How to Choose the Perfect Blue for Your Kitchen Cabinets

Blue kitchen cabinets are having a major moment. From light and airy pastels to dramatic navy tones, blue offers a versatile and timeless look that can inject life into your kitchen design. With so many shades and styles to choose from, it can be tricky to land on the perfect blue for your space. Follow this guide to determine the right blue paint for your kitchen cabinets.

Determine the Blue Undertones You Want

Blue paint colors contain subtle undertones that alter their look and feel. Before visiting the paint store, decide what kind of undertone you want to inform the aesthetic of your kitchen.

Warm blue paint colors feature green, teal, or aqua undertones. Think tropical lagoons and seaside cottages. Warm blue evokes relaxation and suits kitchens with natural wood accents. Cool blues contain purple, indigo, or grey undertones for a more soothing vibe. They create a tranquil environment great for dining and conversation.

Vibrant blues with minimal undertones make a bold color statement. They energize the space. Muted or dusty blues offer a weathered, vintage look. Determine if you want your blue cabinets to stand out or blend in.

Consider Cool Blue Cabinets For:

• Soothing, relaxed ambiance
• Formal dining areas
• Kitchens with grey and silver accents

Consider Warm Blue Cabinets For:

• Coastal, beachy themes
• Pairing with natural wood tones
• Informal family kitchens

Consider the Existing Colors and Finishes

The colors already present in your kitchen decor impact the blue tone selection. Assess countertops, backsplashes, flooring, and metallic finishes to find a complementary blue.

Crisp whites and cool grays enable vibrant blue cabinets to pop. But white marble counters would pair better with a softer pastel blue. Dark wood floors have high contrast with bright navy cabinets. But medium wood flooring complements an airy, robin's egg blue beautifully.

Your kitchen backsplash also influences the blue cabinet color. Bold Moroccan tiles balance a subtle blue-grey hue. While neutral subway tiles allow deep teal cabinets to stand out. Consider how the textures and patterns interact with blue.

Finally, factor in your kitchen's metallic elements. Stainless steel appliances suit any blue. Brass hardware calls for a green-undertone blue. Oil-rubbed bronze pairs well with navy. Let your metals guide your blue selection.

Tips for Complementary Colors:

• White: Allows any blue tone to stand out
• Green: Complements blues with aqua/teal undertones
• Yellow: Pops against dark navy cabinets
• Red: Accents a bright, energetic blue

Assess the Kitchen's Lighting

The natural and artificial lighting in your kitchen impacts blue paint perception. Cool northern light may warrant a deeper blue color. While southern light can handle paler robin's egg and periwinkle tones.

Note how the light shifts at different times of day. Morning light may highlight blue undertones missed at noon. Incorporate multiple lighting scenarios into your blue evaluation.

Overhead fixtures, pendant lights, and under cabinet lighting also influence color. Blue can read differently in dim evening light vs. bright daytime illumination. Check paint samples under both artificial and natural light.

Lighting Tips for Blue Cabinets:

• Install under cabinet lights to highlight blue
• Use pendants to draw attention to a blue island
• Add dimmer switches to test different lighting

Select Paint Finishes and Sheens

The finish and sheen you select for blue kitchen cabinets also affect their look. Matte and flat finishes offer a muted, dusty effect. While gloss and semi-gloss are bolder with a luminous, wet finish.

Flat, matte blue is ideal for a vintage charm. Semi-gloss galvanizes bright cobalt or teal. Satin provides a soft glow that works with any blue hue. Consider the amount of texture you want the finish to reflect.

Finish also impacts durability. Flat paint scuffs easily. Semi-gloss creates a wipeable surface. Take into account your lifestyle and how often cabinets will need cleaning.

Most importantly, samples with different finishes help you visualize sheen. Use tester pots to paint swatches of multiple blues in your desired finish.

Common Blue Cabinet Finishes:

• Matte: Subtle, vintage aesthetic
• Satin: Soft glow with some durability
• Semi-gloss: Durable and wipeable
• Gloss: Reflective, bold statement

Sample Blue Paint Colors In Situ

Never select a blue cabinet color without sampling it first. Order samples from companies like Behr, Benjamin Moore, and Farrow & Ball. Paint swatches directly on your cabinets to visualize the true color.

Test small door or drawer sections in different spots. Note variations between upper and lower cabinets. Evaluate how the light shifts on the blue throughout the day. Take photographs of the samples to compare accurately.

Observe blue samples at different times of the day and night. Turn on all lights as well as natural light to gauge differences. The perfect blue for your morning breakfast nook may be too dark by dinner.

