I’ve spent time repainting kitchen cabinets and learned that using two different colors can add real depth if you pick shades that play well together.
Colors behave differently in kitchens because of the mix of natural light, overhead fixtures, and even steam from cooking.
I once paired a soft sage green below with warm beige uppers, surprised at how the green picked up golden hints by afternoon.
What usually trips people up is ignoring undertones, which can turn a promising combo muddy in everyday use.
A few pairings here catch the light just right and deserve a test sample on your own walls.
Soft Sage Green Cabinets
This kitchen goes with a soft sage green on all the cabinets. It’s that nice muted green with a hint of blue-gray that feels fresh but not too bold. Looks closest to Sherwin-Williams Clary Sage SW 6178 or Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage HC-114. Behr’s Silver Sage is another good one that reads very close. People like it because it keeps things calm and pairs easy with whites and woods.
The color has cool undertones that show up best in good natural light, like from those big windows here. It works great against white subway tile and marble counters. Gold hardware pops nicely too. Just watch it doesn’t look too gray in dimmer spots… test a sample first.
Deep Navy Kitchen Cabinets
This kitchen goes with deep navy paint on the lower cabinets and island. It looks closest to Sherwin-Williams Naval or Benjamin Moore Hale Navy. That kind of blue feels solid and classic. People like how it holds up next to wood tones without overpowering them.
The cool undertones keep it from going too dark in good light. Here it sits well under the pale yellow uppers and white subway tiles. Try it in kitchens with plenty of windows. Wood counters and rattan stools balance it out nicely.
Soft Blue Upper Cabinets
This kitchen goes with a soft blue on the upper cabinets. It’s that cool pastel shade, reading close to Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue or Sherwin-Williams Sea Salt, maybe even Farrow & Ball Borrowed Light. Folks like it because it stays light without washing out, especially next to the warm oak below.
The color picks up a hint of green undertone in good light, which keeps it from feeling too stark. It works best in kitchens with lots of windows. Pair it with white walls and wood tones like here, and skip anything too yellow underneath.
Deep Green Cabinets
This kitchen goes with deep green cabinets that catch the eye right away. It’s a rich emerald shade, reading closest to Sherwin-Williams Pewter Green or Farrow & Ball Studio Green, maybe Benjamin Moore Caldwell Green too. That depth makes the space feel pulled together without trying too hard. Folks go for it because it holds its own next to white marble.
The green pulls a little warm undertone in this light, which is nice against the wood island legs. It suits kitchens with big windows best. Stick to gold pulls and neutral counters with it… keeps everything from getting too heavy.
Pale Sage Upper Cabinets
This kitchen goes with a pale sage green on the upper cabinets that reads very close to Sherwin-Williams Clary Sage or Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage, maybe even Behr’s Sage Whisper. It’s a muted green from the sage family, not too bold, just soft enough to feel calm around all the white tile and wood. Folks like it because it keeps things fresh without overpowering the room.
That gray undertone in the sage makes it pull back in bright light, so it works best in kitchens with good windows. Pair it below with a blush pink like on these lowers, and wood tones pop right up. Watch for north-facing light though, it can lean cooler there.
Matte Black Cabinets
This kitchen leans on matte black for the main cabinets. It looks closest to Sherwin-Williams Tricorn Black, Benjamin Moore Onyx, or Farrow & Ball Railings. That kind of deep, true black feels straightforward and tough enough for everyday use. It sets off wood tones without stealing the show.
The neutral undertone keeps it from going too cold, especially next to warm pine like on the island. Bright light helps it read right. Stick to brass hardware or concrete surfaces with it, and skip super glossy finishes nearby.
Deep Navy Kitchen Island
This kitchen island pulls off a deep navy blue paint that’s rich but not overpowering. It reads very close to Benjamin Moore’s Hale Navy or Sherwin-Williams Naval, maybe even Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue. Folks like this shade because it anchors the lighter white cabinets above without stealing the show.
The cool undertones keep it crisp next to the brass faucet and rattan stools. It shines in sunny kitchens like this, where windows let light bounce off the white counters. Stick to white uppers and wood accents, and watch it feel just right.
