Paint Colors You Should Avoid If You Have Cherry Wood Cabinets In Your Kitchen

Cherry wood cabinets are not often found in today's kitchens, but don't think that they've gone out of style. This once-dated cabinet finish is making a comeback due to its timeless elegance, durability, and versatility. Many homeowners agree that cherry is among the best type of wood for kitchen cabinets. It is long lasting and only becomes more beautiful with age, transforming from a light shade to a distinguished darker hue as it is exposed to air and sunlight. Plus, the warmth of cherry wood gives the kitchen a welcoming and cozy atmosphere. However, the beauty of your cherry cabinets could be overshadowed by poorly-chosen wall paint. Cherry wood commands significant visual attention in the kitchen, especially as the aging process darkens the wood over time. The right paint shade will either complement or create a tasteful, appropriate contrast to your wood cabinets. With this being said, it's important to avoid bold competing colors, colors that will clash with the red undertones of cherry wood, and tones that will make your kitchen feel unnecessarily dark. 

Cherry wood can be pricier to install than other varieties like maple or oak. Curating a beautiful color scheme is essential to make your investment worthwhile. The right color for your space will largely depend on the stain and finish of your cabinets, as well as other visual elements in your home. Cherry wood has a wide range of available finishes, ranging from natural warm to rich espresso brown and many more. Consider the undertones and the natural aging process of your finish, so that you can select a wall color that complements it.

Cherry wood has a rich reddish-brown hue that makes a statement in the kitchen. With that being said, cherry cabinets are not as versatile as traditional white or neutral cabinets. Cherry wood looks elegant when paired with earth tones such as olive green, sage, and tan, which are also some of the best colors to complement cherry wood floors. However, while floors tend to blend into the background, cabinets command much more visual attention in a room. It's best to avoid colors that will compete with your cherry wood cabinets, such as metallic shades or bold colors like vibrant yellow, bright orange, or crimson.

If your cherry cabinets are on the darker side, choose a pale shade like soft beige to brighten up the space. Pairing dark cabinets with a dark paint color will deplete your kitchen of light and make it feel smaller and less inviting. Conversely, light cherry cabinets can be paired with darker paint shades such as forest green as they are not as visually "heavy" in the space. Tread with caution when working with cool tones such as dark blue and gray shades with hints of blue. Cherry wood has a distinctive red undertone which may clash with blue as the cool tones could create a contrast that feels off-balance with the warmth of red. A comforting contrast is possible, but the results will depend on the shade of your cabinets and various elements in your kitchen, such as your other finishes, the size, decor scheme, and available natural light.