Summer 2025 is all about creating kitchens that feel warm, expressive, and full of personality. Designers are moving beyond safe neutrals and crisp whites to embrace bold colors, cozy wood tones, and playful shades that reflect comfort and creativity. Whether you lean modern, traditional, or farmhouse chic, there’s a cabinet color for you. Here are 15 designer-backed cabinet colors that are making waves this summer, along with tips for how to use them.
1. Sage Green Serenity
Sage green is a light, herbaceous hue inspired by nature that instantly soothes. It’s subtle enough to act like a neutral, yet distinct enough to bring character to a kitchen. Designers love its versatility and the sense of calm it brings to busy spaces. As noted in Houzz’s 2024 Kitchen Trends Study, “green was the top cabinet color,” with 76% of professionals naming it as a favorite.
How to Use Sage Green Cabinets
Use sage on base cabinets or full kitchens for a peaceful, nature-inspired look. It pairs perfectly with white countertops, brass hardware, and natural wood shelves. This shade suits farmhouse and cottage styles but works in modern spaces with the right contrast.
2. Olive Green Elegance
Olive green is a deeper cousin of sage, adding earthy richness without overwhelming. Its grounded tone brings warmth and history, perfect for homeowners seeking timeless, nature-inspired palettes with a sophisticated edge. Interior designer Janelle Photopoulos says, “Gone are the days of stark white kitchens. Now, rich hues varying from sage to olive greens and wood tones of all kinds have taken the kitchen design world by storm.”
How to Use Olive Green Cabinets
Olive green works beautifully on lower cabinets, providing visual weight and a grounded feeling in open kitchens. This rich tone pairs naturally with butcher-block countertops, soft white walls, and cream or bronze hardware for a cozy, welcoming vibe. It’s a favorite in Mediterranean and rustic styles but also fits traditional kitchens where warmth and understated color are key design goals.
3. Aubergine Purple
For a truly unexpected twist, some trend-setters are turning to aubergine – a deep eggplant purple – on kitchen cabinets. This luxe hue is dramatic and full of personality, perfect for those wanting to break free from the ordinary. According to designer Stephanie Wiott, “Deep, saturated tones like … aubergine … will dominate in 2025.” It’s not a common choice, but designers betting on aubergine love the boutique hotel feel it brings. If you’re feeling adventurous and love a moody jewel tone, aubergine cabinets could make your kitchen the talk of the summer.
How to Use Aubergine Purple Cabinets
An aubergine kitchen island or a whole cabinet set in this color creates instant wow factor. Surprisingly, aubergine can act almost like a neutral in the right setting. It pairs beautifully with either gray stone or warm wood counters, polished nickel hardware, and white walls. This color shines in contemporary kitchens that lean glamorous or artistic, especially with good lighting to highlight its rich undertones.
4. Muted Dusty Blue
Dusty blue blends sky and slate tones, offering a sense of serenity and vintage charm. It’s perfect for evoking a seaside or country feel without veering into overly themed territory. Designer Elizabeth Mollen says, “Sophisticated tones, such as muted blues, are gaining popularity for evoking a sense of tranquility and understated elegance.”
How to Use Dusty Blue Cabinets
Dusty blue works wonderfully on lower cabinets or full cabinetry sets, especially in kitchens aiming for a peaceful, coastal aesthetic. Its soft gray-blue undertone complements light oak flooring, open shelving, and white tile backsplashes. Warm metallics like brushed gold or copper elevate its vintage charm. For a balanced look, use it with neutral walls and plenty of natural light to keep the space feeling fresh and airy.
5. Navy Blue Classic
Navy is a tried-and-true favorite, celebrated for its grounding strength and upscale flair. Designers often treat it as a dark neutral that adds depth while staying versatile. Andrea Magno of Benjamin Moore explains, “Shades like navy, charcoal, and rich red add instant sophistication and depth, creating a space that feels both dramatic and inviting.”
How to Use Navy Blue Cabinets
Navy blue is ideal for lower cabinets, an island, or even full cabinetry if balanced with lighter elements. It looks particularly striking with white uppers, subway tile, and warm-toned hardware. This classic shade anchors the space and brings elegance without overwhelming. Use it in both modern and traditional kitchens, especially where you want high contrast with a timeless, nautical flair.
6. Classic Creamy White
Creamy white warms up the traditional white kitchen, offering softness and approachability. Unlike cool stark whites, it complements a wider range of wood tones and metals. According to House Beautiful, “Warm whites and classic neutrals will always be a kitchen staple.”
How to Use Creamy White Cabinets
Creamy white is perfect for all-over cabinetry, especially in kitchens where warmth and brightness are key. Unlike stark whites, its softer tone works beautifully with brass hardware, warm wood accents, and textured backsplashes. It’s an ideal pick for traditional and cottage kitchens, creating a welcoming, timeless look. Pair it with natural materials to enhance its subtle, soothing effect.
7. Greige & Taupe Neutrals
These warm, quiet hues bridge the gap between gray and beige, adding subtle sophistication. They serve as a perfect foundation for layering textures and tones. Martha Stewart Living highlights, “Soft taupes, creamy whites, and sandy beiges strike the perfect balance, brightening up a space and adding subtle warmth.”
How to Use Greige or Taupe Cabinets
Greige or taupe cabinets create a calm, flexible foundation in transitional and modern farmhouse kitchens. Their warm-meets-cool tone harmonizes with both light and dark countertops and works with bronze, black, or brushed nickel hardware. Ideal for open-plan homes, greige makes the kitchen flow seamlessly into adjacent living spaces. Add layered textures or patterned backsplashes for depth and interest.
