How to Design With Stock or Factory White Kitchen Cabinets

IKEA, Kraftmaid, Home Depot, Fabuwood, Hampton Bay, Articraft, Home Decorator’s…

Do you have stock or factory-white kitchen cabinets and aren’t sure which paint colors, backsplash tiles, or countertops go with them? 

This common color conundrum makes me wish cabinet makers had chosen popular white paint colors from Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams (heck, even Behr would be helpful), rather than pulling some random shade of white out of their arses. 

Because not all whites are created equal, especially ‘stock’ whites. 

While I can’t tell you the exact finishes you need (as I don’t know which cabinets you have and, regardless, don’t have samples of them on hand), I can sure as heck get you going in the right direction—this isn’t my first or last trip to the rodeo.

LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR BASELINE WHITE…

Seriously, this will save your bacon and your eggs. If you don’t have a baseline white to work from, you’re just guessing.

What’s a baseline white?

It’s a COMMONLY KNOWN white paint color from a well-known paint brand that is a close (or perfect) match to your cabinets.

In going through this process, you might be surprised that…

a) Your stock or factory white cabinets are MUCH whiter than you thought

b) They’re way warmer than you wanted

c) They’re hardly white at all, and look more off-white! 

There is no ‘set’ stock white cabinet color – every brand has its version of white. 

While I wish homeowners read this blog post BEFORE buying their cabinets (as often, they end up with a white they wouldn’t have chosen if they had known what it REALLY looks like), it’s better late than never! 

Why is the following info helpful? 

1. TRIMS: It’s best to match your trims, doors, and ceilings to your cabinets. Knowing which color is closest to your stock-white cabinets is the best way to start your color palette.
2. COORDINATION: When looking for the best paint colors for your walls or other finishes, you can do research on the white closest to your cabinet color. What suits it should suit your cabinets, too. 
3. DESIGN CHOICES: Knowing your cabinet color, or finding the color that’s as close to it as possible, will help you coordinate finishes like backsplash tile, countertop, and flooring. Otherwise, you’re just guessing. 

The Best White & Off-White Quartz Countertops

So, let’s get the party started…

STEP 1. FIND THE CLOSEST WHITE (your baseline)

While you might not find an exact match, you’re bound to find a white that’s pretty darn close to your factory-white cabinet color. You do this via large-scale, peel-and-stick paint samples.

Why Peel & Stick? The paper chips in the store aren’t accurate; they’re printed and not made with real paint, and are too small to see how they blend. Quarts of paint will cost you a fortune.

On the other hand, Samplize Peel & Stick* samples are each brand’s actual paint (two coats), are LARGE, and are more affordable. 

But in the end, you do you, boo, just get these colors in your hot little hands. 

Here are the colors to order…

IF YOU THINK YOUR CABINETS ARE A PRETTY DARN BRIGHT WHITE…

• Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace (here’s its REVIEW)
• Sherwin Williams High Reflective White (REVIEW)
• Sherwin Williams White Snow (REVIEW)
• Benjamin Moore Super White (REVIEW)
• Sherwin Williams Ceiling Bright White (I don’t have a review, and I HOPE your cabinets aren’t this cold-looking…)

And while you can’t get it via Samplize, I’d also get a sample of Behr Ultra Pure White (you’ll have to get a paper chip sample at Home Depot). 

IF YOUR CABINETS DON’T LOOK ‘BRIGHT WHITE‘…

• Benjamin Moore White Dove (here’s its REVIEW)
• Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace (REVIEW)
• Sherwin Williams Pure White (REVIEW)
• Sherwin Williams Alabaster (REVIEW)
• Sherwin Williams Greek Villa (REVIEW)

If you want more to compare, so you don’t have to make a second order, you might check out my full, Curated Warm White Color Bundle. 

*I make a small commission from Samplize Peel & Stick. If you think of how often I ‘sell’ or ‘promote’ things on my blog #hardlyever, you know that when I do suggest something, it’s a damn good idea. 

STEP 2. PLACE YOUR SAMPLES

Place your samples on your cabinet doors in a few different spots. See which samples blend and which stand out. Obviously, we want the sample that blends the best or perfectly matches. 

While a white piece of paper is helpful, it won’t tell you what color your cabinets are.

