Gray Kitchen Paint Colors
JAMES NATHAN SCHRODER
With light gray cabinets and a statement pantry door, this charming kitchen is full of character. When using two gray paint colors, it's important that the undertones complement each other. The slightly warm undertones of the gray cabinet color work well with the mix of natural wood materials featured around the room, while the warm charcoal pantry door anchors the space and ties everything together.
Marble Backsplash
WERNER STRAUBE
If colorful kitchen cabinets are more your style, a gray backsplash can easily add movement and texture without adding more color. This bold marble backsplash adds a statement to this serene kitchen without overwhelming the space. A wood island and range hood warm up the cool tones featured on the cabinetry and stone surfaces.
Blue-Gray Kitchen Cabinets
Blue-gray cabinets and brushed gold hardware are a perfect match in this farmhouse-style kitchen. The honey-colored wood on the beams complements the gold tones, while bold marble countertops with prominent veining pair well with the gray cabinets. With cool undertones, this cabinet paint color pairs well with the crisp whites of the sink and subway tile backsplash.
Gray Kitchen Inspiration
JOHN GRANEN
With so many hues and undertones, it can be hard to pick the right gray kitchen colors. This kitchen color scheme is inspired by the muted tones of the framed landscape art featured on the counter. Blue-gray cabinets perfectly match the ocean waves, while the light gray kitchen backsplash echoes the hues of the cloudy skies. When choosing paint colors, you can always take an art print or color palette to the hardware store and ask them to match a color for you.
Creative Kitchen Storage
JAY WILDE
Floor-to-ceiling storage cabinets double as a cozy seating area in this gray kitchen. A large glass-front cabinet offers a place to display kitchenware, while the rest of the cabinets and drawers provide plenty of storage. While built-in seating is more commonly found in a mudroom or entryway, this cozy nook adds an inviting element to the open floor plan of the kitchen and dining room.
Dark Gray Kitchen Inspiration
PAUL DYER
This modern kitchen design features an interesting mix of finishes, which are anchored by dark wood and dark gray cabinets and a black countertop. The small-scale herringbone backsplash provides a delicate counterpoint to these heavier finishes.
Two-Tone Kitchen Cabinets
BUFF STRICKLAND
If you opt for two-tone cabinets, place the darker color on the bottom to make the space feel larger. White upper cabinetry lends soft spaciousness that draws the eye up, while dark gray base cabinets ground the space in this timeless black-and-white kitchen.
Gray Kitchen Backsplash
JAMES NATHAN SCHRODER
If you're nervous that a white and gray kitchen color scheme will be boring, consider adding a bold tile pattern. Tiles in various shades of gray arranged in a herringbone pattern add visual interest to this space without straying from the monochromatic color scheme. For an even bolder look, carry the backsplash all the way up the wall and opt for glass-front cabinets.
Gray Wood Tones
KIM CORNELISON
For a rustic twist on a gray kitchen, opt for wood cabinets with a white-washed finish. The result is a casual look fitting for a modern farmhouse kitchen or beach house. Here, floor-to-ceiling storage hides tools, dishes, and a prep sink behind rustic kitchen cabinets.
Matte Kitchen Cabinets
JOHN GRANEN
Can't settle one one gray paint color? Pick two instead. Here, deep gray matte cabinets pop against a light gray-green shade on the kitchen island. Matte paints don't reflect as much light or show as much dirt or grease, so they're a natural fit for a kitchen. The subtle gray and white backsplash ties the space together.
Gray Kitchen Wallpaper
JAY WILDE
The softness of gray can make a room feel inviting. Here, the soothing gray of the lower cabinets repeats on the open shelves above. Paired with a delicate wallpaper, the space is as tranquil as it is functional.
Pair Gray with Gold Finishes
HELEN NORMAN
If you choose two-tone cabinets, using the same hardware throughout the kitchen can make the space feel cohesive. Here, matte gold hardware pops against gray base cabinets while lending a sleek look to the white upper cabinets. White quartz countertops and a simple tile backsplash tie the space together while allowing the cabinet color to be the focal point.
Tiled Kitchen Island
Bring gray into unexpected places, such as by adding tile to a kitchen island or range hood. Here, patterned tiles lend a playful element to this rustic wood kitchen. Rustic wood cabinets, flooring, and ceiling beams keep the look casual.
Gray Slate Backsplash
JEFF HERR
The cool tone of this charcoal slate backsplash provides a bold contrast for white and gold floating shelves. The dark-gray slate tiles easily turn the open storage shelves—and the items on them—into a focal point. The blue-gray chevron perfectly complements the lighter hues of the countertops and cabinets while adding texture to the space.
Modern Gray Kitchen
ED GOHLICH
Clean-lined cabinets with a vertical panel design look sharp in a warm gray paint color. The warm tones in the cabinetry and the floor ensure that, though modern, the kitchen does not feel cold or stark.
Greige Kitchen Color Scheme
Greige (a combination of gray and beige) is having a moment right now, especially in kitchens. The versatile shade feels fresh and serene, which is ideal for a busy gathering place like the kitchen. When adding tile to a greige kitchen, don't shy away from dark gray grout. It requires less maintenance than white grout, which can quickly look dirty in high traffic places like behind the sink.
Green-Gray Cabinets
JAMES NATHAN SCHRODER
These versatile cabinets can read gray or green depending on the lighting and time of day. In addition to the gray tones, this kitchen brings farmhouse style with open shelving and vertical shiplap walls. The casual butcher-block counters look homey while brushed nickel hardware helps keep it current.