8. Terracotta & Rust Orange
Terracotta and rust are sunbaked hues that deliver cozy character and warmth. Inspired by earthenware and clay, they channel Mediterranean charm. Designer Nina Lichtenstein confirms, “Deep, rich tones like terracotta are set to take center stage, adding personality and warmth to kitchens.”
How to Use Terracotta Cabinets
Terracotta is a bold yet earthy color ideal for base cabinets, an island, or feature walls. It pairs naturally with white tile, wood accents, and handcrafted details like open shelving or clay backsplashes. Use it in Mediterranean, bohemian, or global-inspired kitchens where warmth and personality are priorities. Keep surrounding elements light to let the rich tone take center stage, or a kitchen island.
9. Mustard Gold Warmth
Mustard gold is a vintage-meets-modern hue that adds personality and playfulness. Richer and deeper than lemon yellow, it nods to retro styles while still feeling fresh. According to MasterBrand, mustard and golden tones are “creeping into more kitchens, giving a nod to nostalgia.”
How to Use Mustard Yellow Cabinets
Mustard yellow works best as an accent on a kitchen island, pantry door, or lower cabinetry. Its retro vibe pops when paired with white counters, wood floors, and vintage-inspired lighting. This golden tone adds instant personality to mid-century or eclectic kitchens. Keep surrounding colors simple to let mustard shine, and consider adding patterned tiles or bold accessories for a cohesive look. or accent cabinets.
10. Matte Black Modern
Matte black offers edge and elegance in one package. It’s a bold, modern choice that exudes sophistication without the gloss. Interior designer Aurora Espinoza says, “Matte black and dark gray are particularly popular in urban settings with modern design influences.”
How to Use Matte Black Cabinets
Matte black is striking on full cabinetry, lower cabinets, or modern slab-style fronts. It thrives in minimalist, industrial, or urban spaces. Pair with white stone countertops, open shelving, and warm metallics to avoid a heavy look. Good lighting is key, and natural or layered artificial lighting helps balance its intensity. It’s a bold, sophisticated color that makes a lasting visual impact.
11. Mocha Brown Comfort
Mocha brown brings back the cozy richness of coffee-colored cabinets with a contemporary touch. This soft, earthy shade adds depth while staying neutral enough to harmonize with both warm and cool accents. Designer Kate McGlone says, “These tones will definitely make a statement in 2025.”
How to Use Mocha Cabinets
Mocha is a rich, cozy brown ideal for shaker cabinets in traditional or transitional kitchens. Use it to bring warmth without going too dark. Pair it with off-white walls, cream or beige counters, and light wood or tile flooring for a grounded look. It’s a great alternative to black, offering depth with a softer, more welcoming feel for everyday spaces. It works in traditional kitchens with cream accents and wood details.
12. Walnut Wood Richness
Walnut is a premium hardwood finish known for its fine grain and rich tone. Its natural beauty offers an organic counterpoint to modern materials. Designer Nina Lichtenstein explains, “Natural wood cabinets, especially medium to dark tones, will continue to be a staple.”
How to Use Walnut Cabinets
Walnut is a high-impact natural wood finish perfect for full cabinetry or lower cabinets in luxury kitchens. Its warm undertones and rich grain stand out against white or light stone surfaces. Pair it with marble, brushed brass, or matte black hardware to emphasize its upscale feel. Great for mid-century, transitional, and custom kitchen designs that focus on craftsmanship and quality.
13. White Oak Versatility
White oak is light, clean, and full of character. Its soft grain and pale tone make it a designer favorite for airy, modern kitchens. Designer Michel Smith Boyd says, “White oak is a timeless look that complements many spaces, and I think that will carry into 2025.”
How to Use White Oak Cabinets
White oak’s subtle grain and pale tone make it ideal for upper and lower cabinets in light, airy kitchens. Whether used in modern farmhouse, coastal, or Scandinavian styles, it pairs effortlessly with soft gray or white counters and matte black or bronze fixtures. Use a clear or light matte finish to showcase its natural beauty while keeping the look smooth and timeless.
14. Sandy Beige
Sandy beige offers a coastal calm that’s perfect for bright, breezy kitchens. More refined than builder-grade tan, this soft hue pairs well with white, wood, and gold. “I absolutely love a beige kitchen! It is the perfect color for anyone who desires a warm, inviting, neutral, and modern aesthetic,” says FORM designer Bianca Betancourt.
How to Use Sandy Beige Cabinets
Sandy beige is perfect for all-over kitchen cabinets aiming for a calm, neutral palette. This shade complements white tile, warm woods, and brass or nickel fixtures. Use it to brighten small spaces or balance bolder accents like patterned floors or backsplashes. It’s especially suited for coastal, transitional, or classic kitchens that prioritize softness, simplicity, and enduring warmth, and a bright space.
15. Dusky Teal Blues
Dusky teal is a moody, jewel-toned blend of blue and green with gray undertones. It delivers just enough drama without overpowering. “Deep teals work beautifully in the kitchen…they strike the balance between boldness and sophistication,” says Anna Hill, brand director and color consultant at Fenwick & Tilbrook.
How to Use Teal Cabinets
Dusky teal makes a bold statement on lower cabinets, an island, or a single wall of uppers. Its jewel-tone richness pairs best with crisp white or pale gray countertops and brushed brass hardware. It adds depth and charm to vintage, Art Deco, or coastal kitchens. Teal works especially well when the rest of the palette stays light, allowing the color to shine.
Color Your Kitchen with Personality
From sage greens to soft neutrals, and from matte black to sandy beige, Summer 2025 kitchen trends are full of life and color. Designers are leaning into expressive, personality-filled palettes that move far beyond standard. These 15 cabinet colors offer something for every style: bold, subtle, modern, or timeless. Choose the shade that speaks to you and make your kitchen the heart of your home.
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