What paint colors to pair with natural hickory

Question

My husband and I are purchasing a cabin with some natural hickory cabinets. They are quite lovely, but I cannot come up with good color ideas (for the walls) and was curious if anyone had any ideas. This photo comes from the listing. Thanks!

Jean DeSavage · Answer

Will the Cabin be your primary home, or a vacation home? That can make a difference in how you choose your colors. As a vacation home, you might want to choose brighter colors than you might if you are going to live there. It can make it more exciting going to the cabin then.
The hickory cabinets are quite light and I would definitely consider them a neutral. When it comes to color, if you use warm colors people will be ready to eat and go, whereas, if you use cooler colors, people will feel more relaxed and ready to sit and talk. The only color I would not use, would be a color too close to the color of the cabinets, it would be difficult trying to match. My usual advise is look at your favorite clothes colors, they make you feel good, so why not use them on the walls. Of course you wouldn't want black in the kitchen! Good luck in your choice

Nancy J. Godwin · Answer

We have hickory cabinets in our main residence and I chose a light robin egg color for my walls. My thinking was earth color for floors, cabinets reminded me of trees and the walls the sky. We have been happy with the results for almost 4 years now.

Darla · Answer

I think an earthy, muted medium-light green would set them off nicely! White walls just suck the color out of everything.

Jennifer Thompson · Answer

Any rich earth tones will look lovely so choose your favorite: deep forest green, warm russet brown, yummy merlot red -- all will make your cabinets sing and your light cabinets will keep the darker wall colors from feeling too heavy.

Recreate · Answer

I agree with the lady above, rich warm tones, but not forest green, it screams old out dated. My opinion. But a warm brown, not beige, it will leave your walls dark, but your cabinets are light so you will have a balance and you can have lighter color accessories too. I do like red but not for a kitchen, if you choose too choose a shade that is darker than red, I think someone else above mentioned Merlot. Hope it helps!!

Katherine W · Answer

The hickory is such a warm color, that cool colors would look wonderful with it. And then both would pop, even if it were a pastel cool color like a robins egg blue or a cool green.

Shala Cripps · Answer

I think a red earth tone or a little darker brown would be best but  honestly just looking at the pic that kitchen is screaming for a red earth tone!

Sherrit · Answer

I think that a darker teal and a darker reds tones with the browns. I saw it in a room in a magazine the other day and it was beautiful!!!!!!!!!

RCooper @ thoughtsbyher.com · Answer

Holy cow! What great responses! This was my first post on this site and didn't know what to expect. The home will be secondary (weekends) I personally LOVE dark colors. I guess my concern is that it is a VERY tiny space. All combined less than 700 sq ft. I am going to be up there this weekend and will be taking some paint decks I have. Once we move in and get settled I will post some photos! Thank you for all the wonderful advice!

Sue Myers Case · Answer

paint is not that expensive for the space, paint it whatever you think you might like. If it doesn't suit you, paint it again.

Marion Nesbitt · Answer

I'm agreeing with the reddish tone suggestions.

Lisa · Answer

i'm watching this post for ideas as well. I have beautiful wood trim around my windows and wood doors however the walls are white and i am uncertain what colors would go with the wood.

Elaine Simmons · Answer

My neighbor has a sage green in her kitchen and it looks great!

Janet · Answer

Look at Carnelian by Sherwin Williams - great color with pine!

Recreate · Answer

RCOOPER, you have concerns about the space being too small for a dark color, but consider that it looks to be a bright kitchen with 2 windows and open concept. Accent with light accessories, like your blinds, or curtains, table lines ect. GO FOR IT!!

Terri · Answer

look to nature to make your decision - what looks good with wood outside? and do not combine cool shades with warm shades, they will fight each other...the most important thing to do is to choose the color in all lights...what looks great on a north wall probably won't look good on the west wall....one throws blue undertones the other throws orange...and this all depends on the latitude where you are...so make sure to tape up samples on each wall and look at them in every light - early morning, mid day and evening with artificial light. my choice for paint is always Benjamin Moore...they have the best pigments and shades...try looking at their historic colors which were used with lots of natural wood colors.

