Best Cabinet Colors for Resale in 2026

Your cabinet color choice could add thousands to your home’s sale price…or cost you big time

If you’re thinking about selling your home (or just want to make a smart investment for the future), your kitchen cabinets deserve way more attention than most people give them. Choosing the best cabinet colors for resale can make a huge difference in how buyers perceive your home…and how much they’re willing to pay.

I know, I know…cabinets might seem like just storage. But here’s the thing. They’re actually one of the biggest visual elements in your kitchen. And buyers notice them immediately.

The good news? You don’t need to spend a fortune on a full cabinet replacement to impress buyers. Sometimes, it’s as simple as choosing the right color.

In this article, I’m going to walk you through the top cabinet shades for resale value in 2025 and 2026. These are the colors that buyers are actively seeking…and the ones that consistently help homes sell faster and for more money.

Modern kitchen with soft-white uppers, warm greige lowers, and a light oak island — an example of the best cabinet colors for resale in 2025. — **Warm neutrals and light oak — a resale-friendly kitchen palette.**

Why Cabinet Color Matters More Than You Think

Let me share something that might surprise you.

According to Zillow’s research on kitchen remodel ROI, 84% of homebuyers said the kitchen greatly influenced their purchase decision. That’s huge. And when buyers walk into a kitchen, cabinets are often the first thing they see.

Think about it. Cabinets typically cover a large portion of the wall space in any kitchen. They set the tone for the entire room.

Dated oak cabinets from the 90s? The whole house suddenly feels stuck in the past. Sleek, modern cabinets in a fresh neutral? Now you’ve got a home that feels move-in ready.

And here’s where it gets really interesting from a financial perspective.

Minor kitchen remodels (which often focus on cabinet updates like painting or refacing) have been shown to return around 100% or more of the investment at resale. That means if you spend $28,000 on a modest kitchen refresh, you could get $32,000 or more back in home value.

Meanwhile, major kitchen overhauls with custom everything? They often only recoup 50-60% of the cost.

So choosing the right cabinet color isn’t just about looks…it’s a smart financial decision.

Best Cabinet Colors for Resale: Neutral Shades That Win

Bright, airy kitchen with warm gray cabinets, marble-style counters, and natural accents in a neutral palette. — **Warm gray cabinets bring a timeless, move-in-ready feel buyers respond to.**

When in doubt, go neutral. I can’t stress this enough.

Neutral cabinet colors consistently appeal to the widest range of buyers. They create a blank canvas that allows people to envision their own style in the space. And they rarely go out of style.

Here are the neutrals that are performing best right now.

Soft White – The #1 Cabinet Color for Resale

White cabinets are the classic choice for a reason. They make kitchens look bigger, brighter, and cleaner. And they go with literally everything.

But here’s a tip. The trend has shifted away from stark, bright white toward softer, warmer variations. Think creamy ivory, warm eggshell, or soft antique white.

These warmer whites feel more inviting and less sterile. They still give you that fresh, modern look…but with a touch of warmth that makes the kitchen feel like a home rather than a showroom.

Kitchen with creamy white cabinets, gold hardware, and marble-style countertops, showing one of the best cabinet color choices for resale in 2025. — **Soft white tones bring brightness and warmth to this classic kitchen.**

Some excellent options to consider:

Sherwin Williams Alabaster (SW 7008) – A warm, creamy white that’s incredibly versatile
Benjamin Moore White Dove (OC-17) – Soft white with subtle warmth
Sherwin Williams Pure White (SW 7005) – Clean but not harsh

Warm Gray and Greige Tones

Gray has been popular for years now, and it’s not going anywhere. But here’s what’s changed…

Buyers in 2025 are moving away from cool, stark grays. They want warm grays and greiges (that’s gray + beige for those unfamiliar with the term).

These colors offer sophistication without feeling cold. They pair beautifully with both warm and cool elements in a kitchen. And they feel current without being trendy.

