Choosing a color for your metal kitchen cabinets can be a daunting task. With so many options to consider, it’s hard to know where to start. But with some planning and expert tips, you’ll end up with a gorgeous, coordinating kitchen cabinet color scheme. We’ll walk through everything you need to know to pick the perfect color for your metal kitchen cabinets.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Color
There are several key factors to think about as you’re selecting a color for metal kitchen cabinets:
Personal Style and Taste
First and foremost, choose a color that suits your personal taste. Are you drawn to bold, dramatic colors or prefer soft neutrals? Do you love modern, slick finishes or lean toward a more traditional look? Consider your overall aesthetic preferences when choosing a cabinet color.
Layout of the Kitchen
Take into account the size and layout of your kitchen. Smaller kitchens can feel even smaller with dark cabinet colors, while airy whites have an expansive effect. But for an open kitchen with high ceilings, a deeper color may provide a nice contrast.
Lighting in the Kitchen
The natural and artificial light in your kitchen will impact how paint colors appear. North-facing rooms tend to have cool, blue-hued light while southern exposures get warmer light. Brighter spaces can handle deeper, saturated colors. Opt for lighter neutrals in a kitchen with minimal natural light.
Appliances and Decor
Match your cabinet color to the other finishes and materials already in the kitchen, such as flooring, countertops, backsplashes, and stainless steel appliances. You want a cohesive look. For example, warm wood floors call for warm cabinet tones.
Frequency of Use
For cabinets that will get heavy, day-to-day use, opt for durable finishes that will conceal fingerprints and water spots. High-gloss paints make fingerprints obvious.
Best Color Palettes for Metal Kitchen Cabinets
Warm Neutrals
Warm, earthy neutrals like tans, taupes, and soft whites make metal kitchen cabinets feel welcoming and cozy. Try colors like:
- Beige
- Light taupe
- Cream
- Mushroom
- Khaki
- Buttery yellow
These colors pair perfectly with wood cabinets and floors for a coordinated look.
Cool Neutrals
Cooler tones like grays, silvers, and slate blues give a more modern feel. Great options include:
- Light gray
- Dove gray
- Silver gray
- Steel blue-gray
- Soft aqua blue
Coordinate these calming colors with quartz, granite, or concrete countertops.
Bright White
A crisp, bright white can make small kitchens appear larger and give any space a clean, fresh look. Try:
- Glossy enamel white
- Flat white
- eggshell white
White metal cabinets pop against dark floors or multi-colored backsplashes.
Black
For a dramatic, glamorous statement, black metal cabinets can’t be beat. They work best against lighter wall colors and floors. Opt for a black with a subtle sheen.
Wood Tones
Metal cabinets powder coated in deep wood hues like chocolate, espresso, or mahogany are trendy. Pair them with butcher block or real wood counters for an organic look.
Bright Colors
Feeling playful? Try a fun, bright color like red, orange, green, or blue for a whimsical kitchen. Use accent colors sparingly on lower cabinets or islands.
Factors That Impact Cabinets Over Time
Keep in mind environmental factors that can alter your kitchen cabinets’ color over time:
Sunlight
Direct sunlight fades and alters paint colors. East or west facing windows cause the most damage. Opt for darker, muted colors if your kitchen gets a lot of sun.
Moisture
Exposure to steam, humidity, and drips can damage painted finishes. Ensure cabinets have a protective clear top coat. Avoid glossy paints that show water spots and stains.
Grease and Grime
Kitchen grime adheres easily to some paint types, especially near the oven and range. Choose durable, grease-resistant cabinet paints.
Wear and Tear
Knocked corners, knobs, handles and areas near the sink see the most wear. Touch up paint frequently to conceal scratches and chips.
Paint Finish Options
There are a few common paint finish options for metal kitchen cabinets:
Glossy Enamel
A very shiny, reflective finish that resists moisture, food stains, and grease. Fingerprints show easily. Provides good color consistency over time. Can feel slick.
Satin Enamel
Offers a smooth, velvety finish with a subtle sheen. Minimizes visibility of fingerprints and water spots. Provides good durability for high-traffic areas like cabinets.
Matte
Has no reflective quality and a soft, natural appearance. Masks fingerprints well but may show grease, drips and stains over time. Requires gentle cleaning.
Metallic
Real metal particles added to paint give a glamorous sheen. Often used as an accent on lower cabinets. Shows scratches easily.
Textured
Small flecks create visible texture for added depth and dimension. Helps hide surface imperfections over time. Provides a nice grip.
Distressed
Artificially applied cracks and rubs through the topcoat create a timeworn, vintage look. Adds visual interest and masks normal wear.
Preparing Metal Cabinets for Painting
Proper prep work ensures the new cabinet paint adheres smoothly and evenly:
- Remove doors, handles, and hinges
- Thoroughly clean surfaces with an oil-removing degreaser
- Sand lightly to rough up the surface
- Clean again to remove dust
- Fill any cracks, holes, or imperfections with wood filler
- Prime with a bonding primer formulated for metal
- Apply two finish coats of cabinet paint, allowing proper dry time between coats
Hiring a Professional vs. DIY Painting
You can either hire a professional painter or take on the project yourself. Professionals have the right tools, expertise, and experience for a flawless finish. But if you have the time and patience, painting your own metal kitchen cabinets can save money.
