When you have white kitchen cabinets, you can go any number of directions when it comes to picking a paint color for your walls. Interior designers support going bold or keeping things more subtle; it all depends on your style and desired look. Here, they share some of their top picks for paint colors that look beautiful alongside white cabinetry.

A Matching Color

Maria Crosby Pollard, the founder of Crosby Designs in Alexandria, Virginia, likes to keep the cabinet and wall color consistent in her kitchens.

“To add visual interest, we usually incorporate countertops and backsplashes in contrasting colors,” she says, noting that she likes to bring in wallpaper that is the same color as the cabinets, too.

She will sometimes paint the kitchen ceiling a pale color, too, noting, “The white of the cabinets determines the best color scheme.”

A Different White Sheen

When Shannon Handley is working on a kitchen with white cabinets, she will paint the walls in a different sheen of the same white tone.

“It creates a soft contrast while creating a clean and bright look in the kitchen,” says the founder of Handley Home Interiors in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Then, to add warmth to the space, Handley will bring in warm wood tones and soft brass “to balance out all the white.”

Patrice Rios McCollum, the founder of Patrice Nicole Studio in Austin, Texas, also tends to gravitate to white walls in kitchens with white cabinets, noting that sometimes, she will then choose to go bold when it comes to the backsplash or floor pattern instead.

Griege

If you’re looking to veer from white but still opt for a neutral wall color, greige is a great pick.

“We often choose a soft, light greige that’s just a few shades darker than the cabinetry,” says Lacey Michalek, the founder of Lacey Michalek Interiors in Houston, Texas. “This adds depth and contrast to the space, allowing you to maintain the airy, bright feel of the white cabinets while avoiding a monochromatic look.”

Warm Taupe

Looking for something a bit deeper in color than greige? Consider a soft, warm taupe, which is one of Natalie Hager’s favorites to pair with white kitchen cabinets.

“I love how the soft sandy color makes the white cabinets pop while still making the kitchen feel light and airy,” says the founder of Natalie Hager Interiors in Nashville, Tennessee. “The warmth of the walls makes it easy to decorate with wooden accessories and furniture, like charcuterie boards and raw oak tables and chairs.”

Dark, Rich Colors

For some welcome contrast in your kitchen, do not be afraid to go dark and bold, explains Nancy Parrish, the founder of Nancy Parrish Interiors in Danville, Virginia.

“Deep greens and rich raspberry tones are exciting options that introduce a unique character, especially when paired with white cabinets,” she says. “Deep green is reminiscent of nature and tranquility, while deep raspberry infuses warmth and vibrancy—incorporating these colors into cabinetry can create a stunning focal point in the kitchen.”

Parrish cites other benefits that colors like these can offerr in the kitchen.

“Bold colors can effectively draw attention to unique architectural features in the kitchen,” she says. “If you have intricate crown molding or distinctive cabinet shapes, using deep colors alongside white can beautifully highlight these details.”