So, what better way to stay in style than with the top 10 color trends for kitchen cabinets? Because, let’s be honest, calm neutrals like warm white to confident, personality-packed shades such as forest green, there are a lot of popular color ideas going around. Our painting team in Waldorf has compiled them in this blog, plus practical tips on how to make each one work in your own space.
Continue reading to find the ideal hue for you!
1. Classic White
If you ask, “What colors are trending for kitchen cabinets?” any year, chances are white will sneak into the answer. Crisp white kitchen cabinets refuse to quit, and for good reason. Home designers love how they bounce light around the room, visually expand small spaces, and pair beautifully with every countertop or backsplash.
However, while white is a “forever neutral”, adding timeless elegance to any home, the shades this year have shifted from stark, chilly tones to warmer, creamier whites that feel welcoming rather than clinical.
Pro tip: Ask for a satin or soft-gloss finish. It wipes clean (hello, spaghetti-sauce splatters) but doesn’t show every fingerprint the way a high-gloss lacquer can.
2. Muted Colors
Confession time: muted, mid-tone hues are one of our favorite color trends for kitchen cabinets in 2025. Think greige, blue, or green paint colors. They are softer than charcoal yet more interesting than a basic shade of beige, delivering a cozy backdrop that hides daily wear.
And even better, these hues are excellent to pair with other medium or dark hues, such as walnut tables or natural stones for the countertops. Thus, you will have no problem with future kitchen upgrades, as you can disguise smudges (ideal for busy family kitchens) while remaining aesthetic.
Pro tip: Pair muted cabinets with slightly brighter walls or tile so the kitchen doesn’t turn muddy. Under-cabinet LED strips also keep the palette lively.
3. Sage Green Shades
Fancying green cabinets? You’re in luck! Sage green is one of the most popular kitchen cabinet colors of this year, becoming the Goldilocks of all hues. It’s a not too bright, not doo dark, endlessly versatile option.
The gentle green brings outdoorsy calm inside, and its subtle gray undertone keeps it from shouting across the room. Most 2025 predictions show green kitchens remaining on trend for a while, so you can enjoy your morning coffee in style.
Pro tip: Pair sage with natural wood open shelves or butcher-block counters to double down on that organic feel.
4. Light Blues
Blue is one of the best colors to paint kitchen cabinets. Especially this 2025, with sky and powder blue making a comeback. However, keep in mind that these versions are dustier and more sophisticated than the baby blues that were popular in recent decades.
Our preference goes to light blue, to be frank. It toes the line between color and neutral, freshening up a room without overpowering. Moreover, they reflect daylight beautifully and pair effortlessly with polished nickel or chrome fixtures for a coastal-fresh kitchen.
Pro tip: Because blue can skew cool, warm it up with terracotta floor tile or woven rattan bar stools.
5. Subtle Charcoal
Want to go back to black? Charcoal, as a top kitchen cabinet color, allows you to do that. Yes, you read it right. This deep gray with a whisper of brown is big for 2025. It’s the perfect hue for homeowners who like black but feel it’s too intense, but don’t find gray appealing.
Designers love it mostly on an island. However, they agree that this shade is great on lower cabinets, grounding the space without swallowing natural light the way a darker tone would. Our painters love it because it delivers drama in a soft-spoken way, offering contrast that highlights other features.
Pro tip: Use a color-matched interior primer first. Dark paints reach full depth faster and look more even when the primer is tinted.
6. Two-Tone Palettes
Why choose one color when you can have two? This option is ideal for our indecisive or color-loving folks (pretty much like us). Two-tone cabinets are taking the spotlight this year. We strongly recommend separating dark and light shades, to trick the eye into reading the room as taller and airier.
Some color trends for kitchen cabinets for this are white uppers with navy blue bases. Or pick everyone’s favorite shade of green: sage and pair it with walnut-stained lowers. This look is honestly a hit among homeowners who want to dip a toe into bolder hues while keeping the overall palette balanced.
Pro tip: Our experts at cabinet painting in Waldorf, MD, advise you to keep the hardware finish consistent across both tones to unify the design.
7. Earthy Tones
Let’s go natural. From cinnamon to clay to warm brown, earth-inspired hues are headlining cabinet color trends this year. And we are so here for it. They invite warmth into ultra-white new buildings and play stunningly with veined quartz or soapstone counters.
If you’re on the fence about this trend, know that these earthy tones connect the kitchen to living and dining areas filled with furniture with natural wood finishes, creating a seamless flow in open-plan homes.
Pro tip: Use low-sheen or matte paint so these colors feel like natural, sun-baked clay rather than glossy terracotta pottery.
8. Elegant and Moody Hues
Dark, moody shades were loved in dining, living, and bedrooms. Now, they’re moving into kitchens as one of the most popular cabinet colors. Deep navy blue, hunter green, and even blackened plum are rising in the trend charts.
When paired with abundant task lighting and light flooring, these rich hues feel tailored and deluxe rather than cave-like. Why, you may ask? This is because dark cabinets emphasize metallics like jewelry against a velvet dress. Picture unlacquered brass taps or stainless appliances.
Pro tip: Choose a scratch-resistant finish; dark colors show nicks more readily than mid-tones.
9. Statement Tints
Looking for a pop of color that will stop anyone in their tracks as soon as they walk into your kitchen? Statement tints are part of the color trends for kitchen cabinets in 2025. Bold teal, sunshine yellow, or lipstick red have knocked the door down and left us breathless.
This option can be particularly beneficial for those spaces lacking energy, or homeowners trying to add a touch of their personality into the room. To achieve a better result, designers recommend anchoring these saturated shades with plenty of white or natural wood tones. This way, the kitchen still feels livable day to day.
Pro tip: Our cabinet painters in Waldorf, MD, allow you to test samples on large poster boards and observe them morning, noon, and night, since vibrant pigments can shift noticeably with changing light.
10. Stains Still Rule
Did none of these options steal your heart? Good news: you don’t have to limit yourself to paint. If you prefer traditional styles, you’ll be pleased to know lots of homeowners are returning to clear or lightly tinted stains.
You can accentuate your wood cabinets with clear or lightly tinted stains, whether walnut, white oak, or even reclaimed pine. And even better news: stained wood is durable, age-proof, and inherently sustainable when sourced responsibly.
Pro tip: Ask for water-based polyurethane topcoats. They protect the wood while keeping that beautiful grain visible rather than amber-yellowing over time.
Revamp Your Kitchen Cabinets with Two Coat Painting Solutions LLC!
To summarize the color trends for kitchen cabinets in 2025: neutrals, muted, moody, or earthy tones are taking the stage in style. But you are always free to let your creative juices flow and add your own unique touch to it with statement tints. And, if nothing convinced you yet, you can go the traditional route with stained cabinets.
What if you need a little more guidance? Or are you ready to turn your kitchen cabinet ideas into striking reality? Two Coat Painting Solution LLC is the premier painting company in Waldorf, MD, that helps you find your color of choice and make even the most one-of-a-kind visions come true! Start your kitchen renovation with the best, and contact us today to learn more about our services!