Posted on December 2, 2022 by KylieMawdsley
The TOP 20 Paint Colors to Update Wood Stains
Can’t determine which paint color best suits your wood cabinets or trim? Maybe you want to highlight the beauty of your wood and make it come to life. On the other hand, maybe you want to CAMOUFLAGE your wood as you find its stain or grain too bossy. Whatever it is you’re looking for – I bet I’ve got it (except for sanity, that’s in short supply around here).
But before we get into the nitty-gritty, you need to decide whether you want to accent your wood or whether you want to blend or camouflage it…
- Warm or cool paint colors that are a few tones lighter or darker than the wood tone will accent it more than colors with the same depth. Why? Because not only will you have contrast in color temperature, but in color DEPTH!
- If you REALLY want to jazz things up, choose colors that don’t have TOO much gray in them, as these will offer more contrast and energy against your wood.
- Even if you THINK you want to blend in your wood cabinets, you might be surprised at how awesome a well-chosen cool color can look.
However, if you want to downplay a strong wood stain, you’ll want to avoid cool tones and lean into these colors below…
- Keeping the paint colour a similar depth to your wood is a great way to keep things seamless, but it can be a bit bland looking if you choose a warm or neutral color. It’s better to go a bit lighter (OR darker) than your wood’s depth or shift into a slightly cooler (but not COLD) shade. This will add a bit of thoughtful layering without overexposing your wood. (There are sooo many jokes I could make…)
- When it comes to cream, beige, and brown, find ones with similar undertones to the ones in your wood. This helps to keep things muted and subtle and prevents clashing undertones.
- Some cream, beige, and brown paint colors can pick up a wink of green, which can look a weeeee bit murky against many warmer woods (especially, red or pink tones commonly found in cherry).
YELLOW-TONED WOOD STAINS
Yellow-stained wood finishes were especially popular in the 90s and fell a bit out of favor in the early 2000s. As for undertones, yellow-toned woods are often committed to yellow but can slide slightly into yellow-orange or, more rarely, yellow-pink or yellow-green.
WHAT COLORS TONE DOWN YELLOW WOOD?
If you want to make your yellow stain look LESS yellow, you might need to lean into it a bit with the following colors…
- Cream paint colors with similar undertone profiles, i.e., if your wood is yellow-orange, you’ll pick a shade of cream that blends yellow-orange (like Benjamin Moore Navajo White.)
- Subtle tan paint colors. Whereas beiges lean more on orange, tan paint colors lean on a yellow undertone (yellow-orange or yellow-green). A color like Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan or Sherwin Williams Canvas Tan can look pretty.
- Some greiges look great with yellow stains. While there could be a minor degree of accenting, depending on the greige you choose, many greiges (with their green-yellow) undertone, are beautiful partners to yellow woods. Of the options listed, they’re the LEAST likely to blend out the wood tone, but also won’t OVERreact (depending on the greige).
The staircase in this next photo has a wood stain with yellow-orange undertones…
Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray
WHAT PAINT COLORS GO WITH OR ACCENT YELLOW WOODS?
These colors will make your wood POP a bit (pun intended…wink wink – I can’t help myself). This means that if you love your wood stain and want to contrast and accent it, these are the colors you’ll want to explore (you’ll see references to SPECIFIC colors shortly).
- Paint colors that are blue-green blends or blue-green-gray blends.
- Gray with blue-green undertones.
- Warm gray with a violet undertone (not AS great with yellow-green stains).
As shown in this next photo, colors that are cooler than your wood will help highlight it…
Benjamin Moore Light Pewter
ORANGE-TONED WOOD STAINS
Orange wood stains are super common as it relates to oak cabinets. However, you can find orange on almost ANY wood species, as the STAIN can have orange in it!
While yellow-toned woods are usually pretty darned yellow, orange-toned woods easily lean into yellow or red, but the dominant undertone is still orange.
WHAT COLORS TONE DOWN ORANGE WOOD STAINS?
If you’re considering using cool colors on your walls, think again. Sure, they can look GORGEOUS, but they will highlight the warmth and color of your wood finish, whether its cabinets, floors, trims, or furniture. To downplay an orange-inspired wood stain, check out…
- Muted beige blends, preferably in the off-white to light depths (specific colors are coming shortly).
- Warm gray with a violet undertone can be an interesting approach without hitting things too hard, although some accenting can occur.
- Some greige/taupe colors can be quite pretty for a moderate balanced approach. However, beige is your BEST bet.
Sherwin Williams Colonnade Gray
WHAT COLORS GO WITH OR ACCENT ORANGE WOODS?
If you’re a bit of an exhibitionist and want to show off your wood, these colors will do the trick! You’ll see references to SPECIFIC colors shortly.
- Paint colors that are blue-green blends or blue-green-gray blends.
- Gray with blue-green undertones.
- Warm gray with a violet undertone can be particularly striking without being OVERLY contrasting.
RED, PINK, OR CHERRY WOOD STAINS
Red or cherry-toned woods are often the strongest of the bunch, adding depth and color to a room. Red-toned woods can also look slightly pinkish (pink being the light version of red) or can give off a subtle purple cast, depending on the combination of wood and stain choice.
While sometimes its hard to tell what undertone a wood stain has, there’s one hiding in there. This next wood finish has a slight pink undertone…
WHAT COLORS TONE DOWN RED OR PINK WOOD STAINS?
