Research shows that the condition of a home's kitchen can determine whether you get an offer at full list price. Aside from materials like counters and major appliances, it's often the most expensive room in the home to renovate. But did you know that cabinets typically make up about a third of the budget? That means it's very important to make the right decision, from style to color.
“Poor kitchen cabinet colors can actually have a significant impact on a home’s resale value,” says Caitlin King, CEO of Wrap Your Kitchen. “A recent Zillow study found that homes with kitchens in buyer's preferred hues could result in offers that are around $1,600 higher than homes with less preferred colors…Outdated colors could reduce resale value by up to nearly $4,000.”
Plus, a wrong choice can be a costly fix – refinishing cabinets isn't always easy and often requires specialized techniques, tools, labor and experience. For example, I personally chose to keep my build cabinets in my small kitchen to reduce renovation costs and paid a well-negotiated $2,900 to change the terrible original color. Yikes!
So learn from my mistake. Choose new cabinets in the right color right from the start. Here's what home design professionals recommend for your kitchen cabinet colors if you're concerned about future resale value.
The 4 Worst Kitchen Cabinet Colors for Resale Value
Photo credit: John Keeble/Getty Images
1. Millennial Grey
Two years ago, experts began to tire of seeing so much of what was colloquially named millennial gray. “It's decreasing, particularly in the kitchen area; homeowners are moving away from the cool, flat grays that have long characterized modern design,” says King, and Brit Angelesco, executive vice president at ZLINE, agrees. “It was considered the neutral style of choice. It was safe, versatile and easy to pair with almost anything. But the design goes in a warmer, more expressive direction,” she says.
“I think what happened is that everything switched to millennial gray and white, and a color photo of a room ended up looking like it was taken in black and white,” says Ariel J. Baverman, a real estate agent with Baverman Property Consultants at Coldwell Banker Realty Atlanta. “There was no personality, warmth or coziness, and now there's definitely a revolt against that as warm colors and tones are making a comeback,” she says.
But that doesn't mean that gray is completely out in general, but rather that it is “evolving,” says Angelesco. “Think about deeper, more dimensional grays or those with green or taupe undertones that add warmth and complexity.” In addition, thoughtful contrasts in color and material can really make the difference. And Baverman says it's still a color that can look great with accents that warm the room through things like art and cookware (including her colorful Le Creuset collection).
Photo credit: John Keeble/Getty Images
2. Bright white
“Light and open is still in style, but lately I'm hearing from a lot of customers that white on white is too much,” says Baverman. It falls into the same bucket of sterility as Millennial gray, especially when it comes to high-gloss or matte whites. “They can seem plain and impersonal, especially when used throughout the kitchen without variety,” says Angelesco, and King noticed that the ultra-sleek look has lost its luster — and not just figuratively.
“Pure white furniture or finishes can quickly appear dated or impractical, especially in high-traffic spaces,” says Michael Elliott, senior vice president of design & construction for Hilton Grand Vacation properties. “It tends to show signs of wear and tear and lacks the visual richness that our guests associate with contemporary design,” adding that sterile or monochromatic designs can really lack emotional warmth. “In today’s design climate, homeowners want their kitchens to reflect a sense of warmth, personality and style – not just functionality,” says Angelesco.
Photo credit: Morsa Images/Getty Images
3. Yellow dated pine wood
This is a trick question. There are very few hard no's when it comes to kitchen cabinet colors because “we have to look at the context,” says Baverman. “I'll probably never say, 'Don't do it' always “use the color But if it's 90's commercial cabinets that are bright orange and is in a very traditional house where every other house in the neighborhood is also traditional and has a neutral kitchen, it's not going to do well in the competitive analysis when it comes to closing a deal. That, or the buyers will just go with the choice that requires less work.”
The ponderosa pine from this period, however, is quite quiet literally dated; Baverman has learned to recognize its age immediately because “the finish changes color over time due to exposure to the sun.”
Photo credit: MarioGuti/Getty Images
4. Dark cabinets with heavy trim
Dark cabinets with heavier decorations and “the brown granite with the black dots and speckles in it,” Baverman describes, “is also a very specific, period-specific style.” “That could be it fine and well maintained, but people aren't shopping around for a kitchen from 2007. Buyers want something that's been updated.” This look was simply too common to be associated with the building boom of the early years.
4 Kitchen Cabinet Colors You Should Consider Instead
For Hilton Grand Vacation kitchens across the country, Elliott has introduced “richer, layered tones that create depth, which in turn increases value and long-term appeal,” he says. “Our goal is always to design spaces that feel both luxurious and livable.” This is exactly what homeowners are looking for today.
1. Rich, warm, earthy colors
“We're seeing a strong resurgence of earthy, grounding tones. Deep olive greens and rich terracotta tones with accents of warm walnut and oak finishes,” Angelesco noted. “These colors create a feeling of security and connection.”
Photo credit: Petra Ford
2. Light wood tones
While Baverman agrees that warm wood tones are making a comeback, she adds that “many newer high-end kitchens are showcasing light woods with quartzite countertops or exotic stones, relying on the quality and style of the cabinets to keep them contemporary.” However, in new construction, she still sees a lot of “classic” cabinets in white and gray, but as the pros have mentioned, the specific tones are a bit warmer as the emphasis on contrast, variety and balance takes over from the sober, ultra-clean look.
3. Vibrant case colors
Finally, for more modern styles, “bold cabinet colors like black, navy and green are becoming increasingly popular, adding a striking 'wow' factor to modern kitchens,” adds Elliott. That's probably why this was one of the biggest kitchen design trends of the year.
Photo credit: Petra Ford
4. Mixing materials and finishes
“In terms of longevity, mixed materials and finishes are built to last,” says Angelesco. “Homeowners are mixing metals, incorporating natural textures and using color as a storytelling tool in their spaces.” However, in Baverman's experience, you can't rely on a trend, no matter how timeless it may seem at the moment.
“If you're looking to sell, look for what appeals to the most people to increase interest in your home,” she says. “But if you can do it your home, Don't just do what everyone else is doing. Do what you like and what makes you happy. Just make sure the design is well thought out and coherent. Make sure the colors, tones and atmosphere match the backsplash, countertop and wall color. It makes people feel comfortable.”
And ultimately it's this feeling of comfort, of coming home, This makes your house invaluable.
What do you think of this kitchen cabinet color choice? Let us know in the comments below!
Old fashioned
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