Gray has surged in popularity as a top pick for kitchen cabinets, with good reason! It’s remarkedly versatile and neutral, working with any color palette or design scheme. Yet, deciding between gray paint colors for your cabinets is no small feat; it’s a delicate dance between warm undertones, cool undertones, light gray, and dark gray. In this post I am featuring some of the best gray paint for cabinets by Sherwin Williams.
From the cozy embrace of warm grays to the crisp allure of cool grays, we’ll navigate the spectrum of light to dark hues. Elevate your kitchen with my curated Sherwin Williams selections, ensuring a harmonious blend within your unique design vision!
Gray is a neutral color that exudes a timeless and elegant feel.
Gray comes in various shades and undertones, offering a wide range of options to suit different kitchen styles and color schemes. Whether you prefer a warm or cool gray, you can find a shade that complements your overall kitchen design.
Gray cabinets serve as an excellent neutral backdrop, allowing you to experiment with different accent colors in the kitchen. You may want to add pops of vibrant hues or opt to stick to a monochromatic palette, either way, gray provides a versatile canvas.
Most lighter shades of gray can help brighten up a kitchen, especially if there is not a lot of natural light in your space.
Gray is a color that effortlessly coordinates with a variety of materials and finishes. If you have stainless steel appliances, natural stone countertops, or wood flooring; gray cabinets can complement these elements seamlessly.
Gray tends to be a little more forgiving than white cabinets when it comes to concealing smudges.
Gray is a color that can adapt to changing design trends. If you decide to update other elements of your kitchen and possibly adjoining living room in the future, gray cabinets can easily integrate into different styles and color palettes.
Colors can have psychological effects, and gray is often associated with feelings of stability, balance, and calm.
Neutral colors such as gray, are generally more appealing to a broader audience. If you decide to sell your home, gray kitchen cabinets may contribute to increased resale value by providing a neutral and stylish backdrop for potential buyers.
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Choosing the right shade of gray for your own home can have a significant impact on the overall atmosphere and aesthetic. Gray is a versatile and neutral color, BUT, it can evoke various moods depending on its undertones, saturation, and the lighting in your space.
Too cool or too warm undertones might clash with your home’s existing decor and finishes, creating a disjointed look. It’s crucial to consider the natural light in the kitchen, as well as the colors of the flooring and countertops, to ensure that the chosen grey complements your home and design scheme.
Mastering the perfect gray is all about choosing the undertone you’re in for – gray doesn’t do subtle; it’s throwing an undertone party, whether you RSVP or not! Gray is sneaky just like white, it can have undertones of blue, green, and violet. It’s crucial to consider these undertones, as they can influence the overall feel of the room. For example, a warm gray with undertones might create a cozy and inviting atmosphere, while a cool gray with blue undertones might feel more modern and crisp.
– The amount of natural or artificial light in your space can significantly impact how a gray looks. Even the most neutral shade of gray can look like a totally different color and be influenced by the view of the landscaping outside the window. The direction the room faces (a north-facing room, south-facing room, east-fa, west) as well as the existing interior furnishings, will need to be considered when making your final decision for a cabinet color.
– The size and function of the room should also guide your choice of gray. Darker grays can create a sense of intimacy and coziness in larger spaces, while lighter grays can open up smaller rooms, making them feel more spacious.
– Consider the other colors in your space, including furniture, decor, and flooring. The right gray should complement these elements rather than clash with them. Earthy tones, pastels, or bold accent colors can work well with different shades of gray.
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– Pay attention to the level of contrast you want to achieve. Darker grays can be paired with lighter furnishings and accents to create a striking contrast, while a monochromatic scheme with varying shades of gray can offer a more subtle and cohesive look.
– Before committing to a specific gray, it’s advisable to test paint samples on your walls. Observing how the color looks in your specific space and lighting conditions will help you make a more informed decision.
Look no further than SAMPLIZE! Using a peel and stick paint sample is cleaner, easier to use, more affordable, AND more environmentally friendly.
Here’s why I recommend SAMPLIZE to my clients:
1. Cost-Effective: They’re more budget-friendly than traditional methods, which often require purchasing sample pots, rollers, and tag boards.
2. Easy to Use: Keep your Samplize samples on their white paper backing and you can effortlessly move them around the room to see how they look in different lighting conditions.
3. Speedy Delivery: Samplize samples arrive at your doorstep in just one day, depending on your location.
Visit the SAMPLIZE website HERE to explore their range of options.
