Which kitchen cabinet colours should you choose before painting?

In a kitchen, the cabinets often cover more surface than the walls. Their shade sets the tone for the whole room, long before accessories or light fixtures. Choosing kitchen cabinet colours is therefore a decision you live with every day, for years.

Before opening a can of paint, it helps to understand what will make a shade work in your home. Light, countertops, upkeep and resale are the criteria that will help you find the colour that suits you, from a single shade to two tone kitchen cabinets, without regrets in your Gatineau home.

Why does cabinet colour change the whole kitchen?

The same kitchen can feel warm, bright or very contemporary depending on the colour of the cabinet fronts. Cabinets form a large visual block, especially in an open concept kitchen.

Colour also affects how big the space feels. Light tones reflect light and make the room look larger. Dark tones create a cozier atmosphere.

That is why a simple colour change often transforms the kitchen more than a new countertop, and for a much smaller share of the renovation effort.

Which criteria guide your choice of kitchen cabinet colours?

Is there enough natural light?

A north facing kitchen gets cooler light, which can dull some shades. A south facing kitchen handles dark colours better.

In the Outaouais, short winter days make this effect stronger. A shade that looks perfect in July can seem dull in December.

Do the countertop and floor match the shade?

Cabinets never stand alone. The countertop, backsplash and floor stay in place, and the new colour has to work with them.

A countertop with grey veining often calls for cool tones. A warm wood floor pairs better with soft or natural shades.

Does the size of the room limit your options?

In a small kitchen, dark cabinets from floor to ceiling can make the space feel heavy. In a large room, they add character instead.

Light, dark or two tone, which option should you pick?

Three main approaches come up most often. Each one creates a different effect and calls for a few precautions.

Option	Desired effect	Things to consider
Light shades	Bright, airy room	Fingerprints show near the handles
Dark shades	Warm, bold atmosphere	Needs good light and a careful finish
Two tone	Contrast between upper and lower cabinets	Both shades must work with the countertop
Natural tones	Soft, timeless look	Can look bland in a dark kitchen

Two tone kitchen cabinets are growing in popularity, as shown in this gallery of kitchens with contrasting cabinets published by Maison & Demeure magazine.

The most common formula puts the dark shade on the lower cabinets, which get more wear, and a light shade up top.

Which colour holds up best day to day?

No colour is indestructible, but some hide small marks better. Mid tones, neither very light nor very dark, are more forgiving of splashes and fingerprints.

In a family kitchen, kitchen cabinet colours have to cope with wet hands and daily meals.

The finish matters as much as the shade. Satin is easy to clean and more discreet than a very glossy finish, which reveals every flaw.

Durability depends mostly on preparation. Even the most beautiful colour will peel if the doors have not been properly degreased, sanded and primed.

Should you think about resale?

If you plan to sell your Outaouais property in the next few years, a neutral shade appeals to the largest number of buyers. Warm whites, soft greys and beiges remain safe choices.

If you are staying for a long time, nothing stops you from trying a bolder colour. A kitchen can be repainted, unlike a stone countertop, so a colour you love today does not lock you in for good.

How do you test a colour before painting?

A shade seen on a small paint chip can surprise you once it covers twenty doors. Two checks help avoid bad surprises:

• Paint a large sample board and place it against the cabinets, near the countertop, for several days.

• Look at it in the morning, in the evening and under the kitchen lighting, because colour changes with the light.

  
  

If you are still unsure about the scope of the work, first compare painting and replacing your cabinets. 

And if you want to go beyond the cabinets, find out how to modernize the whole room. 

Ready to see new kitchen cabinet colours in your Gatineau home?

A new shade is often enough to refresh an entire kitchen, without demolition.

Peinture Absolue sprays cabinet paint with a Graco sprayer for a smooth finish, using Sherwin-Williams Gallery Series products. We also create two tone designs in Gatineau, Aylmer, Hull and throughout the Outaouais.

Do you have a shade in mind, or are you torn between two colours? Request your free quote for kitchen cabinet painting.