While leaning into red (pink) can be scary, it’s often the best way to mute the STRENGTH of your red-stained wood…
- Taupe paint colors share a similar undertone (taupe has a touch of pink in it).
- Warm gray with a violet undertone can be an interesting approach, especially, but not exclusively, one with a bit more depth.
- Some beige paint colors that lean into orange-pink, but it depends on the exact wood stain/strength.
The burnt-red hue of the walls in this next kitchen isn’t favoring the gorgeous orange-red cabinets; this is a case of WAY too much of a good thing…
WHAT COLORS GO WITH OR ACCENT RED OR PINK WOODS?
Red or poink-toned woods can be super fun to play with as they respond SO well to cool colors. So, if you’re a bit of an exhibitionist and want to show off your wood, these colors will do the trick! You’ll see references to SPECIFIC colors shortly.
- Paint colors that are blue-green blends or blue-green-gray blends will really light things up!
- Gray with blue-green undertones.
- Warm gray with a violet undertone can be a more modest approach (it’s one of my fave choices with red stains).
In this next photo, Sherwin Williams Jogging Path provides a nice subtle highlight to the red furniture stain and red oak flooring…
Now that you’ve done your homework, it’s time to look at REAL COLORS! Remember…
MANY wood finishes will pick up on more than one undertone.
This means that not ALL of these paint colors will look good with ALL wood stains, but they should get you pointed in the right direction!
1. BENJAMIN MOORE CLASSIC GRAY OC-23
For a soft, subtle look, Classic Gray is a nice, slightly warm gray. This gentle shade of off-white has vague violet-pink undertones that suit MANY wood finishes. Its passive approach won’t blend with your cabinets but also won’t highlight or accent them.
Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Classic Gray
If Classic Gray is CLOSE, but not hitting the mark, Sherwin Williams Egret White has a similar approach, as does Benjamin Moore Silver Satin.
WOOD STAINS THAT DO & DON’T LOOK GOOD WITH CLASSIC GRAY
Classic Gray doesn’t work well with yellow-green stains, but tends to humor a range of yellow, orange, and red woods.
2. SHERWIN WILLIAMS REPOSE GRAY SW 7015
Repose Gray is a warm gray paint color that’s SUPER unpredictable. While it can pick up a slight touch of green, it can just as easily wink at violet or even a touch of blue! Make sure you sample Repose Gray CAREFULLY and read its FULL COLOR REVIEW.
The 10 Best Sherwin Williams Gray and Greige Paint Colors
Colors that are similar to Repose Gray, but with slightly different intentions include Sherwin Williams Mindful Gray and Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray.
WOOD STAINS THAT DO & DON’T LOOK GOOD WITH REPOSE GRAY
It’s always hard to say with Repose Gray. With its slightly dirty undertones, Repose Gray is especially pretty with more ‘brown’ wood tones – ones without dominant yellow, orange, or red (pink) undertones. In other words, it can handle a ‘bit’ of undertone, as long as it’s not overpowering or overly noticeable.
Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Repose Gray
3. SHERWIN WILLIAMS KILIM BEIGE SW 6106
Kilim Beige is a soft, subtle, and versatile shade of beige. While Kilim Beige has a main orange undertone, it can entertain various finishes and wood tones.
Sherwin Williams Kilim Beige is a soft complement to the wood floor, stairs, and railings
How to Mix and Match Wood Stains & Finishes
If Kilim Beige is closer, but you need a color with slightly different undertones or depth, check out similar colors like Sherwin Williams Natural Linen and Benjamin Moore Muslin.
WOOD STAINS THAT DO & DON’T LOOK GOOD WITH KILIM BEIGE
Kilim Beige doesn’t look as good with red-stained woods that lean red-violet or have a decent degree of yellow. However, it’s especially nice with orange woods or those with a mild red stain (like the stain on the stairs in the above photo).
Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Kilim Beige
4. BENJAMIN MOORE ABALONE 2108-60
Abalone is a mix between gray, brown, and purple. The purple is subtle but adds a decent dose of color to get things out of the gray range. Abalone is also light enough to help offset a bit of the visual weight of darker cherry cabinets while still contrasting with white trim. I love how the purple taps into the wood tones without being ‘obvious’ about it (shown below).
The 9 Best Purple Paint Colors
While Abalone is perfect for many rooms, if you need a shade with a similar, but slightly different approach, check out Benjamin Moore Collingwood, Barren Plain, and Balboa Mist.
WOOD STAINS THAT DO & DON’T LOOK GOOD WITH ABALONE
Abalone is SO stinkin’ pretty with red hue woods, especially red-violet ones (above). However, it also suits some yellow woods, as long as they aren’t yellow-green and many orange stains.
Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Abalone
5. BENJAMIN MOORE COLLINGWOOD OC 28
Collingwood is a beautiful warm gray with a subtle purple undertone. The undertone is quite passive, so this is a ‘gray-centric’ color. It can look wicked pretty with red or violet-toned wood finishes. Most grays can lean into ANY of the three cool gray undertones with the right lighting or exposure, but Collingwood usually holds pretty steady with its commitment to violet.
Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Collingwood
While Collingwood is the perfect warm gray for many spaces, your particular wood might need something a bit different. Check out Benjamin Moore Nimbus, Balboa Mist, and Sherwin Williams Alpaca.
