22 Kitchen Paint Colors That Go With Oak Cabinets

Painting oak cabinets can be notoriously difficult because of the wood's natural grain, so if you find yourself with an 80s kitchen in need of a face lift, then your easiest route to renovation is choose paint colors that go with oak cabinets and bring out the beauty of the wood. By painting the cabinets a color that works with the recognizable warm tones of oak, you can update your kitchen without spending a fortune on all new cabinetry or weeks trying to put layers of paint on top of the oak.

You can go one of two routes, either enhancing the warmth of the wood with warm neutrals and vibrant shades or downplaying the yellows and oranges in a honey oak cabinet stain by contrasting it with cooler neutrals and colors, like deep blues and earthy greens.

Ready to transform your oak cabinet kitchen without touching the cabinets? Here's how to choose a kitchen paint color to suit your cabinets and your kitchen's style, as well as 22 kitchen paint colors that go with oak cabinets.

Paint Color Tips for Oak Cabinets

Honey oak cabinets, which are what you will see in many kitchens with cabinets, have yellow and orange undertones. This color can make a room look dated, unless you choose a paint color to either work with them or contrast them. Here's how to choose the right color to go with oak cabinets.

• Warm colors bring out the yellows and oranges in oak cabinets, but in a good way! They enhance the warm for a rich, cozy feeling.
  

• Neutral, cool colors help balance the warm tones and make the space feel lighter and more modern.

• Colors to avoid with oak cabinets include pure red, yellow, or orange since it can bring out the warmth too much. Meanwhile, bright colors like bright blues or greens can clash with the cabinets rather than neutralize them.
  

• Natural light can make colors look lighter and brighter, so if you have ample windows and sunlight streaming in, you can embrace darker colors with your oak cabinets. Try contrasting them with a deep blue or rich, earthy green.

• Artificial light will bring out the yellow in oak cabinets and should generally be avoided, regardless of paint color.
  

• Before deciding on the right paint color to go with your oak cabinets, consider ordering samples. Peel and stick samples are generally the best option since they won't leave a layer of paint like swatching directly on the wall will.

• When looking at different paint colors, consider the light reflective value (LRV). Black is 0% because it doesn't reflect any light. You may want to consider colors closer to 100%, which will reflect maximum light and help brighten up your oak cabinet kitchen.

Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray SW-7015

Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray is calming and light warm gray will play nicely with the warm tones of oak cabinets, while providing a contrasting tone that will keep the yellow and orange from taking center stage. It's a versatile, calming neutral that looks lovely with countertops that have gray veining.

Sherwin-Williams Rainwashed SW-6211

A light and airy blue-green adds a crisp, sea-inspired look to oak cabinets. Completely contrasting their yellow-toned warmth, this blue-green brings a serene and modern look to the kitchen. Imagine brewing a pot of coffee surrounded by this peaceful color, made even cozier by your wood cabinets.

Benjamin Moore Horizon OC-53

Just a hint of gray is what you'll get with Benjamin Moore Horizon OC-53. It has subtle cool blue-gray undertones that make it the perfect color to temper the warmth of oak cabinets. Incorporate crisp white trim to give the entire kitchen a fresh look.

Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17

Benjamin Moore White Dove has an enthusiastic following. Ask any designer for their favorite white, and there's a good chance White Dove will be near the top of the list. This slightly creamy white kitchen paint is a neutral that will warm up to oak cabinets, but in a subdued, calming way rather than feeling overly orange.

Sherwin-Williams Accessible Beige SW-7036

If you want to up the coziness factor with your oak cabinets, then look to Sherwin-Williams Accessible Beige. This color is a warm, gray-tinted beige that has the look of clay straight from the ground. It pairs beautifully with earthy colors, which means you could accent your kitchen with sage green or terracotta red to bring out the natural side of the oak.

Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter HC-172

Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter is the perfect bridge between beige and taupe, with tones that aren't quite warm but aren't quite cool. It's truly a neutral, and it looks classic next to oak cabinets where it helps to neutralize the warm orange and yellow within the cabinets. Try layering it with other darker woods for a more complex look.

Benjamin Moore Decorator's White CC-20

If you are looking for a pure shade of white that does not feel too cool or too warm, consider Benjamin Moore Decorator's White. The lovely hue was designed to create a pitch-perfect backdrop for both serene and vibrant spaces. And because white walls are reflected, this particular shade will beautifully reflect the golden honey color of oak.

Sherwin-Williams Kilim Beige SW-6106

If you want to play to the warmth of honey oak cabinets, then Sherwin-Williams Kilim Beige will bring out the depth in the wood. With pink undertones rather than orange or yellow, it adds a softer look that's welcoming and comfortable.

The Spruce Best Home Cosmic Sapphire SPR-18

Many interior decorating experts agree that vibrant shades of blue beautifully harmonize with natural wood tones. That said, The Spruce Best Home Cosmic Sapphire is quickly becoming a crowd favorite for those in the know. The lovely shade has a subtle charcoal undertone, which gives it a contemporary edge over other variations of navy blue.