Modern kitchen featuring layered warm gray cabinets, stainless appliances, and marble-style countertops. — **Warm gray cabinets add depth and sophistication to a neutral kitchen.**

My top picks for cabinet greiges:

Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray (SW 7029) – A perfect balance of gray and beige that works almost everywhere
Sherwin Williams Repose Gray (SW 7015) – Slightly more gray with subtle taupe undertones
Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter (HC-172) – A warm gray-beige that’s been a bestseller for years

One thing I love about greige cabinets? They tend to hide fingerprints and daily wear better than pure white. So they’re practical too.

Natural Wood Tones (Light Oak and Blonde Woods)

Here’s a trend that’s been building momentum…natural wood is making a serious comeback.

But we’re not talking about the heavy, orange-toned oak from the 80s and 90s. Today’s wood cabinets are lighter, more natural, and often have a matte or low-sheen finish.

Think light oak, white oak, blonde maple, or even lighter walnut tones.

Modern kitchen featuring light oak cabinets, white countertops, and warm natural light. — **Warm wood tones in a modern, sunlit kitchen.**

These natural wood finishes bring warmth and texture to a kitchen without overpowering the space. They feel organic and inviting. And they’re especially popular with buyers who want something different from the all-white kitchens that have dominated for years.

The key is keeping the wood tone light to medium. Very dark woods can make a kitchen feel dated or heavy…especially in smaller spaces.

Wood cabinets also have a practical advantage. They’re often easier to repair and maintain than painted finishes. A scratch on a painted cabinet is obvious. On natural wood? It often just adds character.

Strategic Accent Colors That Buyers Love

Now, neutral doesn’t have to mean boring.

One of the hottest trends in 2025 is the two-tone kitchen. This is where you use a neutral color for your main cabinets (usually the uppers) and introduce a bolder color as an accent (usually on the island or lower cabinets).

This approach gives you the best of both worlds. You get a wow factor that makes your kitchen memorable…without overwhelming buyers or making them think they’ll need to repaint everything.

Here are the accent colors that are working really well right now.

Classic Navy Blue

Navy blue has been a designer favorite for years, and it continues to perform beautifully for resale.

It’s sophisticated, timeless, and offers high contrast when paired with white or light gray upper cabinets. Navy on an island with a white marble countertop? That’s a combination that makes buyers stop and stare.

Another benefit of navy? Darker colors on lower cabinets or islands help hide everyday wear and tear. Practical and pretty.

Two-tone kitchen with navy lower cabinets, white uppers, and brass hardware, showing one of the best cabinet color combinations for resale in 2025. — **Two-tone cabinets with navy bases bring a classic, polished look.**

Great navy options:

Sherwin Williams Naval (SW 6244) – Rich, classic navy
Benjamin Moore Hale Navy (HC-154) – Deep blue with subtle sophistication

Soft Sage and Forest Green

Green has emerged as one of the most popular accent colors for 2025 and 2026. And I totally understand why.

These nature-inspired hues bring a calming, organic feel to the kitchen. They work beautifully with both warm and cool neutrals. And they feel fresh without being too trendy.

Contemporary two-tone kitchen with muted sage base cabinets, glossy cream uppers, marble island, textured backsplash, and soft warm lighting. — **A refined sage-and-cream two-tone kitchen.**

Sage green, olive, and forest green are all performing well. They function almost as “near-neutrals” because they’re so easy to live with.

Colors to consider:

Sherwin Williams Evergreen Fog (SW 9130) – Their 2022 Color of the Year, still going strong
Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage (HC-114) – Soft, muted sage
Sherwin Williams Pewter Green (SW 6208) – Deeper green with gray undertones

Charcoal Gray

For those who want drama without going full black, charcoal gray is an excellent choice.

It’s bold enough to make a statement but still neutral enough to appeal to most buyers. Charcoal works especially well on lower cabinets or islands when paired with white or light gray uppers.

This color also photographs beautifully, which matters more than ever in our online-first real estate market.

Modern kitchen with deep charcoal base cabinets, white upper cabinets, marble island, and warm metallic accents. — **Charcoal lowers and soft white uppers create a bold, modern contrast.**

Try:

Sherwin Williams Iron Ore (SW 7069) – Deep charcoal, almost black
Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron (2124-10) – Rich charcoal with depth

The Two-Tone Cabinet Strategy: Bold Impact Without the Risk

Let me explain why the two-tone approach is so smart for resale.

