How to choose a captivating color for your kitchen cabinets
When you’re remodeling your kitchen, one of the most exciting parts is selecting striking colors for your cabinets. To help you decide what paints and stains to pick, we’ve put together suggestions for finishes that can truly enrich and invigorate your space.
Whether you’re looking for a rustic feel, modern utilitarianism, or any other style in your renovated kitchen, the color of your cabinets can propel your space into perfection. However, we know the decision can be overwhelming at times, simply because there are so many beautiful colors to choose from. That’s why we want to share what we’re currently loving in kitchen cabinet finishes—and what qualities you might evoke with each.
As you read our recommendations, you can even launch Rebode Jumpstarter to envision how different kitchen cabinet colors look in your space (for free!) after completing a short questionnaire. Once you’ve decided on your favorite finishes, we can match you with a local kitchen designer who can help you kick off your remodel process.
Striking kitchen cabinet colors to consider
The first step when planning a kitchen remodel is to imagine your dream kitchen in your mind’s eye. Consider the style you may enjoy long-term in your kitchen as well as how you’d ideally use your space. Perhaps you have had a kitchen mood board pinned up for years that you can return to! Are you entertaining guests in a sophisticated, luxurious space? Does your space function as a work/study zone during the day that incorporates elements of nature? Or do you find yourself cooking in a farmhouse-inspired kitchen?
You can also consider the current trends in kitchen cabinet finishes to ensure your space looks fresh. The 2025 Houzz U.S. Kitchen Trends Study is a great resource that reports on current trends in kitchen renovation among homeowners.
Image from MasterBrand Cabinets.
No matter your style preference, there’s a kitchen cabinet color that is right for you. Read on for some examples of on-trend finishes that we love and how to incorporate them into your space.
White: Classic and timeless
White kitchen cabinets are a classic, and for good reason: white can evoke a variety of styles, from contemporary minimalism to cottage charm or coastal vibes. According to the 2025 Houzz U.S. Kitchen Trends Study, one-third of homeowners painted their cabinets white, making it the most popular kitchen cabinet color. In addition to being versatile, white is also timeless, allowing white kitchen cabinets to stay in vogue even as trends change.
One of the common complaints about white, however, is that it may make a space lack warmth. If you choose white kitchen cabinets, consider adding splashes of color and texture to your space via backsplashes, flooring, or contrasting upper or lower cabinets. Off-white, too, is a great option to get the classic feel of white in your kitchen but with a hue that has more innate warmth. For more inspiration, we’ve outlined some of our favorite ways to style all-white kitchens.
Image from MasterBrand Cabinets.
Wood tones: Warm and cohesive
Like white paint, choosing wood tone stains for your kitchen cabinets can be a great option in traditional and modern kitchens alike. Today’s top stains tend to have subtle gray, brown, and blonde undertones instead of the yellow, orange, and red undertones of the past, lending a softer, more classic feel to your cabinets.
While these muted wood tones are stunning in their own right and can be used exclusively on your cabinetry, they are also great candidates for homeowners who want accents or contrasting colors. For instance, the neutral finish of Coastline is a great choice of stain that pairs well with a rich colored paint and can bring comfort and cohesion to your space.
Red: Dramatic and bold
For a touch of drama and elevation, you might consider painting your cabinets with a red finish. Currant is an example of a striking red with charcoal undertones that we’re loving right now. Lush reds like Currant are perfect for homeowners who want their cabinets to be the focal point of their kitchen. This finish especially works well in spaces with ample lighting; homeowners with kitchens lacking windows or other light sources may find that red cabinets can make one’s space appear overly dark or gloomy.
However, even if you don’t have a lot of light in your kitchen, we have good news: a red finish is a great option for adding just a pop of color to a space. For instance, you can contrast your majority white or wood toned cabinets with a red kitchen island to add depth to the room while maintaining the timeless and airy look of lighter finishes.
