The answer will entirely depend on one’s taste.
In fact, the emerging trends in kitchen interior design have confused color choices between the walls and kitchen cabinets.
However, creating a seamless flow between wall color and kitchen cabinets is essential to create a beautiful visual influence.
Therefore, the wall color and kitchen cabinets should complement each other and simultaneously create a fantastic contrast.

Source: Statista.com
Even more importantly, your color choice should create perfect harmony in your kitchen.
Well, here is a guide to help you give your kitchen a consummate makeover.
JUMP TO: What Color Comes first: Wall or Cabinet | Tips on Matching Wall & Cabinet Colors | Cabinet-Wall Color Options|
Take Away
- It’s not mandatory that wall paint matches that of kitchen cabinets.
- However, matching kitchen cabinets and walls help create a beautiful visual appeal.
- If your wall color must match your kitchen cabinets, look out for what impresses you most.
- Again, seek to know which color combinations blend harmoniously with each other.
What Should Come First – Wall Color or Cabinets’ Color?
I would suggest you choose the color of your cabinet first. It is evident in any kitchen set-up that cabinets occupy significant wall spaces.
Walking in any kitchen, what catches your attention first?
It is the kitchen cabinets and other furniture.
Besides, you will want to ensure every piece of furniture fits perfectly in the kitchen space, including the color. This should come before deciding which wall color will complement your furniture.
Matching Wall Color and Cabinet Color – Important Tips

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The correct wall paint to use will largely depend on the color of your kitchen cabinets. Therefore, consider the following tips to ensure you have a flawless outcome.
Use Colour to Balance Mood and Light

Sauce: 99designs.com
Did you know that colors and emotions have always had a close relationship?
Yes. Colors evoke different feelings, such as happiness, sadness, anger, and a sense of relaxation. According to the psychology of color, colors have emotional and mental effects on people.
For example, it’s believed that warm colors such as orange, red, and soft yellow evoke emotions such as happiness, love, or passion. On the other hand, cool colors such as purple, light blue, and green evoke calmness or indifference.
Color | Associated feeling |
Orange | Energized and enthusiastic |
Yellow | Happy and spontaneous |
Red | Passionate and energized |
Green | Optimistic and refreshed |
Blue | Safe and relaxed |
Light/ Dark Pink | Playful and romantic |
Light Gray or soft gray | Serious and professional |
So, ensure you understand the psychological impact of cabinet color combinations before using them in your kitchen. In fact, the mood will purely depend on color;
Consider what you feel about the colors before painting your kitchen cabinets and walls.
Do a Perfect Blend of Kitchen Cabinet’s Paint Color with the Room
Before you embark on a complete makeover of your kitchen, pay close attention to the items and the room walls. It is okay to be adventurous when it comes to color mixology.
However, consider different aspects of color blending if you want to do a perfect job. Consider the following;
- Material and appearance of the wall cabinets and the room
- What style do you wish to adopt? Whether it is a modern style or traditional style.
- What color scheme fits your cabinets and the room? Choose whether it is warm, cool, or neutral.
- Ensure you strike a balance between the colors you use. There should be a balance between primary, secondary, and accent colors.
Therefore, you will have perfect results with the right color scheme matched with your cabinets.
Consider a Tone-on-Tone Look for Aesthetics
According to a research gate publication, creating a painting that captures the viewer’s attention and brings out significant points is crucial.
Remember, the target is to make an impression that creates an appealing engagement in your kitchen.
But, how is tone important in bringing out aesthetics? A tone-on-tone technique is a steady trend that focuses on a few colors but has the same tone.
Therefore, ensure equal saturation among the colors in your kitchen space to bring out a perfect cabinet blend.
Consider pops of bold color for an energetic look.
An exciting trend that has stood the taste of time is how a bold and light color provokes powerful feelings.
Take, for example, how a bright red or a bright yellow wall paint color captures your attention and stands out from the surrounding.
However, ensure you blend your colors well between walls and the kitchen cabinets. In fact, too many bold colors can be pesky to the eye.
Consider two-toned kitchen cabinets to break the monotony
While using one color brings out the power in your kitchen, it is not a binding rule to create a point of focus in your kitchen.
A two-toned cabinet will not only create beauty and attention, but it is a way to enable you to have a homier kitchen with a cozier feel. You can also add a metal cabinets stand to compliment the overall look.
More so, using one color in your kitchen can be considered old-fashioned. Therefore, if you want to modernize your kitchen, why not try a two-toned cabinet to break the monotony?
Also Read: 18 Things to Put on Top of Kitchen Cabinets That Will Blow Your Mind
Use Multi-Colored Backsplashes