Sample multiple blue hues you're considering before deciding. Order extra samples of top contenders. Evaluate them in different size patches to determine the best blue for your unique kitchen.

Tips for Selecting Blue Samples:

• Test at least 3-5 blue paint colors
• Paint swatches during day and night
• Photograph samples for easy comparison
• See blues in different lights

Choosing a Light Blue

Pastel light blues evoke airy coastal cottages and chic French kitchens. Soft powder blues, icy periwinkles, and robin's egg shades add a bright pop without going too sweet.

Light blues suit white cabinet kitchens looking to incorporate color. Their versatility also pairs well with medium wood tones, black granite, or white marble. But avoid very pale icy blues that read too cold.

Look for light greens or grays in powder blue undertones for subtle depth. Soft blues beautifully complement gold, brass, or bronze metals. Just take care the blue doesn't clash with existing cool grays or whites.

Light Blue Color Suggestions:

• Benjamin Moore Powder Blue
• Sherwin-Williams Sea Salt
• Behr Blue Danube
• Valspar Seaglass

Choosing a Mid-tone or Navy Blue

Deep navy and cobalt blues create high-contrast drama. These darker blues make islands and accent cabinets pop. But exercise restraint, as all-navy kitchens can feel overwhelming.

Rich blues suit formal spaces and make small rooms feel grand. Dark blue grey grounds the color with a neutral versatility. Mustard yellows, corals, and orange tones brighten up the moody hue.

Use navy sparingly for maximum impact. Try navy base cabinets with light blue or white uppers. Or restrict navy to just the island for a striking focal point. Then accessorize with chrome, black granite, or wood for balance.

Navy Blue Color Suggestions:

• Benjamin Moore Hale Navy
• Valspar Deep Sea
• Sherwin-Williams Naval
• Behr Evening Blue

Choosing a Vibrant or Teal Blue

Bold bright blues create an energetic and tropical vibe. Vibrant cobalt blues, electric turquoises, and splashy ceruleans liven up any kitchen.

These tropical blues pair well with terra-cotta and yellow tile. Try lively teal cabinets with white marble counters for contrast. Brass hardware also beautifully complements the green undertones.

Use vibrant blue to update traditional kitchens but take care not to overwhelm. Keep backsplashes and flooring light. Use artisan crafted wood touches for authenticity. The right bright blue enlivens a space without going overboard.

Vibrant Blue Color Suggestions:

• Sherwin-Williams Caribbean
• Benjamin Moore Electric Blue
• Behr Surfboard Blue
• Valspar Bayside

Don't Forget the Interior Cabinet Color

Most discussion around blue cabinets centers on exterior colors. But the interior color also matters, especially for glass-front cabinets. Coordinate blue cabinet interiors with the overall aesthetic.

Matching the inner cabinet color to the exterior maintains harmony. This wet bar features a teal blue glass cabinet interior that mirrors the outer color.

White or neutral cabinet interiors balance bolder exterior blues. Try vivid navy exteriors with light French grey interiors. Wood stains also warm up cool blue outer cabinets.

Blue Cabinet Interior Options:

• Match exterior color for cohesion
• Choose white for bright contrast
• Select natural wood for warmth
• Consider grey for subtle coordination

Recommended Specific Blue Paint Colors

Ready to select a specific blue for your kitchen cabinets? Below are some of the most popular blue cabinet color examples from major paint brands like Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams, and Behr.

Benjamin Moore Blues:

• Benjamin Moore Wythe Blue HC-143
• Benjamin Moore Hale Navy HC-154
• Benjamin Moore Beach Glass DE 502
• Benjamin Moore Oxford Blue 2062-10

Sherwin-Williams Blues:

• Sherwin-Williams Naval SW 6244
• Sherwin-Williams Raindrop SW 951
• Sherwin-Williams Caribbean SW 6504
• Sherwin-Williams Coastal Plain SW 982

Behr Blues:

• Behr Rolling Fog MQ2-60
• Behr December Eve MQ2-69
• Behr Coastal Fog MQ2-26
• Behr Blueprint S470-5

Browse photos of these specific kitchen cabinet colors. Order samples to see them in your lighting. Finding the perfect blue means exploring shades and tones to discover the one that suits your space.

Blue kitchen cabinets inject color, personality, and vibrancy into your space. But landing on the perfect shade involves some consideration. Assess the existing colors and finishes in your kitchen along with the lighting. Decide the undertones and depth of blue that fits your aesthetic. Always extensively sample blues before committing. The ideal blue complements your decor while balancing light and dark tones. With an array of blue options for finishes and styles, you're sure to find a blue that energizes your kitchen in the best way.