WOOD STAINS THAT DO & DON’T LOOK GOOD WITH COLLINGWOOD
Collingwood is flexible toward MOST wood tones, depending on your intentions. It can be a bit fussy with some yellow stains (yellow-green) as it prefers more legit yellow, orange, or pink undertones. My FAVE combo is Collingwood with red-stained woods.
Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Collingwood
6. BENJAMIN MOORE GENTLE CREAM OC 96
Gentle Cream (also known as Barely Beige) is a great way to create a warm and inviting room without it looking overly golden. With its almost ‘butterscotch’ undertones, this color will sit pretty neutral with oak and other woods without camouflaging them or accenting them.
If you’d like to sample a color that’s similar to Gentle Cream, check out Benjamin Moore Navajo White and Sherwin Williams Casa Blanca.
WOOD STAINS THAT DO & DON’T LOOK GOOD WITH GENTLE CREAM
Gentle Cream can be a gorgeous partner to yellow and orange hue woods but can be fussy with red tones, depending on the exact blend.
Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Gentle Cream
7. SHERWIN WILLIAMS CANVAS TAN SW 7531
Canvas Tan is a relatively neutral tan paint color that doesn’t fall too flat or greige toned for orange-toned woods NOR too golden warm, making it flexible for various wood stains, as shown below…
And while Canvas Tan is one of the more popular warm neutrals, check out Sherwin Williams Neutral Ground, Natural Tan, and Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan as well.
WOOD STAINS THAT DO & DON’T LOOK GOOD WITH CANVAS TAN
Canvas Tan is a bit fussier than some of the others and doesn’t love closer partnership with overly red stains (the dining set above is as close as you want to get). It’s also hit-and-miss with some orange-hued woods. It BEST suits yellow woods, especially ones that might lean a weee tiny wink into green.
Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Canvas Tan
Samplize peel-and-stick paint samples are more AFFORDABLE, EASIER, and more ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY than traditional paint pots.
- Samples arrive ON YOUR DOORSTEP in 1-3 business days, depending on the location.
- They’re more affordable than the sample pots/rollers/foam boards that are needed for traditional paint sampling.
Visit the SAMPLIZE website HERE
8. BENJAMIN MOORE STONINGTON GRAY HC 170
Stonington Gray is a stormy gray with a soft blue-green undertone; it’s a beauty if you want a subtle accent to your wood tones.
What’s the Difference Between Stonington Gray and Gray Owl?
If you’re looking for a shade that’s similar to Stonington Gray, check out Sherwin Williams Tinsmith, Silverplate, and Big Chill.
WOOD STAINS THAT DO & DON’T LOOK GOOD WITH STONINGTON GRAY
There’s not much Stonington Gray can’t do if you want to highlight your wood (without going over the top). Stonington Gray is friendly to MOST wood stains, including oaks, maples, and cherry’s.
Paint Colour Review of Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray
9. SHERWIN WILLIAMS SEA SALT SW 6204
Sea Salt is a lovely complement to most woods for a fun, fresh look. Sea Salt is a light-toned green blend with a gray-blue undertone to calm it down. Yes, it will slightly accent your wood stain, but it can look BEAUTIFUL! Read ALL about Sea Salt in its color review.
Sea Salt is a color unto itself, but for a similar (but tweaked) approach, check out Benjamin Moore Quiet Moments, Sherwin Williams Comfort Gray, and Silver Strand.
WOOD STAINS THAT DO & DON’T LOOK GOOD WITH SEA SALT
Because the goal is to highlight wood stains, Sea Salt is pretty flexible and you can expect almost any wood stain or species to pop against this cool-toned beauty.
Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Sea Salt
10. SHERWIN WILLIAMS NATURAL LINEN 9109
With trends leaning warmer, Natural Linen is bound to be a popular shade. With a light-depth, more modern approach to beige, Natural Linen’s warm, flexible undertones are a soft and subtle partner to many types of wood stains, including most oaks.
Natural Linen is DARN pretty, but if you need a color with a bit more this or that, check out the similar approach of Sherwin Williams Rivers Edge, Kilim Beige, and Benjamin Moore Muslin.
WOOD STAINS THAT LOOK DO & DON’T LOOK GOOD WITH NATURAL LINEN
Natural Linen is a versatile warm neutral that suits a wid range of wood stains, especially those with orange (orange-yellow, yellow-orange) undertones. It can be a bit fussy with overly red wood stains and cherry woods.
Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Natural Linen
11. BENJAMIN MOORE JOCKEY HOLLOW GRAY HC 108
Jockey Hollow Gray is a gorgeous shade of greige with a decent green undertone. While it WILL accent the warmth of your cabinets, the neutral base keeps things a bit more in check.
WOOD STAINS THAT LOOK DO & DON’T LOOK GOOD WITH JOCKEY HOLLOW GRAY
Jockey Hollow Gray is a heavier approach than the others and is a beautiful complement to yellow and orange stains. I’m not as BIG of a fan of red hues, but that’s a personal opinion, as some will love it.
12. SHERWIN WILLIAMS SILVERPLATE SW 7649
Silverplate is a slightly stormy gray with a vague blue (blue-green) undertone. While it CAN look cool, Silverplate isn’t traditionally cold. On the other hand, it’s not very warm but has a stormy softness.
The subtle undertones of Silverplate will slightly enhance any wood tone, but it’s a great way to create a more modern look with your yellow-toned wood (shown below).
