Best Paint Colors that Go with Oak Cabinets
Discover the best paint colors that work beautifully with oak cabinets. From creamy whites to bold navy blues, find your perfect match!
Oak cabinets are making a comeback! Or you inherited them with your house from the 1990s. Whether you’re working with golden oak from the ’80s or modern honey-colored finishes, oak cabinets bring warmth, character, and timeless charm to your kitchen or bathroom. But choosing the right paint colors to complement them? That’s where things might get tricky.
Don’t worry—I’m here to help! This guide will walk you through the best paint colors that pair beautifully with oak cabinets, from neutrals to bold contrasts, so that you can highlight your wood’s natural beauty while making your space feel bright, fresh, and stylish.
So if you find yourself looking to refresh your kitchen or bathroom with oak cabinetry, the right paint pairing may be just what you need!
The key to living with honey oak cabinets is to cancel out the orangy tones. Look for colors that make the orange tones appear less abrasive. To do so, turn to the opposite side of the color wheel! Blues and oranges are across from each other, meaning they complement each other. And when paired together they bring down the abrasiveness of the orange, in my opinion.
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My Honey Oak Cabinets
Before we go any further, let’s take a walk down memory lane to my previous kitchen. We bought the house with the original honey oak kitchen cabinets and we lived with them for a few years before I painted the kitchen cabinets white.
While we were living with them unpainted, I changed the wall color to Stratton Blue by Benjamin Moore. This beautiful blue-green paint color helped to neutralize the orange undertones in the cabinets and make the whole room feel less brown and blah.
So, while I did end up painting the oak wood cabinets Simply White, I did the best I could to decorate with them while I had them in their warm wood tones.
And you can too! You don’t have to paint them to enjoy the cabinets you already have in your kitchen.
Tip: Decorate the room before you nix a new paint color. I’ve seen time and time again (myself included), someone will paint the walls of their kitchen and immediately hate it. Sometimes it doesn’t look right until the kitchen is decorated. So, try decorating before re-painting!
Why Choosing the Right Paint Color Matters
Your oak cabinets are a focal point in the room. Pairing them with the wrong paint color can make your space feel outdated or mismatched. The perfect paint choice enhances the warmth of the wood and allows its texture and grain to shine. Whether you prefer a soothing neutral backdrop or a bold pop of contrast, your walls can transform the look and feel of your space.
Now, which colors will do the trick? I’ve got you covered!
6 Paint Colors That Go with Light Oak Cabinets
On this list of best paint colors that go with oak cabinets, you’ll find lots of blue colors and undertones for that very reason we mentioned before: it makes the orange tones calm down. You’ll also notice that gray also works well to tone down the oranges. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t variety in the options down below! One of these may just be the hue you’ve been looking for.
As an added bonus, many of these same shades also work well with oak wood trim. If you’ve been looking for paint colors that go with honey oak trim or any other wood with orange or red tint…choose from one of the shades below!
P.S. I realize these photo examples are not necessarily wall colors paired with painted oak cabinets, but I tried to find photos with some warm honey oak wood in the photo, so you can see how it works together! So, check out the paint colors with the flooring or other wood tones in the photos!
1. Sea Salt
When it comes to paint colors that go with honey oak cabinets, my first recommendation is always Sherwin Williams Sea Salt (SW 6204). I love this paint color so much, I use it in my own kitchen (although I don’t have honey oak cabinets anymore). A blue-green with gray undertones, it can lean more towards blue or green depending on the lighting. At different points in the day, my kitchen looks completely different!
It adds a nice pop of color. Slightly cool and almost warm, this unique combination makes it a neutral blue color. Depending on the stain of your oak cabinets, Sea Salt pairs excellently with lighter wood that has less orangey and dark tones. If you want some color, sea salt should definitely be on your list of considerations.
The photo example above shows how well the island pairs with the color of the floor! The cabinets might not be oak-colored, but the floor shows us how well these two colors go together.
More Seafoam Green Suggestions:
- Behr Breezeway
- Sherwin-Williams Rainwashed
- Benjamin Moore Healing Aloe
2. Iron Ore
Do you feel like going to the dark side? Gray tones make your home go from drab to ultra-modern. Iron Ore by Sherwin Williams (SW 1069) is almost black in appearance. In reality, it’s a creamier and charcoal-like color. The dark colors and cool tones make it a good contrast to lighter wood.