Sherwin-Williams Comfort Gray SW-6205

Sherwin-Williams Comfort Gray is a tranquil green-gray that feels like a dreary, foggy day—but in a romantic, pretty way. It will cool down and contrast your honey oak kitchen cabinets and give them a more relaxed, serene look.

Benjamin Moore Abalone 2108-60

Just like its namesake shell, Benjamin Moore Abalone is a soft, light gray paint that has a hint of mauve. This subdued color serves as a more modern, sophisticated backdrop to oak cabinets. Abalone feels sleek and updated, bringing out the best in the warm tones of oak.

Sherwin-Williams Natural Linen SW 9109

Some creamy, beige colors can have a heavy brown undertone that feels sad and drab, but that is not the case with Sherwin-Williams Natural Linen. It has a slight tinge of yellow that instantly perks up any space. Even better, the hue warms up a room without feeling overbearing, which will allow furnishing like natural wood cabinets to be the star of the proverbial show.

The Spruce Best Home Distilled Aqua SPR-10

Your search for the ideal pastel paint color that toes the line between blue and green is over. The Spruce Best Home Distilled Aqua is a gentle hue of dusty blue with a lovely ocean green undertone that pairs beautifully with both dark and light wood tones.

Benjamin Moore Silver Gray 2131-60

If you want no part of the warmth of oak cabinets, then your best bet is to go firmly in the other direction. Benjamin Moore Silver Gray is a mesmerizing blue-green gray that is light and airy. Add other cool elements, like white countertops, then add a touch of warmth with brass fixtures.

Sherwin-Williams Evergreen Fog SW-9130

This stunning green has hints of both blue and green, giving it a vintage-inspired, moody look. Sherwin-Williams Evergreen Fog is the best green paint to use when you want to lean into the nostalgic side of oak cabinets, pairing it with slate blue accents and marble countertops.

Benjamin Moore Collingwood OC-28

When you combine gray with beige you get a fantastic neutral tone called greige. Benjamin Moore Collingwood is a massive crowd-pleaser with a robust cool undertone that makes warm wood tones simply sing, especially oak cabinets with red tones.

Farrow and Ball Down Pipe No. 26

If you are looking to appease your dark side, give in to this decadent shade of charcoal by Farrow and Ball Down Pipe. It is an incredibly rich shade of gray that works with a broad range of contrasting materials with light and bright finishes—for instance, picture dark charcoal wall with honey-toned, oak wood cabinets with brushed brass hardware.

Sherwin-Williams Canvas Tan SW-7531

A crisp khaki just like its name would suggest, this warm neutral leans both light and bright, as well as cozy. It brightens up oak cabinets, while still letting them maintain their nostalgic, warm look. This is the color to go for if you want a welcoming look in your kitchen that encourages the entire family to gather.

Magnolia Home Dutch Tulip

You like the color beige, but you are looking for a similar neutral color that adds a little zest to your kitchen walls. Enter: Dutch Tulip by Magnolia Home. The soft and creamy pastel has a hint of orange, which blends beautifully with all types of natural wood, no matter the undertone, including yellow and red.

Farrow and Ball Breakfast Room No. 38

As the name implies this gorgeous shade by Farrow and Ball named Breakfast Room Green, we give any cooking space a cheerful Sunday morning vibe. When it comes to coordinating this shade with woodwork, it is a slam dunk. The particular shade of green was designed to pop against different brown and wood tones.

Farrow and Ball Clunch No. 2009

Farrow and Ball Clunch is an ivory white that feels more complex than you average off-white. It has a slightly yellow base, which means it complements oak cabinets nicely, but it's fresh and crisp enough not to feel overly warm. The result is a kitchen that feels timeless and evokes a traditional farmhouse feel.

Benjamin Moore Simply White OC-117

Benjamin Moore Simply White has one of the most accurate paint name descriptions. It is simply a crisp, lovely white. It has ever-so-slight warm undertones, but, next to oak cabinets, it will read like a fresh, bright white. Try it in a kitchen with abundant natural light for an airy, classic look.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you modernize honey oak cabinets?

Your honey oak cabinets can feel warm and modern if you update other elements of the kitchen. Choose a wall paint color that complements their warm tones and update the cabinet hardware to gold or brass. You can also update elements like the backsplash and countertops to feel more sleek and modern, while still bringing out the warm tones of the oak.

Are oak cabinets coming back in 2023?

Wood cabinets are actually becoming more popular in 2023! Darker woods like walnut are seeing the biggest resurgence, but all wood is fair game. However, oak cabinets can still look outdated, especially with an older trim or door style, so make sure to update them with simple design changes.

How do you downplay honey oak cabinets?

You can use light, slightly warm neutrals or cool neutrals to subdue and calm the wood’s warmth rather than drawing out the yellow and orange tones. Think contrast rather than enhancement when you choose your accent colors and paint color.

Read Next: The 7 Best Brands of Paint for Kitchen Cabinets of 2023

Read the original article on The Spruce.