Dark vs. Light Cabinets

Question

Trying to decide DARK vs LIGHT cabinets.

Using an app 'Painter' I was able to find colors from several paint suppliers. The dark are almost black (SW Black Fox) & the light are Temperate Taupe.

Info: 
+ The current kitchen is very busy with color, so trying to neutralize the eye.
+ We have LOTS of light available in this space & the colors seen are in our palette among the home.

Conditions:
+ Black/Brown granite has to stay
+ Back splash to be be replaced in future, but painted for now
+ Floor tile to be replaced in future w/wood from the main floor in the house (color TBD)
+ Ordering industrial or caged pendant lighting over the island.

I've always been in favor of the light/white cabinets, but something is throwing me off that bandwagon... (???)

Thanks for your creative input!

Lee · Answer

Smart way to judge color. The taupe looks silver on my screen. Love the silver cabinets and dark walls combo. Add a mirrored tile backsplash, and your kitchen will look like a high end designer kitchen.

Fab and Pretty · Answer

Images 2 and 3 are very eye-catching due to the great contrast.

Shelby @ The Weathered Barn Studio · Answer

.. @ S. Jazz...Lee is correct about the shade it shows up as on the post. But I prefer lighter color cabinets, especially on the upper cabinets. I do like the two tone look of cabinets that are a lighter color on the upper and a different shade on the bottom cabinets...that being said, I would caution against too much ' biegey- taupey' ..lol..so as to not make the kitchen seem ' blah', as you have such a nice kitchen !

Lee · Answer

The black fox cabinets might be real dust magnets

Fab and Pretty · Answer

...the dust is just as bad on any more solid colour except natural wood tone from my experience. I've always had a designated day that one of the kids 'job' is to swifter the cabinets!

Sue · Answer

In my opinion, if you are going to do hardwood floors some day, light cabinets would be best. We had our oak cabinets painted a cream color and then glazed and with our oak hardwood floors they look gorgeous. Also have dark granite countertops too and the countertops look so good with the light cabinets.

Heidi Crupe · Answer

I love your current cabinets. I think the black looks very drab and the taupe look very blah but I love the richness of real wood color. Maybe all you need to do is to replace the floor but wood is not as forgiving to things being dropped on it. Maybe all you need to do to neutralize the color is to get the floor color to match your cabinets, but go a shade or two darker or lighter.

Beatrice Helena · Answer

I think your current cabinets are fine...changing wall paint will enhance wood.

LibrarianTellsAll · Answer

I like the taupe cabinets better. But I wonder how it would look to have black cabinets on bottom and taupe on top? I've seen some beautiful kitchens recently with dark cabinets on bottom and light on top.

Shelia · Answer

We have the exact same builder grade cabinets, same color too! We chalk painted them a cream color and love it. We get compliments from everyone who see's them. We changed the knobs by spray painting them oil rubbed bronze and updated the fixtures in oil rubbed bronze (new not painted). I love the look of the dark but my husband hated it so we went lighter. Your home should make you happy and you don't have to live with what you have. Good luck!

Z · Answer

Personally, I like your current cabinets.

Trika01 · Answer

When I had new cabinets built... I had the bottom cabinets stained walnut and upper cabinets in a light color with walnut wash......two tower cabinets on the ends were stained Sedona Red....looked smashing!!!  The island would look awesome in red.....

Susan Lilian · Answer

It would look great with white marble counters

Susan Riley · Answer

I like wood cabinets. I don't understand the current trend of painting kitchen cabinets white. Why take oak cabinets and paint them white? I'm sorry, but I cringe every time I see someone complain about their 'boring' oak cabinets and then show an after pic of them painted white. So I for one like the first photo and the fourth photo with natural looking cabinets.

Gale Nagy · Answer

I love painted cabinets but in your pics I believe the original wood tone is beautiful and very rich looking. Sometimes, we just want change to have change - but in a few years (months) the 'current' fads will go away and then it will all appear very dated. Real wood never goes out of style - use color in other areas, paint, artwork, window treatments, dishes, - i.e. small things that can be easily replaced. Just my opinion.

Ana Bacallao · Answer

I personally find the kitchen too dark as it is. The natural wood you show in the first picture is actually pretty and could be enhanced with a lighter wall color and lighter countertop and backsplash. If this is not an option, I would paint the cabinets white and perhaps even do the bottom a contrasting darker color if this appeals to you.

Dark vs. Light Cabinets

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Dark vs. Light Cabinets

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