What colour should I paint my kitchen cabinets?

Question

I have a large kitchen with oak cabinets, which are still in excellent condition.  Would like to paint these with annie sloan chalk paint.  Just wondered if there are any stockists out there or someone that knows about this paint to give me advice on what colour.  I was thinking of French linen on the cabinets and graphite on the island.  I am taking courses so will know the technique.

P.j. C · Answer

Whichever color you decide will be a big improvement. You might also consider adding a backsplash with tile--glass or mixed glass & stone mosaic sheets. Please share photos when you're finished, & ignore those who bemoan the loss of any woodgrain. You'll love working in a brighter kitchen, & that's the biggest factor. :-)

Dee C · Answer

I would go with a soft creamy shade of a light yellow. Maybe trim the cupboards in a cream and the doors in a soft yellow. Or a darker yellow on the cupboards and a lighter on the doors.

Brandi Wigley · Answer

White or gray... or a combo of the two!! Can't wait to see how this turns out!

Kris Kowalski · Answer

Your kitchen is similar to mine in the current cabinet color. I even have chairs that aren't that much different. I am also planning on painting and thinking about going for a sage color. My house is predominantly earth tones, which I like. But I am so sick of golden oak everywhere since 1991!

Please let us know what you decide. I'd love to see your progress.

243107 · Answer

I would do white and then accessorize, accessorize, accessorize with bright colors!! http://www.elledecor.com/decorating-with-white/the-right-white-a-70889

Funnygirl · Answer

I love the 2 cabinets and lower cabinets below them,next to your fridge.Would love to see that section painted all one color different from the other cabinets to resemble a separate built in cabinet. The rest of the cabinets would look pretty in a linen color.Would rather see the island painted a different color than gray.Like the color of your walls.would you consider painting the island or the set of cabinets the same wall color.This will be beautiful when you finish!

Funnygirl · Answer

Burlap the panels on the island

Jeanette S · Answer

The sky is the limit on color. The style now is to paint the uppers a lighter shade than the bottom ones. I love the gray or mocha families. But other colors works just as well. I also saw on a h...and the island with a pop of a different color. On a home improvement show, I saw a tile that comes in sheets, it goes in easily and requires no caulking! It looks like a fitted stone. I don't know what colors it comes in or if it is real stone, glass, or what...but I loved it. A stain may be more durable than paint.

Allie Reddinger · Answer

id paint it white, and the island as well. then paint the trim on the island a light gray as to match the counter top, then match the trim on the cabinets in the same gray tone to bring it all together. a lighter color would make your large kitchen even larger. and adding a back splash of greys and cool light browns in a small tile mosaic would be lovely as well

GR · Answer

French Linen is one of my favourite colours at the moment, it goes with almost anything. The only problem is it's quite a dark grey/khaki colour so if your kitchen doesn't get a lot of light it could be a bit overpowering. You could paint the upper cabinets a lighter colour (maybe Old White?) and the lower cabinets and island in FL. I also like Funnygirl's idea of making those cabinets around the appliances look like a separate unit. Rather than have too many colours you can always mix ASCP to create variations on a shade. Good luck and please post the finished kitchen, I'm sure it will look amazing!

Shari · Answer

Didn't you ask for color suggestions for your cabinets a couple years ago? As I recall, you got many good suggestions for the cabinets as well as suggestions for a new wall color. 
 My preference is white cabinets (always classic, timeless and easy to decorate around) but definitely NOT chalk paint, especially in the kitchen. I have tried to like AS chalk paint. I really, really have but the more I work with it, the more I detest it. I just don't care for the 'used and abused' look on furniture or cabinets so the chalk paint doesn't give a fine enough finish to suit me. Plus, I just can't believe it will hold up long-term to the frequent use and wiping kitchen cabinets are subjected to. You have sooooo many cabinets and it will be quite a job to paint them. Therefore, if it were me, I'd pick something I was sure would hold up and I'd be happy with for the long haul so I didn't have to paint all those cabinets again in a few years! 
 However, the bottom line is, it doesn't really matter what other people suggest with regard to color or type of paint. You are the one who will have to live with it so paint it whatever appeals to you.

Kallen · Answer

color is such a personal thing...like art. there is no way anyone else can decide this for you. Personally I love a white kitchen but you might not like that at all. just go look at some already set up in Lows ,Home Depot.,etc or go to some open houses on the weekend. And don't be timid!

