These are the 3 color palettes experts say you should always pair with oak kitchen cabinets for a balanced and timeless design

Wood kitchens are back in a big way – reintroducing natural materials and organic finishes is a guaranteed way to create a scheme that feels timeless. But if you've opted for oak cabinetry, what paint colors should you pair with them?

Unlike cabinets painted in more neutral kitchen colors, wooden kitchens have a more restricted complimentary color palette. Of course, the right hues will depend on the wood tone of your kitchen cabinets, but on the whole, there are a few tried-and-tested palettes that always pair beautifully with this natural material.

In need of some guidance? We've turned to interior designers and color experts for their favorite colors to pair with oak kitchen cabinets – and they've shared 3 versatile palettes to sate every design style.

3 color palettes experts recommend pairing with oak kitchen cabinets

Choosing colors to pair with oak kitchen cabinets can be a bit trickier than other colors and materials. With wooden cabinetry, various undertones pair differently with colors – so it's key to identify whether the wood tones in your kitchen lean warm or cool before considering complimentary colors.

Once you've determined that, you can start considering the color palette you want to bring into your wood kitchen. From warm neutrals to moodier tones, there are a few kitchen color ideas worth considering – but designers say you should be making extra effort to sample them before committing.

'When choosing colors, it’s essential to consider the room’s orientation and natural light. In sunny spaces, oak can appear warmer and almost orange-toned, whereas in north-facing rooms, it takes on a cooler appearance. Testing your chosen paint in situ and observing how it changes throughout the day is always worth the effort,' says interior designer Lauren Gilberthorpe.

And to test out which colors best suit your scheme, knowing which hues designers favor alongside oak kitchen cabinets will help you to curate a complementary scheme – and experts say these are the 3 worth trying.

1. Earthy colors

Earthy colors and oak cabinets feel like a natural pairing – both are inspired by the outdoors and bring the same sense of style to a kitchen. It's also a palette with variety, so there are colors on offer to suit every aesthetic.

'Oak’s warmth makes it a wonderful foundation to build upon, and I always lean towards colors that enhance its natural tones rather than compete with them,' says Lauren.

'Soft, earthy greens like Treron by Farrow & Ball or Light Olive Green by Edward Bulmer complement oak beautifully, creating a calm, harmonious feel. For something richer, deep browns bring depth and sophistication,' she adds.

For colors that lean warmer and to the more neutral side of earthy, there are variations in this palette that cater to a more pared-back look, and Patrick O'Donnell, brand ambassador at Farrow & Ball, has a few favorites he recommends.

'Earth tones are huge right now, so try Jitney in Estate Emulsion on your walls and team with Pointing in Estate Eggshell on your woodwork for a look that easily layers with natural materials such as pale oak furniture and heavy slubbed linens in putty shades.'

2. Warm neutrals

There is one universal color palette that pairs beautifully with almost any kitchen cabinet material – classic neutrals. In particular, shades of white and even beiges can pair seamlessly with oak.

'For a clean and classic look, you can’t go wrong with neutral paints. The key to creating a balanced look is to choose neutral paints with a subtle warm undertone rather than anything too cool. Cold undertones can appear stark and almost clinical in a kitchen while feeling out of sync with the natural warmth of oak cabinets,' says Emily Moorman, paint and color editor at Homes & Gardens.

'Some of my favorite warm neutral paints for kitchens are Benjamin Moore’s Swiss Coffee which reads as a creamy off-white that feels both bright and warming; and Farrow & Ball’s Joa’s White which is a gentle taupe – a great choice for farmhouse or rustic kitchens.'

Warm neutral colors are also favored for their ability to pair cohesively in a range of kitchen styles, whether your oak kitchen cabinets are part of a more traditional scheme or a modern or Scandinavian kitchen. Plus, the versatile shade range means there's a neutral to suit every taste.

Lauren likes to introduce neutral colors alongside oak kitchen cabinetry, but also slightly more saturated shades that still fit into that pared-back palette. 'For a more neutral approach, Slaked Lime is incredibly versatile and pairs effortlessly with oak.'

'If bolder accents appeal, I love the soft blush of Setting Plaster by Farrow & Ball or the rich warmth of Ochre by Edward Bulmer,' she says. The beauty of these shades is they can be introduced as the main color, or added alongside warm whites as accent colors in a wooden kitchen.

3. Moody hues

Recent kitchen color trends have embraced the dark and moody palettes that add depth and drama – and it turns out, they pair beautifully with plenty of wood tones you often find in kitchen cabinets.

'Expect to see rich, inviting colors like warm greys, deep burgundies, and rich blues alongside warm wood accents like oak and walnut, all contributing to a sense of comfort and sophistication,' says Bo Hellberg, CMO at String Furniture, discussing one of 2025's biggest kitchen trends.

It's certainly the opposite end of the color scale to neutrals and earthier tones, but moody hues are the perfect way to enrich your kitchen, adding drama and, in some instances, a more traditional feel.

'Oak kitchen cabinets are a classic choice, so if you’re looking to add more interest and depth to the heart of the home then why not team them with moody paint colors? Darker hues will add contrast to the wood tones while allowing your kitchen to feel design-led and cozy rather than purely utilitarian,' says Emily.

'I’d avoid anything too trend-led since you’ll want your kitchen colors to retain their appeal for years to come. Paint colors such as Farrow & Ball’s Cardamom, a dark greenish-brown; and Lick’s Blue 07, a rich blue warmed up by green undertones, would both make for a statement-making yet timeless pairing with oak cabinets.'

Oak kitchen cabinets are ever so versatile, pairing beautifully with a range of palettes. Whether you prefer to embrace the calmness of warm neutrals, invite the outside in with earth tones, or create a dramatic scheme with moody hues, there's a color palette here to make oak kitchen cabinets look modern and on-trend.