paint color ideas for kitchen cabinets and walls

The right paint colors for both kitchen cabinets and walls can save you from a costly remodel. It can change the way you look at your room and might even inspire you to go to a cooking class. Painting is not expensive, but it takes a lot of time and effort to paint kitchen cabinets, so make sure you get the color right the first time.

Stripping or whitewashing is one of the softer kitchen color paint ideas. You may want to use this technique for a country or distressed look. You can apply the paint or glaze lightly on the cabinets and then rub most of it off. This will tone down harsh wood colors or change the hue entirely. This is a more subtle effect than staining; in fact, it bridges the worlds between stain and paint because you can still see the grain of the wood. You can even try this effect on panels or beams to update your kitchen while going for a timeless look. You can contrast this with elegant hardwood floors as a play on the different shades of wood. This means your focal point will be natural and subtle, but still come across.

Neutral colors for kitchen cabinets are popular because the color is long-lasting. You might get tired of blue in a few years, but you can live with white cabinets for decades. This doesn’t mean your kitchen has to be “plain Jane” or boring. You can also add stone on the floor or use it as a backsplash. Granite countertops will add elegance and subtle design to your room. You can always paint your kitchen island a different color for a dramatic effect. This could mean a barn red for a country kitchen or a weathered black for a neutral accent that still commands attention.

Your colors for kitchen cabinets can still be interesting. Some shades of wood have a lot of orange, red, and yellow. You might be able to get away with a bank of subtle yellow cabinets if the paint is mostly brown. You can then pair this with taupe walls which will match stone countertops and hardwood floors which will also create interesting layers throughout the space and add a cheery touch.

If you’re replacing your cabinets in the near future, you can afford to be bold. It’s worth a last ditch effort to save money, and it also gives you a chance to experiment. Try a sage green if your granite has subtle green flecks. You can also go for a more dramatic olive green paint if your kitchen gets a lot of light or if you want an Italian or Spanish look.

Before you spend tens of thousands of dollars completely remodeling your kitchen, see what a little paint can do. You can add interest to cabinets with moldings and elaborate drawer pulls before you paint. If you want a modern look, try removing the moldings and removing any cutouts or frosted glass inserts. Kitchen cabinet ideas save you money and give you a unique look.