Cathy Rayburn-Trobaugh · Answer

We have a cabin with knotty pine cabinets, and it took me a few times to figure out what works. Since ours is a log home, we have very little painted wall space, so we chose a medium gray. It may look too dark with that much space, but it really sets off the light wood cabinets. We have found in other rooms, rich warm colors look good on accent walls.

Mary Wheeler · Answer

I would look at my other accent pieces for the room before choosing colors. Do you have old pottery or collections that will be featured in the cabin? I love the colors in the rug on the wall, try the classic turquoise with the deep coral as an accent wall. Love your cabin and wish you happy decorating!!

Wglindner · Answer

If its cabin look out side for your color's bring the colors inside .

Annie Medic · Answer

@RCooper @ thoughtsbyher.com so, lots of people are saying dark colors and red. I see that hanging and I think that that's what is where the suggestions might be springing from. I would make a design board. Pick colors as accents that match to the hanging, the counters and speak to your sense of style, get sample sizes (one pint sizes) from the local hardware store in the colors you like. Then paint a patch or two, not too big and see if you like it. Choose some hardware to accent, countertop accesories and curtains. All pre-designed on your dream board, all worked out before hand.

Good luck!

Lola · Answer

I hate red for walls in a kitchen, I had the same cabinets and went with gold walls, maybe a paper bag brown would look good.

Terikirkwood · Answer

I would not just focus on the color of the cabinets. They are warm neutral...what you should consider is other things in the room that you may or may not be changing. Are the white appliances staying? How about the countertops? The flooring? I am not suggesting that you change these things although it is obvious everything the way it currently is in the picture does not work. If you neutral the walls to a warm shade of tan then the color scheme all of your dishes, pottery, accents, rugs, wall hangings and window coverings will make the room cohesive. Don't forget a few unexpected accents to draw the eye around the room! Oh yeah, and there are plenty of things to do to white appliances to make them not white! :-)

RCooper @ thoughtsbyher.com · Answer

Hello! Such wonderful responses everyone! We close next Tuesday and I have honestly been feeling very strongly drawn to a dark blue green color. I guess we will see once we have some furniture up there. We aren't wanting to change too much as we like keeping it inexpensive. I do hate the white appliances! @30 results are available, use up and down arrow keys to navigate.Teri KI would love to know how to change the white appliances! Please spill the beans on how to do this!

CK · Answer

It so happens I'm working with a client who's building a new home with hickory cabinets too in the kitchen. We chose a soft green as well as other 'nature-inspired' colors such as reddish browns. She's also loves turquoise of all kinds so that's our accent color. These cabinets look especially great with earthy colors. Depending on the amount of light in your room, you can go darker or lighter down the paint strip to suit your taste. P.S. A saturated blue (think blue jeans) will look great too. I like working with this wood SO much more than oak that's stained honey/medium oak. We have waaaay too much of that in our area ;-)

Elaine Simmons · Answer

My cabinets are dark but I still think a dark color would look good with the hickory. My kitchen color looks a deep turquoise blue during the day and looks a little greener in the evening. I get so many compliments on my kitchen color!

RCooper @ thoughtsbyher.com · Answer

Wow! I do love dark and I have to say, to me dark can be beautiful, dramatic and rich. But I don't think many agree with me! Thanks for sharing.

Marlene · Answer

Maroon {curtains/rugs } with Cream Wall

Ashley Freeman · Answer

These cabinets are not hickory they are knotty pine

Rebecca B · Answer

I have natural hickory wood cabinets in my kitchen. We went to Home Depot and bought Behr brand paint called Butter Cookie. It is a creamy butter color that is warm and looks really good with the hickory wood. It brightens up the room without overpowering with color. We also painted our previously dark and boring living room with Butter Cookie.

MaryStLouis · Answer

We have natural hickory flooring. Because of its yellow/brown/cream notes we went with a soft green on the walls with off-white trim work. It's crisp, fresh, and not dark at all, something I just hate in any space. Your cabinets look more like knotty pine but the tones would still work together.

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What paint colors to pair with natural hickory

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