Modern Paint Colors to Update Cream Cabinets & Trims (Hail Mary’s)

WILL THESE COLORS GO WITH YOUR CREAM CABINETS?

If you have cream cabinets and trims and want to update them, you know how hard it is to find a coordinating paint color.

Oh sure, there are any number of paint colors that GO WITH cream cabinets and trims, but ‘go with’ colors don’t always create an updated look. 

Why?

Cream cabinets and trims are persnickety about their color partners, and many of the best paint colors are light-medium depth or darker. 

However, I occasionally get feedback on my Kylie M YouTube and blog comment sections from readers who were ‘hoping’ for lighter, brighter colors and are a bit disappointed. Hey, I’m not here to disappoint anyone, but…

I can’t give you what doesn’t exist. 

BUT (Kardashian-sized, so it’s a relatively large but), there is the odd light, neutral paint color that sneaks in the back door. I’m less confident about these colors, but they might be worth sampling if you’re up for it. 

So, I figured it was time to make a blog post for these ‘fringe’ colors. 

This…is NOT one of the fringe colors – HELLLLLLS no. It’s just a good example of what doesn’t work.  

First, let’s cover some ground rules…

1. Start by hoping, but not assuming, these colors will work with your cream cabinets. Cross your fingers, toes, and eyes that your cream cabinets have just what it takes to humor these lighter shades. I say this because it’s a crapshoot; however, sometimes it’s worth taking a shot when you’re in a tricky spot. 
2. Sample carefully. Don’t just explore one color, pick a range to compare with your cabinets. 
3. Don’t force it (which is also what I tell Tim every Friday night). If your chosen color makes your cabinets look more yellow or is LIGHTER than your cream cabinets and trims, it probably doesn’t work. 
4. Watch those undertones! Cream cabinets cater to a yellow undertone. From there, it can have a grayed-out cream look, a flash of green, or even some orange mixed in. Of course, glaze adds another layer of challenge. 

Also, because this isn’t easy (and when it is, I don’t always get ‘after’ photos), I don’t have images of all these colors in action WITH CREAM CABINETS or trims. I might have them in other situations, though, so you can at least get your peepers on ’em. 

What’s the goal? We have two…

1. MATCH YOUR CABINETS OR TRIM

While not every kitchen can pull off the same cream color on the cabinets and walls, some can. It comes down to layout, surrounding finishes, the amount of trim nearby, etc. If you think your kitchen suits this look…

Matching your walls to your cabinet color is one of the BEST ways to update your cream cabinets. 

As for trim, same-same. If you can match your cream trim with the same color on your walls, amazeballs. 

2. FIND A COLOR THAT’S A TONE DARKER

If you can find a color with undertones in tune with your cream cabinet/trim color, but is a soft tone or two darker, this is a great way to update a room with cream finishes. 

This gets trickier with the rich creams, as they don’t always suit ‘updated warm neutral wall color’; they prefer more dense, rich colors. If your cream cabinets and trims are muted, there’s a reasonable chance you’ll find a winner below (send pics if you do! No nudes). 

3. LET GO OF PAINTING YOUR WALLS WHITE 

If you have cream cabinets and trims, it’s time to let white walls go. It’s okay; they would never work, and you can stop looking for that elusive white paint color. 

Why?

Even the best, most fool-proof warm white paint colors have higher LRVs than cream cabinets and trims. Paint your walls white and your palette will look back asswards and your cream finishes will potentially look dingy, yellow, or more outdated. 

And that’s it. Those are our three goals for updating your kitchen or room with cream cabinets or trim. 

If these colors don’t work, check out The 16 Best Paint Colors to Update Cream Cabinets & Trims. Your particular cream or cream-glaze combo probably needs a color with more depth. 

1. BENJAMIN MOORE BALLET WHITE OC-9

Ballet White is gorgeous. Now, you’re going to need some dark, subtle cream cabinets or trims to pull it off, but it can happen. 

While this trim is a soft, warm shade of white, it still shows how pretty Ballet White can be.

Ballet White has an LRV of 72, so it’s in between the off-white and light-depth worlds. It has super muted undertones, so your cream finish better do the same. 

Here’s your Peel & Stick sample of Ballet White…

This next Online Color Consulting project was an interesting one. My client asked me for colors to go with her cream trim (that she couldn’t paint). I gave her a bunch that suited her trim, marble countertop, and wood cabinets, but she hoped for ‘lighter and brighter’…

So, we decided to play around, knowing the risks. In our journey (not knowing the actual color of her cream trim), we came across Benjamin Moore Ballet White, and she fell in love… 

Realistically, is Ballet White a bit too muted for the degree of cream-yellow in the trim? Yes. But is my client happy? YOU BET YOUR CUTE LITTLE BOOTY SHE IS!

When you’re in a tricky spot with cream cabinets and trims, sometimes it’s about finding a happy medium or ‘the next best thing’. 

Benjamin Moore Ballet White: IMAGES, Info, & More

2. BENJAMIN MOORE WHITE SAND OC-10

White Sand is a great one to start with if you don’t want to match your cabinets.

With its LRV of almost 67, White Sand has a bit more depth. This added depth makes it more likely to suit cream cabinets compared to lighter shades like Ballet White and some of the colors listed below. 

Here’s your Peel & Stick sample of White Sand…

3. SHERWIN WILLIAMS ANTIQUE WHITE 6119

While Antique White gets a bad rap (thanks to me, somewhat), it can be a gorgeous color when used the right way. 