It adds a level of sophistication to the room but also relies on the wood to keep the mood cheery. For a daring kitchen, this one is for you. Just make sure you have lots of natural or artificial light to keep the room open and bright among the dark walls!
More Deep Gray Suggestions:
- Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal
- Sherwin-Williams Peppercorn
- Behr Chimney
3. Accessible Beige
Accessible Beige (SW 7036) is Sherwin Williams’ most popular beige color. I could rave on and on about this perfect beige, but I’ll let you decide for yourself. Unlike a “true beige” color, it has slight gray undertones. This means it doesn’t feel too yellowy like other beiges and won’t make the orange of your oak cabinets pop even more.
The paint is known for its versatility and ability to go in just about any room with any decor style. While it has those ultra-important gray undertones, it’s still considered a warm shade. This means it will blend in with the cabinetry and create a more monochromatic feel to the room. Pair the combination with white trim and you’ll see the saturation of Accessible Beige really come out.
More Warm Taupe or Greige Suggestions:
- Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray
- Sherwin-Williams Balanced Beige
- Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter
4. Mindful Gray
Here’s another gray option for you, though much less extreme than Iron Ore. Sherwin Williams Mindful Gray (SW 7016) is technically more of a greige color. This means it is a combination of beige and gray, but it leans heavily towards gray. The gray helps to be a complementary aspect to the wood color.
While warm, it won’t blend with the cabinetry like Accessible Beige will because it has a lot more gray to it. It has a hint of blue to it, which we know is the best combination for oak cabinetry. Considered a medium tone, you won’t see any other obvious undertones so it compliments most décor styles. The coolness will balance the warm yellows that come with the wood. However, it avoids looking too icy or blue like other grays because of the beige combination.
Greige is ultra-modern right now, and it is sure to liven up your cabinetry. While lighter than Iron Ore, it still is not a light color per se. Make sure your room is nice and bright if you choose to use this in your kitchen.
More Soft Gray Suggestions:
- Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray
- Benjamin Moore Classic Gray
- Behr Toasty Gray
5. Hale Navy
Just about any dark navy blue will go with oak cabinets. It has that lucrative blue we look for and the dark shade provides excellent contrast. But by far my favorite navy shade is Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore (HC-154). I first used it as the color for my front door, and now in my living room, and I haven’t looked back since.
It pairs beautifully with warm brown and cream colors, so it will be beautiful the honey oak cabinets. You can see how it pairs with the floors and the chairs in the photo above. Add crisp white trim for a beautifully, rich palette.
When paired with lighter wood, you will really notice the gray undertones. As a cool color, it works well as an accent. Though technically, it has both warm and cool tones which makes it a transitional color.
Since it’s such a dark shade, it will create a moody kitchen. Be sure you have lots of light in order to pull it off! You can also create just an accent wall with it if an entire Hale Navy kitchen scares you.
More Deep Navy Suggestions:
- Sherwin Williams Naval
- Behr Dark Navy
6. White Dove
I wanted to make sure I included a white shade on this list because I know how many people adore a white kitchen. Even with honey oak cabinets, you can still keep the room lively with white color. Benjamin Moore White Dove (OC-17) is a creamy white that feels almost greige.
It pairs exceptionally well with orange woods due to the greige. In lots of natural light, it appears almost true white. When in darker kitchens, it will feel warmer. Pair it with a bright white trim to really notice the difference.
More Creamy White Paint Suggestions:
Create Your Dream Space with Confidence
Transforming a room with oak cabinets doesn’t mean starting from scratch. With the perfect paint color, you can turn your kitchen or bathroom into a space that feels stylish, cozy, and truly yours. Whether you gravitate toward warm neutrals or crave a bold, dramatic vibe, there’s a perfect hue waiting to bring out the best in your oak cabinets.
Remember, paint is one of the easiest ways to refresh a room! If you’re still unsure which direction to go, don’t stress. Grab a few samples, test them out, and trust your instincts to guide you toward a color that makes you smile every time you walk into the room.
Let me know in the comments which color is your favorite!
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