Instagram Facebook
Search
Close this search box.

Should Your Kitchen Cabinets and Walls be the Same Color?

By

Zakhar Ivanisov
Published: November 18, 2021
Updated: October 30, 2023

Should Your Kitchen Cabinets and Walls Be the Same Color?

Picking a color for your kitchen cabinets—and your kitchen in general—can be a challenging decision with endless possibilities. When you find a color you like, it can be tempting to use it on everything in sight. However, should your kitchen cabinets be the same color as your walls?

Kitchen walls and cabinets don’t need to be the same color, but that certainly doesn’t mean they can’t. In fact, it can create an alluring, uniform look! Kitchen cabinets naturally draw the eye with the amount of space they cover. Matching them to the wall expands this block of color, giving the whole kitchen an artfully cohesive aesthetic that is sure to turn a few heads.

On the flip side, you risk creating a bland look if you don’t consider how the rest of your kitchen will play into your color choice. What other colors are you going to pair with it? Will there be enough contrast? How will you create intrigue? These are just a few of the questions you need to ask when making this color choice

Read on for everything to consider when matching your kitchen walls and cabinets. Find out how to add contrast with other elements, when matching cabinets may not be the best idea, and more tips and tricks.

01
of 11

Two-toned Cabinets Help Avoid Monotony

Should Your Kitchen Cabinets and Walls Be the Same Color?

Photo: desertdecor

Try painting your upper and lower cabinets different colors for a look that is anything but boring. Match one set of cabinets to the wall and then in the other set a different color. Choosing two-toned kitchen cabinets in solid colors is terrific if you’re going for a clean and minimal look. Prefer something a bit more rustic or traditional? Pairing painted cabinets with wood cabinets is another great option.

02
of 11

Create Contrast in Other Areas

Should Your Kitchen Cabinets and Walls Be the Same Color?

Photo: eachdayisacelebrationinc

White cabinets and white walls can make any kitchen feel fresh and vibrant… but without contrast, it can just as quickly make a space feel sterile and bland. Creating contrast in other areas is a must to bring life to your kitchen. This kitchen goes for a bold look with a black oven and range hood cover and wood cabinets lining the lower half of the kitchen to add warmth.

03
of 11

Paint Above the Cabinets for a Pop of Intrigue

Should Your Kitchen Cabinets and Walls Be the Same Color?

Photo: a_bit_of_rustic_and_vintage

The most wow-worthy kitchen designs often have a few unexpected elements, which is exactly what adding color above the cabinets does for a minimalist kitchen. A strip of contrasting paint above the cabinets will help draw the eye up and add a whole new layer of allure. To create a more intricate look, you may even want to consider decorating the top of the kitchen cabinets.

04
of 11

Pops of Bold Color Offer a Vivid and Energetic Look

Should Your Kitchen Cabinets and Walls Be the Same Color?

Photo: lala_earth

Nothing says fun like a few pops of color! They also work really well when you have a big block of blank canvas to work with, thanks to matching walls and kitchen cabinets. You can incorporate bold hues by displaying colorful dishware on open shelving, adding a vase full of fresh blooms, decorating the countertop with accessories, or creating a vignette with antique finds on an island.

05
of 11

Create Contrast with Appliances

Should Your Kitchen Cabinets and Walls Be the Same Color?

Photo: blessed_and_farmhouse_obsessed

Adding appliances in contrasting colors or finishes is a simple and chic way to create contrast in a kitchen with matching cabinets and walls. You need appliances anyway, so why not make them pop?

06
of 11

Textured Walls are a Go-To for Avoiding a Bland Look

Should Your Kitchen Cabinets and Walls Be the Same Color?

Photo: ahoneyofafarmhouse

Plain-painted walls are great for embracing a minimalist look. However, if you want to craft a look that feels rich and layered, add some texture to your walls, such as shiplap, installing a backsplash, or using a textured painting technique.

07
of 11

Multi-Colored Backsplashes Tone Down the Matchiness

Should Your Kitchen Cabinets and Walls Be the Same Color?

Photo: athomewithjenna

If you find that perfectly matching kitchen cabinets to the walls feels too conservative, then look for a backsplash in varying shades—with one of the colors matching your cabinets. It will still be a great match, but it also adds intrigue and texture!

08
of 11

Varying the Backsplash Tile Creates Intrigue

Should Your Kitchen Cabinets and Walls Be the Same Color?

Photo: adventuresindecorating1

When your backsplash matches your cabinets, you miss out on some of the intrigue and contrast these elements may offer. However, not all hope is lost—the space under the range hood is a great place to add some patterned or ornate tile to juxtapose your matching cabinets and walls. Spanish tile is a favorite of a farmhouse and coastal homes alike. However, tiles that create pictures, like a rooster, would also look great in cottage-style homes.