• If you ordered bright whites and your cabinets appear softer and warmer, check out the warm whites previously suggested.
• If you ordered warm whites and your cabinets are darker/more yellow, then they aren’t that white and may be in the off-white world. 

In this case, check out…

• Sherwin Williams Creamy (REVIEW)
• Sherwin Williams Pearly White (REVIEW)
• Benjamin Moore Linen White (REVIEW)

Modern Paint Colors to Go With Cream Cabinets

If your cabinets are darker or more yellow than these, you may want to read this blog post: How to Decorate With Cream Cabinets & Trims.

STEP 3: RESEARCH

By now, you should have your baseline white to work with. 

How now, brown cow? (I don’t know what it means, but my Mom says it). 

Learn about your baseline color and what finishes and colors go with it. You can easily do this via my SEARCH function. For example, if the white you end up with is Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace, go to my SEARCH and type in Chantilly Lace. This will take you to its Color Review, where you can learn all about the colors and finishes that look good with it! 

If your stock white cabinet is similar to Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace, this kitchen is an inspiration for you! 

WHAT’S THE BEST COUNTERTOP WITH STOCK WHITE CABINETS

Ahhhh, this is where the previous steps come in handy. If you don’t have a baseline white to coordinate with, you’re shootin’ stars on a cloudy night. 

1. Find the white paint color that’s the closest match to your ‘stock/factory white’ cabinet color. 
2. If this is a brighter white, explore white & off-white quartz countertops. While you might think off-white counters don’t make sense, if they aren’t warm but have a slightly grayish backdrop, the combo can be pretty. 
3. If your baseline white is a warmer shade of white, check out the previous countertops. However, you might have more luck with the the most popular, warm quartz and quartzite countertops. 

Again, I can’t tell you EXACTLY what to do, as I don’t know your cabinet color or other finishes. These tips and ideas are to get on the right path! 

WHAT BACKSPLASH TILES GO WITH STOCK OR FACTORY WHITE CABINETS? 

When choosing the best backsplash with white cabinets, the best choice is often white subway tile. Of course, exceptions run the gamut, but subway tile is a great place to start. 

MATCH YOUR SUBWAY TILE TO CABINETS

Again, that baseline white will come in handy. Take your paint sample to the store with you and find tiles that match it…perfectly. If your tile is whiter/warmer/colder/etc. than your cabinets, it will look like a mismatch. 

If your cabinets are similar to Sherwin Williams Alabaster, you can create this look! 

• If your cabinets are bright white, chances are you’ll find white subway tile at any big box store (but you still have to sample and compare carefully). Visit a few stores to see who has the best one. 
• If your cabinets are a warmer or softer white, you’ll likely find your best white subway tile at an actual ’tile store’, where they have a wide range of brands and colors to compare. 

5 Ideas to Add Personality to a Subway Tile Backsplash

If you don’t know what type of tile you want on your backsplash, read this article I wrote on today’s backsplash trends

Slab backsplashes are HUGE right now.

FOR NON-WHITE BACKSPLASHES

If you want a non-white subway tile or another tile entirely (e.g., marble, stone, etc.), there are a few considerations.

• If the tile you love has some white mixed in, that white should be the same type of white as your cabinets – not warmer, colder, brighter, etc.
• If the tile you love doesn’t have white in its palette, you’re probably taking most of your inspiration from your countertop. 

In this next example, the marble backsplash tile is too cool for the warm white of the cabinets…

As shown by the hand-painted sample of Sherwin Williams High Reflective White, it would have been a better choice in the first place (my Online Color Consulting client hired me for a new cabinet color to better match her backsplash and countertop). 

WHAT WALL PAINT COLORS GO WITH STOCK WHITE CABINETS?

Oh boy, that’s a hard one – so hard, I’m getting a little excited. 

 

Seriously, your white cabinets should be the LAST consideration when finding your best wall color. Instead…

1. BACKSPLASH: Because they’re on the same sightline and your backsplash ‘ideally’ coordinates with your easy-peasy white cabinets, your backsplash calls the first shots. 
2. COUNTERTOP: If your cabinets and backsplash are an easy-to-please white, your countertop calls the next shots. 
3. FLOORING: Flooring usually comes in last place.

If you want some recommendations on my FAVORITE wall colors…

READ MORE

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The Ultimate Guide to White Paint Colors

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