Greige has become super popular for kitchen cabinets these days. This charming mix of grey and beige creates a warm, elegant look. If you’re thinking about redoing your kitchen, greige cabinets should definitely be on your inspiration list.
What is Greige Exactly?
Greige is somewhere between (grey and beige) on the colour spectrum. It combines the cool tones of grey with the warmer undertones of beige, and the name itself is a combination of the two colours.
Greige cabinets have a really soft, muted look. They act like a blank canvas, letting the other elements in your kitchen shine instead of standing out too much on their own. The warm tones mean greige plays nicely with colours like white, cream, walnut, and bronze. There are lots of different shades to choose from, too, since the ratio of grey to beige can vary.
Benefits of Greige Kitchen Cabinets
Timeless and Versatile: Greige is a super neutral colour that works with all kinds of kitchen styles, from modern to farmhouse. It has staying power and will remain in style.
Brightens Without Overpowering: Compared to plain white or dark cabinets, greige adds a subtle brightness to your kitchen without feeling too overwhelming, especially in smaller spaces.
Highlights Other Elements: Greige cabinets let the other materials in your kitchen – like appliances, floors, and countertops – really stand out. Things like walnut hardware or marble counters look elevated against the quiet, greige backdrop.
Stylish Greige Kitchen Cabinet Ideas
Bright Greige with White: Pair soft greige cabinets with shining white countertops and backsplash. Add stainless steel appliances and hardware for a clean, airy look.
Rich Greige Glam: Take greige up a notch with luxe touches like brass accents and marble countertops. Pair it with deep colours on the walls for some drama.
Rustic Greige Charm: The warmth of greige works beautifully in a rustic kitchen. Mix it with exposed wood beams, a farmhouse sink, and industrial metal finishes.
Eclectic Greige Pop: In a funky, eclectic kitchen, greige cabinets provide an excellent, calming base for bolder elements like patterned wallpaper or brightly coloured appliances.
Ready to choose your perfect greige cabinets? From shaker to sleek slab, there’s an option to match any kitchen’s style.
Styles of Greige Kitchen Cabinets to Consider
Shaker Cabinets
Shaker cabinets are known for being really versatile and having that classic, timeless appeal. The recessed square panels and clean lines of shaker cabinets pair beautifully with the muted, organic feel of greige. And if you want to take it up a notch, try adding some antique oil-rubbed bronze hardware – that adds such a luxe touch.
Slab Cabinets
On the more modern end of things, slab (or flat panel) cabinets are a gorgeous match for greige. These cabinets have a super sleek, simple construction that lets the rich greige color really shine. The elegant, sophisticated look of slab greige cabinets is perfect for a contemporary city kitchen or a modern farmhouse style.
Inset Cabinets
Inset cabinets, where the doors sit flush inside the frame, have this really nice traditional charm that complements the neutral nature of greige. Since inset cabinets show off those exposed corners of the frame, you’ll want to make sure you get high-quality, furniture-grade cabinetry so all those beautiful details are highlighted.
Choosing the Perfect Greige Shade
Greige may seem simple, but actually selecting the ideal shade for your space deserves careful thought as undertones can significantly impact overall appearance. Here are a few factors to consider:
Choosing the Perfect Greige Shade
Undertones
- Consider if you want your greige to lean more towards grey or beige undertones. The undertones can make a big difference in the overall look.
Natural Lighting
- The natural lighting in your kitchen plays a significant role in how the greige will appear.
- Northern light may make cooler, greyer greiges look washed out.
- Southern exposure can intensify the warmer beige tones.
Personal Preference
- Go with a greige shade that you find soothing and attractive, rather than feeling pressured to pick a “trendy” tone.
- The versatility of greige means you really can’t go wrong.
