As anyone who has been through the process of searching for kitchen cabinet colors will attest, choosing the right color for kitchen cabinets can be a minefield with endless choices and subtle nuances to understand and overcome.  Naturally, you’ll want to select a kitchen cabinet paint color that you’ll be happy to live with for a while to come. But you might also want to consider the decorative power of white – the most popular kitchen cabinet color.

White is the most popular kitchen cabinet color bar none. If your goal is to create a ‘wow’ kitchen, but you want to maintain a classic and timeless style in your home, then white kitchen cabinets are an extremely tranquil and liveable option. With matte or gloss finishes on offer, white kitchen ideas can look wonderfully different, and there’s a tremendous variety in its shades from the crispest of pure whites to those with subtle warm or cool undertones. And white is also the perfect partner to other kitchen color ideas and materials, whether used as major elements or accents. For fans of modern white kitchens and contemporary kitchen ideas, it’s the ultimate minimalist shade, but white kitchen cabinets also suit traditional, farmhouse, and Scandinavian kitchens, and more equally well.

Is a white kitchen cabinet a good idea?

White cabinets are an enduringly popular choice among the range of possible cabinet colors. It will reflect the light, and because of this quality, it’s frequently selected for small kitchens to make them feel more spacious. It can also help counter the lack of light in period or cottage kitchens with small kitchen windows. ‘As expected, a white color scheme will be very beneficial for smaller kitchen spaces, particularly combined with light worktops,’ says Tom Howley, design director at Tom Howley (opens in new tab) bespoke kitchens.

Are white kitchen cabinets going out of style?

Elegant and timeless in their simplicity, white kitchen cabinets are here to stay. White is one of the most versatile shades when it comes to kitchen design – it instantly brightens while evoking a sense of calm, cleanliness, and flawlessness. Using a white or natural palette is all about adding depth and contrast in different layers and textures, says Jane Landino, creative head of studio at Taylor Howes (opens in new tab). ‘To make a white palette feel designed and considered it’s important to mix and match patterns, albeit neutral ones and occasional accents of color. Just because your kitchen cabinetry is white doesn’t mean your whole kitchen needs to be minimal or plain: think about adding texture and pattern elsewhere – timber kitchen flooring or marble kitchen countertops, as an example. 

What color walls go with white cabinets?

The beauty of white kitchen cabinets is that they will work wonderfully with just about any wall color. There’s no denying that the kitchen needs to be functional, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be stylish, too.  For Sophie Eadie and Fi Crole, co-founders of Eadie & Crole (opens in new tab), their go-to neutrals to pair with white kitchen cabinets are Paint & Paper Library’s Sand I or II. They say: ‘The lovely thing about using a neutral on walls is you can put almost any color with this, layering with textures and furniture. To create depth, we like to panel the walls as this also gives a room character. Against such a backdrop, we introduce color contrasts through art. Grey is another color combination worth considering. ‘Grey harmonizes well with almost every other hue, making it a most adaptable neutral and giving good reason for its popularity,’ says Helen Shaw, UK director at Benjamin Moore (opens in new tab). ‘Tonal greys are perfect for anyone looking to add an accent color, as a complementary grey with a matching warm or cool undertone can be chosen for a harmonious look.’ Finally, to make more of a statement, go for corals and pink peach tones. ‘They create a rich, warm welcoming feel with undertones of red, orange and pink. It works beautifully as an accent to a white scheme or as a statement kitchen wall color,’ she adds.