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The Best Kitchen Cabinet Colors for 2021

March 22, 2021 | Updated on: January 31, 2022

Walnut Kitchen      

 

When it comes time to renovate or improve the look of your kitchen, you’re going to want to take a few things into consideration before you start looking through the different colors of wood cabinets. The first step is to analyze the space of your kitchen and also to choose the style that you’re going for. In most cases, your style will be based on your taste and you’ll want to incorporate the colors that suit you. 

Kitchen Cabinets

The colors that will be present around your kitchen are going to primarily come from the cabinets. With that being said, the trendiest kitchen colors for 2021 include two different tones. These are a natural neutral tone and warm earth tones. Examples of natural neutrals include grey, grey-beige, and oak while warm earth tones can include orange and even an intense navy blue. 

Gone are the days when kitchens would only consist of standard white, brown, and grey colors. 

Budgeting for Your Ideal Choice of Kitchen Cabinets

When planning out your ideal kitchen renovation or improvement project, budgeting is a crucial part of it all. In most cases, property owners allocate a larger part of their budget to their kitchen cabinets as it’s one of the aspects of the room that will stand out the most. 

The chart below showcases an example of one’s kitchen remodelling budget the largest chunk (29%) is allocated toward the cabinets which also includes choosing the best kitchen cabinet colors.

kitchen remodeling budget

Trendy Kitchen Cabinet Colors in 2021

Even though an all-white kitchen is likely not going to go out of style, there are other popular kitchen cabinet colors 2021 out there that can make your cooking and eating area that much better. Think about incorporating some natural elements with a few pops of color. That’s what all the rage is this year for kitchen cabinets. The subtle pop of color is key. 

With all the tons of different layouts, materials, and design changes, cabinets are still the focal point of any kitchen, large or small. Cabinet paint colors for 2021 will typically range from warm whites for a classic look to hues of blue to get a subtle pop of color.

 Here are some of the most popular kitchen cabinet colors 2021 that you may want to consider for your remodel. They include: 

  • Shades of Grey
  • Dark/Navy Blue
  • Warm with Gold Accents
  • Wood Finish
  • Black
  • Shades of Green
  • Two-tone Colors
  • Brown
  • Red
  • Yellow
  • Pink
  • Metallic 

Shades of Grey

Shades of Gray Kitchen

 

To some, grey is out. However, incorporating different shades of grey can help create just the modern and trendy look you’re going for. Plus, grey is a classic color that never really goes out of style. A pale-grey color can pair nicely with white marble countertops and even some black appliances. 

Dark/Navy Blue

Dark Navy Blue Kitchen

Another one of the 2021 kitchen colors is navy blue. When it comes to the kitchen, it’s a rare choice to consider since it’s known to suppress appetites, but it’s being used more and more in kitchen cabinets. 

The dark blue color can add the perfect touch of color without it being too overwhelming or bland. It can make the kitchen cabinets easy and soothing to look at, especially when placed in a more neutral environment - like surrounded by grey or white accents. 

Think of the navy blue color like a pair of blue jeans. They go with practically everything. If you incorporate that color into a kitchen cabinet, it can match practically anything in the same way as the jeans would, as it adapts to most color schemes. 

Warm with Gold Accents

Warm with Gold Accents in the Kitchen

 

Gold has been quite the trendy color for some time now and it also happens to be part of the top kitchen colors 2021. Combining gold with brown and other organic materials can give off the ideal boho-look that you seek. It offers a more timeless design which is important for a kitchen. You can go for white or warmer shades of white for your cabinets while incorporating the gold in the handles, knobs, and other areas of the kitchen for the perfect look. 

Wood Finish

Brown Wood Kitchen

 

A wood finish kitchen is something that has been dominating the trends over the years as the options are endless. There are many wood stain colors for kitchen cabinets that you can choose from in order to create a timeless look. A wood finish has a natural warmth and it gives off a more classic appearance. 

Black

Dark Kitchen

 

Your first thought when you think of a black kitchen is that it will be too dark. However, that isn’t always the case. In fact, you can brighten things up by having a contrast in colors. For instance, having black cabinets and a white backsplash, lighting, and white accessories. It can make the kitchen quite elegant. After all, opposites attract. 

One of the stain colours for kitchen cabinets could be black which might give your kitchen a modern look with a more minimalistic and luxurious style. It’s important to not go overboard with the black by having the cabinets be too glossy or too matted as it can make your kitchen look smaller than it is. That’s why diluting the black with some contrasting colors like white, can help. 

Shades of Green

Shades of Green Kitchen Cabinets

 

You can give energy to your home and your kitchen in particular by incorporating a green palette. Shades of green are taking over most kitchens in 2021 as it’s one of the popular kitchen cabinet color trends.

The specific shades of green that are trendy include more pastel or light shades. The deeper shades of green can be tough to incorporate since they can make the room look too dark. However, a sage-like green can make for a perfectly cheerful kitchen. A more saturated green shade can provide a dramatic look while mint green can give off a more earthy feel. The lighter shades soften the room. 

Some trends of 2021 also include painting the upper cabinets one shade of green and the bottom cabinets a slightly different shade of green. An idea to consider is combining teal and mint-green. 

Two-tone Colors

Two Tone Kitchen

 

Piggy-backing off of the teal and the mint-green painted kitchen cabinet colors idea is the trend of using two-tone colors in a more broad sense. This year, the trend is gaining a lot of strength and it’s going to continue to do so in the next few years. 

