Green is a color that evokes feelings of balance and harmony, making it a perfect selection for one of the busiest rooms in your home. Depending on your style and preferences, the shade you choose can make a huge difference in the entire look of the room and how you feel while occupying the space. “It looks like such a happy color!” enthuses contributor Tracy. “I say go for it!”
The Real Deal on Green Kitchen Cabinets: Regrets and Revelations
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Published: June 26, 2024
Updated: March 28, 2024
Painted cabinetry is a trend that’s here to stay, and there’s good reason for it! It a world that’s been dominated by neutral kitchens that all feel a bit… well, boring, adding color is the perfect way to show off your style and personality and breathe new life into your home design. Color psychology shows that green is associated with renewed energy, balance, and positivity. Personally, I can’t think of better feelings to have while working in one of the most chaotic and hectic rooms in my home!
Even as a more modern accent in kitchen design, green cabinets work fantastically well with any aesthetic. In a space with classic or traditional features, a lighter shade that reads as a neutral will fit beautifully in the rest of your home’s style. Contemporary or modern aesthetics pair perfectly with dark olive or a moody greenish gray that give a striking and bold look.
If dark, moody hues aren’t your first choice, you don’t have to worry. Everything from pale gray greens to shades bold emerald are possible, especially when you see what our contributors have to share below!
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Country and farmhouse-style kitchens rely on neutrals to establish a light and airy aesthetic. But that doesn’t mean sticking only to whites and grays! Subtle green tones can still appear neutral and are a phenomenal way to incorporate a gentle blush of color without detracting from the overall design. Your desired shade can always be made even more light by asking your paint mixer to cut the color by 25%, although we recommend getting a sample first and testing it in multiple lightings to ensure it’s precisely what you want.
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Sometimes, green kitchen cabinetry isn’t a look you’ve chosen but one you inherit when you move into a new home. Doing a complete kitchen overhaul to achieve your ideal aesthetic may be tempting. Still, we encourage you to wait before diving into such an expensive and disruptive home renovation. Instead, follow the advice of reader Rachel about her green kitchen: “It wouldn’t have been my first choice necessarily, but it’s grown on me!” If, after a few years, you still want to change the color scheme, you’ll do so knowing that it’s genuinely what you want.
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Interior designer Meredith Taylor has strong feelings about the potential for green in a kitchen design. “Any shade of
color can be used in a kitchen to create a classic and timeless look by balancing more classic finishes with it,” she writes. “In the instance of using green, I think shades that feel warmer and more neutral will stand the test of time.” This is definitely true over darker, more vibrant shades, which may be too trendy for some tastes, and it’s polarizing if you’re ever looking to sell your home.
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One of the biggest drawbacks to selecting a darker paint hue for your cabinetry is that darker colors tend to show nicks, scratches, and smudges much more easily than light colors. Alecia has this complaint, stating, “We had the cabinets sprayed professionally by the manufacturer, and they still chipped. I love the bold pop of color, but I can’t deal with the chips.” This is a great warning to take into consideration when you’re deliberating over your final design selection.
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Have you ever heard of a chameleon color? It’s an easy way to describe a shade that can look different in various lighting, which is perfect if you’re not completely sold on one bold hue. Homeowner Jennifer echoes this sentiment when sharing about her love for the chameleon color in her home: “I love how it can look blue or grey depending on the light.” We would add in green as well, giving this kitchen’s island an ever-changing color scheme worth emulating.
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Dark, moody colors are incredibly popular right now, a sentiment echoed by interior designer Neha Kaimal. However, that doesn’t mean they won’t stand the test of time with some careful consideration! Neha gave us her expert opinion, writing: “For a timeless and classic look, I recommend considering a moody deep olive green, exemplified by shades like Rock Bottom by Sherwin Williams or Peale Green by Benjamin Moore. This particular hue adds sophistication to the space, creating a timeless aesthetic that resonates well with various design
elements.” Warm wood floors and elegant white quartz blend these classic elements together in a way that will continue to look stunning for many years.
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While green kitchens may be trendy right now, many of us are right to think twice before going through the laborious and time-consuming process of repainting cabinetry. Having gone through this tedious process myself, ensuring you’re completely happy with your paint color before you begin is vital. Otherwise, you may want to change things again in only a few short years. I also recommend playing around with different hardware options, which can breathe new life into your overall design and help give your space a warm or cool undertone, depending on your preference.
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According to veteran interior designer Katie Perry, green can transcend trends and stand the test of time. “A good way to keep the scheme ageless is to reference nature in your color palette.,” she shares. “Green kitchens are still very much still on trend, particularly darker moody greens… A sage green is classic, particularly in a country kitchen. A deep forest green also has an elegance that could withstand the test of time.” We love her advice, especially to include natural elements, such as leafy plants, to create an enchanting aura.
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Depending on how long you’ve had a green kitchen, you may feel differently about the look and design. This is definitely true for home design enthusiast Christina, who shared that she “Loved it until recently. But I think it’s normal to want change after a while.” As your tastes and preferences change, it’s natural that you may want to update the various designs in your home to reflect that.
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There is no denying that adding color to kitchen cabinetry isn’t just a passing trend. Whether it’s all your cabinetry or certain sections, such as lower cabinets or the island, adding a fresh infusion of color can breathe new life into your home. “Definitely love the pop of color!” enthuses homeowner Kelsey. If the rest of your home focuses on whites and grays, we recommend playing with a few cheerful hues to add a new dimension to the overall aura of your home. After all, green doesn’t seem to be going out of style any time soon!