If you’re repainting your kitchen cabinets this year, you have many decisions to make about the details of your project. One of the most important involves colors. But if you don’t have a clear picture in mind, it can be a challenge to make the right choices. 

There are endless possibilities available for colors and even mixing and matching. In fact, color combinations are the latest trend, offering you the chance to infuse personality into your kitchen without going overboard. There are a couple of ways to achieve this look:

Repainting the Kitchen Island Cabinets a Unique Color

Repainting the cabinets on your island with an unusual or dramatic color creates a focal point and a foundation for the room. If you have light-colored floors and cabinets, then a darker or brighter color on your kitchen island can be striking and even become a conversation piece. It also gives you the opportunity to use a color that inspires you without overwhelming the space with it. Less is more with this approach. 

Repainting Your Lower Cabinets a Different Color from Uppers

If you don’t have an island in your kitchen, you can opt to paint the upper and lower cabinets two different, but complementary colors. For instance, if you have hardwood floors, then repainting the lower cabinets a deeper or bolder hue will help those cabinets pop against the floor. This defines the space and makes it more visually interesting. You can even use a color that ties into your backsplash or countertops to further elevate your space. 

Popular Cabinet Color Pairings

The kitchen is certainly the most well-loved room in the home. You, therefore, want to get the colors just right when you’re repainting your kitchen cabinets. 

If you’re looking for a splash of color – but don’t want to go too big with bold choices – then using a combination of colors offers the ideal balance. You can enjoy a brighter or edgier hue in a small area and then pair it with a neutral. Or you can choose two neutrals and infuse more color into your space with artwork, table linens, area rugs, a tile backsplash, or wall paint.

Some color combinations from the N-Hance® Color Palette that are on trend right now include:

Pure White and Crisp Ocean. White is always in style and a great way to open up your kitchen and brighten it up with a classic color. Crisp Ocean, on the other hand, is ideal for repainting cabinets on the center island, offering an airy yet sophisticated color that will grab the attention of everyone who walks into the space. 

Arctic Wind and Top Hat Black. If you’re looking for the ever-popular black and white combination in your space, then these colors offer the ideal mix. They’re both neutral, with Top Hat Black offering a rich and dramatic effect and Arctic Wind reflecting more light. Consider repainting your island or lower cabinets Top Hat Black, and the uppers Arctic Wind. The black and white color combination is a stunning choice for a minimal or contemporary home.

Willow Bark and Evening Forest. With Willow Bark, you can repaint your cabinets the newly popular greige, adding warmth while still remaining open and bright. Meanwhile, on your island or lower cabinets, use our nature-inspired Evening Forest to add a sense of luxury. Evening Forest also looks great paired with Arctic Wind or Pure White for a crisp, clean feeling that is always in style.

Cream Lily and Navy Stone. Cream and navy is another classic pairing that delivers on elegance and sophistication in a way that feels light and fresh. Cream Lily provides the perfect backdrop for the bolder Navy Stone. It’s warm, subtle, and versatile – and not quite as stark as white. Navy Stone will also pop if you have white floors, backsplash or walls. It even looks great with natural woods and your stainless steel appliances, delivering a high-end, luxurious aesthetic.

Cream Lily and Dutch Gray. For a look that feels more rustic and traditional, consider this color combination when repainting your kitchen cabinets. Cream Lily is rich with old-world charm, especially when paired with antique bronze drawer pulls and door knobs. Dutch Gray actually has more green than gray for an unexpected and warm splash of color in your cozy country or traditional kitchen.

Another option for repainting your kitchen cabinets is to use two shades of the same color. Imagine moody Bear Lake Blue on your island cabinets and the balance of your cabinets painted that same color, however several shades lighter. This gives your island the opportunity to take center stage and stand out. It also opens up your kitchen, while still defining the space, making it more aesthetically pleasing. 

Tips for Choosing a Color When Repainting Your Kitchen Cabinets

Still not sure which color combination is right for your kitchen? Here are some tips to keep in mind when you’re making your decision about colors for your cabinets.

  • Consider the style of your cabinets. Are they traditional or modern? You want to pick colors that align with the overall look in your kitchen and the vision you’re trying to achieve. Quiet, warm colors tend to work well in a classic home, while bolder, brighter shades can stand out in the more minimal design of a modern home. 
  • Think about the space. Is your kitchen large or small? Is there a lot of natural light? Do you have an area with glass front cabinets? It’s important to take these factors into account when deciding. For instance, if you have a small kitchen, stay away from overly dark colors when repainting your cabinets, which can make the space seem cramped.
  • Factor in your future. Are you planning on staying in the home for the next 10 years or selling and moving soon? If you’re going to be putting your home on the market in the short-term, you want to make choices that are neutral. These will appeal to the masses and won’t detract from an offer or the sale. 
  • Don’t forget about stain. If you have hardwood cabinets that are stained, but want to paint them, you can work around the wood tone. For instance, many homeowners will keep the island natural wood, while painting the balance of their cabinets a color – or vice versa. This mixes old with new and refreshes the space in a way that also keeps the beauty of the hardwood intact. 

Another option to think about when repainting kitchen cabinets is whether to upgrade with finishing techniques, like antiquing or glazing. In the right space, these can elevate the look of your cabinets and your entire kitchen. However, these typically work better in a more traditional home rather than a contemporary one.

Repainting your kitchen cabinets means making a lot of decisions. Let the design team at your local N-Hance walk you through every option and help you make choices with confidence, so you get cabinets you love. Call (855) 642-6230 to set up a FREE consultation.