Donna · Answer

I painted mine 'Ocean Air'  and love it

Patti · Answer

I would probably paint them a shade of white and leave the island until it was done, because I think it will go nicely (I love dark distressed cabinets). Maybe add 1 pair of glass cabinet doors somewhere on the upper cabinets and a marble subway tile backsplash to pull it together. Wish I had all those cabinets - good luck!!!

Jeanette S · Answer

I love white kitchens also, but I am past the age to keep them wiped down! Just can't at my age so I would have to go to a light gray or light Mocha! But any color you like is fine. And you can paint the island a different color for accent...whatever color is your fancy.

Jim L · Answer

Paint the base cabinets the same as the island and the upper cabinets white. This will 'anchor' the cabinets and well tie in well with the island. It is a great look that I have used in several client's houses.

MikkiGirl · Answer

White with pops of bright colors in back splash, light figures, stools, etc. I'd keep all of the cabinets and island the same color.

Amy B · Answer

White is always good and will lighten up the whole room.

Louise Fulton · Answer

If it were me I would paint the bottom cupboards to match your island and that would blend in your appliances as well, then strip the top ones and stain them a ver light colour. It would make everything even your chairs blend in. I have a dark kitchen and I have the dark cupboards. It doesn't make the kitchen any less good looking.

Millie · Answer

You could paint it a very pale aqua which would look awesome with the island.

Mcgypsy9 · Answer

Well, what you do with the cabinets is for sure your preference but before I did anything with them, I would get that popcorn ceiling down! It is very simple to take down and will only take a few hours. If you want to know any more about it contact me as I have taken down the popcorn ceilings in every room in my house. Good luck with your colors on the cabinets but personally, I would not do a faux painting on them, as this will hinder the resale of your home if you ever need to sell. Good luck with your classes! : )

Mandy Loriot · Answer

You pick the paint color,  but an island contacting from the rest looks cool.  I actually wanted to offer a separate suggestion.  In my kitchen we raised the cabinets and then put a plain wood shelf in where the bottom of the cabinets used to be.  Then we put in an adorable backsplash in and it has a great feel.  The hardware was also updated. I attached a photo.

Che391214 · Answer

I would go with a similar colour to the counter - tops, which will blend nicely with the floor too. You can keep the island dark because that counter top is dark so it will tie the look together with a contrast. I would do the same distress look at the edges with just a beige- brown pastel to emphasise the cupboards' detail without making it too busy. You have classy cupboards,  do them justice. I have a pinterest board dedicated to kitchens and the warm white and beige hues always look the best.

Che391214 · Answer

Meant to say darker shade at the bottom with the lighter colour over for the distressed look so the look remains fresh.

Che391214 · Answer

I put together some of my favourites for you to get an idea of my suggestion

Paula Crook · Answer

I think you have a good plan. Good luck and don't forget to update the cabinet hardware to finish off your new look.

Irish53 · Answer

I agree with Paula Good plan. Just enough of an update for the kitchen without spending big bucks. I like the colors picked.

Barbara Carter · Answer

My question is what are you going to do with the wall space. I like a beautiful satin look of paint in off white and walls of light peach with gold pull handles. WOW !!!!!

Sandy · Answer

I too agree with Paula, I think you are on the right track and it is going to be beautiful, be sure to post new pics!

Suzanne Lawson · Answer

I think your color choices are fine but I hope that you will keep the perimeter wall and base cabinets the same color. Dark base cabinets and light wall cabinets can look fantastic in the right space but with your cabinet configuration I think it would be a mistake. From a practical standpoint, how how will you deal with the 3 tall cabinets in the desk/TV cabinet run? Do you paint them French linen to match the wall cabinets --or graphite, to match the base cabinets? Either way, your line of vision will be disrupted and the space will look disjointed and spotty. You have the same problem with the wall oven and pantry to the right of the refrigerator. In this Instance, the refrigerator provides a line of demarcation, but it still makes for an awkward transition and it's going to divert attention from the the primary work space and island, which should be your focal point.

Down the road, you may want to consider going with a dark color countertop on the perimeter cabinets, {to tie in with the graphite island} and changing the island top to a lighter shade incorporating both the linen and graphite colors to pull it all together. I'd also go for a little sleeker shape on the island top at that time -- eliminate the rounded ends the drop down bar and have the corners clipped to recall the angles at the other end. Or eliminate the drop down entirely and just go for a a single level top at cabinet height, and use 24' high bar stools.

Good luck and hope you will post pictures!

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