And don’t forget about LRV when choosing a paint color! How to Use LRV to Pick a Paint Color
WOOD STAINS THAT DO & DON’T LOOK GOOD WITH SILVERPLATE
Silverplate isn’t BAD with many wood stains and humors most. As shown above, I love how Silverplate plays with a yellow-orange stain. And while it certainly suits red well enough, it’s not my PERSONAL fave.
Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Silverplate
13. BENJAMIN MOORE GRAY CASHMERE 2138-60
Gray Cashmere is a soft gray with a strong blue-green undertone, making it almost whimsical with its fresh feeling (it usually favors blue over green). Gray Cashmere is similar to Sherwin Williams Sea Salt, but has more gray in it, leaving a whisper of color without being too powerful. This color will accent wood tones, not soften them.
WOOD STAINS THAT DO & DON’T LOOK GOOD WITH GRAY CASHMERE
Gray Cashmere isn’t SUPER fussy about its wood tones, although I’m not a huge fan of it with DARK espresso finishes. Gray Cashmere is especially pretty with most yellow hue woods, offering a soft contrast.
14. SHERWIN WILLIAMS HERON PLUME SW 6070
Heron Plume is an interesting off-white – stuck between gray and taupe. Because of this, it can shift a lot depending on the exposure of your room. While its undertones aren’t overpowering, they can flash through depending on the finishes you partner it with.
WOOD STAINS THAT LOOK DO & DON’T LOOK GOOD WITH HERON PLUME
Heron Plume can be STUNNING with wood stains that are red-inspired, as it’s subtle violet undertones suit many red hues. It’s also pretty with orange-toned woods but can be a bit fussy with some yellow woods.
15. BENJAMIN MOORE EDGECOMB GRAY HC 173
Edgecomb Gray is one of the most popular colors, sitting nicely between gray and beige, with no obvious preference for either. Its undertones are also passive, catering to neither greige (green) nor taupe (violet-pink). Edgecomb Gray won’t really highlight nor blend in with most woods unless you have DARK wood, which would be highlighted via the degree of contrast, not the color.
V1 Real Estate Photography with Kylie M.
WOOD STAINS THAT DO & DON’T LOOK GOOD WITH EDGECOMB GRAY
Edgecomb Gray can handle wood stains with muted OR strong undertones, making it super versatile. However, be careful when partnering it with gray-wash woods, which can have a bit too much violet undertone for Edgecomb Gray.
Remember to pay attention to your room’s exposure too!
Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray
16. SHERWIN WILLIAMS COLONNADE GRAY SW 7641
Colonnade Gray is a soft, light-medium warm gray, borderline greige. Because of this, it favors a very slight green undertone but can easily flash into the others depending on your exposure/interior finishes.
WOOD STAINS THAT DO & DON’T LOOK GOOD WITH COLONNADE GRAY
Colonnade Gray looks gorgeous with many yellow and orange-hue woods and more muted brown stains. It can also work with red ones but can enhance the red, so watch for that.
Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Colonnade Gray
17. BENJAMIN MOORE DRY SAGE 2142-40
If you want a dynamic combination between your wood cabinets, trim, and walls, look NO FURTHER than green. In particular, Dry Sage is a beautiful partner if you want your beautiful wood to pop a little!
WOOD STAINS THAT DO & DON’T LOOK GOOD WITH GREEN
Green is pretty easy to please when it comes to its wood partners, enjoying yellow, orange, and even some pink stain colors! Just remember, your wood will POP in comparison!
I rely 100% on photos from my Online Color Consulting clients – thank you to everyone for sending them in!
18. BENJAMIN MOORE FERNWOOD GREEN 2145-40
Again, it can be hard to go wrong with green. Fernwood Green is a warm green paint color with JUST enough of a neutral base to calm it down while leaving a GORGEOUS green hue on the walls!
WOOD STAINS THAT DO & DON’T LOOK GOOD WITH WARM SHADES OF GREEN
As shown in the photo above, woods with a red or pink undertone can look stunning with green paint colors. However, I also love how yellow-orange-toned woods look equally as much.
19. BENJAMIN MOORE IMPERIAL GRAY 1571
Imperial Gray is a gorgeous blend of blue-green and gray, creating a soothing, calming combination with many wood tones.
WOOD STAINS THAT DO & DON’T GO WITH IMPERIAL GRAY & OTHER BLUE-GREEN BLENDS
In the above photo, you can see how beautiful the blue-green paint color looks with the red stain on the dresser. However, you’ll find that these types of colors can be equally as stunning with yellow and orange-stained woods.
Here’s Imperial Gray in the same room, just at a different angle, shown with more orange-stained wood…
20. BENJAMIN MOORE COVENTRY GRAY HC 169
Coventry Gray is a stormy, subtle shade of gray with a whisper of green-blue undertones. This cool approach contrasts so nicely with warm-toned woods.
FULL Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray
WHAT WOOD STAINS DO & DON’T LOOK GOOD WITH GRAYS LIKE COVENTRY GRAY?
While woods with a strong red undertone look okay with a color like Coventry Gray, it really hits its stride with orange-stained woods or those with a muted yellow.
Get your SAMPLIZE PEEL & STICK samples of Kylie M’s recommended colors from this post!
Want more?
