The Best Off-White Paint Colors for Kitchen Cabinets

Your guide to pick a great choice for the interior off-white paint colors in your kitchen space.

Do you ever find yourself standing in front of a wall of paint swatches, feeling overwhelmed and unsure of which off-white shade makes the best choice for your kitchen cabinets? You're not alone. With so many options available, it can be difficult to determine which color will truly make your kitchen shine.

In this article, we'll delve into interior off-white paint colors and help you choose the perfect shade for your white kitchen cabinets. Prepare to say goodbye to decision paralysis and hello to a beautifully designed kitchen! Whether you're a seasoned interior design pro or a novice homeowner, these helpful tips will provide you with everything you need to know for a timeless look in your kitchen. So let's get started and learn how to transform your kitchen with the perfect white paint color.

How to Choose Off-White Paint Colors for Kitchen Cabinets

Picking a white paint color is hard. There are so many whites and off-white colors of paint. It took me awhile to decide which color I wanted for my kitchen. Keep these paint factors in mind as you compare different shades of paint.

• How much natural light is in your home? Are you using artificial?
• How big is the space?
• What feeling are you going for in a room - bright and airy, moody, happy, dramatic, etc?
• Do you want your cabinet color to stand out?
• Contrast between walls and molding

Consider Lighting Methods

One of the first things you want to consider when deciding what shade of white kitchen cabinets is the lighting. The color temperature you choose for your light bulbs or artificial lighting may change the way your color is displayed. For example, if you choose anything under 3000K, this tends to bring in warm undertones. On the other hand, anything LED that is closer to the 5000K range will focus on cool whites and may possibly pull in gray undertones or give the appearance as such.

And don't forget about natural lighting too. Lots of natural light will give a more accurate look as to how your paint color appears. A kitchen that has lots of natural light will look bright all on its own and may not need bright whites in the space. Decide which color palette compliments your lighting the best and be sure to look at your paint swatches in the daylight as well as the evening.

Size of Space

Think about how large your space is. If you have a small kitchen, lighter cabinets like a white color is an excellent choice because this type of color scheme can make your space feel much bigger. Any shade of white kitchen cabinets will be a great option for the illusion of space.

Room Atmosphere

What specific atmosphere or feeling do you want to create for your kitchen? The color choice does effect the atmosphere you want to establish. Off-white cabinets that have more yellow undertones will lean towards a creamy white. This pulls in warm tones and may create a warm, cozy atmosphere that is more conducive to intimate conversation and relaxation.

Choosing a crisp white that heeds to cooler tones is great for putting in a space that is more lively and busy. Cool white can create a clean look and modern design, which is often utilized in today's kitchens. However, you also don't want the space to appear too cold or unwelcoming so a blend of other tones, often wood tones, is needed.

Pay special attention to the underlying tones in your paint colors, because that can effect the outcome for the room.

Stand Out or Blend in

How much do you want your cabinets to stand out in your kitchen space? I wanted my cabinets white, but I didn't want them to blend into my white walls completely. This can be a tricky balance for those with a white wall color, because you still want your kitchen to have some pizazz and wow factors that are noticeable.

For these white cabinets in my farmhouse kitchen, I opted to use Benjamin Moore paint in Chalk White. This popular choice is pretty white, but leans slightly to the cool side. It is a perfect cool off-white color if you want a subtle cool influence.

My kitchen cabinets and moldings are all painted in different sheens of Benjamin Moore's Chalk White. The ceiling is a matte finish, the cabinets are a baked finish and the moldings are satin. This helps to differentiate and add a bit more custom feel to the space.

You can see all of my hardware finishes for our kitchen here.

Contrast Between Walls and Molding

If you choose to have your kitchen cabinets a different white than your interior walls, make sure that you can also see a difference between the walls and molding. This will help to define each white space and not blend it all together.

There is a slight contrast between my white moldings and white walls. The off-white color we used for the kitchen wall is Snowbound by Sherwin Williams in a satin sheen. Use caution with this Sherwin Williams color because it can have a pink undertone.

At first I hated the wall color and I was determined to repaint the entire house. However, it has grown on me and ended up providing the perfect balance between warm colors for walls and cool tones of our white cabinetry and moldings.

Other Design Ideas for Off-White Paint Colors

Here are a few other options to consider for picking the perfect choice for your kitchen color palette.

Chalk White in Master Bedroom

When painting an accent wall that is also white, consider sticking to the molding color. It helps to add a little contrast to the accent wall against the off-white color walls. This DIY wall is in our master bedroom and is painted with Chalk White in satin by Benjamin Moore. Consider this design option if you choose to use an accent wall in your kitchen.

Snowbound and Chalk White for Interior Walls

I painted the walls in Snowbound by Sherwin Williams for the whole house and used Chalk White for the moldings and accent walls. I have really liked that the whole house is the same color, it makes touch-ups much easier.

Halo and White Dove for Interior Walls

In our previous home I used Halo by Benjamin Moore for our wall color and Benjamin Moore White Dove for our moldings. I love the subtle contrast these two off-white colors have. These could also be a great option of off-white paint colors for kitchen cabinets.

And of course, here are a few more trendy shades of off-white rising in popularity!

• Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace
• Sherwin Williams Alabaster
• Sherwin Williams Pure White
• Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee

Going Gray

Still on the fence about finding the right shade of white? Maybe going a little more gray will also fit the look if your kitchen. You can check out my guide to picking a gray paint color here.

Choosing the right off-white paint color for your kitchen cabinets can be a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. Consider all of the tips mentioned and you can create a beautiful and cohesive look for your kitchen that reflects your personal style.

Remember, the key is to find the perfect balance between warmth and brightness, and to pay attention to the undertones of the paint color. With the right off-white paint, you can transform your kitchen into a welcoming and inviting space that you and your family will love for years to come.

Happy Painting!

Brooke