Modern Kitchen Cabinets
NATHAN SCHRODER
Break up a bank of gray cabinetry with natural wood accessories or a set of accent drawers. Wood is an easy choice to pair with gray, as its warm tones compliment gray’s coolness, yet it’s an equally calming material.
Textured Kitchen Cabinets
EDMUND BARR
Matte black hardware looks lovely and contemporary when paired with medium gray cabinetry. A geometric design on the base cabinets gives this kitchen a traditional twist. A marbled backsplash ties the space together while neutral dishware displayed on open shelving keeps the space from looking too busy.
Gray English Kitchen
WERNER STRAUBE
A muddy green-gray is a classic color choice for English-style kitchens. Here, the color drenches traditional cabinets, providing a timeless counterpoint to the modern island and range hood.
Warm Gray Kitchen
JEAN ALLSOPP
A warm gray paint color like the one on these cabinets looks at home in a traditional style kitchen because it’s less stark than a blue or black-based gray. Gray marble tile and black accents ensure that overall, the kitchen reads as a neutral gray.
Gray Kitchen Cabinets
WERNER STRAUBE
Soft gray is an interesting alternative to white cabinetry that allows details like molding and millwork to pop. Stools with coral upholstery complement the gray paint and the delicate feeling of the kitchen overall.
Gray Color Palette
PHILIP HARVEY
Look to the fringes of the gray color palette to find interesting and unexpected shades of gray. Here, the brown wood cabinets have a gray wash and the glass tile backsplash has a green undertone. Both are gray, but their interesting undertones make for a fresh kitchen design.
Dove Gray Kitchen Cabinets
JEAN ALLSOPP
Historic-looking dove gray suits this cottage style kitchen and pairs nicely with rustic and handmade elements, such as the reclaimed wood range hood and the brick accent wall. If you want to give your kitchen a vintage feel, consider a gray color with a warm undertone.
Gray and White Kitchen
LAURA MOSS
This kitchen mixes gray-veined marble, gray wallpaper, and a green-gray island with white cabinetry. The mix of shades is neutral, but it has more depth than an all-white kitchen.
Mixing Gray Tiles
JOHN MERKL
A marble or quartz countertop with organic, wandering veining pairs perfectly with a more geometric tile, such as the narrow horizontal tile used on the backsplash here. Both materials feature varied shades of white and gray, making a harmonious duo.
Gray Kitchen Island
MICHAEL PARTENIO
A gray kitchen island grounds the space and complements the grays in the backsplash and countertop. It also creates a visual bridge to darker shades of gray, such as the black bar stools.
Stainless Steel Kitchen
JOHN MERKL
Stainless steel appliances are the original gray kitchen accent, and they’re back in a big way. Add personality to the industrial look with custom red knobs, and repeat the finish elsewhere in the room with nickel or steel hardware.
Blue-Gray Kitchen
JOHN GRANEN
Colorful cabinetry can feel like a bold risk, especially if you plan on selling your home in the future. Use a gray-tone of your chosen color, like this gray-blue, to get a more timeless result that will be easier to design around.
Gray Kitchen Accents
EDMUND BARR
Painting this hutch-style cabinet gray breaks up the all-white cabinetry and makes this section look more like a separate piece of furniture. Choose a gray that shares the same undertones as your white cabinets for an easy match.
Adding Pattern in a Gray Kitchen
KIM CORNELISON
Wood stained in various shades of gray and attached to the wall in a herringbone pattern creates an interesting but neutral background in this gray kitchen. Wallpaper or tile in a neutral colorway are other ways to achieve this textured look.
Gray Butler’s Pantry
JEFF HERR
This contemporary butler’s pantry is decked in luxe brown-gray cabinets that could skew warm or cold. Adding a brass light and brass hardware takes the space in a warm direction, adding coziness to this stark, mostly white area.
Gray Limewash
JAY WILDE
A gray limewash treatment gives this kitchen an old world feel and tons of texture. Compliment the look with natural or handmade items made from brass, wood, and clay.
Gray Tile Backsplash
ROBERT PETERSON
Sweet gray tiles provide a neutral backdrop for green cabinetry. The pearlescent finish paired with sea green paint adds a subtle beach feel to this cottage-style kitchen.
Industrial Gray Kitchen
WERNER STRAUBE
Concrete and steel accents lend an industrial look to this kitchen. The gray-stained wood cabinetry matches the modernist style while adding an earthiness that connects the room to the outdoors beyond.
Update a Gray Kitchen
RYAN BENT
Make an existing gray kitchen feel more inviting with earthy, warm-toned accessories, such as a traditional-style rug and natural wood accents. Houseplants or an indoor garden are another way to breathe freshness into a neutral space.
Complementary Colors
JAMES NATHAN SCHRODER
Not only do copper pans make sense in a kitchen, but their color is the perfect complement to gray cabinetry. Build out the color palette with butcher block countertops and earthy wood or woven accessories.
Neutral Gray Kitchen
KERRY KIRK
Subtle blue-gray cabinets and shelves create the perfect backdrop for collections of serveware, china, cookware, or houseplants. By choosing gray over white, you can achieve a neutral color palette with more depth and interest.
Incorporate Different Textures
JASON DONNELLY
Make a gray kitchen interesting by incorporating the color on multiple surfaces. Here, gray tile, cabinets, and countertops blend with white, silver and blue accents for a dynamic but neutral space.
Gray Grout
EDMUND BARR
Add some contrast to a mostly white kitchen by using gray grout for your backsplash. Not only does gray grout make the tiles pop, but it also makes the other gray elements in the kitchen—the island and the stainless steel—look and feel like intentional parts of the design.