What color should I paint my kitchen cabinets?
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The stark white is too much and not practical, but with the dark gray counter tops and very light gray walls, I can't decide which way to go. Plus I have white appliances. Thanks for input!
Add a pop of colour! Use red or yellow or any bright colour for the handles and accessories.
Red is a good contrast and cheery
I actually love the gray and white, but what about painting just the bottom cabinets a very dark gray. I also have pale cabinets, but my island is dark gray and I don't spend nearly as much time cleaning it as I do my pale cabinets. You can always go back and paint the uppers. I find that the uppers don't get as dirty as the lower cabinets do. If you don't want to go dark gray on the lower cabinets, pick a dark color out of your backsplash as your paint color.
How about a blue/gray on the bottom that coordinates with the backsplash?
Have you thought about a metallic paint? Rustoleum has some great ones that I've used for light fixtures and mirror frames and love the final look. I'd leave the cabinets white and just paint the doors and drawer fronts.
Whatever you do, I'd just start with couple and put them back up to make sure you like it before all the work of doing the entire kitchen all at once.
I'd also look at the cut wood above the sink. That really dates a kitchen. I took mine out quite easily and was amazed at the difference it made.
I would pull a contrasting color from the backsplash for lower cabinets and use the same accessories in your towels etc.
I think a pretty antique yellow
Are you aware that white cabinets are coming back in style? Watch HGTV or other "home style" stations, and you'll see young home buyers are looking for white kitchens.
You could paint the ceiling or do a metal tile ceiling to add depth and it would cut the stark white feel without the work of painting the cabinets
I would take a picture of my backsplash with my phone and go to Home Depot or Lowe's, there I would pick matching color charts to take home with me ( they are free) place color chart to cabinet doors to see which color you like best. Purchase the color you like best. Remove doors and paint. When dry install doors. Remember to make a number chart where doors go and put number on tape on back of door.
I would love to see results when finished...
Pain cabinet doors only...
I also like grays in the kitchen, but I do not like stark white. I plan to go with an ivory or cream - just off the white spectrum, but toward the pale green (it won't be green just in that direction). My counter tops will be a natural concrete (no stain applied), so they'll be in the gray area. Even the wood work in my house (baseboards, door frames, moldings, etc. are off white - Behr Parchment). It creates less reflected light; warmer.
I found white cabinets to be too 'glaring' -- Home Depot stocks Martha Stewart cabinets in light/medium gray (kind of a warm "dove" gray). In paint Dept, found sample to match Martha's really expensive cabinets...just a thought...I had black countertops/white appliances. Good luck. Whatever you choose will probably be great!
Replace counter top with black. Paint lower cabinets dark gray with brushed nickel hardware. Paint upper cabinets with light gray or beige and use turquoise blue or lime green for accents.
Lighting..........what kind of lighting do you have?? These new bulbs we have to use have color ranges, and the blue-range looks awful everywhere, IMO. It would make white look really harsh. Look on the boxes for the light temperature and buy the warmer bulbs. So maybe try changing your bulbs or your kitchen light fixture if it is fluorescent.
I agree with previous comments that an antique or soft yellow cabinets, and a tin ceiling would look great, as well as changing the hardware to nickel or similar. Also remove the cutwork wood above the window, and leave the window bare, or use a roman shade .
Yes, a real pretty yellow would go wonderfully with the gray. Also, you need to update the curtains, they are pretty, but do not go with the rest of kitchen...nothing at all or shutters would look great.
Actually, oak shutters to match your floors would be the best.
Cary is just up the road from us about 30 minutes. If you remember where Sanford is, we are just a little community right next to Sanford.
I'd use a black or gray wax to give it an aged look and provide you the color you need with minimal cost and effort.
could you pick up say black tag board and kinda put it in front of the lower cabinets to see how it would look? or really any color that you are thinking about using. i think a very dark gray.and i agree with the other poster the curtains are really dated.
I have dark counters, I painted my cabinets a gloss black. Strangely enough, it made the room look much larger and brighter. I had white appliances also. I left the stove alone, but painted my fridge a mat black and left the handles white. It WORKS. The handles match the stove, the black matches the cabinets. I also put up peel and stick silver metal tiles as backsplash. Everybody who sees it is amazed at how bright the kitchen seems.
Depending on the overall color scheme of your home..you might want to consider one of the matter paints in a nice soft robins egg blue...ive seen it with dark counters and its beautiful....but that's a color preference...still...you could use a color rather than neutral..in my opinion ..I also have white kitchen and am considering painting my cabinets light blue green color..like robins egg...very matte..
Honestly, I like the white cabinets. I would paint the walls a light blue to match or coordinate with the blue in your backsplash tiles. Remove the curtain and replace with a blue blind or valence?
