The Ultimate Guide to Styling Grey Kitchen Walls With White Cabinets
Grey and white kitchens are having a major moment, and for good reason. This versatile and timeless color combination manages to be simultaneously modern yet classic, cool yet cozy. Grey kitchen walls paired with crisp white cabinetry create a stylish and soothing space. The key is choosing the right shades to complement each other without competing.
In this ultimate guide, we'll walk through how to design a beautiful and functional grey and white kitchen. From selecting grey paint colors, to picking cabinet styles and finishes, to accessorizing and styling, we've got you covered with expert tips and ideas.
Choosing Paint Colors for Grey Kitchen Walls
The first step in planning your grey and white kitchen is selecting a grey paint color for the walls. With so many grey options from cool to warm tones, making the right choice can be tricky.
Consider Cabinet Color and Undertones
When choosing a grey, it's important to consider the undertone of your white cabinets. Do they have a warm, red or yellow undertone? Or are they a cooler, bluer white? Grey walls with warm undertones will complement cabinets with warm undertones. Cool toned grey paint works well with cooler white cabinets.
Also think about whether you want a true grey versus a greige grey, which mixes gray and beige. Greige walls blend beautifully with white cabinets, providing a neutral and calming vibe.
Lighting in the Kitchen
The natural and artificial lighting in your kitchen will impact how grey paint colors appear on the walls. North facing rooms with cool daylight may lend a blue cast to some greys. In south facing rooms with warm sunlight, greys can take on a taupe tone. Dark grey colors can feel dreary and cavernous in dim kitchens.
To be safe, opt for a light to medium grey if your kitchen is darker. Use a bold, dramatic dark grey on the walls if you get ample sunlight.
Popular Grey Paint Color Options
Here are some top choices for grey kitchen walls based on undertones:
Warm greys:
- Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter
- Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray
- Behr Gray Cashmere
Cool greys:
- Benjamin Moore Avalon Gray
- Sherwin Williams Gray Owl
- Behr Classic Gray
Greige greys:
- Benjamin Moore Silverpointe
- Sherwin Williams Balanced Beige
- Behr Accessible Beige
Tips for Selecting Grey Paint
No matter what direction you go with your grey, here are some tips for choosing the perfect shade:
- Sample different grey paint swatches directly on your kitchen walls. Look at them throughout the day to see how the color changes.
- Pick a grey based on the undertones of your cabinets, countertops and floors for a cohesive look.
- Go darker grey on just one accent wall to add drama without overwhelming.
Cabinetry - Designing White Kitchen Cabinets
Crisp, white kitchen cabinets paired with grey walls create a polished yet understated look. But white cabinets come in all different door styles, finishes and hardware. Here are some cabinet design considerations:
Cabinet Door Styles
Some classic white cabinet door options include:
- Shaker - Clean, simple recessed panel doors
- Slab - Minimalist flat slab doors
- Inset - Doors fit inside the cabinet frame
For a lighter, airier look, try white cabinets with glass doors to showcase pots, dishes or decor.
Hardware and Handles
Hardware finishes like black or brass knobs and pulls add interest to crisp white cabinets. Go for satin nickel or chrome for a more modern kitchen. Try iron handles in black, bronze or pewter for a vintage vibe.
Island Design
Painting the kitchen island a light or dark charcoal grey while keeping the main cabinets bright white is a bold but stunning accent. Use the same cabinet door style for a cohesive look.
Layout and Placement
Maximize storage space in your white cabinets through smart layout and placement. Maintain clean sightlines for an uncluttered look.
Countertops for Grey and White Kitchens
When choosing countertops for grey and white kitchen color schemes, you'll want options that complement without competing. Here are some stylish ideas:
White Countertop Options
White countertops like quartz, marble, soapstone and laminate seamlessly blend with white cabinets. White surfaces keep the kitchen feeling open and airy.
Grey and Neutral Countertops
Light to medium grey countertops like concrete, quartz or certain stone finishes coordinate beautifully with grey walls and white cabinets. They provide subtle contrast without overwhelming the space.
Tips for Choosing Countertop
Consider durability and maintenance needs when selecting countertop materials. Playing to the strengths of your cabinet and wall colors will result in a cohesive, stylish look.
