Warm Neutrals
Warm neutral paint colors like beige, tan, mocha, and light brown work beautifully with white molding and stainless steel. The earthy tones provide a subtle contrast to the bright white trim, while complementing the sleek metallic appliances. Go for cabinet colors like:
- Latte
- Mocha
- Khaki
- Taupe
- Biscotti
- Mushroom
- Fawn
These soft, inviting neutrals add warmth and dimension to an all-white kitchen. Their versatility also allows you to accessorize with different hardware finishes and countertop materials.
Gray
For a more modern, sophisticated look, consider gray cabinets with white molding and stainless appliances. Shades like dove gray, greige (gray-beige), charcoal, and slate blue-gray offer stylish contrast to the crisp white trim. Gray also brings out the sleek metallic tones in stainless steel. Go for gray hues with subtle undertones like:
- Light French Gray
- Heathered Gray
- Coastal Gray
- Gray Mist
- Baltic Gray
Stay away from cold grays, which can look sterile alongside all that white. Instead, opt for grays with a hint of brown, blue, or green. This creates a soothing, blended color scheme.
Black
Another dramatic but elegant choice is solid black cabinets with white molding and stainless steel. The bold black provides an eye-catching focal point while allowing the white architectural details to pop. It also complements the polished steel finishes. For best results:
- Stick with true black cabinets without brown undertones.
- Use black only on the lower cabinets to ground the space.
- Accent with lighter countertops and backsplash tile.
Going all-black can feel oppressive. Balance it with plenty of lighting and lighter accent colors to keep things airy.
Navy Blue
Deep navy blue offers the same chic, mod look as black but is slightly softer and more versatile. Navy cabinets create a striking accent against white trim and play up the cool tones in stainless steel. Consider rich navy hues like:
- Midnight Blue
- Hale Navy
- Marine Blue
- Monterey Blue
To keep the look cohesive, limit navy blue to the lower cabinets and use a lighter blue or white on top. Accent with chrome hardware and marble or quartz countertops.
Green
For a more eclectic but stylish kitchen, try sage green, emerald, or even mint green cabinets. The earthy green tones provide natural contrast to crisp white molding and complement the shine of stainless appliances. Consider verdant green shades like:
- Sage Green
- Celery Green
- Seafoam Green
- Misty Teal
- Aqua
Balanced with plenty of white accents, green cabinets lend a vibrant yet soothing ambiance to the kitchen.
Avoid Clashing Colors
It’s best to avoid cabinets in clashing shades like cherry red, orange, bright yellow or purple. These vibrant colors often fight with white trimwork and stainless steel instead of harmonizing. They also limit your options for accent colors.
Stick with a calm, neutral color palette that allows the beauty of your white molding and stainless steel appliances to take center stage while adding subtle decoration through your cabinet selection.
Complementary Countertops
Along with your cabinet color, consider how your countertop material impacts the overall look:
- Quartz in white, gray or black complements almost any cabinet shade
- Marble in white, gray or navy adds elegance
- Granite with gray tones or small dark flecks works with many colors
- Butcher block warms up cool grays and whites
- Soapstone counters balance black cabinets
Aim for countertops in a matching neutral tone or subtle accent hue. This elevates the whole kitchen’s style without complicating your color scheme.
Key Takeaways
- Warm neutrals like tan, mocha and mushroom brown work beautifully with white and stainless steel.
- Grays are sophisticated and modern – stick with warmer gray tones.
- Black cabinets provide dramatic contrast and elegance. Use sparingly.
- Navy blue offers a softer alternative to black that flatters stainless steel.
- Earthy greens lend an eclectic yet soothing look.
- Avoid bright, clashing colors that compete with the white and stainless steel.
- Choose countertops in complementing neutral hues.
Keeping these tips in mind will help you select cabinet colors that work in perfect harmony with your kitchen’s white molding and stainless steel appliances. The right shades will create a cohesive, stylish look that enhances every element.
Frequently Asked Questions
What color cabinets go with stainless steel appliances?
Neutral colors like white, gray, tan, and navy blue work best with stainless steel appliances. They complement the modern metallic look without competing.
What color cabinets go with white subway tile?
White subway tile backsplash calls for light cabinets in white, gray, tan, light blue, or sage green. Avoid darker cabinets, which will clash with the bright white tile.
What color cabinets are in style for 2023?
On-trend cabinet colors for 2023 include light gray, navy blue, sage green, earthy neutrals like brown and tan, and black for dramatic accents. White remains a popular and timeless choice.
Should cabinet colors match appliances?
It’s not mandatory but coordinating cabinet and appliance colors create a unified, upscale look. For stainless steel appliances, stick with neutrals or black. Avoid clashing colors like bright red or orange.
What color cabinets make kitchen look bigger?
Light, reflective colors like white, light gray, beige and light blue will make a kitchen look brighter and more spacious. Dark cabinets can feel imposing and shrink the space visually.
What color cabinets are easiest to maintain?
White and painted cabinets are easiest to keep clean and touch up as needed. Stained wood shows more wear, while black and dark colors show dust.
Conclusion
The versatile, classic combination of white molding, stainless steel appliances and thoughtfully selected cabinet colors is a foolproof recipe for kitchen beauty. Focus on neutral and earthy hues that enhance the existing elements rather than compete with them. Grays, navies, and mocha browns are sophisticated options, while black adds modern drama. Avoid bright, loud colors that could clash. With the right cabinet shade, you can let your lovely white architectural details and sleek stainless steel shine. Use these tips to create a kitchen that’s cohesive, stylish and totally timeless.