Soft Pink Upper Cabinets
These upper cabinets use a pale blush pink that’s easy on the eyes. It seems closest to Sherwin-Williams Pussy Willow or Benjamin Moore First Light, maybe Behr Dreamy Pink too. That soft pink family keeps the kitchen feeling light without going overboard.
The color has a warm undertone that plays right off the walnut lowers and black stone backsplash. It shows up best in rooms with decent natural light. Pair it with wood tones or matte black for balance, but skip cooler grays that might dull it.
Sunny Yellow Cabinets
The cabinets here pull off a sunny yellow paint with warm golden undertones. It looks closest to Farrow & Ball Babouche, or Sherwin-Williams Lemon Glow for a similar vibe, and Benjamin Moore Hawthorne Yellow. Folks go for this shade because it perks up the kitchen without overwhelming the room. That island switches to a deep navy blue, close to Sherwin-Williams Naval.
You’ll see the yellow works right alongside wood shelves and white tiles. Its warmth keeps everything feeling cozy in the daylight. Navy grounds it all. Good for sunny spots. Pair with marble counters and keep trim crisp white.
Terracotta Lower Cabinets
The lower cabinets here show off a warm terracotta paint that’s got real kitchen personality. It looks closest to Sherwin-Williams Rookwood Red or Benjamin Moore Moroccan Spice, maybe Behr Spiced Brandy too. Folks like this color because it’s earthy and settled, pulls in that handmade feel without overwhelming the room.
Those red undertones keep it cozy next to cooler marble tops and the soft sage uppers. It shines in sunny spots like this corner kitchen. Pair it with greenery or wood stools, but test samples first, lighting can shift the warmth.
Navy Lower Cabinets
These lower cabinets show off a deep navy blue in the cool-toned family. It looks closest to Sherwin-Williams Naval or Benjamin Moore Hale Navy, maybe even Farrow & Ball Hague Blue. That kind of rich blue gives the kitchen a solid base while letting brighter stuff up top shine.
The yellow cabinets overhead lift the whole look and bounce light around. Navy like this picks up cool undertones from the white counter but stays friendly next to brass taps and copper pots. It suits kitchens with windows for daylight. Just test samples, since some navies turn too purple in low light.
Soft Greige Upper Cabinets
These upper cabinets pull off a soft greige that’s easy on the eyes. It reads very close to Sherwin-Williams Agreeable Gray or Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray, maybe even Behr’s Drywall for that same quiet warmth. Paired with deep navy lowers down below, it lifts the whole kitchen without overwhelming.
Greige like this has subtle beige undertones, so it stays cozy next to white marble counters. It shines in good natural light, and the navy base keeps it from floating away. Just test samples, lighting can shift it cooler if you’re not careful.
Muted Teal on Kitchen Cabinets
This kitchen uses a muted teal paint on the lower cabinets that feels just right. It looks closest to Sherwin-Williams Retreat or Benjamin Moore Wythe Blue, maybe Behr Thicket too. That soft blue-green family gives a calm color without shouting, especially nice against the wood tones.
The gray undertones keep it from going too tropical. It works best in rooms with good window light, like this one. Wood cabinets up top and white subway tile balance it out perfectly.
Deep Blue Kitchen Cabinets
These cabinets show off a rich navy blue that’s bold but not overpowering. It looks closest to Sherwin-Williams Naval or Benjamin Moore Hale Navy, maybe even Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue. What draws people to this shade is how it perks up the whole kitchen without stealing the show from other pieces.
The cool undertones keep it fresh next to warm wood tones and that gray quartz top. It shines in spots with decent light, like near a window. Pair it with matte black fixtures to keep things grounded. Just test samples first. Light can shift how blue reads.
Warm Yellow Lower Cabinets
The lower cabinets catch your eye right away with their warm yellow paint. This sunny shade seems closest to Sherwin-Williams Cheesecloth or Benjamin Moore Hawthorne Yellow, maybe even Farrow & Ball Babouche. It’s got that cheerful mid-century feel, bright but not screaming, and it makes the whole kitchen look lived-in and fun.
Golden undertones keep it cozy next to the creamy uppers and white tiles. It shines in rooms with good window light. Pair with greenery or terrazzo counters like here, and watch how it warms up wood shelves without overpowering.