5 Ideas to Update Oak Cabinets – (PART 1 in series)
MORE Ideas to Update Your Wood Cabinets – WITHOUT a Drop of Paint! (PART 2)
The Best Hardware to Update Wood Cabinets (PART 3)
CONFUSED? NEED HELP?
Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting & E-Design Services!
READ MORE
How to Coordinate Different Wood Stains and Finishes
Should You Paint Your Cabinets – A Questionnaire
The 8 Best Whole Home Warm Neutral Paint Colours
WRITTEN IN 2020, UPDATED IN 2022 JUST FOR YOU!
Share this!
Comments
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
More Posts
How to Turn Your House Into a Home: A Case Study
5 WAYS TO CREATE A HOMEY-HOME: A case study of OUR house! Between Pinterest, HGTV, Instagram, and design magazines, it’s easy to get caught up in what’s trendy and hipShare
Read More
KYLIE M’S 5 COLORS OF THE YEAR: 2024 Collection
REAL HOMES, REAL PEOPLE, REAL COLORS! When choosing my top colors for the year, I’m looking for colors that INSPIRE. Colors that talk to people (mind you, every color talksShare
Read More
Are White Walls, Cabinets & Exteriors Still Trendy for 2024?
Is the ALL-WHITE HOME still in style? Is white still in style as a paint color and interior finish? Are people still doing white cabinets, countertops, walls, and exteriors? AreShare
Read More
Well thank you Regina (look at my, catching up with comments – wahoo!). I’m so glad my advice came in handy and I hope everything turned out well fo ryou!
~Kylie
Hi,
We moved into a 1992 4 level split home a year ago. The walls were all originally painted pink!? and the last owners painted white over this, which bled through and gave all the walls a muted pink color. This really clashed with all the light oak that is throughout the home. I was perplexed to what color would go with the oak, and found your website! My husband hated the pink everywhere to say the least!
THANKYOU! you were able to give us good ideas as to the color to choose. BTW, there are millions of colors out there, and can be so daunting as to which color and shade to pick. I stressed all last weekend, looking at colors and samples, and chips and spending hours and hours researching colors of paint.
(We have oak throughout the home, so changing the color of the oak was out of the question.)
I was very brave! and i choose Benjamin Moore Sharkskin. Scariest thing, worse than buying a house! Not for the faint of heart for sure! I was on pins and needles all day, and when i went home, i didnt know whether to cry or just say WOW!!! The color just pops with all our white baseboards and trim!
It turned out wonderful! It matches the oak beautifully, and we have bold walls, just like a new house! With all my dark brown/beige accents, it looks incredible!
I am a true fan and believer of your webpage !!! Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us!
I tell everyone about your site now! Finally someone who actually knows what they are talking about and is willing to share it too!
thank you! thank you! thank you!
Sincerely,
A Kylie M Interiors Fan!
Hi Kylie,
I am absolutely LOVING all the helpful information you are sharing on your blog!!! THANK-YOU!!!! I am currently deciding between SW Repose Gray or BM Edgecomb Gray to paint the majority of my bedrooms, entryway, and hallway. Which one do you prefer? Can I use them both in different areas?
Author
Well if it were me I would lean toward Edgecomb as it’s softer and warmer, more of a greige, whereas REpose Gray is a warm gray, so it’s cooler toned…And you can use them in different areas, I wouldn’t say they are totally magical together, but they aren’t bad.
If you want any insights where I can actually see your home, you can check out my E-design, it’s affordable and fun and I can spend some quality time with your home (via photos) and with you (via the questionnaire) to come up with solutions that work!
If that interests you at all, here’s the link… https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
Take care!
~Kylie
Hi Kylie, did you ever complete that post about colour to use NOT to highlight the oak? Can you post it if so? Thank you! Leah
Author
Hi Leah! I haven’t done one specifically for that, but within this post I did refer to warmer neutrals being a better way of not highlighting oak whereas greens/blues and cool tones can accent the oak. But i SHOULD do one quite specifically for it, shouldn’t I!
HI Kylie, I am so confused. My house was built in 1989. I have a great room, kitchen, dining and family room. All Medium Oak ( not sure if orange or brown) cabinets and trim. I have dark teal (more green than blue) countertops and have always painted the walls beige or taupe. Beige ceramic tile on the floor. Boring! I want a drastic change. Changing the woodwork is out of the question. I would like to put in a grey barn wood floor, not sure if I can. I also want my house to pop! Please help me to decide what I need to do to change my boring decor.
Author
Hi Diana! Wellll, the gray barnwood look makes me nervous. I think it could look a bit too busy and mismatched…and keep in mind that the gray barnwood is GORGEOUS, but also VERY trendy. It would be ideal if you could find a wood floor with a bit more of the warmth in it, the same warmth that you would find in your existing woodwork…
Hi Kylie! I love your website! What do you think about BM Revere Pewter with blond/orange parquet floors and wood work? Its a large room facing west with lots of windows.
Thanks!
Kelly
Author
Hi Kelly, I think that sounds lovely! And I’d tell you if it didn’t 😉
Hi Kylie,
I recently ran across your video on accessible beige by SW. I have a bedroom, pretty good size that has some light ( plantation shutters sun never shines directly in facing north) therefore paint I have chose in the past appears dark green when in actuality it is a lighter taupe or tan.
I have recently purchased a tuffed linen headboard and want to lighten up the room with new paint. What are your thoughts in me choosing accessible beige? The rest of my home has warm earth tones with a rustic look.
