Beige kitchen cabinets are quickly becoming one of the most popular kitchen cabinet colors. The soft, neutral tone of beige provides a warm, inviting look that pairs beautifully with almost any kitchen design. Unlike stark white cabinets, beige cabinets add subtle depth and visual interest without overwhelming a space.
Beige kitchen cabinets offer many advantages over the classic white cabinetry. Read on to learn why more and more homeowners are opting for beige over white for their next kitchen remodel.
Why Choose Beige Over White Kitchen Cabinets?
Beige kitchen cabinets provide a lighter, brighter look than traditional wood tones without appearing clinical or sterile like bright white cabinets. The benefits of beige kitchen cabinets include:
A Warm, Welcoming Look
Beige has undertones of brown, tan, and cream that give it more depth and visual interest than flat white paint. The subtle hue variations in beige cabinets make them look rich and natural. This creates a warm, welcoming ambiance perfect for any kitchen.
Pairs Beautifully with Other Colors
From cool blues and greens to warm reds and yellows, beige complements practically any color scheme. It provides a neutral backdrop that allows accent colors to really pop. Beige also coordinates effortlessly with popular granite countertop colors like Ubatuba, Tan Brown, and Santa Cecilia.
Enhances Natural Lighting
Light beige cabinets help reflect and distribute natural light, making the kitchen feel open and airy. This light-enhancing effect makes a small kitchen look larger and brighter.
Hides Dirt and Wear Better
Light dirt and grease are less noticeable on beige cabinets compared to stark white. Beige’s subtle hues hide wear and tear better over time. The color also does a great job of camouflaging inevitable nicks and scratches that happen with everyday use.
Provides Flexibility for Future Updates
Beige cabinetry offers great long-term flexibility. If you later want to change the cabinet hardware or re-paint in a different color, beige provides a blank slate that takes on the tones of new accents beautifully.
Works With Any Kitchen Style
From modern and contemporary to farmhouse and traditional, beige cabinetry suits any kitchen aesthetic. The versatility of beige makes it a perfect choice for designers looking to create a timeless, universal look.
Available in Cool or Warm Undertones
Beige spans a wide spectrum from warmer beiges with yellow, tan and brown notes to cooler beiges with hints of gray. This diversity allows further customization to complement specific kitchen color schemes.
Beige Cabinet Options
Beige kitchen cabinets come in a variety of materials and finishes to fit any budget. From inexpensive laminates to luxurious solid woods, there are myriad options to achieve the look of beige cabinetry.
Painted Cabinets
Painting existing cabinets is an affordable way to transform the look of a kitchen with light beige colors. A grey beige or greige blends gray and beige for a versatile look. A brown beige has warm tan undertones. Painting options include:
- Latex/acrylic paint: Offers a smooth, subtle finish and dries quickly. Ideal for DIY painting.
- Enamel paint: Provides a durable, glossy finish that is easy to clean. Requires more prep but resists staining and wear.
- Lacquer paint: Dries to a hard surface and resists chipping and scratching. Requires professional spray application for the smoothest look.
Wood Stains and Glazes
Wood cabinets can be stained, glazed and sealed to achieve a beige coloration. Glazing adds a sheer tinted coat over stained wood to alter the tone. This allows customization from a rich dark beige to a whitewashed beige.
Laminate and Thermofoil
Affordable beige-colored laminate cabinets provide a uniform look. Thermofoil has a plastic film over composite wood and resists chipping. Marks and scratches are less noticeable against the beige background.
RTF and Melamine Cabinets
RTF (rigid thermofoil) features a beige woodgrain pattern under durable plastic. Beige melamine cabinets have a beige resin coating over particleboard. Both offer an affordable beige cabinet solution.
Popular Beige Cabinet Color Combinations
Beige kitchen cabinets pair effortlessly with almost any color scheme. Here are some of the most popular beige color combinations for cabinetry:
Beige and Blue
- A nautical or coastal look can be achieved by pairing soft beige cabinets with different shades of blue. Try a light sky blue, deep navy or sunny turquoise on the island or lower cabinets.
