As the largest feature of the kitchen, your cabinets often serve as the focal point of the entire space. Whether you’ve chosen your cabinets first or are working with existing ones, it’s essential to create a balanced, cohesive look that complements their style and color.

Here’s how to build a stunning color palette around your kitchen cabinets.

1. Identify Your Cabinet Color and Style

Start by determining the color and finish of your cabinets. Whether they are a bold, painted hue or a classic wood finish, the cabinets will guide the rest of your color choices.

• Dark Wood or Bold Colors: Consider lighter, contrasting tones for walls, countertops, and backsplashes to create balance.
• Light or White Cabinets: You have more flexibility to introduce vibrant or deep shades in the surrounding areas.

The style of the cabinets—modern, traditional, rustic—should also influence your palette. For instance, sleek modern cabinets pair well with minimalist, neutral colors, while traditional cabinets may harmonize with richer, warmer tones.

2. Select a Wall Color that Enhances the Cabinets

Your walls are the next largest surface in the kitchen, making them crucial in tying everything together. Here are some tips for picking wall color.

• For Dark Cabinets: Opt for neutral or light-colored walls to brighten the space. Soft grays, whites, or light blues create an open, airy feel that complements darker cabinetry.

• For Light Cabinets: You can introduce warmth with creamy tones or add depth with medium-toned colors like sage green or navy.

• For Colored Cabinets: Choose a complementary or analogous color to the cabinet shade. If your cabinets are green, for example, a soft blush or neutral beige might create a harmonious look.

Pro Tip: Get Samples

Samples are your best friend when building a palette and design around your cabinets. Comparing samples to your cabinets will make it easier to make the right decisions.

– Paint sample cards

– Small bottles of paint to try out on the wall

– Backsplash tile sample

– Floor sample

– Countertop sample

– Hardware sample

3. Incorporate Countertops and Backsplashes

Countertops and backsplashes offer a chance to introduce texture and color, helping to bring the whole palette together. Here are some options.

• Match Tones: Choose materials that tie in with your cabinet color. For example, marble or quartz with veins of color that match your cabinets can create a cohesive design.

• Contrast Colors: If your cabinets are neutral, go bold with countertops and backsplashes in contrasting hues. A dark countertop with white cabinets creates a sleek, dramatic look.

• Introduce Patterns: Don’t shy away from using patterned tile or textured backsplashes to add depth, especially if your cabinets are a solid color.

4. Choose Flooring Wisely

The floor is another substantial element that can either ground the space or add an extra pop. Here’s how to approach it.

• For Dark Cabinets: Lighter or mid-tone wood or tile flooring can keep the space from feeling too heavy, balancing the darkness of the cabinets.

• For Light Cabinets: Richer, darker floors can add warmth and depth to the space, giving it a grounded feel.

• For Bold-Colored Cabinets: Neutral or lightly textured floors in natural stone or wood tones keep the focus on the cabinetry while enhancing the overall look.

Pro Tip: Consider Lighting

Look at your cabinets and samples in the space in which they will be installed. The lighting there can impact how they look. Your lighting may reveal undertones you couldn’t see in the showroom. Try colors out at different times of day as the light changes as well.

5. Consider Hardware and Accents

Your cabinet hardware, lighting fixtures, and kitchen accessories also play a role in the overall color scheme.

• Metallic Accents: Brass, matte black, or chrome can either complement the tones of your cabinets or add a bit of contrast.

• Textiles: Think about adding pops of color with kitchen towels, rugs, and window treatments that echo or contrast the cabinet tones, providing an extra layer of interest.

6. Keep the Undertones in Mind

When choosing complementary colors, consider the undertones of your cabinets.

• Warm undertones (like cherry wood or beige) pair well with other warm shades, like gold or terracotta.

• Cooler-toned cabinets (like gray or blue) might be better complemented by crisp whites, cool grays, or greens.