Countertop Colors to Make Your Cherry Cabinets Pop
cherry wood cabinets are warm and reddish brown. When choosing a countertop color to pair with these rich cabinets, the options may seem endless. By considering the specific shade of your cherry cabinets along with the style you want to achieve, you can select countertop colors that make your cherry cabinets truly stand out.
We'll suggest both neutral and bold color pairings and provide tips to create a cohesive, eye-catching kitchen design centered around your stunning cherry cabinetry.
Take Note of Your Cherry Cabinets' Unique Color and Finish
While all cherry wood has that signature warm, reddish tone, the specific shade can vary from a deeper brownish-red to a lighter cinnamon. The finish you choose for your cherry cabinets also affects their overall look. A glossy finish accentuates the rich color while a matte finish lends a more subtle, understated elegance.
Before selecting a countertop color, scrutinize your cabinets in different lighting at various times of day. This allows you to discern the exact shade and determine whether you want to highlight or contrast with your countertops. Complementary undertones between cabinets and countertops can cause them to blend together, so beware of matching instead of contrasting.
Lighter Cherry Cabinets
Cinnamon-colored cherry cabinets glow beautifully against countertops in warm neutral tones. Almond quartz or beige granite countertops coordinate elegantly without competing for attention. For more contrast, earth tones like umber and olive green bring out lighter cherry cabinets' luminosity.
Darker Cherry Cabinets
With their saturated wine-like hue, darker cherry cabinets feel lush paired with countertops in pale neutrals like cream, light gray, or snow white. For contemporary flair, bold black granite countertops or navy blue quartz amplify the drama.
Opt for Neutral Countertop Colors
Neutral countertop colors like beige, cream, light gray, and white offer a flexible, versatile pairing for any shade of cherry cabinet. By providing subtle contrast, these neutrals allow the wood's natural beauty to take center stage. Darker neutrals like charcoal and black also coordinate splendidly with cherry's saturated tones.
Within the neutral palette, lighter choices like buttery cream or oyster white tend to suit lighter, more cinnamon-colored cherry best. Deeper cherry cabinet shades can handle heavier neutrals like slate and onyx alongside their bold coloring.
Try Beige for a Seamless Look
With its flexibility spanning light to dark beige hues, a beige countertop blends harmoniously with cherry cabinets across the reddish-brown color spectrum. Its barely-there contrast allows the wood grain's elegance to shine.
Opt for Crisp White for Vintage Charm
Especially with distressed cherry cabinets, a bright white quartz or marble top provides a pleasing vintage-chic contrast. For contemporary spaces, glossy white surfaces lend an upscale hotel aesthetic.
Go Dramatic with Bold Countertop Colors
While neutral countertops align with cherry cabinets for a classic look, vibrant colors create an exciting, creative contrast. Bold countertops in azure, emerald and violet make lighter cherry cabinets sing. Against deeper cherry wood, fiery colors like crimson and tangerine electrify the mood with their intensity.
Complement with Opposing Hues
Instead of matching undertones, use opposing shades to really make both the cherry cabinets and countertops stand out. For example, pair golden cherry cabinets with an intense cool tone like navy blue. Or place emerald green against more orange-tinged cherry wood. Complementary colors can get muddy, so go for high-impact contrast.
Use Online Visualizers to Test Color Combinations
When deciding between countertop colors, use digital visualization tools like Sherwin Williams Paint Visualizer or Benjamin Moore's Color Portfolio. Upload a photo of your cherry cabinet kitchen, then digitally "paint" countertops in any shade imaginable.
Seeing the combinations rendered realistically helps determine which colors coordinate in the most eye-catching ways. You can save and compare options too.
Complement Your Kitchen's Overall Style
Beyond your cabinets' color, the kitchen's overall style should inform your countertop choice as well. Traditional cherry cabinet kitchens tend to suit classic white, neutral and beige countertops that match the period aesthetic. Contemporary spaces can handle bold pops of color alongside sleek stainless steel and chrome.
Boost Rustic Warmth
In farmhouse or craftsman-style kitchens, cherry cabinets likely have a distressed finish. Here, an organic material like wood, concrete, or leathered granite countertops enhances the cozy warmth. Buttery cream or hand-scraped gray are soothing options too.
Punch Up Modern Appeal
For a sleek modern kitchen with cherry statement cabinets, high-contrast colors in glossy finishes up the avant-garde factor. Black soapstone, blue glass or metallic mosaic tiles provide that contemporary edge.
Consult Countertop Experts
If you still feel unsure in choosing that perfect countertop color for your cherry cabinets, seek advice from countertop experts. Schedule an at-home design consultation and ask for samples in your top color choices. Seeing tangible 3D objects against your existing space often clarifies the ideal option.
Explain your overall vision for the kitchen along with cabinet finish and style details. Local countertop specialists can then recommend colors to either seamlessly complement or dramatically contrast your stunning cherry cabinets.
The integral first step lies in truly evaluating the specific shade and finish of your existing cherry cabinets, from deep chocolate brown to golden rustic. Cool-toned whites and neutrals like gray and cream allow lighter cabinets to shine fully. Deeper cherry wood tends to look richest against paler neutrals or intensely bold, contrasting colors.
While maintaining your kitchen's overall style, don't be afraid to choose an unexpected countertop color that elicits delight. With their elegant grain and captivating warmth, cherry wood cabinets provide the perfect anchor. Choosing creative, complementary countertops is the ultimate way to make these showstopper focal points pop.