Sure, Antique White gives me the twitches on cabinets and trims, but only because it’s challenging to UPDATE. As a wall color, it’s friggin’ gorgeous. 

Check out this next image showing Antique White on an interior door and trim…

Ignoring the darker shades, notice how the top left and top right paint colors work with Antique White.

Looking closer at the top right, want to know what that color is? Sherwin Williams Antique White.

Sherwin Williams Antique White: IMAGES, Info, & More

Remember, matching your cream cabinets and trims is one of the best ways to update them. 

If you want a match to your cream cabinets, but don’t know what color they are, you’ll find a list of the most common cream cabinet colors in this blog post. But don’t forget about the colors listed below, as they could work, too! 

Here’s your Peel & Stick sample of Antique White…

4. BENJAMIN MOORE MANCHESTER TAN HC-81

Manchester Tan is an oldie but a goody as far as warm neutrals go. 

With a bit more meat on its bones, this baby has got back with an LRV of 63.24. Sure, that’s not super dark, but compared to traditional cream paint colors, it offers some (often much-needed) contrast. 

Don’t just sample one color. Compare Manchester Tan to similar shades with this handy Peel & Stick Tan Color Bundle (curated by me!). 

While the trim in this next bedroom isn’t overly creamy, the headboard sure as heck is, showing how well Manchester Tan goes with a stronger shade of cream.

Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan: IMAGES, Info, & More

5. SHERWIN WILLIAMS CANVAS TAN 7531

Canvas Tan is awesome. Right up there in the ranks with Manchester Tan, its LRV of 64 offers that bit more contrast with cream cabinets. 

COME TO MOMMA – I love this combo! 

Here’s your Peel & Stick sample of Canvas Tan…

This means that if your cabinets are a heavier cream, Canvas Tan could be a great color to sample and compare. 

Sherwin Williams Canvas Tan: IMAGES, Info, & More

6. SHERWIN WILLIAMS NEUTRAL GROUND 7568

If Canvas Tan and Manchester Tan are darker than you had in mind, take a gander at Neutral Ground. 

With an LRV of 70, Neutral Ground is kind of in between the creamier wall color options and the last two slightly darker shades. 

This next image shows some awesome comparison (although neither the cabinets nor the trim are overly creamy). YA GET WHAT YA GET AND YA DON’T GET UPSET!

BM Ballet White (previous mention) | SW Creamy | SW Steamed Milk | BM Simply White

Sherwin Williams Neutral Ground: IMAGES, Info, & More

7. BENJAMIN MOORE REVERE PEWTER HC-172

I’m throwing caution to the wind with this one. Or I’m breaking wind, one or the other. 

Seriously, Revere Pewter is great. Not only is it one of Benjamin Moore’s most timeless paint colors (yes, a GRAY that’s timeless), but it also works with some cream cabinets and trims.

While it can depend on how thick your cream is, Revere Pewter has the potential to settle in nicely, especially if your kitchen isn’t overly bright.

Revere Pewter is a light (borderline light-medium depth) warm gray/greige with an earthy green undertone. It’s this muddiness that often appeals to the most discerning of cream cabinets. 

Compare Revere Pewter to similar shades in this CURATED Warm Gray Peel & Stick Bundle (curated by me in partnership with Samplize). 

Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter: IMAGES, Info, & More

8. BENJAMIN MOORE GENTLE CREAM OC-96

Gentle Cream is a classic shade of heavy cream, winking at beige with a come-hither glance. 

This is because Gentle Cream isn’t messing around. With an LRV of 72, it sits on the edge of the off-white range – any darker and it really is a beige paint color. 

Apologies for the blurriness of this next photo, but I take what I can get sometimes…

All the photos in my blog are from my Online Color Consulting clients, readers, & friends— because real homes deserve to be celebrated (dirty laundry & all!) While not magazine-perfect, they’re packed with ideas & proven color choices to help you create a home you’ll love.

You’ll also notice that Gentle Cream is warmer and more golden than the others on this page. This bodes well if your cream cabinets happen to have a brown glaze, as they might appreciate this added warmth. 

Benjamin Moore Gentle Cream: IMAGES, Info, & More

Never sample just one color. 

There’s a buttload of colors that are similar to Gentle Cream that are worth exploring. Sample and compare some of my favorites in my Peel & Stick Cream Color Bundle. 

9. SHERWIN WILLIAMS CHOPSTICKS 7575

If you’re feeling hungry and have nimble fingers, grab Chopsticks (I’m more of a fork girl, personally). 

Chopsticks isn’t talked about often in the paint color world, but it’s a gooder. 

Coming in with an LRV of 65, it’s a fantastic depth if you want a bit of contrast with your cream cabinets and trims, but still want lightish walls. 

If Chopsticks is intriguing, compare it to some of the others on this page, along with colors from my CURATED Tan Paint Color Bundle (Peel & Stick!)

The Best Warm Off-White Paint Colors

WHAT ABOUT THESE POPULAR LIGHT COLORS?

While some colors are worth trying, others leave me far too skeptical. Some colors will not only NOT update cream cabinets and trims, you risk them BACKdating them.

I have hopes for the above colors, whereas these below…well, you do you, boo…

• Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige
• Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray
• Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray
• Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist, Classic Gray, or Collingwood

READ MORE

The 16 Best Paint Colors to Update Cream Cabinets & Trims

Updating Cream Cabinets & Trims: COMMON QUESTIONS

The Best WHOLE HOME Warm Paint Colors

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