It started off with painting the kitchen island a more contrasting color and now it’s being incorporated all around the room. Combining two colors or picking different stained cabinet colors for the upper and lower cabinets of the kitchen can add the perfect amount of depth and dimension. Most styles include using a more neutral color and combining it with a striking earth-tone. These striking earth tones have recently been mustard yellow, sage, and terracotta. 

Some popular combinations that have been found in some 2021 kitchen designs include cold and warm grey as well as grey and green. 

Brown

Brown and White Kitchen

Brown is always a safe color to choose when it comes to kitchen cabinets and it’s not so outdated as some might assume. In fact, it’s one of the wooden cabinet colors that people often prefer. Brown can add some heat to the kitchen with tones of chocolate or cocoa. It’s a sophisticated option and gives off a relaxing vibe. 

When adding a darker shade of brown, it can be good to add a bit of yellow or light-colored detail in order to brighten up the space. These kinds of intense colors are popping up more and more in modern kitchens. 

Red

Stained Red Kitchen

 

Red stimulates the appetite and it can also make people lose track of time. This is what makes it an ideal choice for kitchen cabinets, apart from the fact that it looks good. Whether it’s a red stain colours for cherry kitchen cabinets or a true red shade, the options are endless. It’s important to use the red color in moderation in order to not overwhelm the room. 

For those who live in a colder area, it can be good to choose deep red cabinets and use different shades of natural wood for a more homey and warm feeling. 

Yellow

Yellow Kitchen Cabinets

 

You don’t have to paint your entire kitchen yellow, but it’s the perfect accent color for 2021. You can use it to paint a wall or cabinets. It’s one of the kitchen cabinet colors for small kitchens this year. Plus, it’s perfect for country kitchen cabinet colors or for those that are looking for a more relaxed and discreet look. 

Pink

Pink Kitchen Cabinets

One of the kitchen cabinet color trends 2021 that is quite shocking to some is pink. However, it’s not every shade of pink that’s trendy these days, it’s a more dusty or pale pink shade. It’s used widely throughout interior decoration and it mixes perfectly with grey. 

While it’s a more non-traditional color for a kitchen, it can definitely lift the spirits of a room and make it look more inviting. 

Metallic

Metallic Kitchen

 

For a more futuristic look, you might want to consider incorporating metallic or silver shades for your kitchen cabinet colors for 2021. Metal is ideal for combining other strong colors like red since they pop nicely. 

 

Colors Ideal for Small Kitchens

Most people want to give off the impression that their kitchens are spacious, even when they’re not. Paying attention to the small kitchen cabinet colors is crucial in this case. When you have white kitchen cabinets and walls, you can brighten the room while also having visual uniformity and simplicity which can make any small kitchen look bigger than it is. 

The best color for cabinets in a small kitchen is white, but mixing shades of white can make it look even better. Some options can include creams and even taupe which will add warmth, depth, and sophistication. It’s important to determine the rest of the style of the kitchen before choosing the perfect white tone. If you’re going for a more traditional-style kitchen, choose a warmer white tone while a more modern kitchen should have a white or bluish-white tone.

One of the great things about having a white kitchen is that if you get bored with the color, you can always add a bright color on top or to an accent wall. Popular accents include blue and green tones. Another popular one for 2021 is bright yellow. 

You can go darker with some of the accents in your white kitchen by adding a deep shade of navy blue, black, red, or even green in small areas in order to add some personality and contrast.

Colors for a Rustic-style Kitchen

If you’re someone who is planning on having a more rustic-style kitchen, there are a few paint colors that you should incorporate and others that you should avoid. Tones like white, light blue, red, beige, and yellow can create the ideal atmosphere for your rustic kitchen. 

White is another one of the kitchen cabinet wood colors that would be good. However, with many different shades of white to choose from, it can be hard to pick the right one. A more creamy white with hints of beige can soften the room to make it cozier. 

Most rustic kitchens have yellow cabinets and using a light yellow tone will have you in-style for 2021. Another option for kitchen cabinet styles and colors for a more rustic-style is light blue due to its calming effect. Going for a powdery or grey-blue shade can easily be combined with white or yellow accents to create the perfect warm effect. 

Red can also give off the perfect rustic vibe, but it’s best to stick to a shade that’s a bit off from bright red. Brick red or a more worn shade can make sure that the kitchen isn’t too overwhelming. 

Picking the Right Color for Your Kitchen Cabinets

The kitchen is often considered to be the most important room of any home. One of the easiest ways to change the appearance of the kitchen is to change the color of the cabinets. Picking one of the top kitchen cabinet colors is your best bet at staying trendy. 

Since trends are always changing, it’s crucial to stay on top of what’s in-style for kitchen cabinet colors 2021. There are numerous options to pick from and most can accommodate your kitchen styles. What kitchen cabinet color are you obsessing over for 2021?


      

FAQs

Article by:

Valentina Melnikova - Lead Designer at Cut2Size

valentina@cut2size.ca

Office 403.366.7411

Hi there! I’m a millwork designer and an owner of a kitchen cabinet manufacturing company. With a team of professionals, I work on designing and manufacturing high-end millwork. Combining professional designing and manufacturing skills is what allows us to develop and translate our plans into a reality through our uniqueness and exclusive ideas. Our employees are highly skilled and creative thinkers that also utilize their professionalism and experience to take millwork to the next level. I’m very familiar with the industry and I take on each project from the design to the final product. With that said, if you’re looking for design advice or technician help, you’re in the right place.