Best White Paint Colors for Kitchen Cabinets

When it comes to choosing a white paint color for your kitchen cabinets, the options can seem endless. With so many shades of white to pick from, how do you choose the right one for your space? The key is finding a white that enhances the natural beauty of your wood cabinets rather than washing them out.

Creamy off-whites, bright whites, and cool greiges can all be beautiful on wood cabinetry. But the undertone of the white and how it interacts with your cabinet color and kitchen lighting is important. Here's an in-depth look at the best white cabinet paint colors for kitchens with wood cabinetry.

Warm White Paint Colors

Paint colors with warm yellow or beige undertones are ideal for bringing out the richness of wood grains without muting them. Warm white paint keeps cabinets looking natural yet refreshed.

Creamy Off-Whites

Soft whites with hints of cream or yellow create a cozy, welcoming look. The subtle warmth of these off-whites pairs nicely with the natural tone of wood.

Benjamin Moore's White Dove is a go-to cabinet paint color, with a cushy, approachable off-white tone. Sherwin Williams' Alabaster is similarly soft and cushy. These paint colors add a brightening touch while allowing wood character to still shine through.

Warm White With Depth

For those desiring a true white rather than an off-white, choose one with barely perceptible warm undertones. Benjamin Moore's Simply White and Sherwin Williams' Pure White have a touch of warmth that keeps them from clashing with oak or walnut cabinetry.

These crisp yet gentle whites won't overwhelm the wood. Instead, they highlight and refresh natural wood grains to give cabinets depth and texture.

Soft Greige Whites

Greige shades, a mix of gray and beige, combine the softness of off-white with modern elegance. As greiges have both gray and tan undertones, they complement wood cabinets beautifully.

Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray and Sherwin Williams Repose Gray are warmer greige whites that work for traditional, transitional, or contemporary spaces. The subtle warmth prevents them from looking sterile next to wood.

Cool White Paint Colors

For those who want a bright white kitchen or wish to downplay warm wood tones, cool whites with hints of grey or blue are perfect. They pop against wood while muting yellow tones.

Crisp Bright Whites

Stark true whites without any undertones give kitchens a clean, vivid look. Benjamin Moore's Chantilly Lace and Sherwin Williams' Extra White are excellent choices when you want cabinets to gleam.

The high contrast makes wood grains stand out beautifully. Save true bright whites for very well-lit spaces, as they can read dingy in dim lighting.

Cool Greige Whites

Greiges with blue-gray undertones are trendy and sophisticated for modern kitchens. Benjamin Moore White Dove is a cooler greige white, contrasting warmly-stained oak.

Sherwin Williams Mindful Gray is another on-trend greige paint color that brightens up wood cabinets. The subtle gray tones mute any yellow in the wood for a more neutral effect.

Blue-Undertone Whites

Crisp whites with barely perceptible hints of blue complement wood cabinets magnificently. The cool undertone balances out warm woods for a neutral look.

Benjamin Moore Decorators White and Sherwin Williams' High Reflective White have a clean, bright look with a slight blue cast. Alongside warm oak or walnut, these colors give just the right contrast without overwhelming.

Contrasting Cabinet & Island

For added visual punch, consider using one white paint color on the main cabinets and a second white on the kitchen island. The contrast highlights each area beautifully.

Pair a creamy off-white like Benjamin Moore Linen White on cabinets with a cool crisp white like Chantilly Lace on the island for definition. Or vice-versa - a vivid true white on cabinets with a warm greige island.

Two-tone kitchens using different whites on base and uppers is also eye-catching. Mixing paint sheens, like glossy uppers and matte base cabinets, adds even more contrast.

Choosing the perfect white paint color for your wood kitchen cabinets depends on the existing cabinet color, the lighting in your kitchen, and the overall look you want to achieve. Warm whites enhance wood grain while cool whites contrast it strikingly.

Be sure to bring home paint samples and view them in your kitchen before deciding. The right white paint will improve your wood cabinets dramatically while still letting their inner beauty shine through.