Green Kitchen Cabinets 101: Everything You Need To Know Before Going For It

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This post is all about green kitchen cabinets and how to choose the right design for your space!

Nothing speaks more of how welcoming your home is than your kitchen. Whether you love hosting, cooking, or are a homebody who’s always down for a cozy snack, this is a place that deserves to look stunning and full of personality.  And if you’re craving a kitchen makeover that feels both stylish and grounded, green kitchen cabinets might just be what you need. 

Yes, you heard me right, green. It may seem like a bold choice, but I promise this is a color you won’t regret. We’re talking chic, elevated shades that can help you achieve an interior designer look on any budget. This color, in its infinite shades, is a great option to replace more basic neutrals. It provides a more organic feel while making your space appear more curated. Especially in the last few years, the home decor world has been obsessing over it! 

In this post, we’ll look at everything you need to know about green kitchen cabinets. From understanding this color’s role as a new neutral to popular shades for an upscale feel and 12 amazing kitchens for real-life inspiration, get ready to transform your space! 

Credit: @devolkitchens, home by @sistersundaysantiques

Green: The Ultimate New Neutral

Why has green become such a popular choice in interior design? Well, it has officially entered the exclusive club of new neutrals. In other words, green is officially the versatile color of the year—and probably next year, too. It’s fresh, timeless, and somehow manages to be both a pop of color and a grounding neutral.

Additionally, it works incredibly well with nearly every texture and material, from white marble and brass to natural wood elements and stainless steel. You just can’t go wrong with it. 

More and more interior designers are calling it a timeless choice—and not just in kitchens. The green wave is sweeping across living rooms, bathrooms, bedrooms, you name it. However, I think the kitchen is the best space for it. There’s something about green cabinetry that feels like a good way to bring balance to a naturally more chaotic and busy space. It reminds me of calm and creativity, resulting in a fresh look that feels just as cozy. Basically, all the vibes you want at the heart of your home. 

YOUR NEXT READ: Looking for more green inspiration for the rest of the house, check out this post about designing the perfect sage green bedroom!

Credit: design by @tiffanyleighdesign, photography by @patrickbiller

The Trendiest Shades of Green

If you’re anything like me, you’ve been spending hours comparing paint color swatches and Googling “green kitchen ideas” until your phone battery cried for help. So, let me save you some time and dish on the most popular colors—and how to make them work.

Narrowing down your color choice will help immensely in defining the overall feel of your kitchen and guide further decor shopping. Not an easy decision to make, but one that should definitely come first in your design project! 

1. Sage Green Kitchen Cabinets

This is one of my absolute favorite hues. It’s a lighter green that comes across as soft, dreamy, and perfect for creating an airy feel. It’s a perfect match for white walls, gold and brass fixtures, and light countertops.

The best part? It looks just as nice in a cottage home as it does in a modern apartment. Ideal if you are someone whose taste in interior decor evolves quickly over time.

Credit: @dustsheets_and_decor

2. Forest Green

Do you want a modern feel that still channels timeless charm? Forest green is bold, and it can help you turn even a big and modern space into a more cozy environment. For a luxe feel, you can instead add white countertops and gold accents.

As far as this shade is concerned, steer away from it if you’re working with a very small kitchen. The darkness of it risks visually shrinking your space.

Credit: design by @bonesteeltrouthall⁠, photography by @joshwellsphoto⁠

3. Olive Tone / Deep Olive Cabinetry

These richer olive tones have a yellow undertone and a slightly vintage feel. They’re organic enough to work in a Mediterranean, modern design and classic enough to feel timeless.

I think they’re a great choice if you’re craving a traditional look but want an updated twist. Of course, you can use other design details – think paneling and cabinet handles – to better define how contemporary you want your cabinets to feel.

Credit: @devolkitchens

4. Pale Green & Softer Greens

These hues work beautifully in smaller kitchens where light is limited. You need shades that can reflect every ounce of natural light you can get, giving your small kitchen a brighter, more airy feel.

Pro tip: These greens often have slight blue undertones. This can help you keep things looking cool and fresh, especially when you have artificial lighting or want a more crisp design.

Credit: @itsnotsogrimupnorth

5. Dark Green

Moody and dramatic, this shade is surprisingly versatile depending on what undertones you go for.

