The color you choose matters more than anything else in a cabinet painting project. Here are the colors Philadelphia homeowners are choosing most this year, and how to pick one that suits your light and your house.
1. Warm whites (still #1)
White cabinets never go out of style. They just get warmer. Stark bright whites can look cold in north-facing row home kitchens, so most clients choose a soft, creamy white.
- Sherwin-Williams Alabaster
- Benjamin Moore White Dove
- Benjamin Moore Simply White
2. Greige
A gray-beige blend that hides fingerprints better than white and works with nearly any countertop. It's especially popular for families and rental properties.
- Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter
- Sherwin-Williams Accessible Beige
3. Sage and muted green
Green is the fastest-growing cabinet color we paint. It works especially well in older Chestnut Hill and Bucks County homes with wood floors and brass hardware.
- Sherwin-Williams Pewter Green
- Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage
- Sherwin-Williams Evergreen Fog
4. Navy
Navy is a classic choice for islands and lower cabinets, usually paired with white uppers. It looks great with brass or gold hardware.
- Benjamin Moore Hale Navy
- Sherwin-Williams Naval
5. Black and near-black
Black is bold and modern, and it suits islands and bars best. It needs good lighting, and the sheen should be satin or matte.
- Sherwin-Williams Tricorn Black
- Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron (a softer charcoal)
How to choose: 4 quick rules
- Test large samples on the cabinets themselves, not tiny chips, and look at them in morning and evening light.
- Start from what you're keeping: countertops, backsplash, and floors. Pull a color from the stone's veining.
- Choose satin sheen for most kitchens. It's easy to clean and doesn't show every flaw like gloss does.
- Consider two-tone if you can't decide. Light uppers keep a small kitchen bright, and darker lowers hide scuffs.
Want help choosing? We bring large painted sample boards to every in-home estimate. Book a free quote.
Related: See painted kitchens in our gallery · Cabinet painting service