Muted Aqua Upper Cabinets
This setup takes a soft muted aqua on the upper cabinets, the kind that reads closest to Sherwin-Williams Sea Salt or Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue. It’s got that easy cool tone that keeps the kitchen feeling fresh without going too bright. Paired with warmer cream lowers, it splits the space nicely and lets both colors shine.
The aqua has a subtle gray undertone that plays well in natural light, like you see here next to the wood counters. It works best in kitchens with brass fixtures or white sinks. Just watch it doesn’t feel too cool against super warm woods, maybe warm it up with some greenery on the counters.
Rich Navy Kitchen Cabinets
Those upper cabinets show off a rich navy blue paint that’s got real depth. It reads very close to Sherwin-Williams Naval, Benjamin Moore Hale Navy, or Farrow & Ball Hague Blue. What makes it nice is how it feels moody but not heavy, especially next to warmer tones.
The red island below brings out the navy’s cool gray undertones in this sunny spot. It works best in kitchens with good natural light and pairs easy with black counters or wood floors. Just test it in your space first, since it can shift a touch greenish in some bulbs.
Sage Green Cabinets in Two Tones
This kitchen pulls off sage green on the cabinets using a couple shades. The deeper green covers the uppers and island, with a lighter pale green down below. It seems closest to Sherwin-Williams Pewter Green on the darker parts, or Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage, maybe Behr’s Silver Sage too. That muted green keeps things calm and earthy without going too dark.
The warm olive undertone plays right off the terracotta floor tiles. Lots of natural light like from that big window makes it glow just right. It pairs easy with stone counters and brass hardware. Stick to neutral walls so the green stays the star.
Soft Teal and Navy Cabinets
The upper cabinets in this kitchen pull off a muted teal that’s got that fresh blue-green vibe, not too bold but just right for everyday use. It reads very close to Sherwin-Williams Oceanside or Benjamin Moore Wythe Blue. Down below, the navy cabinets ground things nicely, something like Sherwin-Williams Naval. Folks like this setup because it keeps the kitchen feeling light up top while the dark base hides fingerprints better.
These cool-toned paints play well with the white marble counters and gold faucet you see here. They suit sunny spots where natural light bounces off the colors. Pair them with wood shelves or plants to warm it up a bit… otherwise, it might feel a touch chilly in low-light rooms.
Muted Teal Lower Cabinets
This setup paints the kitchen island cabinets in a muted teal, the kind of blue-green that seems closest to Sherwin-Williams Retreat or Benjamin Moore’s St. Lucia Teal. It’s got enough depth to stand out against the light gray uppers but stays calm and livable. Folks like it because it brings a bit of color without going overboard, especially on just the base cabinets.
The cool undertones keep it from feeling too tropical. It shines in spaces with plenty of window light, paired here with white marble and brass accents. Watch for north-facing rooms though, where it might read a touch greener. Rattan stools like these add a nice casual layer.
Soft Blue Kitchen Cabinets
The cabinets in this kitchen use a gentle soft blue paint that seems closest to Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue or Sherwin-Williams Sea Salt. Sometimes Farrow & Ball Borrowed Light comes pretty near too. It’s a cool aqua shade with just enough depth to feel grown-up, not babyish. Folks go for colors like this because they lighten up the space while keeping wood tones nearby looking warm.
That subtle blue-green undertone shines in natural light from a window. It pairs easy with white sinks and gold pulls, like you see here. In dimmer spots it can read a touch greener, so test samples first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does mixing two cabinet colors work in a small kitchen?
A: Absolutely, it draws the eye around the space and makes it feel bigger. Pair a light color on upper cabinets with a deeper shade below to lift the room visually. Skip busy patterns, though, and stick to solids for clean flow.
Q: How do I choose colors that go together without clashing?
A: Start with your backsplash or countertops as the base, then pick one matching shade and one complementary. Think warm with warm, like soft taupe uppers and navy lowers, for harmony. Test samples in your lighting first; natural light changes everything.
Q: Can I pull this off by painting my existing cabinets?
A: You bet, just prep well by sanding and priming for smooth adhesion. Do lowers first, let them cure fully, then tackle uppers to avoid drips. And grab a good brush for crisp edges.
Q: What if I’m worried it’ll look too busy?
A: Keep hardware consistent across both colors, like matte black knobs everywhere. That ties it all together nicely.
