4 New Kitchens With Colorful Cabinets
See if light blue, rich green or one of these other striking cabinet colors will have you waving goodbye to white
White is by far the most popular paint color choice for kitchen cabinets. But while white has obvious appeal, it’s also possible that some homeowners simply lack the confidence to pursue more colorful options. That’s where a design pro can offer a little assurance. Here, pros share four kitchen cabinet colors that might have you considering a broader range of colors.
2. Powder Blue Perfection
Designer: Sara Scott of Tailored Designs
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Size: 368 square feet (34 square meters); 16 by 23 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The client wanted an island with seating for their growing family,” designer Sara Scott says. “The existing kitchen was very small and they did not use their formal dining room, so they wanted to use that space to make the kitchen larger. A coffee station and a large sink were a must. More cabinet and pantry storage were also high on the list.”
Cabinet paint color. Parma Gray by Farrow & Ball. “The client knew from the beginning they wanted blue cabinets and a white countertop,” Scott says. “Parma Gray by Farrow & Ball is a nice soft, cool blue that can have a formal or relaxed feel depending on what it is paired with. The kitchen could have had a more formal feel without the wood stained island, but the wood tones really soften and warm the space. The champagne brass cabinet hardware also helps soften the space.”
Other special features. “The ILVE range is a definite showpiece in this kitchen,” Scott says. “The pop of white amongst the blue cabinets is really stunning. The brass details on the range also add a bit of jewelry to the space. To keep a clean look, we hid the microwave behind appliance garage doors and used a cabinet panel on the undercounter beverage refrigerator. In the island we have dishwashers on each side of the sink with panels to keep everything tidy for this family of five.”
Designer tip. “This project was a huge challenge and it took everyone — designer, architect, engineer and contractor — coming together to make this new space come to life,” Scott says. “Take the time to find a good team that fits your personality and style, because you will likely be working with them for a year or even longer for the design, selection and construction phases of the project.”
Architect: Alison Hall
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Designer: Sara Scott of Tailored Designs
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Size: 368 square feet (34 square meters); 16 by 23 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The client wanted an island with seating for their growing family,” designer Sara Scott says. “The existing kitchen was very small and they did not use their formal dining room, so they wanted to use that space to make the kitchen larger. A coffee station and a large sink were a must. More cabinet and pantry storage were also high on the list.”
Cabinet paint color. Parma Gray by Farrow & Ball. “The client knew from the beginning they wanted blue cabinets and a white countertop,” Scott says. “Parma Gray by Farrow & Ball is a nice soft, cool blue that can have a formal or relaxed feel depending on what it is paired with. The kitchen could have had a more formal feel without the wood stained island, but the wood tones really soften and warm the space. The champagne brass cabinet hardware also helps soften the space.”
Other special features. “The ILVE range is a definite showpiece in this kitchen,” Scott says. “The pop of white amongst the blue cabinets is really stunning. The brass details on the range also add a bit of jewelry to the space. To keep a clean look, we hid the microwave behind appliance garage doors and used a cabinet panel on the undercounter beverage refrigerator. In the island we have dishwashers on each side of the sink with panels to keep everything tidy for this family of five.”
Designer tip. “This project was a huge challenge and it took everyone — designer, architect, engineer and contractor — coming together to make this new space come to life,” Scott says. “Take the time to find a good team that fits your personality and style, because you will likely be working with them for a year or even longer for the design, selection and construction phases of the project.”
Architect: Alison Hall
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3. Black Boldness
Designer: Megan Jackson Meder of The Sitting Room
Builder: City Homes
Architect: Alexander Design Group
Location: Wayzata, Minnesota
Homeowners’ request. “This client’s kitchen, living room and dining room share an open floor plan and because of that, the kitchen had to be an extension of the bold, glamorous palette throughout those spaces,” designer Megan Jackson Meder says. “This client was daring, embracing the idea of black cabinets and statement tile backsplash, allowing our firm to design something completely outside of the norm. This client also loves to entertain, and the open floor plan of this space allows the kitchen to flow naturally into the other spaces, which is great for larger groups.”