Green: Tranquil and versatile
Another striking color family to consider for your kitchen cabinets is green. Green is stunningly versatile, making it a fun new neutral for the kitchen. Sage green, either alone or with complementary wood tones, can add a sense of tranquility to your space. One reason you might opt for this color is if you have a multipurpose kitchen: for example, sage green promotes focus for those working from home, and it can similarly spark creativity in students of all ages. As your kitchen transitions into a preparation and dining zone in the evenings, this serene hue offers feelings of balance and calm for you and your family as you cook, eat, and spend quality time together.
Painting your cabinets a green hue, perhaps featuring blue or gray undertones, can also bring the lushness of nature into your kitchen. Deep, dark greens, meanwhile, can add sophistication to your space—a great option to consider if you love entertaining guests with lavish dinner parties.
Blue: Multifaceted and vivid
An additional paint color to consider for your cabinets is blue, which is rapidly growing in popularity for homeowners looking to add bold colors to their kitchens. There are so many shades of blue to consider, and MasterBrand has outlined some of our favorites. Perhaps the most flexible blue is a dark or navy, as its black or charcoal undertones allow it to go well with any other hues on your floors, backsplash, walls, or artwork. Bright blues can work, too, if you want your kitchen cabinets to make a bold statement.
On the other end of the spectrum, light blues with gray undertones can be a great option, especially when contrasted with wood tones. A dusty or earthy light blue, for example, can bring the feeling of the outdoors into your kitchen.
Gray: Timeless and fresh
If you are looking for a true neutral for your kitchen cabinets but want something richer than white or off-white, gray might be the perfect option. Gray can feel adventurous while still maintaining a classic feel. We suggest paying special attention to the undertones of the gray you pick, which can be warm or cool and can complement other colors (and even other grays) quite well. Grays can even invoke some of the bolder colors on this list without straying directly into reds, greens, and blues, especially when contrasted with white countertops, gold hardware, or wood tones.
Black: Show-stopping and lavish
Rounding out our kitchen cabinet colors is black, which is perhaps the boldest hue to choose for your kitchen cabinets. Black is a timeless choice that can make for a show-stopping kitchen, especially when contrasted with stainless steel or white. Remember that lighting is crucial in a kitchen with black cabinets so that your space appears luxurious and open. You’ll also likely want to keep a can or two of paint handy in case of scratches or smudges, which tend to show up more clearly in black paint!
If you’re interested in seeing how any of these colors might look in your kitchen, or if you want to chat with a pro to discuss what might work best for you, Rebode Jumpstarter can let you visualize your new space with AI, and we can even connect you with a local designer.
How do I pick between stains and paints?
The decision to use either stain or paint on your kitchen cabinets not only depends on the style of kitchen you’re aiming for, but also the species of wood you choose for your cabinets. Some wood types lend themselves better to stains than others because of the natural characteristics of the grain. For instance, paints tend to look best on Maple, as this wood is typically quite smooth on its surface. Cherry cabinets can be ideal for wood stains, meanwhile, because Cherry darkens as it ages, and you can therefore witness its natural evolution. Oak and Quartersawn Oak are also good options for stains because of their unique and eye-catching grain patterns.
If you’re having a hard time deciding between stains and paints, you can even use both! Contrasting upper and lower kitchen cabinets can be both stunning and timeless. Consider choosing a wood stain for your upper cabinets; for your lower cabinets, you could introduce a bit of drama with a blue, green, or red paint.
Kitchen designers are also excellent resources when selecting colors—be they paints or stains—for your cabinets. Meeting with a designer can guide in your decision on the perfect hue and help make your dream kitchen a reality.
Image from MasterBrand Cabinets.
How do I get started?
As you embark on your kitchen renovation journey, take the Rebode Jumpstarter style questionnaire today to explore your top cabinet colors as you build your dream kitchen.
Based on your selections in Jumpstarter, you can review AI-generated views featuring your favorite colors, and you can even request to see your dream kitchen in 3D within your actual space using our Visualizer Service. You can then connect with a local designer who can help you begin your remodel and bring your favorite paints and stains into your own kitchen.