You can opt for a deep brown, perfect to pair with black cabinet hardware for an ultra-sleek modern look. Alternatively, you can go for something a bit more blue and watch it come alive with stunning gold or brass hardware. Think of a contemporary take on Art Deco colors. 

Credit: @little_edwardian_semi⁠

My Favorite Green Cabinet Shades

To make your life easier, I’m sharing 9 amazing options for green paint. All these shades will immediately elevate your kitchen cabinetry without compromising on quality and standing the test of time. Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore are great examples of popular brands that always get it right. Personally, I also love the green shades Laura Hammet Living has put out. So chic! 

And if you’re still not sure on the exact shade, take your time and stick samples to the wall. Look at them in different lighting (trust me, natural light vs. artificial lighting can make a VERY big difference!) to see what truly feels like you.

The Best Examples Of Green Kitchen Cabinets

I hope by now I’ve convinced you of the amazing potential green kitchen cabinets can have for your space. Now, let’s look at a few gorgeous kitchens that I think nail the green cabinetry look. As you’ll see, they all have different styles and details, proving that this color can truly work in any space.

Credit: photography by @clairebingham_design, design by @beauvamp for @englishhomemag

This kitchen is a great example of how green can bring an interesting twist to a very traditional kitchen design.

The shade is used to focus all attention on the lower half of the wall. The classic shaker-style wall panelling and lack of upper cabinets then play don’t he contrast to make the wall appear taller. 

Overall, you can also see how the wooden countertops and colorful fabric accents help create a very cozy feel. Straight out of the English countryside and The Holiday cottage! 

Credit: @sevenpalmtreehouse

Here we see instead a more modern and quirky kitchen. Sleek details are combined with fun accents and a marble backsplash to give a modern but unique feel.

While the cabinets are in a darker green shade, the color is used in a great way that is not overwhelming for the space. 

The green island then ties everything together and sits at the center of the room like the rightful star of the show. If you’re budget allows for it, this is definitely a feature you want to consider!  

Credit: @adamsfamilyreno

I think these green kitchen cabinets are so fun! I love it when a space takes an interior design trend and uses complementary features to make it so much more unique! After all, you don’t want your home to look like any random home decor catalogue. 

In this case, colorful and patterned tiles are used to bring light to the green cabinets. The playful contrast creates a more visually balanced room and extends the color palette without bringing in a ton of additional decor. 

I also find this kitchen design to be a great solution if your kitchen and living space are the same. Green can work to help you separate your cooking area from the rest of the space! 

Credit: @gardner.fox

Last but not least, here is a green twist on a farmhouse kitchen.

The traditional and warm feel of the classic wood tones is counterbalanced by the bright green cabinets. They not only make the space feel more interesting but also bring in so much light! A great solution if you love a rustic, vintage kitchen but want to add a more modern feel to it. 

Final Styling Tips & Details

Now comes the fun part—making it yours. These simple tips can help you take even more basic green cabinets and turn them into the beautiful kitchen of your dreams. 

• Mix in Natural Elements: Think wood details, hardwood floors, stone open shelving, or a wood island with a natural finish. These touches warm up green beautifully.
• Go Bold with Hardware: Gold hardware, brass hardware, and even brass fixtures are having a serious moment. They add instant luxury and pair gorgeously with green. They are also an affordable update that can help you completely change the vibe of your green cabinets. 
• Play with Texture: Consider quartz countertops or green tiles as a backsplash to add dimension and new materials to your space. 
• Use Light Intentionally: Take full advantage of large windows by opting for sheer curtains that can brighten up your green cabinets. And for nighttime, add stylish light fixtures that complement your cabinet color.
• Balance with Neutrals: Green loves a co-star. Add in neutral accents like linen curtains, cream dishes, or matte black accessories for a unique blend of style and functionality that will elevate your cabinetry. 

Credit: @atnumbereighteen

To Conclude

This post was all about green kitchen cabinets!

So, is green the new white? Honestly, maybe. It’s grounding, stylish, and can make every space feel like a breath of fresh air. Whether you’re all in with the green theme or just playing with a fun, new base cabinet color on your island, green is more than a trend—it’s a whole vibe.

From modern kitchen looks to farmhouse feels, green kitchens are the ultimate proof that the beauty of nature belongs right in the heart of the home. So go ahead—channel your inner interior designer, grab your paintbrush (or a phone to call your contractor), and bring home one of the top kitchen color trends of the year.

I really think green is here to stay! 💚