Benefits of Hiring a Pro
- Perfect results with an ultra-smooth finish
- No hassles removing doors or hardware
- Proficient using sprayers for fast, even coverage
- Know strategies for quick, efficient process
- Access to commercial-grade paints and primers
- Able to paint cabinets fully on-site to avoid damage
- Experience with tricky metal surfaces and prep
Benefits of DIY Painting
- Cost savings from avoided labor fees
- Creative control over every step
- Can take your time without rushing
- Satisfaction of completing a big project yourself
- Ability to personalize with unique painted finishes
- Less waiting time versus pro’s schedule
7 Steps to DIY Metal Cabinet Painting
If you decide to paint your metal kitchen cabinets yourself, follow this process:
1. Remove Cabinets Contents and Hardware
Clear everything out of the cabinets so no items get damaged while painting. Remove all handles and hinges as well using a screwdriver. Place hardware in labeled bags to keep organized.
2. Wash and Dry Cabinets
Use a degreasing cleaner to remove built-up grime. Scrub both inside and outside surfaces, then rinse thoroughly. Let cabinets dry completely so paint will adhere.
3. Lightly Sand Surfaces
Use 220-grit sandpaper to scuff up the cabinet surfaces. This helps the paint stick to the slick metal. Don’t remove the metal coating. Just rough it up.
4. Clean Away Dust
Wipe sanded cabinets with a dry cloth followed by a tack cloth. Make sure to remove every speck of dust so it doesn’t get stuck under the new paint.
5. Apply Primer
For best results, use a high-quality bonding primer formulated specifically for metal. Apply a thin, even coat and let dry fully. Then add a second coat if needed.
6. Paint Cabinet Boxes and Doors
Follow the paint can directions for dry time between coats. Use a small foam roller and angled brush for the cabinet boxes. Use a sprayer or paint by hand for doors.
7. Reinstall Hardware
Once the paint has fully cured, put doors back on cabinets and reattach all hardware. Check that doors open and close properly once done.
Tips for Achieving an Ultra-Smooth Finish
With metal cabinets, a perfectly smooth finish is important for aesthetics. Here are pro tips:
- Maintain a wet edge while painting to avoid lap marks
- Keep coats thin and uniform – don’t overbrush
- Sand lightly between coats to level drips or bumps
- Use high-density foam rollers made for smooth surfaces
- Work in sections small enough to comfortably reach
- Use painter’s tape for ultra-sharp paint lines if needed
- Allow proper cure time between coats
Best Paint Brands for Metal Kitchen Cabinets
Quality paint ensures an attractive, long-lasting finish:
Sherwin Williams ProClassic
This ultra-durable enamel comes in all sheens. It self-levels, resists yellowing, and delivers professional results.
Benjamin Moore Advance
Alkyd-modified acrylic formula sticks well and avoids brush marks. Dries slow for smoothing. Glossy version adds polish.
Rust-Oleum Cabinet Transformations
All-in-one kit includes bonding primer and protective topcoat designed for kitchen cabinets.
Behr Alkyd Semi-Gloss Enamel
Contains urethane and driers for a flexible, wear-resistant finish. The popular brand is accessible and affordable.
PPG Breakthrough
100% acrylic formula applies easily. Resists stains and humidity. Has excellent flow and leveling.
Decorative Paint Techniques
Looking to add some flair? Try one of these creative metal cabinet paint techniques:
Stenciling
Use custom metal stencils to create modern geometric patterns or textures like faux woodgrain.
Ragging
Drag twisted rags through glazes over basecoats to achieve an aged, worn look.
Sponging
Dab on contrasting glazes with a natural sea sponge for subtle depth without stark definition.
Dry Brushing
Lightly brush thinned paint over edges and grooves to build up color variations similar to stained wood.
Color Washing
Thin paint to a wash-like consistency and apply freehand using wide brushstrokes. Lets basecoat show through.
Mix and Match
Use different colors and techniques on upper versus lower cabinets for visual interest.
FAQs
What colors make a small kitchen look bigger?
Lighter neutral colors like white, light gray, beige and soft yellow can make a small kitchen feel open and airy. Dark cabinets tend to close off the space.
What is the most popular color for kitchen cabinets?
White cabinetry remains the most popular choice year over year for its clean, timeless appeal. Gray is a close second for modern kitchens.
How do I choose a color to go with my floor?
Coordinate lighter cabinets with light-colored floors and darker cabinets with dark wood or tile floors. Accent colors can contrast the flooring while base cabinet colors should match.
Should cabinets and island be the same color?
Having cabinets, island, and any other built-ins in one consistent color looks cohesive. But using complementary tones adds nice contrast.
What color cabinets are in for 2023?
On-trend colors for 2023 include organic neutrals like brown and tan, two-toned schemes with light uppers and dark lowers, and rich jewel tones like emerald green.
Should I get gloss, satin, or matte finish?
Glossy paint adds shine but shows fingerprints. Satin is softly reflective. Matte hides imperfections but requires gentle cleaning. Consider your climate and kitchen usage.
How do I paint metal cabinets so paint sticks?
Thoroughly clean and sand cabinets first. Always use a bonding primer formulated specifically for slick metal surfaces so regular paint can adhere properly.
Conclusion
Choosing a fresh color for your metal kitchen cabinets brings new life into your cooking space. Consider the style you want along with practical factors like your kitchen’s size and natural light. Warm neutral, cool colors, bright white, and bold black are all smart options. Proper preparation and application results in a smooth, durable finish. With your personalized color scheme, you’ll love spending time in your kitchen.