- For a more modern look, combine beige uppers with matte navy blue lowers. Brushed nickel hardware suits the cool color combination.
Beige and Green
- Mossy greens and sage colors complement beige beautifully in a nature-inspired kitchen. Try green glass backsplashes and accents.
- Deep emerald or forest green island bases also pop against light beige uppers and wall cabinets. Brass fixtures work well with these earthy tones.
Beige and Red
- For a warm, inviting rustic or farmhouse kitchen, pair weathered beige cabinets with rich reds. Try a brick red island base or accent wall with dark beige cabinetry.
- Vivid hues like cherry red look modern and energetic against understated beige cabinetry and marble countertops.
Beige and Yellow
- Energetic shades like canary yellow, lemon and mustard lend a cheery, retro vibe when combined with light beige cabinetry.
- Soft muted yellows like wheat, cream and butter pair nicely with beige in a cottage or country kitchen. Distressed beige cabinets suit this homey style.
Beige and Brown
- Combining beige with chocolate brown, espresso or cinnamon browns creates an earthy, rustic look. Modern and sleek with hammered bronze pulls.
- For a Tuscan inspired kitchen, use milk chocolate brown cabinets as a accent against warm antique beige cabinetry and an artesano hood.
Beige and Grey
- Soft greys compliment beige beautifully in modern farmhouse and French country designs. Try a grey-beige distressed finish for a weathered look.
- Stormy greys and slate blues give beige cabinets a sophisticated, coastal feel. Add navy accents and brass/nickel hardware.
Beige and Black
- For dramatic contrast, pair matte black countertops with light beige upper cabinets and open shelves. Sleek modern minimalism.
- Combine ebony stained base cabinets or an island with light beige uppers for an elegant, luxurious look.
Beige Cabinet Door Styles
Beige cabinetry suits any door style. Whether aiming for a modern, traditional or rustic aesthetic, beige cabinets can be customized with different door designs. Popular options include:
Slab Cabinet Doors
Slab cabinet doors feature a simple, flat rectangular design. The minimalist look suits contemporary kitchens. Slab beige cabinets make a small space appear clean and orderly.
Shaker Cabinet Doors
Classic shaker cabinet doors are characterized by a subtle recessed center panel. They offer a timeless look that suits any style from farmhouse to industrial. Distressed beige shaker cabinets provide vintage charm.
Cathedrals Cabinet Doors
Cathedral style cabinet doors have a distinctive arched top that mimics Gothic cathedral windows. They make a dramatic style statement combined with beige finish.
Inset Cabinet Doors
Inset cabinet doors are set within the cabinet face frame for a seamless appearance. Beige insets have an elegant, upscale look. They allow minimal hardware for a clean modern aesthetic.
Louvered Cabinet Doors
Louver cabinet doors feature characteristic slatted vents or shutters. Beige stained wood louvers with visible wood grains suit tropical and cottage styles.
Glass Cabinet Doors
Glass front cabinets showcase contents while maintaining an open, airy ambiance. Frosted or patterned glass doors suit beige cabinetry in modern and vintage kitchens.
Beige Kitchen Cabinet Combinations
Beyond wall colors, beige cabinets also pair seamlessly with different kitchen materials and finishes:
Beige Cabinets and Butcher Block Countertops
The natural grain patterns and warmth of wood butcher block offer an attractive contrast to creamy beige cabinetry. The look channels rustic farmhouse charm.
Beige Cabinets and Quartz Countertops
Quartz counters come in a wide array of beige-compatible hues like creamy whites, greys, taupes and tans that complement beige cabinetry beautifully.
Beige Cabinets and Marble Countertops
Elegant beige, white and grey marbling in natural stone surfaces like Calacatta Gold, Bianco Dolomiti and Alaska White blend beautifully with light beige cabinetry.
