Dark vs. Light Kitchen Cabinets: Making a Decision

Positive Traits of Light Kitchen Cabinets

Light kitchen cabinets have a timeless appeal that no other color can beat. They enhance the visual space they occupy, making the area look and feel bigger. White cabinets are a life hack for small spaces.

They also make dark spaces seem much brighter and more inviting. A light paint color reflects light, which elevates the room’s luminosity. Thus, you could improve a small, dimly lit kitchen with dazzling white cabinets. 

Negative Traits of Light Kitchen Cabinets

Lightly colored kitchen cabinets come with a few catches, the first of which involves daily maintenance. Any splash or splatter of food can and will show up on the surfaces. If your cooking process involves chaos or messes, you will need to clean the cabinets daily to maintain that reflective brilliance.

Installing white cabinets in a large kitchen can make the space feel impersonal and impassive. Since white makes rooms look bigger and brighter, you could effectively make your large kitchen feel more like a clinical environment than a place for nourishment and memories. When choosing a kitchen cabinet color for large kitchens, consider white appliances.

Positive Traits of Dark Kitchen Cabinets

Dark kitchen cabinets sit on the opposite end of the spectrum. Intense colors like navy blue can provide depth and unmatched structure to an otherwise bright environment. If your kitchen features light countertops or accents, dark colors can enliven a bright, clean atmosphere with a more down-to-earth visual.

Plus, a set of dark cabinets hides stains and grime more effectively than light-colored cabinets. While you should still clean your kitchen surfaces regularly, you can let that one splatter caused by spilling your midnight ramen slide till tomorrow. One of the guilty pleasures of dark vs. light kitchen cabinets is that no one will ever notice your secret spills from afar.  

Negative Traits of Dark Kitchen Cabinets

If you have a small, compact kitchen, you should go for brighter cabinets. Dark cabinets will make the kitchen feel smaller and more closed off. They can easily overpower small spaces with their heavy intensity. 

Explore Dark vs. Light Kitchen Cabinets or Some Middle Ground at Current Cabinetry

Still can’t decide whether dark vs. light kitchen cabinets fit your kitchen design? Perhaps your kitchen space can accommodate both or even a middle ground. A large or medium kitchen could accommodate the popular trend of two-toned cabinets.

If you have a small kitchen but don’t want illuminating white cabinets, explore our gray products for the best of both options. Gray is a subtle shade that can still brighten a room with the right decor and accent.

Explore more trends on kitchen cabinet colors with guidance from Current Cabinetry. Call us at 410-609-7077 for free design assistance from our experts.