Any help would be appreciated.
Susan
Author
Hi Susan! I’m thinking it might go a touch too gray for you with your exposure, seeing as it is a beige with bit of a gray base. If you wanted me to come up with some suggestions, I do have an affordable e-design service so I can see photos of your room, otherwise I’m just guessing! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
~Kylie
Feel lucky to have found this. Your advice to the other readers has been wonderful. My problem is having a mixture of woods. I have a teak parquet floor, and a beautiful 1920s vanity in a similar color of wood. The rest of the furniture in the room is Golden Oak. An addition there are window shutters and closet doors made of yellow pine. Is there any way to pull this room together?
Author
Hi Julie Ann – it can ALLL be in the wall colour and smart placement of accessories! It’s totally possible to unite your wood tones so that there’s some consistency that is provided by the paint colour on the walls! If you’d like me to take a look at your room via my Edesign, I do have some affordable packages! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
~Kylie
What color walls is the main picture I’m seeing on Pinterest? Bedroom with two chairs in the nook? Thanks!
Author
Hi Catherine, I BELIEVE that was BM Sea Haze 🙂 It was someone else’s image, which I’ve since taken off. I hope that helps!
Loving your web site!!!! Painting my combo kitchen family room and learned a ton about paint colors from your site. We painted our orange trim decorators white but my Maple kitchen cabinets still have the orangish/yellow color. The room has windows on the north and west sides with the bigger windows being in the west. According to everything I have read colonnade gray seems perfect but wondering if it will look good against the cabinets. Im trying to minimize the orangeness of the cabinets. Would love your thoughts!! ~Robyn
Author
Hi Robyn, I know, those wood cabinets can be tricky! Now, when it comes to personal questions, I do try to refer to my E-design, this way I can take a look at your room and come up with options based on your exposure, furnishings, floorings, etc…, otherwise I’m just guessing! I do have fun and affordable packages! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
~Kylie
Would Balanced beige with a white dove trim go with dark oak stained doors in a open floor plan ? If not what would suggest?
Author
Hmmmm, I might look at SW Alabaster 🙂
What is the paint color used for the main photo for the blog post ? Looks like a pretty green grey. Love it!
Author
Hi Melissa, the feature colour is BM Collingwood, which you can read more about here! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/colour-review-benjamin-moore-collingwood-oc-28/
~Kylie
Hi Kylie,
First, I really enjoy your posts! So much good information.
What do you think about painting kitchen cabinets the same color as the walls? I have vaulted ceilings and semi open concept home; I’m contemplating painting both the walls and cabinets wool skein. Floors are medium oak.
Marty, Cincinnati
Author
Hi Marty, yes it can look good! Because you will be changing sheen from walls/cabinets/ceiling, that can provide a subtle shift that can really play nicely with a colour!
~Kylie
Hi Kylie! Loving all of your posts – so much more than simple inspiration. You really help someone to understand how color works! I’ve been loving cream shades for my open kitchen-dining room (was painted a horrible dark green by previous owners and is North-facing), but I love the Kilim Beige above! Wondering how it will look in a room with northern light. I really want to brighten and warm it up, which shouldn’t be too difficult as I have cherry cabinets, cherry flooring and a large bay window. It looks great in the above photo, with high light, but I see that it has a lower LRV than the others I’ve been sampling. Do you think it will flatten too much in Northern light? I want to avoid a bland brown-beige kitchen and may go with Gentle Cream instead!
Also – I have several ideas of paint colors I love (most of which I discovered on your blog) and would like throughout the house, but I’m not sure how to make it flow as I like a few different decorating styles (romantic, french country, traditional). Which e-design package would be best if I already have several colors I’m considering?
Thanks so much!
Mandy
Author
Hi Mandy! Hmmmm, Kilim might make me nervous and I do worry that it will flatten out a bit as well. On another note, I DOOOO love Gentle Cream. Now depending on ‘how cherry’ your cabinets are, it might just have a bit too much warmth on the golden/yellow end, but that being said, the northern light will slow it down. I hope that helps! If not, yes, I do have my E-design and it does depend on how many rooms you’ll be doing. You’ll just need to count up the rooms that will be different colours from each other and choose the 2-5 room I would think! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/product-category/interior-paint-palettes/
~Kylie
Is there ever a deep red/wine color that could be paired with a darker orange toned wood trim? The previous color was a green color, however I tend to lean toward the darker, richer colors.
Author
Hi Terri, thank you for your note! I actually have an Edesign business that I’ve created for questions like yours! I try to give as much complimentary info as I can on my blog posts and if that doesn’t work, it might be time for a closer look, this way I can see your furnishings, flooring, etc…otherwise I’m totally guessing!
https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
~Kylie
Hi! I have red oak cabinets in my kitchen with browns/ blacks/tans in quartz counter. What color would go good with those colors and would another color trim look good? I want to change and update my trim in my house. I have a bay window in my living room and have the oak trim throughout my house. What would you suggest colorwise?
Author
Hi Elisha, thank you for asking! I actually have an e-design business just for questions like yours – otherwise, I’m guessing as to what your home REALLY looks like, furnishings, floorings, exposures, etc… I do try to give as much complimentary, helpful info on my blog as possible, and if that doesn’t work, it just might be time for me to take a look! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
~Kylie
Totally on the struggle bus. We moved and all my previous furniture and wall colors seem to clash in the new northern lighting of the house! Your site has been so helpful! Based on this article would you say that a taupe (to be exact SW Taupe Tone) will tone down deep cherry/mahogany furniture? Or is that just too much?
