Our Favorite Blue Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colors

There are so many great blues. Blue can be light and bright or dark and moody. I tend to love dark rooms and therefore, my favorite blue cabinet paints are on the darker side of the spectrum.

Are Blue Kitchen Cabinets a Good Idea?

Blue kitchen cabinets are a good idea if they’re going to work for you. As with black, these dark blues are not for everyone, but can have a beautiful effect if it fits the space and your personality. Blue cabinet paint is actually extremely versatile, and can be used with a variety of design styles. The hardware and accessories you pair with it are ultimately what push the color to look modern, traditional, rustic, etc.

The shade of blue you pick also impacts the feel of the space. For example, a deep, dark blue will bring a weighted effect, while a lighter blue will open the kitchen up more. The good news is there is an endless number of blues to choose from, so you can select one that fits your personality and your style. Here are some of my favorites.

What Is The Best Blue Paint For Kitchen Cabinets?

My favorite blue, and what I consider to be the best blue paint for kitchen cabinets, is Down Pipe by Farrow & Ball. That paint swatch makes it look grey, but it’s blue undertones come out in bright spaces.

According to Farrow & Ball, Down Pipe is “a dark lead gray, [with] definite blue undertones to it which deepen the complexity of the finish. Originally inspired by the color used to paint downpipes and guttering, it has been embraced for use inside the home with fanatical zeal! This daringly dark hue is fabulous as a background to art and extremely effective for use in halls to create a deeply dramatic entrance to the home.”

In these photos, you can see how this color changes as you move through the room, and how the backsplash tile brings out the blue.

Even though Down Pipe is technically a gray, grays tend to present with either blue or brown undertones, which is crucial to paint color consideration and complementing features in a room.

My Other Favorite Blue Paint Colors

When it comes to the best blue for cabinets, I also really like Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore. It comes across as a more straight-forward blue and is perfect if you’re a fan of what would be considered a traditional navy blue. It looks so classy paired with white and I love all blues with any wood.

Benjamin Moore describes it as, “a timeless classic, this deeply saturated shade of navy blue evokes rich maritime traditions and storied exploits at sea.”

Dark, moody colors are also great for small guest bathrooms. You can add more style and drama to those small spaces with less commitment—they can be a bit of a surprise and departure from the decor and colors in the rest of the home.

Hale Navy on lower kitchen cabinets still looks bright and inviting when paired with the white upper cabinets and warm wood flooring in the project below.

Another of my favorite blue paint colors is Hague Blue by Farrow & Ball. It’s got a bit more green in it and I’ve used it on bathroom cabinetry to add personality and style to these smaller spaces.

Farrow and Ball describe Hague Blue as, “a strong blue takes its name from the fantastically coloured woodwork much used by the Dutch, and still works wonderfully to ground skirtings or as an accent colour on the walls when teamed with Borrowed Light. The green undertones of this timeless, deep and dramatic blue means it sits as happily outside as it does in small dark rooms.”

Best Blue Cabinet Paint For 2024

Each year I find a few new blue cabinet paint colors that I really like working with, and it’s no different with the new kitchen paint colors for 2024. Shades of moody blue—along with a few softer hues—remain a natural and soothing classic that won’t time out quickly like some other trends in past years. And while the best blue paints for kitchen cabinetry and design remain my favorites mentioned above, I’ve added some new and beautiful blue paint colors that may just become the starting point for your 2024 kitchen design.

Blue Cabinet Paint Color For 2024: Navy Masterpiece

I love the way Benjamin Moore has chosen to define Navy Masterpiece: “a bold, blackened teal that conveys a strong sense of history and architectural relevance.” It’s deep, but not so dark that it reads black in any way once the light hits it. As with most blues, Navy Masterpiece is going to look incredible with wood flooring or butcherblock countertops. I’d also love to see it paired with brass cabinet hardware to really make it pop.

Blue Cabinet Paint Color For 2024: Stiffkey Blue

This is a more inky navy shade that reads of Norfolk’s muddy beaches—in the best kind of way, of course. It’s going to be a pretty dramatic shade that really pops blue in well-lit spaces so don’t lean toward Stiffkey Blue by Farrow & Ball if you want something more subtle and traditional. It does go very well with traditional greige options, however, and F&B suggests their own Ammonite as a nice contrast.

Blue Cabinet Paint Color For 2024: Van Deusen Blue

The most “true” blue of all these new 2024 paint colors, Van Deusen Blue by Benjamin Moore is described by its creator as “a foundational blue color that fits easily into both traditional and modern spaces,” making it a pretty malleable option based on what you choose to pair it with. I like Van Deusen Blue with white whites for a clean and classic look in any kitchen design. It could be elevated further by gold hardware or really personalized by pairing it with a patterned tile backsplash.

Blue Cabinet Paint Color For 2024: Inchyra Blue

Inchyra Blue by Farrow & Ball is a blue paint for 2024 that feels fitting for someone with cottagecore vibes in their home—warmer aged woods, creamy whites, and lots of natural texture will complement this slightly blue-green gray. As told by its makers, the moodiness of Inchyra Blue was “inspired by the naturally dramatic Scottish skies.” But be careful and be sure to test it in your space as it can read more gray, blue, or green depending on lighting and surrounding design elements.

