If you’re building a new kitchen and it’s time to pick the white paint for the cabinetry your nerves are probably shot. It’s a huge decision, whether you’re building a brand new kitchen or you’ve decided to DIY your old, tired cabinets with a fresh coat of paint yourself. Since I’m a Certified Colour Expert I get asked this question A LOT. I’ve seen it all and these are the best of the best. The top 10 white paint colours for kitchen cabinets!
MY GO-TO WHITE PAINT FOR KITCHEN CABINETS
BENJAMIN MOORE DOVE WHITE – OC-17
This one is a nice clean, crisp white. It has less yellow undertone than some of the others on this list but just a tiny hint of gray. It’s great for making a high contrast statement if you want to pair it with a deeper gray or black hardware or countertop.
SOURCE: Caroline on Design
BENJAMIN MOORE SIMPLY WHITE – OC-117
This is a nice neutral white that was Benjamin Moore’s Colour of the Year in 2016. It’s often called one of the whitest whites but it’s not cold. It’s a soft and creamy white so it won’t appear stark in a kitchen with very little natural lighting. it’s warm and easy and it pairs well with so many colours. It can occasionally appear a bit cool in rooms that have tremendous amounts of natural light so be careful in basements and hallways.
BENJAMIN MOORE CLOUD WHITE – OC-130 and 967
This is the OG of white paint. It was considered the number one choice for a very long time by both designers and DIY homeowners. It was used so often that we all had the code memorized and could list off 967 without thinking. It’s a bit creamier than some of the others so it works well for areas where you don’t want a high contrast white. If you compared it to a purer white it will look very creamy in comparison. Somehow it manages to not look yellow or cream when applied. This is more suitable for traditional or transitional kitchens. It’s too warm for a modern kitchen that looks better with a cleaner white.
SOURCE: Home Bunch
BENJAMIN MOORE CHANTILLY LACE – OC-65
This one is considered by many designers to be the purest white with the least amount of undertone. I love this for cabinetry in any style of kitchen. It works well with both cool and warm colours. Although it appears pure white, it still doesn’t get cold and stark. It somehow manages to still be warm and very liveable. It’s just an all-round winner.
BENJAMIN MOORE PAPER WHITE – OC-54
This one definitely has some blue undertones and will show a hint of gray-blue sometimes. In spite of that, it’s still warm and liveable. If you put it in a space with minimal light, it might seem more gray than white so be sure you have some natural light to bring out the best in this one. One of the best ways to use this is on the walls with a crisper, cleaner white as the trim. The contrast brings out the best of this colour. This one looks best with nickel or black hardware.
SOURCE: Home Bunch
PAINTING YOUR BASEMENT? HERE ARE MY TOP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PICKING A COLOUR THAT WORKS EVERYTIME
SHERWIN WILLIAMS ALABASTER – SW 7008
This falls into the neutral category and is a lovely white. Although it’s neutral, it is creamy and has a very warm finish to it. It pairs well with just about any colour.
SHERWIN WILLIAMS ORIGAMI WHITE – SW 7636
This is one of Sherwin Williams’ most beloved of all colours. It reads white on your walls but it has just enough warm, creamy undertones to prevent it from being cool. It’s undertones are a mix of gray and beige or in other words, it’s a greige undertone. If you want a white with a hint of gray that doesn’t feel cold, this is your winner.
SHERWIN WILLIAMS PURE WHITE – SW 7005
This is the number one white from SW and for good reason. This one seems to brighten up any room it’s used in. It just has a really great reflective quality to it. It has no obvious gray or cream undertones but it definitely feels warm when applied to walls and cabinetry.
SHERWIN WILLIAMS EXTRA WHITE – SW 7006
Don’t let the name deceive you, this colour is warmer than you might expect if you go by name alone. It does have a bluey gray undertone but just like Pure White, it isn’t perceivable in most cases. I love pairing this with navy because then it does give you a high contrast space. The undertones will be absorbed by the navy and Extra White will indeed look extra white.
SOURCE: Chatham Legacy
SHERWIN WILLIAMS SNOWBOUND – SW 7004
If you’re looking for a cool white, try Snowbound. It has a greige undertone so it pairs well with other cool colours. I like using this with greens and blues but you can also give it a try with sandy, taupey wall paint.
Picking a white paint for cabinets can be easier than you think. My number one piece of advice is to test the paint before you commit to it. Paint changes throughout different times of day. You want to see it during early morning and late evening hours. If you love it in the morning but feel meh later in the day, ditch it. You’ll never be happy with it.
You can buy jars of test paints and paint some boards to move around your kitchen or you can buy these clever stickers from Hello Paint. You can purchase these in the exact colours you want and attach them to your cabinetry for a while to test out the colours.
Let me know if you’re struggling with finding a white paint for cabinets. Or if you’ve used a colour I haven’t mentioned, tell me which one and how you like it.
If you know your design style but you struggle with which paint to use, take a look at my Made-For-You paint palettes. They take the guesswork out and give you the confidence to get started.
