Brighten Up Your Kitchen Space With These Yellow Cabinet Ideas

One of the simplest ways to give your kitchen an instant makeover is by repainting your cabinets. Your cooking space should be an area you look forward to entering — and switching up the color palette to something vibrant and cheery is an easy cheat code to make a kitchen more inviting. Yellow paint can give your kitchen an instantly joyful appearance. But despite its happy vibe, yellow is a bit of a contentious hue. Some feel that bright yellow is one of the colors you should never paint a kitchen. However, while very intense shades of yellow can be overpowering, there are myriads of nuanced yellow paint colors that can brighten up any area of your home, including the kitchen. 

Selecting the right variation of yellow comes down to a few key considerations. Consider the surrounding décor and how you can play up the kitchen you already have. If you have a rustic-inspired space, consider a muted yellow hue. For a more modern look, choose a bolder, brighter shade. And if you're after that peaceful country cottage aesthetic, a soft sunshine yellow could be a perfect pick. Painting your kitchen cabinets yellow is a rule-bending trend that can take dopamine decorating to new heights. Get inspired by these dreamy kitchens created by both designers and amateurs.

PLUCK London on Instagram dubbed the color of these cabinets "Market Mustard," as the shade was inspired by the buzzing energy of the Brixton Village market. Take inspiration from this lively kitchen and paint your cabinets in a warm, matte shade of yellow for a modern, invigorating design. Get a similar look with Mayan Gold from Benjamin Moore. This kitchen is also proof that you don't have to drench both your top and bottom cabinets in yellow. The bottom cabinets are enough to make a bold statement. While cabinets are typically painted with a gloss or semi-gloss paint, a matte finish can give your home a contemporary touch.

Nordic design doesn't necessarily mean forgoing color, sometimes it is about clean lines, lack of clutter, and intentional décor. The Design Files showcased their Scandinavian-inspired kitchen on Instagram, featuring colorful custom tiles and yellow cabinetry. This soft yet lively yellow tone can create a dynamic space that still feels contemporary. Butter yellow home décor trends continuously pop up, due to the color's timeless quality. Capture a similar shade with Egg Cream by Behr. For more tips on Nordic-style design, explore our ultimate guide to Scandinavian décor.

There's nothing cheerier than the color of sunshine, and @happyenchantedhome on TikTok had the goal of creating a kitchen that radiates pure joy. By painting her cabinets in a sunshine yellow shade, she transformed the entire space into a mood-boosting sanctuary. The aptly named Sun Salutation by Sherwin-Williams is currently one of their Expert Picks from their exclusive Designer Collection. If you want to commit to the warm-toned, sunshine-inspired look, swap out your hardware for a gold or bronze finish.

Dark, Dijon yellow cabinets enhanced the rustic look of @emilyjanelathan's kitchen on TikTok. With the simple addition of a pan rail and vertical plank paneling, the Dijon shade seamlessly matches the bucolic aesthetic. Love the look? You can find a similar gold pan rail on Amazon for $44.95. Yellow can easily channel a countryside feel if you select a vintage-inspired shade. Sweet Mustard by Behr is a potential pick to recreate this country-style aesthetic. If you really want to lean into the rustic aspect, consider adding pops of wooden and brass décor for an organic feel.

This otherwise contemporary kitchen by @newbiesinthedust on TikTok uses the power of pale yellow to add a quirky touch. Along with the green checkerboard floor, this kitchen is proof that pops of color can turn your cooking space from builder-grade sleek to unique. Keep in mind that paint tends to appear bolder, darker, and more intense when it is on your wall instead of on a small paint chip, so if your goal is to capture a pale color, select one shade lighter than your original choice.

Add some spice to your kitchen with vibrant, saffron yellow cabinets, like The Fabled Thread on Instagram. This bright shade of yellow was paired with butcher block countertops, subway tiles, and a farmhouse sink for a blend of old and new trends. Yellow is ideal for a transitional space because it can lean classic or contemporary depending on your other décor. If you're having trouble finding your holy grail yellow hue, my perfect color is a great resource for purchasing recreations of discontinued paint shades — like Bright Saffron by Kelly Moore. If you can supply a sample, The Home Depot also offers paint matching services.

Sometimes yellow doesn't have to be the star of the show. In this kitchen by Punch World on Instagram, they chose to use yellow as a supporting role. The slightly cool-toned yellow cabinets support the bold stone countertop and backsplash. Cool-toned yellow is ideal if you are looking for a shade that won't clash with other warm colors in your cooking space. Try this tangy yellow tone called Lemon Grass from Benjamin Moore. Feeling unsure how a new paint color will play with your existing countertops? Here are some kitchen cabinet and countertop color combinations to browse.