Love them or hate them, maple cabinets are ubiquitous in today's homes and apartments. The golden honey tones of this durable wood made maple a default cabinetry choice for decades. The medium-toned wood is neutral enough to blend in but can look a bit dated in an era where light European-style oak floors are in fashion and retro Shaker-style and sleek contemporary white European slab cabinets without wood grain or detailing proliferate.
Many house flippers or new home buyers choose to update maple cabinets in a budget-friendly fashion with a quick DIY paint job. But if you're a renter or you don't mind the look of the cabinets, a lick of paint on the walls is an easy way to freshen up your kitchen without committing to a major renovation project.
Luckily, maple cabinets play well with a range of colors, depending on whether or not you want to choose a complementary shade to help them blend in or something that creates a bit of contrast that will enhance them.
Here are some of our favorite paint colors to go with maple cabinets.
- 01 of 09
Best Pink: Pink Ground by Farrow & Ball
A subtle blush color like Farrow & Ball's Pink Ground is a beautiful complement to the honeyed tones of maple cabinets, and the barely there pink color will read as fairly neutral in a kitchen. This color combination works well with green or gray accents, whether in the form of a kitchen counter herb garden or stainless steel appliances.
- 02 of 09
Best Purple: Lavender Cloud by PPG
Lavender Cloud 90BB 67/069 by PPG is a whispery muted amethyst hue that provides just a hint of contrast with maple cabinetry and offers an unexpected hint of purple that's an unconventional choice for a kitchen. The cool tone will stand out against the warm wood, so choose this color only if you like the look of the cabinets.
- 03 of 09
Best Rust Orange: Firenze by Benjamin Moore
To create a warm backdrop that will make the natural wood tones of your maple cabinets fade into the wall color without painting the cabinets themselves, opt for a burnt terracotta color like Firenze by Benjamin Moore. If you want to go for a textured monochromatic look, include plenty of handmade pottery like rustic pitchers or bowls and highlight with warm metals like a row of copper pots hung on the wall, brass serving trays or lighting fixtures with shades made from natural materials like wicker and rattan.
- 04 of 09
Best Yellow: San Mateo Beaches by Benjamin Moore
A pale yellow like San Mateo Beaches by Benjamin Moore will amplify the warm wood tones in maple cabinetry, and is neutral enough to add interest to a kitchen without dominating.
Continue to 5 of 9 below - 05 of 09
Best Off-White: Ivory Lace by Sherwin Williams
A creamy off-white like Ivory Lace by Sherwin-Williams is a pleasing backdrop for maple cabinetry, a little warmer than plain white but cool enough to provide contrast with the golden hues of maple cabinetry.
- 06 of 09
Best Deep Blue: Good Night! by Dunn-Edwards
For a mid-century vibe, a deeper blue like Good Night! by Dunn-Edwards will provide a cool contrast that will highlight maple (or oak) cabinetry and create a cozy feel for the kitchen.
- 07 of 09
Best Green: Avocado Toast by Clare
A fresh, natural crowd-pleasing green inspired by the color of a perfectly ripe avocado like Avocado Toast by Clare provides a nice contrast to maple wood cabinets. Carry the green theme throughout with potted herbs and mix in pastel pinks, blues, yellows, and orange for a cheerful look.
- 08 of 09
Best Light Blue: DKC-44 by Donald Kaufman Color
A crisp light blue like DKC-44 by Donald Kaufman Color is a fresh easy color for a kitchen that will provide contrast with the warm hues of maple wood cabinetry.
Continue to 9 of 9 below - 09 of 09
Best Gray: Wrought Iron by Benjamin Moore
A dark moody gray like Wrought Iron by Benjamin Moore will make maple wood cabinetry stand out. It's a sophisticated kitchen wall color that looks good after dark.