The Best Greige Paint Colors for Kitchen Cabinets
If you’re set on greige for your kitchen cabinets, here are some gorgeous paint colour options to consider:
Benjamin Moore
- Chelsea Gray (HC-168) A quintessential greige blending warm beige and cool gray for a refined neutral with classic appeal. Undertones of taupe and stone make it versatile enough for contemporary to cottage style kitchens.
- Gray Owl (OC-52) Slightly deeper than Chelsea Gray, the subtle brown notes in Gray Owl lend it a stately, elegant look. It’s gray appears almost blue in certain lights, contrasting beautifully with walnut cabinet accents.
- Stonington Gray (HC-170) This Benjamin Moore standout has broad appeal with it’s straightforward greige mix of gray and tan. Green/brown undertones distinguish it alongside other shades without overpowering. A safe, attractive choice.
Sherwin Williams
- Repose Gray (SW 7015) A leading greige from Sherwin Williams, Repose Gray mixes a cool gray base with warm graham cracker undertones. It avoids the purple tones found in many gray paints, keeping it broadly appealing.
- Urbane Bronze (SW 7048) The bronze name gives away this greige’s secret weapon: red and brown undertones that set it apart. It’s earthy finish has character without feeling too dark. Unique and rich.
How Light Bulbs and Lighting Direction Impacts Greige Shades
Light Source | Impact on Greige Cabinet Appearance |
---|---|
Warm Incandescent Bulbs | Cast a yellow/orange glow that brings out the beige and brown undertones in greige shades. Makes the cabinet color appear richer and more saturated. Can make greige with cool undertones seem muddy. |
Cool LED Bulbs | Emphasize the subtle blue and green undertones in greige. Makes greige cabinets look crisper and brighter but can also strip away warmth, making them appear plain gray. Cool bulb greige may look washed out. |
Natural Sunlight from North | North-facing daylight is relatively neutral in color but cooler overall. It will softly highlight bluer and green undertones while subtly muting beige notes in greige. The cabinet color may read lighter. |
Natural Sunlight from South | Warm southern sunlight intensifies warmer yellow and red undertones in greige cabinet shades. South-facing rooms make greige take on a toasty, golden look. The finish appears deeper and more dynamic. |
Directional Lighting from Above | Uniform overhead lighting enables you to most accurately perceive the blended gray and beige mix that defines greige cabinet colors. It provides a balanced, benchmark perspective. |
Directional Lighting from Side/Below | Side or undercabinet lighting creates more intense, dramatic shadows on greige cabinetry. Shadows mute the finish so it generally appears darker/cooler in tone unless very warm bulbs are used. |
Kitchen Inspiration from Real Homes
Seeing greige in action in real kitchens is so helpful for visualizing how it can work. Here are some gorgeous examples
- Contemporary Eats: Sleek greige cabinets with white quartz countertops create a modern, streamlined look. Pops of mint green add a fun, retro vibe.
- Farmhouse Charm: Warm, beige-forward cabinets pair perfectly with rustic elements like a brick backsplash and wood island.
- Cottage Comfort: Soft, pale, greige uppers mixed with pastel blue lower cabs have a cozy, charming feel. White quartz keeps it light and airy.
- Bold Mix: Dramatic navy lower cabs let the rich greige uppers shine, while white quartz and open shelves balance the look.
Drawbacks Along with Benefits
Benefits | Potential Drawbacks |
---|---|
It blends well with various styles | It can feel a bit plain or flat without contrast |
Warmer and more inviting than plain white or grey | Requires careful coordination with undertones |
Highlights other materials nicely | Prone to showing dirt/marks more than very light or dark cabinets |
Durable and long-lasting as a popular neutral | Risk of looking too cool or grey in specific lighting |
Greige Kitchen Takeaways
Greige cabinetry clearly proves itself as an endlessly adaptable neutral option with high design potential across styles. By thoughtfully incorporating elegant greige into your next kitchen remodel through cabinet finishes, paint colors, countertops, accent walls or decor touches you’re guaranteed to create a relaxed and welcoming heart to your home.