No matter what color you paint, use the brand Fine Paints of Europe! They are the best paint for any thing that will take a lot of use or abuse.I used them on my kitchen cabinet 2 years ago and they are easy to wipe and not a single chip or scratch!
I think if you pull the yellow out of the back splash for the top cupboards and a gray to compliment the counter tops for the bottoms and put up a different window cover and new pulls and hide the hinges in color, your kitchen would be stunning and not so white. The colors will go well with the white appliances if they're staying. It looks like it is a nice big kitchen, lucky you
If you're timid about painting, you could keep them white and add cabinetry hardware in any color you like. You'd be surprised how those little pops of color will brighten this area. You don't seem to like bright colors (I personally would choose something like Chinese red!) but a pretty coral or salmon color might be nice.
Anna S. Webster, NY
Duo cabinet colors in the kitchen are popular and add interest with the contrast. If you don't mind painting, dark gray can be complemented with a variety of colors. Depending on your back splash, I would go with medium blue (light blue is pretty but might get tired looking after a while). Lean toward a deep wedge blue. Royal would be bright. Because you have light walls, navy might work. It would be a bold statement and anchor the room. Do only the lower cupboards. Leave the top white. You could do the same format using a medium sage green or medium to dark gray. If you don't want to touch the cupboards--white always has a clean, crisp appeal, I would go with a bolder wall color taken from
the back splash. Stenciling might be an option or a border print put on the white face board above your cabinets to break up the solid white. I would also choose a solid bolder color for your curtains. Keep the swag cut you have. That lets light in but gives your window more definition. I usually tell people who ask to look at magazines, make notes and save or take a picture of what you like. When you have a collection, see where your choices take you. Hope this helps.
It seems we all see very different colors in your back splash. LOL! I'd consider adding a paler shade of gray in a durable paint (ask your dealer about the best TYPE of paint for kitchen cabinets). As for the window I'd simply remove the curtains and opt for an open window to allow the natural light. If you must have something for privacy consider natural wood shutters (to tie in with your flooring).
I think I'd keep the white top cabinets, as Annaps suggested. I love gray cabinets and would pick up a medium gray from your countertops for the bottom cabinets. So pretty, and remains neutral so you can change out smaller decorations (like towels and the like) seasonally, or whenever the urge strikes.
I would do a darker Gray it would look very nice for the cabinets for the walls i painted mine a Ghost gray and is such a Beautiful color that i had the whole house painted ceiling and walls it picks up really nice colors thru the house but would look so nice in the kitchen with the cabinets your stove and all the whites will still look nice with the colors will blend right in i have black , and everyone that comes in just loves the colors i picked out. then you can put colors in what you hang on your walls. and no blue you all ready have it you back splash if you do go with that color of paint it will blend in with all the colors. Good Luck
Soft bright yello!!!! Wow, i think it would be the pop you need. Accent with med to light blue decor. Send photos!
Soft but bright yellow! It will brighten up your kitchen! Send photos! Remember, it's just paint!
First off, I think your kitchen is lovely. I would suggest trying a few things first because of expense and the amount of work involved in major changes. The thing that struck me most is that the concentration of color and contrast is mostly at hip level. The gray wall does not show up on the photo so that could be part of the problem for my eye. Contrast, the black is predominately the stove front. Try changing out the rug to black (or dark gray) as well as the clock. I would also raise the clock and make it larger to balance out the scale a bit. The window covering is predominately white which adds to the wall of white, try blue or gray to break it up and create more contrast. You could also add contrast in the window area with a shelf, paint, colored glass pieces, plant, etc. The cabinet hinges I would paint to match the cabinets. While the hinges do create contrast I think that they are too small as a contrast feature which is throwing off the scale. I would also consider staining the floor a bit darker. I love the idea of a metal ceiling listed above or even paint it darker gray. Please post what you do as I would love to see it.
Hello. It seems that everyone loves the size of your kitchen! It is a sea of neutrality, though. As I was reading the comments I was trying to visualize what colors I would want if it were my kitchen. I'm not a gray person but in the right setting it can be very nice, particularly with the right accents. Since it is difficult to see the backsplash colors it isn't easy to suggest a color based on it but using one of the tile colors might be perfect to paint your base cabinets. Chocolate brown goes well with soft gray. If you have a favorite color mixed in among the tile colors, maybe that would make sense for the cabinets. But the fact is, gray is neutral and works with every color. One thing that threw me off was the hinges and knobs. They date the kitchen more than anything else, in my opinion. If they were updated you might feel completely differently about the white cabinets. You mentioned the white wasn't practical. Not practical because they're hard to keep clean? Or are they chipping or showing other wear that's not obvious in the picture? Well, what I would consider if it were my kitchen and my husband wasn't such a dyed in the wool stinker about that sort of thing would be to paint the top cabinets soft cream and the bottom cabinets either pale gray or robins egg blue, antique them all with a subtle gray and change the hardware using pewter or brushed nickel metal. That would tie the backsplash and walls together and still work with the gray countertops. But that's just another opinion in a sea of neutrality and a sea of opinions. I hope you settle on what makes your heart sing and your eyes dance while you cook spaghetti or bake bread or such. Happy cabinet painting to you! Oh, yeah, and the curtain...maybe you could some time change it to one I like, too,! That's a joke of course. but if you go to the time and trouble of updating the paint, it's a good time to update the curtain as well. To match the paint. Or contrast it.