– Think about the mood or ambiance you want to create in the room. A soft, muted gray may lend itself well to a calming and serene atmosphere, while a bold, dark gray can create drama and sophistication.
When choosing between a light gray or a dark gray paint color for your kitchen cabinets, it often boils down to the ambiance you want to create in the space. Light gray cabinets provide a sense of airiness and can make a room feel more spacious, especially in smaller kitchens or areas with limited natural light. On the other hand, dark gray cabinets can add depth and drama to a room, creating a cozy and intimate atmosphere.
They are particularly striking when paired with contrasting countertops or hardware, making a bold statement in both traditional and contemporary settings. Ultimately, the choice between light and dark gray cabinets depends on the desired mood, style preferences, and overall design scheme of the space.
Gray-greens can be a bit tricky. If it’s cool-toned, it’s going to lean more towards green-blue and may even look like a shade of mint. A gray-green with some warmth will have a bit of yellow that can lean into greige.
Gray-violet or gray with purple undertones is often considered the quintessential gray.
These shades can have a grounded-stormy feel with cool variations leaning a bit blue. Despite its coolness, grays with violet undertones can also offer a touch of warmth, making it a versatile option!
The clash between purple and the orange tones in the wood creates an unappealing contrast. I prefer gray hues with green undertones or greige to ensure a seamless blend with the warmth of honey oak for a cohesive space and great color balance.
RELATED: 9 Modern Kitchen Design Ideas with Honey Oak Cabinets
These are considered cool and often the most popular choice.
These shades can transition between a cool, refreshing feel and a more serene, earthy atmosphere. At times, it might even flirt with a hint of violet, depending on the lighting and surroundings.
Additionally, gray-blue paint may occasionally reveal a subtle touch of green, contributing to a softer overall aesthetic.
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Greige, the perfect fusion of gray and beige, has become a popular choice in interior design. This blend strikes a harmonious balance between the cool tones of gray and the warmth of beige, making it a versatile palette that suits various styles. Greige paints effortlessly adapt to different lighting conditions, providing a neutral backdrop that enhances the visual appeal of any space. The charm of greige lies in its ability to exude sophistication and timelessness while creating a welcoming and cozy atmosphere. Acting as a bridge between stark neutrals and bolder tones, greige offers a refined canvas for interior design, allowing furnishings and decor to shine.
RELATED: 9 Best Greige Paint Colors for your Home in 2024
Darker shades of gray are in vogue for cabinets and walls alike. It’s a welcome move away from the white-on-white color scheme towards bold and dramatic choices in interior design. It’s a way to stay up-to-date in kitchen design, infusing a sense of sophistication and trendiness into the heart of the home.
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Pairing a gray cabinet, (particularly a light gray), with white walls is a great option. It gives off a clean and crisp vibe, making the cabinets visually pop. Plus, white acts as a neutral background, letting you add colorful accessories or artwork without overwhelming the space.
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Choosing the right hardware finish for your gray cabinets is just as important as the shade of gray that you choose.
Use the 70/30 rule (or something close to that) as a guide. What is the 70/30 rule? Frist, choose a primary metal finish that will act as the focal point for your design. This may be a finish already existing in the surrounding spaces such your plumbing fixtures or light fixtures. Secondly, choose an accent metal finish that will enhance the space. Perhaps matte black or stainless steel?
RELATED: How to Update Cabinet Hardware in Your 90s Home
Gold hardware will give your gray kitchen a highly refined, elegant appearance. It looks fabulous with light and dark gray cabinets alike. The neutral gray background allows the gold to stand out as a striking accent and is a personal favorite!
Take these steps to choose the best gray paint color for YOUR kitchen cabinets:
1. Determine which undertones to avoid based on your home’s exposure, furniture, and existing finishes. It’s essential to prioritize undertones that harmonize with your surroundings, even if your personal preference may not align with your home’s aesthetic.
2. SAMPLE YOUR SELECTIONS! Instead of using those tiny swatches, opt for Samplize sheets (peel and stick paint samples of real paint) to evaluate the undertones in your kitchen’s lighting conditions, day and night.
Whether you’re into timeless classics or trendy modern hues, there’s a perfect gray for you in this post. These shades cater to different tastes and design styles, allowing you to create a sophisticated, monochromatic look or a bold, contrasting statement. Sherwin Williams’ quality and reputation ensure that your chosen gray paint will stand the test of time!
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