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One question I seem to be asked frequently from readers is “What color works best in a kitchen that has oak cabinets? I cannot/do not want to change my cabinets at this time.” Which color would you suggest?”
All woods have undertones. Oak has yellow undertones that we need to be aware of. If you want your cabinets to ‘pop’ off the wall, then I would suggest a blue or violet color which is the complimentary (across the color wheel) color of yellow. But most people do not want their cabinets as the main focus of the kitchen.
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I also feel blue in a kitchen gives you more of a country look:
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As I posted in my blog Best Wall Colors for Stained Trim , I typically do not like to suggest using a white paint with lighter wood cabinets for a few reasons. One-white has different undertones that do not always work with the yellow wood. Secondly, I personally do not like the look with no contrast since it looks a little too pale for me.
David Easton
Yellow seem to be the color of choice for many people that have lighter wood cabinets. Yellow might work but my but only concern with yellow is that this color doesn’t really create any personality in the room. Without any contrast, the room tends to look a bit too boring for my taste.
So, what is my suggestion for a wall color when you have oak/light cabinets?
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Green!
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I am not talking about the hunter green color or a light mint green. My suggestion would be to look at the mid-range color greens, especially the yellow-greens such as Ben Moore Agave AF-420, Anjou Pear AF-425 and Wasabi AF-430:
Another green I like to suggest working with oak wood is Ben Moore Hillside Green 495. I really love the look together:
So green is my first choice when looking for a great color to work with oak or light wood cabinets. My color advice is based on working with oak cabinets. The floors or countertops were not taken into consideration for this example.
Do you agree green is the best color for kitchens with oak cabinets? I also like a few terra cotta colors but that is for another day! Comments?
If you need help choosing the perfect paint color for your home, contact me today.
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Kelly Bernier Designs
We just ordered oak shaker cabinets and the color is not red-golden, rather a slight green tinge, in my opinion. What color should I paint my walls in this case?
I have med. oak cabinets, colbalt blue back splash, and white counter tops. What color would work well on the walls?
Did you take a look at Ben Moore Agave AF-420. This green works beautiful with oak wood.
Have oak cupboards,and want to know what colour to paint the walls. Oakmtable and chairs and oak china cabinet. Kitchen is small,wandering if you could help me
What to do with honey oak cabinets and deep dark green countertops?
What color green is in picture #8? I have the golden color stained oak cabinets and was thing of a going to a red or green..
Lovely colours, the blue and light oak looks really good with eachother!
Thanks for the post
Thanks for the help! I want custom cabinets in New York and was thinking oak, but I didn’t know how much they went with. They can actually go with a lot, who knew?
Love your blog! Need help. Just moved into a home that has been completely renovated, although not my choice. We have refinished golden oak cabinets, venetian gold granite, large blue/gray slate tile back splash with blue/gray vinyl floor. Too much to change, so kitchen will not be redone for a couple of years. I love the green idea but afraid it will clash with tile, etc. Any color suggestions? Thanks!
Thanks for making my day Christine!
I just put in the black granite with my oak cabinets, and it looks fantastic! I’d thought about staining them darker but decided against it. VERY GLAD I DID!! I couldn’t decide on a gray or green paint, so I chose one called Anonymous. It’s got gray and green tones to it depending on the light. Thanks for your blog!!! It helped so much!
Hi Hope!
One of the first colors that popped into my head is a shade of blue. But will it work with your furnishings? Or gray is another color to look at too. Or even an off white would work.
Hope this helps!
I was considering BM Monroe Bisque for my great room but, after reading your article, I’m having second thoughts because I have a nine feet-wide oak wall unit in the greatroom. I have an open concept floor plan and I already painted my kitchen (creamy white cabinets)BM Georgian Green. What other color can I use as an overall color (great room, hallways)?
I agree Linda. Just have to be careful of the gray undertones with the yellow and orange.
What about grey. Some yellows and oranges look great with a backdrop of grey. Being the latest neutral it brings a modern feel to the room. Have just painted all the exterior windows, doors and trims on our house which is an orangey brick.It looks so fresh now.
Yes, there is a lot of orange in the oak. Try the green, I think you will like it. Thanks for writing Carolanne.
I have always thought of oak as more orange than yellow (if you try to find the colour of oak cabinets with a paint deck it will be the oranges that will match… I find it funny when clients say they do not like orange but want to keep the oak… I’m like your cabinets are orange we must consider them with the rest of your room (livingroom off the kitchen) the look I get is oh my..oh ok…I will have to check out the greens, interesting post…
I like the Hillside green a lot Kelly! Maybe a little too vibrant for some in which case more of a pale blue/green might work. And yes, stay away from yellow when you have oak cabinets!
Thanks Linda! A fresh and clean kitchen- love!
great suggestion Kelly. I get asked this same question all the time as well. I think green always looks fresh in a kitchen.
Green is perfect with yellow and orange undertoned wood – couldn’t agree more!
Did you see the clean greens Sha? They do not look country to me! If we were talking Hunter Green- I would agree with you. You don’t like green? So many beautiful shades of green out there!
Thanks Nancy! I love fresh green and white together. Beautiful!
I know Sheila! But not everyone wants to change to white. Or they want to paint the cabinets but cannot.
i don’t get the luv for green? lately that is all designers recommend. what about us modern folk? green seems so well. country?
I do like the green with the oak cabinets. The colors you selected look fresh and really lift the room as compared with the whites and yellows. I have white cabinets in my kitchen and went with a green as well!
I do agree, definitely! Love green, so I’m an easy sell… but I’d be an even easier sell to paint out those oak cabinets
Great article, Kelly! I’m loving all your tips!!!