Author
Oh Brittney, I FEEL YOUR PAIN! We just moeved 2 months ago and our house is 100% north facing and DAMN it’s a cool gray/blue light. I knew that before we bought it, but arghh – I miss my southern light! And yes, getting into the taupe end of things, those with a slightly stronger red in them (or slightly pink/purple) can help to tone things down a bit, whereas if you did blue/green, it would enhance the cherry furniture…I might like to see a touch more of those undertones than Taupe Tone has, but it’s a good place to start!
Well after many samples and many trials and MANY errors… we decided on SW Perfect Greige. It makes the cherry wood look a little more chocolaty… I guess we’re going for cozy instead of fresh and bright lol I mean unless you have a suggestion. I think I’ve purchased half the paint ever made at this point. Your site is hands down the best educational site for paint! Thank you!! #50shadesofgray #50shadesfreed
I am finally removing the wallpaper from my kitchen! I planned to paint it SW Ivoire – the color on my family room which is open into the kitchen. Wow! It looks awful next to the medium oak cabinets!! Both rooms /one long room face south. Do you think SW Buff or BM Windham cream would work? I love a hint of yellow…
Thank you for any words of decorating wisdom you can pass along!
Author
Oooo, I bet that is colourful with your oak cabinets! Windham is still quite warm, I wonder if you might want to calm things down, ie: BM Gentle Cream. Otherwise, you can check out my E-design and this way I can look at your countertops/flooring to come up with some suggestions that are not just a guess! I’d love to help! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
~Kylie
Thanks again for the helpful advice! Is there a Sherwin Williams color that is close to Classic Gray? I’d love to use it since our cabinets are similar, but Sherwin Williams is more convenient for me. Thanks!
That’s very helpful for my situation, thank you!!!
Hi Kylie!
Thank you so much for this article, it reassures us in our choice of Classic Gray for our MCM home. I’m torn on a ceiling color any suggestions? Chantilly Lace, White Dove or Simply White???
Thank you,
Katie
Author
Hi Katie, I might actually look at Oxford White!
Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom! I can see now why I could never get things just right in my living room. Amber colored trim & pink beige carpet. In a 9 year old house. Oy!!! The builder was either drinking too much, or needed more to drink! Anyway, we are planning to replace the carpet with wood floors, but leave the painting dilemma to the future owners. However, I’d like put on it a fresh coat of neutral paint. I’m partial to the grays that have green undertones – like Stone Harbor & I love Sedate Gray, but from what I’ve read, green is not a favorite undertone of most people. It does make the trim look nice (as nice as orange trim can get!) but will green be a total turn off? I love Gentle Cream, too, but I’m afraid it’s too light & will make the trim pop to much. The nice thing is I have 3 living spaces worth of furniture to choose from to put in the living room, so I can decorate around almost any wall color. I don’t want to over think this – okay, it’s too late for that. We’re moving & I just don’t want the walls & trim to be an eye sore. Can I pull off a miracle here?
You are a genius!!! Thank you!!! To lighten our house, we took out 75% of a wall between a dining room and kitchen. Only a small pony room remained. Well, along with honey maple cabinets and black granite and beige fake marble tile floor in the kitchen the prior homeowner installed 10 years ago, and 1960s white oak in the dinning room, along with gray and white marble backsplash we added 1 year ago, .
We followed your advice for YELLOW wood! BM Collingwood! At 25% lighter, it was still too dark for the space we were working to brighten! At 50% lighter it’s breathtaking! And it’s upgraded the look to a modern Greige!
THANK YOU!
Author
Well Mary, that just made my day – thank you, I’m so glad you found the info helpful!
What are your thoughts of colonnade grey for orange wood tones? North facing home! So glad I found your page!
Author
It is okay, it can sometimes flash a bit cool, so it depends on your exposure. I might prefer it more with southern light and orange wood over northern light. 🙂
Hello,
This might sound stupid but I have a tendency to overthink things a bit…Thanks to your blog I choose a color and I painted my laundry room, that faces south, BM White Dove..it’s gorgeous. Washer and dryer are white.. tan tile..my problem..picking out a shelf color…for the walls..why do I struggle with this?
Well…I could do white..or a wood…but which one, home depot had like 6 different types of wood..I wanted to cry. I freeze up and can’t make a decision..Is this normal? Anyway..white might be nice..but boring.. I do like a calm, serene look..is dark to much contrast? .Any suggestions are helpful.
Fabulous post Miss Kylie! Can you tell me the color of the kitchen walls in the first picture? It’s gorgeous! Much thanks!
Author
Hi Cindy! If it’s literally the first picture, the colour is SW Pure White (you can find the full blog post on my home page!). If it’s the first ‘kitchen’ photo, that’s SW Mindful Gray :).
Your design majesty, please help!
I know the post is dated, but really struggling here mama
Kitchen is early 2000s builders brown as far as the eye can see….and facing North. Brown foor, granite, cupboards.