Backsplash Designs
The kitchen backsplash presents fun opportunities to incorporate color and patterns. Here are some backsplash ideas for grey and white kitchens:
White Tile Backsplashes
A crisp, white subway tile or marble mosaic backsplash keeps things classic. White penny tiles, hexagons and chevron patterns are striking choices.
Grey and Patterned Backsplashes
Bring depth with backsplash materials like honed marble or graphic cement tiles in shades of grey. Metallic and stainless steel backsplashes pop nicely against grey walls.
Creative Accent Areas
Limit backsplashes to only behind the range or around a window to create a focal point in your grey and white kitchen.
Lighting to Brighten Grey and White Kitchen
Proper lighting keeps a grey and white kitchen feeling bright and lively. Mix different lighting types and fixtures:
Task Lighting
Task lighting like under cabinet LED strips and pendant lights over islands provide direct illumination for prepping and cooking.
Ambient Lighting
Ambient lighting includes ceiling flush mounts and recessed cans for overall brightness. Space out ambient lighting evenly.
Accent Lighting
Mini pendant clusters, track lighting and LED strips add visual interest and highlight decor when strategically placed.
Accessories and Finishing Touches
Accessories and styling elements lend personality and polish to grey and white kitchens. Have fun with these finishing touches:
Styling Grey and White Kitchen Island
Outfit open concept islands with sleek barstools, dramatic pendant lighting and fresh greenery for an inviting look.
Incorporate Metallic Accents
Shimmering gold, brass, and stainless steel fixtures, faucets and cabinet hardware inject luxury. Try a geometric brass backsplash or black metal stools.
Art, Plants and Textures
Warm up a grey and white scheme with natural elements like wood textured barstools, a cozy patterned rug, curtains, wall art and live plants.
Grey and white kitchens have versatility to fit modern, transitional and even traditional design aesthetics. By pairing grey walls with bright white cabinetry and countertops, you can achieve a stylish, livable kitchen space.
Carefully choosing complementary grey and white tones, finishes and accents results in a kitchen that's both trendy yet timeless. Use these tips and ideas as inspiration to create your beautiful grey and white oasis.
The psychological effects of gray walls in a kitchen with white cabinets: While gray walls with white cabinets create a modern and sleek look, studies have shown that gray tones can promote relaxation and calmness, making a gray kitchen with white cabinets an ideal space for unwinding after a long day.
The impact of gray kitchen walls on resale value: According to a recent report, kitchens with gray walls and white cabinets have a higher resale value than kitchens with white walls and white cabinets. This is because gray walls offer versatility and can easily blend with a variety of color schemes, making them more appealing to potential buyers.
Tips for selecting the right shade of gray: While many people opt for a cool-toned gray, a warmer gray with yellow or beige undertones can add warmth and coziness to a kitchen with white cabinets. It's essential to select a shade that complements the natural light in the room and the desired mood.
The importance of balancing warm and cool tones: When selecting gray walls with white cabinets, it's crucial to consider the direction of the natural light in the kitchen. North-facing light tends to have a cooler hue, while south-facing light is warmer. Balancing warm and cool tones in the kitchen can prevent the room from appearing too blue or too gray.
Adding texture and depth with gray wall tiles: Instead of opting for a solid gray wall, consider installing gray wall tiles with varying shades and textures. This can create depth and interest in the kitchen while still maintaining a cohesive color scheme with the white cabinets.
Strategically placing mirrors: Mirrors can create the illusion of more space in a kitchen with gray walls and white cabinets. Placing a mirror opposite a window can bring in additional natural light and make the kitchen appear more spacious.
Incorporating plants and natural elements: Adding plants and natural elements, such as wooden stools or a stone backsplash, can add warmth and texture to a gray kitchen with white cabinets. This can also create a calming and serene ambiance, enhancing the psychological effects of gray walls.
Enhancing the overall design with decorative pieces: Small decorative pieces, such as gray and white patterned rugs or textured pillows on kitchen banquettes, can provide visual interest. Incorporating pops of colors or metals in these accents adds further depth.