I really think you should keep your cabinets a neutral so I would suggest a medium to dark gray on bottom and light gray on upper cabinets. If you want more color then paint your walls blue. It's a whole lot easier to change wall color than cabinet color, that's why I say keep cabinets neutral. Change out your hardware to black and take down the curtain. Put something white in the window depending if you need something for privacy. Your kitchen will look great and updated!
Have you considered just stenciling a design on the cabinet doors and drawers to add color? Maybe a slate blue, or a pale and/or darker color of your backsplash? You can find some kind of pattern you like or create or your own, one that reflects the inner you. (for me it would be a celtic design, or a cross.)
Have you thought about small stencils in the corners of the cabinets, or perhaps decorative knobs?
remove all doors, and install glass shelving , no need to paint any more and paint top area of cabinets same color as floor, then use lots of plants for kitchens it gives a lot of color and freshness 'to kitchen ' I would not put back doors of cabinets just leave open as a very modern kitchen as in Europe
You have a lovely kitchen - just needs some color. Change out the knobs- maybe an oiled bronze? The curtain style does not match the contemporary feel of your kitchen and some other texture would tie in your tile. Add a pop of color, possibly red canisters and throw rug.
Actually, you do have a nice kitchen - it evokes a very restful feeling. I agree with the recommendations about a pop of color in a rug, or red canisters, or something in your favorite colorful color. However, I would echo the gray of your countertops by painting a similar color above the cabinets in that small swathe of wall up there (this should make it all more cohesive). However, I did read that if you
painted your kitchen yellow, it would bring $5000 more when you sold it (but I don't like yellow).
Everyone has an opinion and preferences. i LOVE your white cabinets and my remodel will basically mimic it. The only thing i would change in your kitchen is the backsplash tile to glass tile - sky blues, tiffany blues, sea glass green - but those are my preferences. Add color with painting the spot above the cabinets? I wish i could offer a great suggestion but i love your kitchen the way it is! Good Luck! I hope you figure it out!
Maybe a fresh coat of shiny white paint, a bold colored curtain and updated hardware? IF you paint, I do know to be very careful painting cabinets! I got tips from my dad who professionally painted his dark brown cabinets white. #1 use the very best oil paint like Sherwin Williams.(which is very difficult to work with) #2 He strained the paint thru a womans nylon stocking. #3 He used a corse paint brush that actually showed brush marks and it looked beautiful! They stayed bright white for over 20 years.
Persoanlly, I think you'd get a lot of mileage just changing out the curtain and cabinet pulls & hinges. Your backsplash is beautiful! I also couldn' take on painting the cabinets, wouldn't it'd be easier to paint the soffit and add a few decorative items to the counter?
The very first thing I noticed was your knobs/hardware look dated. The curtain does not match the kitchen. Have you thought about painting the soffit in a gray tone, or maybe paint the ceiling? I'm not here to be negative in any way. My opinion is just that. Overall, your kitchen is attractive!!
I would stay with the white cabinets. You need a peacock shade of teal for the curtain and rug and counter top accessories (like cookie jar or canisters). The cabinet knobs and handles should be changed out to a simple design in the same color/finish as the hinges. If the cabinets were painted the right way the finish should last for years. Just use grease cutting dish soap and never use scrubber on them.
Stay with the white cabinets. Just add new hardware and faucet in oil rubbed bronze. You'd be amazed at the change it will make. If you feel you need a curtain, swap it out for a Roman Shade. You can get them rather cheap at JCPenney . You can get about any color so be creative and if you like the suggestion with yellow, it seems to be the "in" thing. Add a throw rug to match and you've got a new look. Good luck.
You have a beautiful kitchen. If you have some colorful small appliances or what ever you want to sit out, I would do so before making any permanent changes. For example, red, or what ever color you like, mixer stand, toaster, or blender, etc and a tailored curtain the same color. Maybe a miniture herb on the window sill. The colors you have will blend with anything you choose. Please let us know how you decide.
I agree that changing the hardware - knobs, pulls and hinges would be the first thing to do. Oil rubbed bronze would be a nice color. If that does not totally please you, go ahead and try painting the soffit. There is a tan in the back splash that might be a color option. It would also tie in with the floor. I like the combination of tan and grey together. Buy some samples and try a swatch of each to see which you like. I like a simple half curtain in a kitchen window. Keeps the neighbors out but you have a lot of light from the bare top window.