Cabinet paint color. Black by Benjamin Moore. The walls are White Dove by Benjamin Moore. “These high-contrast colors establish a definite mood and, when mixed with the other selections in the space — hardware, furniture and lighting — achieve a feeling of glam and grandeur,” Jackson Meder says.
Other special features. Acrylic-and-brass cube pendant lights. Acrylic-and-gold counter stools. Black-and-white tile backsplash.
Designer tip. “A unique design does not hinder its longevity,” Jackson Meder says. “Whether you are renovating a space or starting construction on a new build, a lot of homeowners get caught up in the idea of going with popular design trends in an effort to create timeless design. Timeless, exceptional design is not dictated by trends. Feel empowered to make selections that inspire you, and with the help of a seasoned designer you can feel assured that your space will outlive current trends.”
Light fixtures: Eli pendant, Worlds Away; counter stools: Gabby King in acrylic and gold, Gabby
Project photography: Spacecrafting
5 Kitchen Cabinet Trends Popular With Homeowners Now
Designer: Megan Jackson Meder of The Sitting Room
Builder: City Homes
Architect: Alexander Design Group
Location: Wayzata, Minnesota
Homeowners’ request. “This client’s kitchen, living room and dining room share an open floor plan and because of that, the kitchen had to be an extension of the bold, glamorous palette throughout those spaces,” designer Megan Jackson Meder says. “This client was daring, embracing the idea of black cabinets and statement tile backsplash, allowing our firm to design something completely outside of the norm. This client also loves to entertain, and the open floor plan of this space allows the kitchen to flow naturally into the other spaces, which is great for larger groups.”
Cabinet paint color. Black by Benjamin Moore. The walls are White Dove by Benjamin Moore. “These high-contrast colors establish a definite mood and, when mixed with the other selections in the space — hardware, furniture and lighting — achieve a feeling of glam and grandeur,” Jackson Meder says.
Other special features. Acrylic-and-brass cube pendant lights. Acrylic-and-gold counter stools. Black-and-white tile backsplash.
Designer tip. “A unique design does not hinder its longevity,” Jackson Meder says. “Whether you are renovating a space or starting construction on a new build, a lot of homeowners get caught up in the idea of going with popular design trends in an effort to create timeless design. Timeless, exceptional design is not dictated by trends. Feel empowered to make selections that inspire you, and with the help of a seasoned designer you can feel assured that your space will outlive current trends.”
Light fixtures: Eli pendant, Worlds Away; counter stools: Gabby King in acrylic and gold, Gabby
Project photography: Spacecrafting
5 Kitchen Cabinet Trends Popular With Homeowners Now
4. Blue-Green Beauty
Designer: Ken Schaefer of Right Angle Kitchens
General contractor: Krueger Construction
Location: Arlington, Massachusetts
Size: 250 square feet (23 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowners are artists, painters, architects and travelers,” says designer Ken Schaefer, who used Houzz photos to communicate inspiration ideas with the homeowners. “Being creatives in their own professions, we followed their lead making suggestions on details. They had seen the white kitchen fail in the way of durability and style and wanted something functionally different.”
Cabinet paint color. The light green-blue color is Aloe from Medallion Cabinetry. “The homeowners chose the Vermont Verde antique green marble stone countertops first and made most of their color selections based on this,” Schaefer says. “The lighter green vein of the marble is complemented by the light green-blue tone of the paint. Brass and black finishes were our recommendation to warm up the room without distracting from the real show stopper: that marble!
“If bright white cabinetry was used in this kitchen, it would have created too much contrast between the stone and cabinets and been a distraction. White cabinets would not have held up to the rigors of someone who really loves to cook.”
Other special features. Glass-front cabinets display collectibles. “The location of the range in the island allows for social culinary gatherings,” Schaefer says.
