Light wood cabinets are a popular choice for kitchens. Not only do they add natural texture to the room, but they also prevent the space from feeling overwhelmed which can occur with dark cabinets.
If you have light wood cabinets, or plan to install them, then you may be wondering what the best colour scheme is to pair with them, especially as it can be a challenge to choose a colour that works with the cabinets, as well as the rest of the room. A kitchen update is a big commitment and you won’t want to start this project only to realise you’ve chosen the wrong colours!
Before you start, take a look at the 21 kitchen colour schemes that we’ve put together so you can be sure that you pick shades that work perfectly for you and your light wood cabinets. Be it bold or muted, modern or traditional, keep on reading as we’ve got a style that’s right for you!
Our Favourite Three Kitchen Colour Ideas with Light Cabinets
1. Sage Green with Light Wood Cabinets | Best for Tranquillity
2. Lavender with Light Wood Cabinets | Best for Quirky Style
3. Monochrome with Light Wood Cabinets | Best for Classic Colours
Kitchen Colour Schemes for Light Wood Cabinets
1. Classic White
Keep things classic by pairing your light wood kitchen cabinets with a crisp white. Using white on walls and countertops will help to create a clean, open kitchen space that instantly brightens the room.
To create more depth and visual interest, introduce some coloured accessories or potted plants. If you have light oak cabinets and you don’t know what colour to paint your kitchen, you can’t go wrong with white!
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Pros
- Brightening effect
- Classic colour
Cons
- Can need lifting with other colour accessories
2. Soft Grey
A subtle grey shade adds a more contemporary, sophisticated finish to the kitchen and still creates the same open, airy feeling of white. If you like the idea of keeping the walls white, paint some of the cupboards in a soft grey shade as seen here and use grey flooring. The textured finish of the light wood cabinets against the soft grey shade will help to add definition and interest to the room.
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Pros
- Modern alternative to white
- Sophisticated
Cons
- Can be visually underwhelming
3. Sage Green
An on-trend kitchen colour for 2023, sage green is a timeless, soft green hue that creates a calm and tranquil space. It perfectly complements light wood tones with its delicate, natural tones. For more depth and texture, try using sage green kitchen tiles as shown here.
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Pros
- Tranquil
- On- trend colour
Cons
- Can feel muted to those that prefer a bold colour
4. Navy Blue
For a kitchen paint colour to pair with light wood cabinets that adds a touch of drama, try navy blue. When paired with light wood cabinets, this colour combo creates a striking contrast that has a touch of elegance to it.
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Pros
- Striking
- Elegant
Cons
- Can be overwhelming in smaller spaces
5. Burnt Orange
Add a touch of warmth to your room by pairing your light wood cabinets with a burnt orange kitchen colour. This striking colour will make for an inviting room that feels zesty, energetic and fun.
Pros
- Bright
- Energetic
Cons
- Orange tones don’t work well with cooler light wood tones
6. Lavender
The soft, delicate tones of lavender work perfectly with lighter wood tones, especially if they have a coolness to them. It creates a more unusual, muted style that still manages to retain a playful edge to it at the same time.
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Pros
- Delicate
- Playful
Cons
- Can lack balance if not executed well
7. Red
For a dynamic and stylish space, introduce red tones with your light wood cabinets. They keep the space feeling warm and inviting with an invigorating edge.
Pros
- Vibrant
Cons
- Red can limit colour options for accessories and other décor
8. Light Yellow
Pale yellow tones work well with light wood cabinets as they brighten up the space, keeping your kitchen from feeling overwhelmed whilst at the same time creating a cheerful environment.
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Pros
- Uplifting
- Happy tone
Cons
- Can clash with certain countertop colours
9. Taupe
Taupe is a more unusual neutral tone that works well to enhance the light wood cabinets by creating a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere.
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Pros
- Comforting
- Modern neutral shade
Cons
- This shade won’t work well with very pale or bleached wood tones as it lacks contrast
10. Pink
Pink, especially its paler tones, offers a delicate hint of colour that has both warmth and softness to it. It can help to add a subtle (but at the same time playful) touch to your kitchen that feels uplifting and helps to enhance the light wood tones.
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Pros
- Soft and delicate
Cons
- Some pale pinks won’t offer much depth against the light wood cabinets
11. Black
For a real dose of drama that feels both elegant and premium, introduce a black colour scheme to your light wood kitchen. It will add a visually-exciting contrast that’s stylish, providing your space with a statement feel. If you think that black would be too overwhelming in large doses, introduce the colour instead through accessories, countertops and even appliances.