Learned from your other posts I was leaning towards warmer Cloud White to offset the North, but now back to square 1 because it’s not a cool color to contrast the wood. *cries. Pale Oak was possibly planned for other rooms
I plan on utilizing your multi-room design services, but am waiting until I got this darn kitchen paint out of the way
Author
Hi Stacy! I think Cloud White sounds good! I mean, a cool colour would contrast the wood and make it ‘pop’ as it would be warm against cool. HOWEVER, contrast, as in ‘lighter vs darker’ is also a great way to do things – from what I’m reading there, I don’t see a problem at all!
Hi Kylie,
I love this post.My home is all oak floors and trim,it leans toward being orangey.How do you feel about Benjamin Moore Sonnett? I’m looking for a neutral.
Hi Kylie
I’m hoping you can PLEASE help me. We just move into a house with stained pine wood ceilings and walls in an orange brown. The kitchen cabinets which are all part of the same room are the same color along with the wood furniture. The room is pretty open to another room that we painted BM polished slate. I know more dark. The room faces south east with not much natural light coming in so pretty dark most of the time. I’d like to paint the walls in a warm off white but leave the ceiling and trim as is. I’m worried about picking a color that would be too warm with all the warmth in the ceiling and cabinets and with the green ajoining room I really don’t want anything that comes off as yellow. I think I’ve read ALL your blogs and I’m looking at all your favorite off whites. I’m leaning towards colors like Navajo White, White Down or maybe something with a little more color like bone white. I’m thinking Gentle Cream may pull too warm with all the other wood and warmth of the polished slate in the next room. White Down, with the grey could tone down the warmth some or not compliment the wood enough? I’m also afraid of going too light if that may reflect the orange in the ceiling. I want the feeling of warmth and light and fresh but not too stark or too dark with all the other dark colors. So I’m stressing out as my husband is priming the walls now. I also have medium grey sofas and a lighter beige carpet if that makes a difference. I’d really appreciate any advice you can give me!
Hi Kylie
There’s a picture on your website where tou changed fro dark to light in your family room. Bedtime your gray couch is a couch (or pub-like table with gray chairs. I have looked at every piece of furniture online, virtually (no pun intended!) EVERYWHERE links would take me— which is how I found you! I’m kinda wishing you were my BF or next door neighbor right about now!
Anyway, can you point me to a piece like that? ? Looking for that wood and metal, but there’s a lot going on in my (previously owned) home with open floor plan. Where can I (or you) find that piece? Thanks
Trying again without typos! Picture where *YOU changed *BEHIND your gray couch
Thanks… again
Goodmorning Kylie,
I previously sent a message, but 3fir the life of me I cannot find it 🌝.
I’m in a pickle, and hoping you’ll ease up some of these difficult decisions im enduring.
My master bedroom is in the back of my home, North and west, with one window on the West and one on the North. I’m in a colonial on 2nd floor. The window on the West oversees my neighbor’s house and roof, house being a light beigh, and roof like a beighy-orange. The North just overlooks a wooded lot, but is a ways from my window and backyard. My furniture is a dark oak, orangy-red, and i think I see some hues of yellow. Oh, my room right now is a very dark olive, and it just has to go. 🌝
I’ve re-read several of your blogs so many times and just overwhelmed between the direction of the windows and/or furniture color, and what could possibly be a great color for walls, trim and ceiling.
I do already have dover white on trim, and some added to ceiling paint throughout my home, Nomadic Desert and Dover in South living room, but future advice moving forward is greatly appreciated if you wouldn’t mind.
I read you like matte on walls, and satin on trim and have never done that. I usually do satin on wall, and semi-gloss on trim. Is changing up for bedroom okay to try in bedroom.
Again, thank you, and hope and the fsmily are well dyuring this difficult time we’re in.
Kelly
Hello Colour Guru!
Your site is the Best! After reading blogs and reviews for a few weeks I just found this one which suits my situation, re orange toned trim, floor and furniture in a well lit northern exposure.
But…..I want to go white. (Hay….I heard you gasp!!).
Re….my target being Scandinavian Farmhouse.
I’ve read all the info on choosing whites, and exposures and I’ve narrowed it down to BM Simply White or White Dove. Leaning more to Simply White but will know more once the Samplize order arrives. Current colour is BM Vellum so really don’t want to go into yellows again.
Any other suggestions, Neighbour?
TIA,
Karen in Nanaimo
Author
Hey Karen!!!
Okay, so I’m a sucker for White Dove and its subtle softness. Simply White is beautiful, I just wouldn’t want its yellow to pop up in any awkward way against your orange-hues. Have you checked out SW Alabaster as well??? I mean, ALL of these have a yellow undertone, that’s what makes them warm, but we can get it quite muted :).
I am in love with BM Balboa Mist and my kitchen cabinets were a natural maple that have yellowed. Would this work?
Author
I’ve found Balboa Mist to be quite pretty with some woods that have some yellow to them. Sometimes it’s more about the surrounding finishes like the countertop/backsplash, more so than the cabinets themselves!
Hi there,
What paint would you suggest for a little girl’s room? Oak trim throughout with a light gray carpet. I would love a pale shade of pink.
Author
Have you checked out one like BM First Light or Pink Bliss? They’re lovely!
This was a lovely article. Thank you. I do have a question. I am thinking of updating my kitchen. My floors do not need any work. They are stained with a vibrant orange undertone (Wood stain is Minwax Colonial Maple). If I want to “accent” my orange wood floor and trims in my kitchen (and adjoining family room that gets lots of light), what colors would you recommend I look at for the KITCHEN Cabinetry, backsplash and walls?
Thank you in advance!