Designer tips. “Maximize storage and countertops first,” Schaefer says. “You can always layer pretty colors and textures secondarily. Decor is tertiary but never forgotten. We always have that in the back of our minds as we lay out a space. Also, do not be afraid of color. We know it can be hard to balance all the colors in a space, but if you work with the right adviser it will be worth it. And choose your countertop and cabinet color simultaneously. There are always undertones in paint and even countertops.”
Project photography: Dave West of Born Imagery
10 Gorgeous Green Paints for Kitchen Islands and Cabinets
More on Houzz
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Browse kitchen photos
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Designer: Ken Schaefer of Right Angle Kitchens
General contractor: Krueger Construction
Location: Arlington, Massachusetts
Size: 250 square feet (23 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowners are artists, painters, architects and travelers,” says designer Ken Schaefer, who used Houzz photos to communicate inspiration ideas with the homeowners. “Being creatives in their own professions, we followed their lead making suggestions on details. They had seen the white kitchen fail in the way of durability and style and wanted something functionally different.”
Cabinet paint color. The light green-blue color is Aloe from Medallion Cabinetry. “The homeowners chose the Vermont Verde antique green marble stone countertops first and made most of their color selections based on this,” Schaefer says. “The lighter green vein of the marble is complemented by the light green-blue tone of the paint. Brass and black finishes were our recommendation to warm up the room without distracting from the real show stopper: that marble!
“If bright white cabinetry was used in this kitchen, it would have created too much contrast between the stone and cabinets and been a distraction. White cabinets would not have held up to the rigors of someone who really loves to cook.”
Other special features. Glass-front cabinets display collectibles. “The location of the range in the island allows for social culinary gatherings,” Schaefer says.
Designer tips. “Maximize storage and countertops first,” Schaefer says. “You can always layer pretty colors and textures secondarily. Decor is tertiary but never forgotten. We always have that in the back of our minds as we lay out a space. Also, do not be afraid of color. We know it can be hard to balance all the colors in a space, but if you work with the right adviser it will be worth it. And choose your countertop and cabinet color simultaneously. There are always undertones in paint and even countertops.”
Project photography: Dave West of Born Imagery
10 Gorgeous Green Paints for Kitchen Islands and Cabinets
More on Houzz
Read more kitchen stories
Browse kitchen photos
Hire a kitchen remodeler
Shop for kitchen products
Designer: Jamie Olivarez of Pink Door Designs
Builder: Romo Remodeling
Location: Katy, Texas
Size: 228 square feet (21 square meters); 12 by 19 feet
Homeowners’ request. These homeowners took inspiration from European grommet-style elements on a range they had in mind, as well as model and celebrity Kendall Jenner’s green kitchen. “Green cabinetry was the main start, and all the inspiration images also showcased brass or copper elements,” says designer Jamie Olivarez, whose client found her through Houzz. “I wanted it to be livable and luxurious without being too fussy. They are a young, hip couple who moved to Texas from the East Coast. They host family often, so it was important for the space to be accommodating to the overflow of lingering company.”
Cabinet paint color. Billiard Green by Sherwin-Williams. “I love it when a client is daring enough to go bold for a rich hue such as green,” Olivarez says. “This color is part of the Historic Colors collection of Sherwin-Williams, which is one of the main reasons I started with this as an option. I felt that with such bold color directions it may be best to stick to something that was timeless, rich and elegant. This hue is true to hunter green foliage with a bit of brightness to it — the slightly yellow or golden undertone.”
Other special features. “I feel the dolomite stone countertop and backsplash are what makes this combination of the lush green and cool gray with the white and brass accents pop,” Olivarez says.
Designer tip. “Analyze your space before all else,” Olivarez says. “Ask yourself the important questions of who, what and why. Experiment with samples and mock-ups. Space requirements and minimum distances are important, so if you don’t know, ask or hire a professional kitchen and bath designer, even if it’s just a consult to check yourself before making colossal mistakes.”
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