Agree- paint the area above the cabinets or install the same tile as the backsplash up there.
Sorry, those curtains have to go!
Dove grey for your cupboards since it says you want to change them. Just a nice soft grey, maybe not glossy, check out some of the other kitchen reno's who have less gloss on cabinets, like the black cabinets. I believe they put several coats of wax on to protect, but it keeps the shine down and they may have used chalk paint or milk paint? I do see what you are saying about being so bright. I also agree with changing out the curtain and the knobs as well. But I think a soft grey would,be lovely :))
sherwin williams 'grey screen 'color maybe? Maybe you paint your walls more creamy white so you can have light grey cabinets. Or you could find a griege color For the cabinets . The grey on your counter is so different than the grey in the tile, hard to find the right balance. If it were me I would try a soft grey on the cupboards and paint the bulkhead and the ceiling either the light grey of the ceiling or a creamy white. Are you married to the tile and counter colors?
Btw I do think your kitchen is very nice, didn't mean anything bad about being married to the tile and counters. Just wasn't sure if you wanted to keep those or were looking to change them out. You could go for the tan colors in the tile as well, but I still like the idea of the soft grey on the cupboards, flat not shiny , and painting the bulkhead and ceiling a creamy white instead. Good luck :))
One more thing! If by chance you keep the cupboards white, then you should go darker on the bulkhead and ceiling and walls, a dove grey or a little darker.
http://www.athomewiththeellingtons.com/painted-kitchen-cabinets-makeover/
http://www.athomewiththeellingtons.com/resources/
she he used a flat top coat on her black Cabinets
She definitely could work with the cabinets , just maybe go with a darker grey on the bulkhead and walls and ceiling so it doesn't look so white. The problem is so many options sometimes :)) and it does not look bad right now either . .
http://www.hometalk.com/diy/kitchen-dining/kitchen-dining-furniture/antointette-s-kitchen-cabinet-transformation-with-glazing-13354131
this color and treatment could also work really well in your kitchen!!!!
Antointette's Kitchen Cabinet Transformation With Glazing
I would like to know if Brandy Curtis made any decisions???
I would install a plantation shutter in white and remove blind and curtain. No matter how you paint cabinets they are still a dated style like my mom's. I removed handles and installed the Long cylinder brushed chrome european ones from IKEA as they were the best buy. I would change out the faucet for the tall commercial looking one at Home Depot. Call me for style number. Take out wood cornice between cabs over sink replace with a nice black iron scroll piece plays off of oven. Lastly consider adding a decorative frame on your doors and paint white. 1/2 round or molding then take three centered cab uppers and put either clear or bubble glass inside the molding square.
Make sure to add LED lighting to those and switch shelves to glass. Also add LED lighting under the counter. If you do these easy fixes it will look amazing. People think my mom's kitchen was a full Reno.
We also found a nice bar table and cut down legs for a higher island workspace. We painted legs blue and put a butcher block top on it. Found a bookcase for one side painted to match and put 2 black aluminum stools on the other side. Good luck. We spent 950.00
All great tips! One thing that makes the older cabinets look cleaner and not so busy is changing the hinges to hidden hinges. Then get new knobs. It is more trouble, but makes a big difference. Good luck!!
I would paint the lower cabinets only. There's a paint called Rich Navy, if you like blue, that would look great. I think it's a Glidden paint color. Or you might consider a Bright Yellow. That would be beautiful too
. Good Luck and be sure to post pics when you're finished.
I WOULD USE A NICE BLUE NOT TOO DARK AS THAT WOULD MAKE THE ROOM TOO DARK. I WOULD PAINT THE BOTTOMS AND SEE HOW I LIKED IT, THEN DECIDE ON THE TOPS
How about painting the bulkhead the same gray as counter tops or walls; and leaving the cabinets white. This may help tone it down.
Other option, paint the cabinets satin finish black, charcoal, or dark dark gray. This would look nice with the gray countertops. Be prepared for several coats to cover the white. Keep in mind that with dark colors, any defects will be more noticeable; so do good prep-work. May want see if you can get dark primer; some stores can tint primer to dark colors(Benjamin Moore does), so it would cover better when painted; but likely still use 2 coats of top coat over the dark primer. Get quality paint; don't go for lower price. Higher priced paint has more pigment in it and will cover better.
Put a brown glaze over the white. Wipe it off until you get the look you want.
Change the Knobs on your cabinets to Wooden ones you can paint (all one colour or a mix of colours) If you change your mind about the colour or colours, you can paint them again. Maybe Silver or Bronze etc. Add colour with your accessories!