from the floors and yet have some continuity between the rooms. Post pics when you can!

If you can see it from the kitchen, maybe choose the island color for your cabinets. If you can't see it from the kitchen, choose a wood in the same color tones as the island---meaning don't choose a red based stain when the island is a brown based stain or go with light natural wood, etc. Coordinating is about staying in the same color families, not always matching with the same color items.

I would love to use that ebony-stained cherry from the island in the mudroom, but I'm afraid it'll be too dark for that whole area (was trying to avoid the upcharge for cherry). OTOH, the cream seems too boring and washed out, which is why I was searching for an in between option. Good idea to look for brown-based stains -- will see if I can tell which those are. Hoping to get in tonight to take pics.

My first thought when reading through was to go for something the same color as the island and butler's pantry, but a shade or two lighter. (Don't know, though, if you have endless options in stain shades) This would leave the island and butler's pantry with the richer look, but the others coordinate.

I think this is similar to what L_W_O was suggesting.

OK, maybe this sounds silly, but if it were me I would stay away from the cream cabinets in the mudroom. It is, after all, a MUD room and while you will certainly keep it clean, mine has seems to continually get tracks and smudges here and there. Our lockers and bench don't show it so much in the honey spice stain, but I am continually wiping down the light colored walls (where my kitties jump from the floor to the window - no kids, but if you have them, you'll have similar issues I'd think). The ebony stain coordinating with the island sounds good to me. If you have good lighting in the mud room, it should not be too dark. And if the stain is that dark could you do a wood other than cherry and still be ok (to save on the costs)? If it is separated from the kitchen island at least somewhat, will it be noticeable? Maybe try the same stain on similarly grained woods... just an idea. Sounds like you will have a wonderful mudroom if it is like nomorebluekitchen's! Oh, and I'd definitely go for the lockers... I LOVE my lockers. Cheers, -Kim

I also think you should stay away from cream in the Mudroom. My first thought on reading the OP was ebony, definitely. If you don't want the cherry upcharge, look into Alder. Cherry & Alder often look very similar when stained. Alder won't darken, but w/a very dark stain on the Cherry, I don't think that would be a problem.

The only drawback to Alder is that it's a soft wood. If you decide to consider Alder, ask here how people's Alder cabinets are holding up...they may be fine. [Do you have very young children? They may be harder on the wood, but if they're older (or none), then Alder may be fine...but ask.]

Otherwise, talk to you KD and consider Live_Wire_Oak's idea of the same color family.

We don't have endless stain options with the cabinet lines we're considering for this area (Shenandoah and American Woodmark . . . economy reared its ugly head as we approached end of renovation), but I did find some shades that look like a slightly lighter version of our cherry finish. Will get that priced tomorrow. I would definitely consider alder (kids, 9 and 12, are generally pretty careful), so I'm not overly concerned about that (knock on wood). But, of course, that would also mean a change in cabinet lines, since these only offer maple and cherry. Pictures tomorrow if I can remember how to post -- it has been a long time. I'm just so relieved that your responses so far have not voted for cream.

I'd vote for the dark finish as well. Our old mudroom cabinets were off white and it showed every speck of dust and dirt mark. My new mudroom with the dark cherry cabinets has only 4 can lights in the ceiling and no natural light at all and it works great.

Anita