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Challenge yourself with the creation of different colors in your kitchen space. You will be surprised how amazing you can create a blend of fun, soft, and unique colors in your kitchen.
Vary the Backs-Plash Tile

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Besides traditional ways, such as wallpapers and paint colors, backsplash tile adds value to your kitchen and creates a beautiful aesthetic.
However, as you choose the tiles to use in your space, ensure you consider;
- Color options
- Design style options
- Color schemes
Besides, the use of backsplash tiles not only adds value to your kitchen. But it makes cleaning easy and controls moisture in your kitchen space.
Cabinet-Wall Color Options To Consider
The choice of cabinet-wall color will depend on two options.
- The type of material used in designing the wall cabinets.
- The appearance of the wall cabinet.
However, you have a few options to consider when making a choice. But remember, there is no law to adhere to while trying out different colors. So, be bold and bring out the best in your kitchen space.
Light colors
Lighter paint color is usually the best option, especially for small kitchens with stainless steel appliances. Examples of light color paint include Red, Blue, and Green.
They help to brighten the entire room and make it look spacious.
Dark color

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Darker colors can also give your kitchen a terrific appearance. It’s still possible to paint your walls black and have dark cabinets as well.
However, it’s advisable that you choose a contrasting color for the kitchen floor in such cases. Create contrast in colors and fixtures to effectively break the tone.
Failure to break the tone, you may find yourself in a room that looks like a black hole, with dark walls and cabinets!
Some examples of dark colors include:
- Black
- Charcoal
- Dark Gray
- Russet
- Tyrian Purple
- Navy Blue
- Burgundy
- Hunter Green
Contrasting Colors
Consider using a combination of two distinct colors with tints and different shades that do not match your kitchen cabinets and walls. Remember you want to create a successful interior design unique to your kitchen space.
Moreover, you get a strong and stand-out look when you create contrast. When your cabinets add contrast to your kitchen walls, it creates a dramatic effect.
You can consider the following contrasting floor color options:
- Orange against medium blue.
- A slightly reddish tint complements green.
- Pale yellow against purple.
- Black and pure white cabinets.
Harmonious Colors
They are also known as complementary colors. They are ideal for creating a balanced feel in your kitchen.
Harmonious colors are usually the ones that you will find together in nature.
Are you looking to create a feel that is satisfying to the eye? Consider harmonious colors. According to a BBC publication, they create a friendly environment.
Factors to Consider to Get it Right in Matching colors
Matching colors does not mean, for example, if you have pure white cabinets, you must have white walls.
Different people are driven by various factors while matching cabinets and wall colors. Even so, follow the following factors to attain the desired results.
Look out for Inspiration
Human beings find joy in different aspects of life. You are not an exception. Find out what brings out the best in you, and go for it.
Understand Color Undertones
Do not rush to paint colors on your kitchen cabinets and walls before you understand the substances of the color.
One color may look good to the eye but bring out a different result you never expected on painted cabinets or walls.
Therefore, take time and find out the actual shade of the color you want to use. Warm undertones will go a long way in lighting up your kitchen space.
Go for the Right Sheen
What reason do you have when choosing a paint color for your kitchen walls and cabinets? Different colors have different sheen options. So, before choosing a cabinet and wall color, consider the basis and outcome you are looking for.
You can choose various options to determine the appearance of your walls and cabinets.
Use Testers

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If you are a beginner, you might not know which color to choose for your wall. Then testers might come in handy when making a choice.
Using these testers will allow you to know how the outcome will be when exposed to a different condition.
One encouraging bit about testers is that they are not expensive so you can use different colors.
Stick to Neutrals
Consider colors that blend well with the rest of the house. You might want to create an impression in the kitchen space, but keep a keen eye on your colors to avoid irritating and creating unwelcome contrast.
Remember, a neutral color scheme does not mean focusing on brown, grey, or white color cabinets. On the contrary, these colors create harmony with other pieces of furniture in the room.
Establish a Color Theme throughout Your House
What color exists in your house before focusing on your kitchen space? Do you intend to maintain the same color and blend the kitchen area with a different color? How will the outcome be?
Perhaps you must ask yourself such questions before deciding which color scheme you intend to adopt.
Above all, ensure you bring out color cohesiveness in your home by having a theme that blends well.