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 blues 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. The nice thing is that there are an endless number of blues to choose from, but I do have my favorites.

What Is The Best Blue Paint For Kitchen Cabinets?

My favorite blue 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 grey, [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 pair it with backsplash tile that brings out the blue.

Even though Down Pipe is technically a grey, greys 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

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 describes 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.”

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 are 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 awesome 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? You can contact me here.