Pros
- Sophisticated
- Adds contrast
Cons
- Can feel overwhelming
12. Chocolate Brown
Chocolate brown set against light wood cabinets offers a richness that gives a welcoming edge to the kitchen space. It’s a softer alternative to black that still manages to create a visually-pleasing contrast. The texture of the wood cupboards helps add definition to the space.
Pros
- Soft contrast
Cons
- Can lack depth
13. Burgundy
If you like red tones but want a more traditional, luxurious feel then try using burgundy with your light wood cabinets. This colour has an expensive feel to it that can leave the space feeling elegant whilst the warmth of the hue feels inviting – perfect for a room that forms a central part of a home!
Pros
- Premium
- Works well for traditional homes
Cons
- Can be hard to find complementary accessories
14. Beige
Beige is a versatile shade that leaves plenty of scope for a colour pop with accessories. Paired with light wood cupboards, this a combination that will help to open up the space with a cohesive, elegant finish. Beige works especially well in rustic or farmhouse-style homes.
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Pros
- Harmonious colour scheme
- Reflective shade opens up space
Cons
- Can lack depth
15. Dark Green
Dark and forest green shades offer a striking contrast against light wood cabinets that feels more unusual compared to more traditional dark shades such as navy. It’s a stylish, eye-catching shade that will help to enhance the cabinets.
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Pros
- Unusual contrast
- Eye-catching
Cons
- More of a trend-led colour that doesn’t have the same timeless qualities as navy
16. Turquoise
Turquoise is a great colour scheme to use for kitchens with light wood cabinets if you’re looking for a bright and cheerful aesthetic. This playful tone creates a fun space that feels relaxed yet at the same time playful.
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Pros
- Bright
- Cheerful
17. Light Blue
Use pale blue tones with your light wood cabinets to create a fresh, beachy vibe in your kitchen, this is particularly effective when you pair the colour with pale oak. Light blue can help to create a feeling of space that is perfect for smaller kitchen spaces.
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Pros
- Good for a fresh, nautical feel
18. Purple
Use a deep purple shade to add contrast against the light wood of your kitchen cabinets. Plum tones add warmth whilst creating a striking and warm room that feels welcoming.
Pros
- Warming
- Adds depth
Cons
- Can overwhelm smaller spaces
19. Cream
A versatile shade that has a softer appearance than white but still creates an open and inviting space, cream works well with light wood tones. The texture of the wood will help to add some textural points-of-difference to the room.
Pros
- Neutral
- Versatile
Cons
- Can blend into one and lack definition
20. Copper
Copper works well in kitchens with light wood if you want to add a more rustic feel to the space. Metallic tones help to add texture and depth, with their reflective quality also helping to brighten up the room. If you aren’t keen on the sparkle of metallic copper, then choose a matte alternative such as a rusty red shade to create a warm, welcoming kitchen.
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Pros
- Matte alternative
- Comforting shade
Cons
- Copper needs regular cleaning
21. Monochrome
Pairing black and white with your light wood cabinets is a great colour scheme for injecting some visual interest, texture and depth. The contrast between the light and the dark shade helps to add dimension to the space with the white opening up the room whilst the black helps to add a touch of elegance. This classic colour pairing is timeless meaning your kitchen will stand the test of time.
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Pros
- Adds visual interest
- Elegant
Cons
- Can look chaotic if not executed well
Colours to Avoid Pairing With Light Wood Cabinets
1. Hot Pink
Hot pink is a highly saturated colour that can be overwhelming in large quantities. When paired with light wood cabinets, the combination of two bold elements can be too much for the eye to handle and make the space feel cluttered as a result.
2. Lime Green
Light wood cabinets typically have a soft, natural appearance and can be easily overpowered by a bright colour like lime green. The stark contrast between the two colours can be jarring and create a disjointed look to the space.
3. Caramel
Light wood cabinets typically have a soft, natural appearance and may not provide enough contrast with a similar-toned colour like caramel. The lack of contrast can make the space feel flat and uninteresting.
Summary
Light wood cabinets bring a versatility to kitchen colour schemes which can help to bring a unique sense of style to the space. Our comprehensive guide shows that there are a great number of colour schemes that will work.
Be sure to consider the tone of your cabinets to ensure your colour scheme works in harmony to create a balanced space. If light wood cabinets aren’t your thing, and you’re after colour schemes for dark kitchen cabinets, then check out our other colour scheme guide here!