Blue Cabinet Paint Color For 2024: Blue Nova

Blue Nova by Benjamin Moore is its pick for color of the year. It reads a bit blue and a bit violet. It’s a statement-making color that they describe as being sumptuous and elevated. This color would be a fun addition to smaller spaces to add a touch of luxe whimsy. While it definitely has purple undertones, it can also read more gray in various lights. Blue Nova would look great paired with brass hardware and accents.

What Advice Would You Give To People Considering Blue Cabinets?

If you’re considering a deeper blue for your kitchen cabinets, I have a few fair warnings to share.

First, dark colors can absolutely dominate a room and kill natural light. So, if you don’t want it to feel very dark or make your cabinets appear black, you’ll need to balance your dark blue cabinetry with light or white flooring and walls in order to create some harmony in the space.

Second, a dark blue is not going to be the most maintenance-friendly. It will show food stains like sauces or flour, unlike some other colors that can work to camouflage certain kitchen mishaps. It also shows fingerprints and dust easily. Another consideration is that, if damaged, a chip or ding in the cabinet face will clearly reveal the material beneath the dark paint.

But, if opting for a lighter blue, these issues become less apparent. A light blue kitchen cabinet or island can set a cool but cheerful tone for the right space.

What Colors and Finishes Look Best With Blue Cabinets? 

As far as colors that best compliment blue cabinetry, absolutely any wood, in most stains is going to work. That’s the beauty of a versatile blue. White also looks incredible and makes blue stand out even more.

As for hardware, brass is considered the soulmate of blue. And while that’s true, I also love polished nickel or chrome, and even monochromatically painted knobs look amazing on the right blue cabinet.

Trends In Blue Kitchen Cabinet Colors

Blue is poised to be an even bigger player in the world of cabinetry in 2024. Which blue fits your style hinges a lot on what you pair it with.

Light Blue with Light Wall Color and Accents

Choosing a lighter blue color for your kitchen cabinets and pairing it with light and bright wall colors, tiles, and accents can achieve a traditional style look.

Bright Blue with Bold Accents

Want a modern-style kitchen? Choose a bright and bold shade of blue and pair it with other bold colors to make each one pop.

Darker Blue with Warmer Accents

You can achieve a cozy farmhouse style if you select a darker blue paint and pair it with other warm and dark colors.

Dark or Mid-Tone Blue with Light Accents

This is one of the most popular blue kitchen cabinet trends. The contrasting darker and lighter colors can be parlayed into a variety of design styles. Plus, using dark and light colors allows visual interest without making the space feel small and enclosed.

How To Choose The Right Blue For Your Cabinets

Choosing the best blue paint for kitchens is all a matter of taste. Everyone is going to have a different style they are trying to achieve, and blue cabinet paint can help you get there. When you’re deciding on the perfect blue paint color for your kitchen, consider doing these things:

• Test paint samples in your kitchen or other space where they will live.
• View the paint samples at different times of the day, and in different types of light.
• Buy a sample container and paint a big enough swatch that you can really get a feel for it. The store paint chip is not big enough.
• Pair your sample with different accent colors and materials.
• Think about the overall theme of your home. Even if the blue paint is a departure from the rest of your home, it should still reflect the same style and allow everything to flow together.

Pairing Blue Cabinets With Hardware

The look of the blue cabinet paint you select can change drastically depending on the hardware you choose to accessorize it. We always recommend brass, chrome, or matte black. Each of these finishes can speak to a different design style.

Polished brass cabinet hardware tends to look upscale and refined. Aged brass cabinet hardware also looks upscale and refined, but it also has an added element of elegance. Polished nickel cabinet hardware often gives spaces a more modern feel. Matte black hardware tends to look more understated on blue kitchen cabinets and really lets the cabinets themselves shine.

As for hardware, brass is considered the soulmate of blue. And while that’s true, I also love polished nickel or chrome, and even monochromatically painted knobs look amazing on the right blue cabinet.

General Paint Must-Knows

What Is Paint “Sheen” and How Does It Play Out In a Space?

The sheen of paint is how shiny or dull it is. There is an entire spectrum (see below) ranging from completely matte to glossy, and everything between. I prefer a satin sheen because it’s the perfect balance of not too dull or too shiny. Shiny paint can appear plastic or fake, but something too matte won’t wear well over time against grease and oil.

Sheen Spectrum:

Matte

Dull

Eggshell

Satin

Semi-gloss

Gloss

What Should People Know Before Picking Their Paint Color? 

You’ve got to consider what is happening with the rest of the room: flooring, walls, trim, hardware, lighting, and art will all play a part in how a room comes together. You have to ensure your paint color is cohesive with everything else as part of the overall game plan. You can’t just design a room and then drop in cabinets at the end—holistic design sense is key.

You can see more of my design projects—kitchens, bathrooms, built-ins, and furniture—on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest.

Looking for help with your custom cabinetry and layout design? Ready to make your house a home with custom cabinetry? Our team, based in Utah, can travel anywhere nationwide to help you find the perfect paint and design for your home, then install it with our near-obsessive attention to detail. Contact us today to start your journey of creating a beautiful, custom kitchen.