09
of 11

Cabinets in Open-Concept Spaces Don’t Just Belong to the Kitchen

Should Your Kitchen Cabinets and Walls Be the Same Color?

Photo: austincreekfarmhouse

Kitchen island cabinets that sit between the kitchen and living room (or dining room) should be treated with extra care because you need to consider the color scheme of both the kitchen and adjoining rooms. If you want the island to offer subtle visual division between spaces, matching the walls and cabinets may not be best—try a contrasting paint color instead. However, if you want it to softly flow in your space, then cabinets that match the surrounding walls will work.

10
of 11

Contrasting Countertops Break up Large Blocks of Color

Should Your Kitchen Cabinets and Walls Be the Same Color?

Photo: olamaria_home

In every good design, the eye needs some blank space to rest. However, too much of a good thing can make a kitchen feel dull and uninspired. Luckily, using contrasting countertops will break up any monotony created by matching cabinets and walls. Can’t afford new countertops? Try redoing your countertops with contact paper.

11
of 11

Go Big with the Ceiling

Should Your Kitchen Cabinets and Walls Be the Same Color?

Photo: taysandcodesign

The chic uniform look of matching kitchen cabinets and walls creates a fantastic opportunity to get creative with your ceiling. From barn wood planks to tin tiles to dramatic colors—the options are endless!

Picture of Zakhar Ivanisov

Zakhar Ivanisov

Meet Zakhar Ivanisov, a Seattle-based entrepreneur and design enthusiast at the helm of Soul & Lane. With a heart full of passion, Zakhar blends his business acumen and a keen eye for aesthetics to create spaces that are as inviting as they are stylish. His venture into the world of home decor and organization reflects a unique fusion of entrepreneurial spirit and a genuine love for transforming living spaces.

More Interesting Posts

Elevated Farmhouse-Inspired en Suite
Kitchen
Laura Schmits

21 Gray Tile and Grout Color Combinations You Can’t Resist

It’s no secret that gray is my color of choice when redecorating rooms in my home. The shade is peaceful and neutral and pairs well with any and all accents I may choose. It’s the perfect backdrop to accompany rotating decorations and accessories that are much easier to change than repainting every few years. And I’m all about finding stylish solutions that can go the distance!

My love of gray also extends to bathroom and kitchen tile selections. Finding the best grout color can be tricky, especially when there are so many options! I love darker grout with gray tile to make a contemporary statement, but I also enjoy the look of white grout and light gray for a farmhouse or country aesthetic. If you need a few ideas to help you get started, you’ll enjoy this selection of gray tile and grout color combinations we’ve gathered below.

Read More »
November 29, 2024 No Comments
Drop-In Bathtub Ideas in Creative Locations
Bathroom
Taylor Travers

26 Extraordinary Drop-in Bathtub Ideas for the Perfect Soak

Bathtime can be fun again with drop-in bathtub ideas that you can’t take your eyes off. Because drop-in tubs aren’t known for their captivating style, it is all about the base, location, and accessories that you choose to accompany them.
Alcove tubs, a versatile choice that suits bathrooms of any size, can be elevated with a touch of creativity. Enhance these tubs with a distinctive tile backsplash to infuse them with character. The corners provide ample space for arranging small accessories, candles, or bath bubbles. And don’t forget a chic bath caddy, a small addition that enhances relaxation while maintaining a spa-like ambiance in your bathroom.
In larger bathrooms where the tub is central, we suggest creating a tiled frame to hide the basic tub design. This will allow you to prioritize luxury and open the door to endless accessory combinations. Our gallery below is waiting to showcase some extraordinary drop-in bathtub ideas you won’t want to miss!

Read More »
November 15, 2024 No Comments
Bringing Warmth to a Bathroom Design
Bathroom
Taylor Travers

24 Stylish Tips for Mixing Metal Finishes in the Bathroom

You can tell a true home décor lover by the way they mix metal finishes in a bathroom design. While bathrooms are not what you typically imagine as the most luxurious room in a home, you will be shocked by the small details you can add to make these spaces more glamorous.
Simplify any bathroom refresh by swapping out old, tired vanity hardware for some new, sparkling adornments. While you may want to stick with one metallic finish like gold, brass, chrome, nickel, or copper for the actual vanity hardware, you can always switch it up with a different faucet, lighting, or vanity mirror. After all, who could choose just one of these glimmering elements when there are so many options?
Give in to your natural love for shiny things and finish your design by mixing metal finishes in a bathroom. There are many examples in our gallery below just waiting to capture your attention!

Read More »
November 1, 2024 No Comments
Scroll to Top
Menu