Beige Cabinets and Copper Fixtures
The soft metallic sheen of copper pairs perfectly with warm beige cabinets. Copper backsplashes, apron sinks, lighting and hardware match beautifully.
Beige Cabinets and Black Stainless Steel Appliances
Sleek black stainless steel appliances with matte and fingerprint-resistant finishes look ultra-modern against light beige cabinets.
Beige Cabinets and Exposed Brick
For an urban loft aesthetic, beige cabinetry complements and contrasts wonderfully with exposed brick walls and piping.
Beige Cabinets and Subway Tiles
Classic white 3 in x 6 in glossy subway tiles paired with beige grout makes backsplashes and walls pop against beige cabinets.
Beige Cabinets and Dark Flooring
Rich brown hardwood or porcelain tiles with dark grains, patterns and veining add bold contrast and dimension against soft beige cabinets.
Beige Cabinets and Textured Backsplash
Natural stone mosaic tiles, ceramic fish scale patterns and handmade Moroccan tiles all add visual interest when paired with beige cabinetry.
Best Paint Colors For Beige Kitchen Cabinets
Choosing the right wall, trim and ceiling paint colors allows you to highlight or contrast beige cabinets for customized looks:
Soft Neutral Paint Colors
Barely beige, warm white, almond and light grey paint colors blend seamlessly with the cabinets for a calm monochromatic look.
Bolder Neutral Paint Colors
Deep, dramatic greys like Dorian or Barbados blue-grey make beige cabinets stand out. Golden wheat and camel hues warm up the look.
Contrasting Bright Paint Colors
Vivid sky blues, mint greens and corals lend an energetic, optimistic look against beige cabinets. Robin’s egg blue is a popular combination.
Earthy Natural Colors
Mushroom browns, clay reds and mossy greens complement beige cabinets beautifully in rustic and farmhouse kitchens.
Dynamic Black Trim/Ceiling
Matte black ceilings and trim details anchor airy beige cabinets for a striking modern look. Glossy black offers a sophisticated variant.
Classic White Trim/Cabinets
Crisp bright white trim keeps the look fresh and light. Use white open shelves with beige base cabinets to mix up textures.
Popular Beige Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colors
When selecting a painted beige cabinet color, lighting affects the undertones and how the color is perceived. Here are some of the most popular beige cabinet paint colors:
- SW Tryst Tan – A warm light tan with yellow undertones like creamy parchment. Works well in natural lighting.
- SW Accessible Beige – A light brown-infused beige that avoids looking grey under cool and warm lighting.
- BM Linen White – A light, subtly warm neutral beige that reads brighter and whiter in daylight than under warm bulbs.
- PPG Delicate White – A soft neutral beige with a subtle touch of grey without appearing cold. Stays consistent under different lighting.
- BM Edgecomb Gray – A light gray-beige that avoids looking too yellow or pink. Popular accent color with white cabinets.
- SW Shoji White – A warm, inviting beige that avoids looking dingy. Stays bright in diverse lighting conditions.
- SW Worldly Gray – A light grey-beige that subtly changes from cool to warm across different lighting. Provides depth.
- PPG Silver Birch – A light brown-tinted beige with just a touch of grey without appearing washed out. Stays flexible across lighting.
- Valspar Cabin Brown – A deeper tan beige with brown undertones. Adds a cozy feel. Avoid direct yellow light.
- SW Online – A soft greige with subtle blue-grey undertones that pair nicely with warmer metals and wood tones.
