If your kitchen has been feeling a bit dated lately and you're looking for an impactful (and ideally simple) upgrade, it's time to take another look at your cabinets. A key part of any kitchen design scheme, cabinets can instantly define the style of the entire room. While completely redoing your cabinets can put a significant strain on your design budget, giving your cabinets a fresh coat of paint is an affordable shortcut to a stylish scheme.
But picking the right shade for your kitchen can be tricky – it requires some serious thought to find a shade that looks stylish yet blends in with the rest of the room.
If you're having trouble deciding, you're in luck: renowned interior designer Shea McGee has revealed her favorite kitchen cabinet colors, complete with images of the hues in action. With choices from Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams, and more, there's a perfect match for any kitchen. These are Shea's tried-and-true picks.
Shea McGhee's favorite kitchen cabinet color
Shea has designed so many amazing kitchens, it's safe to say she's compiled a reliable list of standout paint shades to revive your cabinets: 13 of her tried-and-true hues.
1. Benjamin Moore's Baby Fawn
Thea's first choice is Benjamin Moore's muted, warm neutral, Baby Fawn. Used in the designer's Hilltop Estate project, this flattering hue pairs well with the organic, modern kitchen that's emblematic of Thea's signature style.
Paired with potted plants, wicker bar stools, and plenty of natural light, Baby Fawn is a great (and timeless) choice for kitchen cabinetry.
2. Benjamin Moore's “Midnight Oil”
(Image courtesy of Studio McGee)
The second selection is the rather atmospheric Benjamin Moore “Midnight Oil,” a shade that can be found in the butler's pantry at one of Sia's latest projects, the Houston Estate.
A combination of dark gray, dark blue and black, Midnight Oil isn't as stark as matte dark black, but its muted color palette still adds plenty of décor impact. In this pantry, the cabinets are balanced with bright white walls, a light-colored vintage rug and polished brass accessories.
3. Sherwin-Williams Fawn Brindle
According to Sherwin-Williams, fawn brindle is a “velvety hue” with “greenish-gray undertones” that exudes a “cool, natural feel.” In this kitchen designed by Shea as part of Studio McGhee's Water's Edge project, fawn brindle brings a warm, organic look to the rustic, eclectic kitchen design.
The rustic range hood that holds the pots takes centre stage in this room, while the soft, soothing colours of the cabinetry form the basis of the overall design scheme.
Interior designer Thea McGee founded the iconic design firm, Studio McGee, with her husband, Syd, in 2014. They've since launched e-commerce brand, McGee&Co, and even starred in their own show on Netflix. Dream home remodel.
4. Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige
Beige doesn't have to be a boring color, and this kitchen design by Spec Home by Shea proves it. The cabinets are in Sherwin-Williams' Accessible Beige. With gray undertones and an appealing, glamorous vibe, the hue brings a sun-kissed, cozy look to a neutral, minimalist design scheme.
Shea paired this shade with dark countertops on one side of the kitchen and a light kitchen island on the other, proving the shade's versatility and timeless appeal. Fresh flowers and an all-natural backsplash take this look a step further.
5. Benjamin Moore Creamy White
(Image courtesy of Studio McGee)
White kitchens are a classic, so it's no surprise that Benjamin Moore's Creamy White made it onto Shea's long list. – And in the designer's own kitchen: Used to paint her own kitchen cabinets, this creamy white shade breathes life and energy into the clean, minimalist space while still retaining the design.
This shade pairs well with Swiss Coffee, another popular shade from Benjamin Moore that dominates Thea's home. With a dark kitchen island, natural wood doors to the pantry, and plenty of metallic accents, the finished look is a perfect example of Thea's modern, glamorous style.
6. Benjamin Moore Natural Cream
For Shea's Mountainside Retreat project, she chose Benjamin Moore's Natural Cream, a “light greige” that works well in both bright and dim lighting. This shade defines a sleek, inviting, minimalist design scheme that's flooded with natural light, showcasing the power that a simple, clean hue can bring to a cream kitchen design.
7. Sherwin Williams Natural Tan
In Thea's Cottonwood kitchen remodel, the upper cabinets are painted in Sherwin-Williams' Natural Tan, a warm neutral with greenish-gray undertones. When paired with the lower cabinets, which are a dark blue-gray shade, the color is the perfect blend of fresh and cozy. The exterior shutters in Thea's permanent home also feature the shade, and it's clear why it's a designer favorite.
8. Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee
Benjamin Moore's Swiss Coffee is one of the designer's favorite warm white paints, favorite beige paints, and favorite Benjamin Moore shades. – It is also one of the brand's best-selling colors. – It's also on Shay's list.
This was used to decorate the designer's Cove Remodel project, which features natural wood tones and light metallic accents. A marble backsplash and wicker rug complete the look.
9. Farrow & Ball Off Black
While Thea doesn't often use dark cabinets, her Crestview Home project is a striking exception. With cabinets painted in Farrow & Ball's Off Black, one of the best dark paints beloved by interior designers, this kitchen is the perfect blend of freshness and atmosphere. The soft blue-gray-black pairs best with light accents and natural wood tones.
10. Benjamin Moore's “White Dove”
Benjamin Moore's White Dove, one of the best white paints according to interior designers, adorns the cabinets in Shea's Home on the Bay project. This fresh, sun-filled kitchen combines clean white hues with rustic wood details. Decorating with White Dove has never looked better.
11. Claire's “On Point”
In Thea's California coastal kitchen, Claire's On Point was used to achieve a crisp, cool look with California modern appeal. With Thea's signature style and rustic charm, the design scheme proves that On Point is the perfect choice for a neutral space.
12. Sherwin-Williams Agreeable Gray
(Image courtesy of Interior by Cohesively Curated, Photo: Carina Skrobecki)
Sherwin-Williams' Agreeable Gray is one of the brand's best-selling paints and a designer favorite, and now it's part of Shea's selection. A warm neutral with beige undertones, Agreeable Gray brings a lot of warmth to this modern, organic kitchen.
13. Grays Harbor by Sherwin-Williams
Sherwin-Williams' Grays Harbor is a “cool slate blue,” a calming, soothing shade favored by designers. In this kitchen, part of the Shea's Ranch Home project, Grays Harbor brings a homey, cozy feel to the kitchen island and cabinetry. Perfect for those seeking a look that's slightly rustic yet has depth and atmosphere, Grays Harbor is an appealing choice that goes beyond neutrals.
With a wide range of neutral hues, from light and airy to dark and subdued, you're sure to be successful the next time you need to refresh your kitchen cabinets. Get inspiration from Shea's extensive kitchen archives and give your cabinets the makeover they need for a timeless design scheme.
