The One Color You Shouldn't Paint Your Kitchen If You Have Oak Cabinets

Oak cabinets can add warmth and depth to any kitchen — as long as they're paired with the right paint color. Pick the wrong shade, and suddenly, your cabinets transform from a delightful shade of honey to a musty yellow. The natural beauty and texture found in wood can feel muted or erased. And your kitchen? Well, the room that should be full of light, family gatherings, and delicious meals could instead start to feel like a dated and dreary cafeteria.

Thankfully, that can all be avoided if you stay away from cool green paint color options. While a lovely shade on its own, the green undertones can bring out too much of the yellow and orange in the cabinets, dampening their brightness. We'll go into more detail below so that whether you're sprucing up the place with a DIY project or kicking off a total kitchen remodel, you can pick the paint that will complement — not clash with — your cabinets.

If you're looking to paint around oak cabinets, you're not alone. Oak cabinets are a kitchen staple, thanks in part to their resilience. The exact shade of oak cabinets can vary depending on the stain or the finish of the wood, but most have orange-ish or honey-hued undertones. The color can give your kitchen a sun-kissed glow, keeping things bright and cheery.

But that can all change if you pick a cool green paint color to pair with them. Why? The answer stems from color theory, the centuries-old principle about how we perceive colors. It tells us which hues, tints, and shades complement or contrast each other. According to color theory, cool greens (like seafoam green or mint green) contrast with warm yellows and oranges in sharp or unpleasant ways. The same principle applies to other cool tones in shades of grey, violet, or blue. The effect may make the cabinets seem less like natural wood and more like a manufactured material, as its qualities appear less distinct. 

But remember — not all greens are cool. An earthy green with warm beige undertones can complement the cabinets and enhance the natural wood. Similarly, a rich and warm navy blue could pair beautifully with oak cabinets. Whatever paint you choose, consider adding accents or pops of color in your kitchen that complement your paint choice. This will keep the kitchen cohesive without being too matchy-matchy and allow you to enjoy the natural beauty of your oak cabinets for years to come.