Beige Kitchen Cabinets: Maintenance Tips
Like any color cabinetry, beige kitchen cabinets do require some maintenance to keep them looking like new. Here are some useful beige cabinet maintenance tips:
- Dust cabinets frequently using a microfiber cloth to prevent grease buildup
- Clean splatters and spills promptly to avoid staining using a mild detergent and soft sponge
- Use a cabinet cleaner weekly to sanitize and remove grime without damaging the finish
- Avoid harsh abrasive cleaners, pads or steel wool that can scratch the surface
- For painted cabinets, clean gently and avoid excessive moisture to prevent bubbling or peeling
- Apply a high quality beeswax polish occasionally to enhance protection and luster
- Use corner guards and bumpers to minimize nicks and wear from daily use
- Tighten hinges and drawer glides periodically to limit sagging and alignment issues over time
- Fill any scratches immediately and match the original finish to prevent moisture damage
- Consider having professionals repaint beige cabinets every 5-10 years to refresh the color
With proper care and maintenance, you can enjoy stunning beige kitchen cabinets for years to come. The warm, welcoming finish will retain its beauty and protect its value.
Beige offers a lighter, brighter alternative to basic white for kitchen cabinets. The possibilities are endless for beige cabinet combinations – from materials to wall colors. With the right complementary accents, beige cabinetry brings any kitchen design together into a cohesive, inviting space.
FAQ About Beige Kitchen Cabinets
Is beige outdated for kitchen cabinets?
Beige is a timeless, versatile cabinet color that has remained popular for decades. The soft neutral suits any style. Designers often recommend beige for its ability to withstand color trends. The right hue and undertones keep beige cabinetry looking fresh.
Do beige cabinets make a kitchen look bigger?
Light beige reflects light, making the kitchen appear more open and expansive – especially small, dark kitchens. Cool grey beiges brighten up space even more. Dark countertops and floors ground the light cabinets nicely.
How do you update beige cabinets?
A simple way to update beige cabinets is by replacing the hardware. Matte black, brass or gunmetal pulls provide contrast. Painting interior shelves or adding open shelving also modernizes beige cabinets. Bold new backsplashes and accent walls update the full kitchen.
Should I choose beige or grey cabinets?
Beige and grey both provide attractive neutral options. Greys generally have cooler undertones that suit modern, streamlined kitchens. Beige offers warmth that provides a more welcoming, transitional look in diverse kitchen styles. Consider the overall color scheme when deciding on shades.
Do beige cabinets work with black appliances?
Yes, beige cabinetry pairs beautifully with matte black stainless steel appliances and fixtures. The high contrast creates a striking, dramatic look. Avoid matching black countertops though, which may look too heavy and dark. Try white or butcher block counters instead.
What color backsplash goes with beige cabinets?
Popular backsplash pairings for beige cabinets include white subway tiles, marble and stone patterns in beiges and greys. Mossy green glass, sky blue, mustard yellow and brick red backsplashes also suit beige cabinets nicely depending on the overall kitchen color scheme.
Should I paint my oak cabinets beige?
Beige can help warm up the look of oak while still allowing some of the wood grain to show through. For the most even coverage, first apply a wood-grain filler before painting. Test colors on a hidden corner before fully painting to ensure you achieve the right tone over the oak.
What sheen is best for beige cabinets?
An eggshell or satin sheen provides a warm subtle glow for beige cabinets. The low-luster finish minimizes visible scratches. Avoid gloss, which looks too slick and shows imperfections. Opt for semi-gloss only on cabinets around the stove to stand up to cooking mess.
Conclusion
With their warm, welcoming ambiance and universally flattering hue, it is easy to see why beige kitchen cabinets have such enduring popularity. The versatility of beige cabinetry allows it to suit any kitchen style from sleek modern spaces to comfy cottage kitchens.
Beige’s soft neutrality provides the perfect background for an array of different materials and accent colors. Whether you choose cool grey beiges or earthy tan beiges, the possibilities for interesting combinations are endless.
For homeowners looking to brighten up their kitchen with a lighter, brighter neutral – but avoid the harshness of stark white – beige cabinets provide the perfect solution. They add light and dimension while still providing richness, depth and flexibility. With so many options for customizing shades and finishes, beige kitchen cabinets can be tailored to delight homeowners for years to come.
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