When you paint all your cabinets a bold color, you’re making a big bet. Some buyers will love it. Others will walk in and immediately start calculating how much it’ll cost to repaint.

But with two-tone cabinets, you get to have your cake and eat it too.

Here’s the strategy that works best:

Upper cabinets: Keep these light and neutral (white, off-white, light gray)
Lower cabinets or island: This is where you can introduce color (navy, green, charcoal)

Modern kitchen with deep charcoal base cabinets, cream uppers, warm tile backsplash, and a waterfall marble island. — **Charcoal bases paired with creamy uppers for a warm, elegant two-tone look.**

This creates visual interest and depth without overwhelming the space. The lighter upper cabinets keep the kitchen feeling open and bright. The darker lower cabinets ground the design and add that “designer touch” buyers love.

And here’s the best part. If a buyer doesn’t like the accent color, it’s much easier for them to repaint just the island or lower cabinets than to redo an entire kitchen.

Cabinet Colors to Avoid for Resale

Okay, so we’ve covered what works. Now let’s talk about what doesn’t.

These are the cabinet colors and finishes that can actually hurt your resale value:

Super dark or espresso stains. While they were popular in the early 2000s, very dark wood cabinets can make kitchens feel dated and heavy. They also show dust and fingerprints like crazy.

Orange-toned oak from the 80s and 90s. If you have these, consider painting or refacing. They’re one of the biggest turnoffs for modern buyers.

Trendy or polarizing colors as your main cabinet color. Bright red, turquoise, or bright yellow might be fun…but they’ll limit your buyer pool significantly.

Cool grays with strong blue undertones. These can feel cold and sterile. If you’re going gray, stick with warmer tones.

Heavy, ornate Tuscan styles. Dark cherry cabinets with lots of carved details were everywhere in the 90s. Today, they often require updating or the home gets dinged in the market.

Remember, when you’re selling, you want to appeal to the widest possible audience. Save the bold, personal choices for your forever home.

Quick Tips to Maximize Your Cabinet’s Resale Appeal

Color is important, but it’s not everything. Here are a few other factors that can make a big difference:

Update your hardware. This is probably the easiest and most affordable upgrade you can make. Swap out dated brass or wood knobs for modern favorites like matte black, brushed nickel, or brushed gold. You can often update all your kitchen hardware for a few hundred dollars…and the impact is huge.

Add under-cabinet lighting. This simple upgrade gives your kitchen that high-end, designer feel. LED strip lights are affordable, easy to install, and make everything look more polished.

Contemporary kitchen with warm LED under-cabinet lights, glossy cabinetry, marble backsplash, and brass fixtures. — **Warm LED strips add instant luxury under these sleek cabinets.**

Make sure your cabinets are in good condition. Chipped paint, peeling laminate, or visible wear sends a message that the home hasn’t been well-maintained. Touch up any damage before listing.

Consider soft-close hinges and drawer glides. These are now expected in most markets. When buyers open a drawer and it glides smoothly closed…that signals quality.

Don’t forget about storage features. Pull-out pantry shelves, lazy Susans, and drawer organizers show buyers that your kitchen is both beautiful and functional.

Conclusion: Best Cabinet Colors for Resale in 2025

So, what’s the bottom line?

If you want to maximize your home’s resale value, stick with timeless, neutral cabinet colors. Soft whites, warm grays, greiges, and light natural wood tones consistently perform best. They appeal to the widest range of buyers and rarely go out of style.

If you want to add some personality, use the two-tone strategy. Keep your main cabinets neutral and introduce an accent color on your island or lower cabinets. Navy blue, sage green, and charcoal gray are all safe bets that add visual interest without polarizing buyers.

And remember…it’s not just about the color. Updated hardware, good lighting, and cabinets in excellent condition all contribute to that move-in-ready feeling buyers are looking for.

The kitchen really is the heart of the home. Give your cabinets the attention they deserve, and they might just become your home’s biggest selling point.

Want to see these cabinet colors in action? Check out my video on Best Cabinet Colors That Boost Home Value in 2026 for more inspiration and tips.