The Stunning Color Palette That Gives Gray Kitchen Cabinets A Modern Look

Whether you realize it or not, your kitchen cabinets are one of the biggest focal points within the room. As such, they can have a lot of sway over the ambiance and aesthetic. Choosing the color for these important fixtures can make or break your overall designs, and it's common to want to use a shade that will match a variety of designs while also channeling your style. Gray is a popular choice for kitchen cabinets, as it still brings some neutral coloring in without requiring a commitment to a certain theme or palette. However, while this shade is certainly considered timeless, it can lean toward a stark or sterile vibe if you don't balance it. To help find a color palette that gives gray cabinets a modern finish, House Digest spoke exclusively with expert Erika Dale, Interior Designer and Founder of Erika Dale Interior Design. "By creating a dynamic and layered palette around the gray, it elevates the gray from builder-grade to beautiful," she shares.

Dale goes on to say that "Gray looks incredible when paired with a varied neutral color palette with warmer undertones and organic wood tones." Many kitchens feature wood and neutral elements, but if you're starting from scratch, this is a good note to consider if you were planning on painting cabinets gray. Our expert also shares that she loves "to pair gray with beautiful off-white finishes and pops of black to make the gray pop and create some sophisticated contrast to give the space visual interest." The black adds an element of drama if you want more dimension in your kitchen. So, how else can you style gray kitchen cabinets without making them seem dated?

Because there are so many varying shades of gray (paint, not the book), you have options as to how you modernize your color and pull through different materials. In her exclusive interview with House Digest, Erika Dale recommends pairing "charcoal gray cabinets with stunning dark wood upper cabinets or range hood with clean lines for a nice modern juxtaposition." She tells readers not to be nervous about pairing "warmer metal finishes like brass for the hardware, plumbing, or light fixtures, though matte black (or a mix) is always a classic choice as well." 

When it comes to modernizing and elevating your gray cabinets, Dale encourages readers to "Choose a stone countertop with dramatic veining to create contrast with lighter gray cabinets and carry it up onto the backsplash for an [updated], luxe look, or opt for a fantastic black stone countertop to create some much needed contrast." One of the biggest mistakes people make when choosing gray cabinets is opting for the incorrect undertone, which Dale notes makes a big difference in the final result of your kitchen. 

Once you've decided gray is the right color for your kitchen cabinets, Erika Dale notes that considering undertones can help. "Gray can be a little tricky because if the undertones are too cool, it can look stark and generic," she says in her exclusive interview with House Digest. Much like using a lot of white, this can produce a sterile environment that doesn't feel particularly warm or welcoming. Accordingly, Dale suggests opting for a gray that has warm undertones. She notes that medium and dark grays "can also add a more modern depth to the space over a light gray, which can sometimes lean more traditional." 

Dale gives readers a good piece of advice regarding existing gray cabinet paint. "Pairing it with warmer elements and creating contrast is the key to making the space feel fresh, exciting, and modern," she says. "Without warmth and contrast, the gray cabinets can quickly feel one-note, safe, and lacking in personality." Your kitchen is a hub and a social spot where you spend a good portion of your time, so having a welcoming and comfortable space is key. When it comes to exact paint shades and materials, Dale leaves the design options open for homeowner or renter interpretation, allowing for a range of personal preferences to come into play. She leaves off with a request to all readers: "Please, for the love of all things design, do not pair gray cabinets with a basic white subway tile unless you want a generic throwback with outdated vibes (anyone remember the cool gray and white kitchens of the 2010s?)."