There are no paint color decisions that strike fear into the hearts of homeowners like the ones for a kitchen. Whether it’s for the walls or the cabinetry, the sheer amount of color—and finish—choices can feel overwhelming—and the choice feels so permanent. But before you have a paint-based breakdown, take a deep breath—I’m here to help. As Country Living’s Senior Homes & Style Editor, I spend a lot of time writing about and studying paint colors. And the only thing I spend more time researching and writing about is kitchens, so it’s safe to say I have a few ideas about the best paint colors for your kitchen. But you don’t have to trust me. Here, I’ve rounded up the paint colors I see designers returning to again and again for their kitchen projects. From the perfect warm white to the best designer-approved sage green, these five paint colors (and similar shades) are guaranteed to transform your kitchen into a place you will love forever.
Seapearl by Benjamin Moore
If you’re looking for the perfect creamy white, look no further than designer Max Sinsteden’s go-to shade: Seapearl by Benjamin Moore. A creamy, slightly muddy white, Seapearl has appeared in multiple Max-designed spaces, including two of his own kitchens. Other similarly shaded whites include Timeless by Clare, Shaded White by Farrow & Ball, and Creamy by Sherwin-Williams.
Pigeon by Farrow & Ball
Every once in a while, there’s a paint color you start seeing everywhere, and this year, it’s Farrow & Ball’s Pigeon. It’s appeared in two kitchens we’ve published this year—the one above in Massachusetts and another by Country Design 100 honoree Monica Stewart in Georgia—and shows no sign of slowing down. A moody blue-gray, Pigeon has a slight green undertone that makes it totally inviting. For similar shades, check out Garden Flower from HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams, Nature’s Gift by Behr, and Silvery Green by Dutch Boy.
Lichen by Farrow & Ball
Green kitchens have taken the world by storm over the past five years, but finding the perfect shade is no easy feat. That’s where designer Claire Zinnecker’s favorite green paint color, Lichen by Farrow & Ball, comes in. “As much as I love a warm neutral, this fun shade adds such a nice layer of personality,” says Claire. “I love to use it on kitchen cabinets because it adds a jolt that can still read neutral.” Other similar shades include Dark Pine by Clark + Kensington, Saged by Backdrop, and Cypress Garden by Dutch Boy.
Swiss Coffee by Behr
Designers have long loved and sworn by Behr’s Swiss Coffee. “This has been my go-to white for years,” says Alabama-based decorator Heather Chadduck Hillegas. “It has just the right amount of warmth without going too yellow.” Whether you use it just on cabinetry or drench the entire room in the shade, the cozy white hue is sure to bring a sense of cozy, crisp warmth. Other similar colors include White Flour by Sherwin-Williams, Linen by Clark + Kensington, and Harvest Moon by Backdrop.
Dutch Tile Blue by Sherwin-Williams
Words to live by: If it’s good enough for the editor-in-chief, it’s good enough for me! Rachel Barrett, the editor-in-chief of Country Living, tested countless shades of blue for her Mississippi farmhouse kitchen before landing on the dreamy Dutch Tile Blue by Sherwin-Williams. Other similar shades include Artiste by Valspar, Relaxation by Clark + Kensington, and Rhine River by Benjamin Moore.
Anna Logan is the Deputy Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she has been covering all things home design, including sharing exclusive looks at beautifully designed country kitchens, producing home features, writing everything from timely trend reports on the latest viral aesthetic to expert-driven explainers on must-read topics, and rounding up pretty much everything you’ve ever wanted to know about paint, since 2021. Anna has spent the last seven years covering every aspect of the design industry, previously having written for Traditional Home, One Kings Lane, House Beautiful, and Frederic. She holds a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. When she’s not working, Anna can either be found digging around her flower garden or through the dusty shelves of an antique shop. Follow her adventures, or, more importantly, those of her three-year-old Maltese and official Country Living Pet Lab tester, Teddy, on Instagram.
