Is White Dove a Good Color for Kitchen Cabinets?
So you want to update your kitchen and give it new life! White Dove kitchen cabinets are a popular choice and for good reason. We will review one of the most popular paint colors for kitchen cabinets, and I’ll share a few of my other favorite paint colors for cabinets too.
White Dove by Benjamin Moore
White Dove is one of, if not the most, popular paint colors by Benjamin Moore year after year. Homeowners and designers all over who are looking for a classic and versatile white paint color turn to White Dove time and time again. It’s used for everything from walls, to trim, to cabinets and fits with a wide variety of styles and colors.
Is White Dove a Warm or Cool White?
White Dove is a creamy, soft white with warm undertones. It has slight yellow hints to it making it a white that doesn’t feel too cold or stark, but it won’t scream yellow on your walls. It’s that happy medium of not too white that feels balanced without going too grey or beige.
There are subtle gray undertones that help the color feel balanced and not overly yellow. The one big concern I hear about White Dove is whether it’s too yellow.
Any warm paint color is going to have some creaminess or yellow to it. On its own, you won’t see yellow on the walls or cabinets, you’ll see a white paint that feels balanced. Next to other whites or in certain times a day, the yellow might be more evident. Depending on the color you are looking for, it may be just the perfect fit.
Is White Dove a Good Color for Kitchen Cabinets?
Because of its classic, fairly neutral undertones, White Dove is a great choice for kitchen cabinets. When choosing a paint color for kitchen cabinets, there are several other selections you need to consider. The color of your countertops and backsplash tile are important factors in deciding your cabinet paint color.
Many of the quartz or granite countertops used are whites with some grey veining. Sometimes they tend to fall on the more cool side of white countertops, in which Dove Gray cabinets may look dirty or dingy next to them because White Dove has more warmth. You just want to check your cabinet paint samples with your countertops, tile and flooring to make sure they all compliment each other! In fact, I wrote a whole blog post on everything you need to know before choosing white quartz countertops that might be helpful.
Which leads me to the next thing…paint samples!
As I mentioned above, sampling your paint colors next to the other finishes in your home is crucial when deciding on a paint color. No one wants to do all the work and money of painting a room or cabinets only to find out that the paint color doesn’t look so good next to your floors.
They have some really amazing options for paint samples these days that make it easy and painless! My favorite are the peel and stick paint sheets made with real paint, that you can stick up on your wall or cabinets. No need to buy a quart sample of paint and start painting your walls.
The peel and stick sheets are transferable so you can move it around and see how it looks on all different walls where light hits it more or less. Genius if you ask me!
You can order your paint samples and have them delivered to your door here.
Best Paint Colors for Kitchen Cabinets
If you aren’t sure that White Dove is right for you, there are a few other paint colors that are extremely popular for kitchen cabinets.
Alabaster SW
Alabaster is Sherwin Williams’ white that is extremely popular and widely used. Alabaster is slightly different in color from White Dove in that Alabaster has a bit more gray and a tiny hint of beige when looking at the swatches so they are not the same paint color.
But in regards to their popularity and versatility they are very similar. Alabaster is actually often used by Joanna Gaines in several of their fixer uppers for walls and trim.
As a designer when working with clients, 9 out of 10 times we recommend Alabaster for trim because it’s the color that just works with all other finishes best. Which makes it an excellent choice for kitchen cabinets.
Related: 6 Best White Paint Colors for Trim and Doors
Simply White by Benjamin Moore
Another super popular Benjamin Moore color is Simply White. Simply White is more of a true white than White Dove, with much less color in it. If you’re looking for more of a bright white with less creaminess, Simply White is your best bet.
Decorator’s White by Benjamin Moore
If you have more cool tones and greys in your kitchen like your quartz countertop, then Decorator’s White may be a good choice for you. It leans slightly more cool than White Dove or Simply White making it a great option for those who like it cooler.
via Degraw and Dehaan Architects
Creamy by Sherwin Williams
This paint color might not be on many other lists circulating the Internet for best kitchen cabinet paint colors, but I think it should be! It’s another warm, light paint color but it has more depth and color than White Dove. White kitchen cabinets are popular, but sometimes a kitchen calls for light cabinets that aren’t white. Creamy is perfect for that in between color.
Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore
Another paint color that isn’t white, but still on the lighter side. It’s the perfect greige paint color that isn’t too warm and isn’t too cool. It goes perfectly with so many countertops with veining and tile making it very versatile. We painted our kitchen island Revere Pewter when we did our big kitchen remodel and I love it!
How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets
If you are painting your kitchen cabinets, there are a few tips and tools that will make your life MUCH easier and make the project go quicker.
First, you want to choose the right type of paint. Benjamin Moore’s Advance line of paint is supposed to be really durable and great for kitchen cabinets. Sherwin Williams’ line of Emerald paint is the equivalent where it’s a water-based product for easier clean up but it performs like an oil-based.
Related: How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets with Milk Paint
Primer is another essential step you don’t want to miss. An oil-based primer will certainly last longer and be more durable, but it takes longer to dry and there’s more of a mess for clean up. I usually use a water-based primer called Ziniser 123 Primer and it has worked great. Plus you can get it on Amazon for under $10 for a quart.
The Best Paint Tools That Will Save You Hours
We have painted the entire interior of two houses that we’ve owned, so over the years I’ve figured out the best paint tools that not only give a more professional finish, but will save you HOURS. Having the right tools makes all the difference and you will be so glad you have them! I know I wouldn’t do a paint project without them.
Paint Brushes – My #1 must have and the best paint brush on the market. They hold plenty of paint, get you best edge when trimming, and will save you so much frustration because they are just easier to work with. Do not go cheap on paint brushes!
Painter’s Tape – Saves so much time and gives you a nice clean line.
Drop Cloths – Keep your areas clean. It’s better to have plenty so you aren’t constantly moving them as you paint.
Wire Brush for Cleaning – This wire brush is ESSENTIAL to clean your brush after each use. You know how bristles get dried paint stuck on and it’s impossible to get it off? This brush will do just that!
Sanding Block – Great for roughing up a surface and sanding smooth before painting so your paint adheres or sanding between coats. I like the blocks better than sand paper because they are easier to use and hang on to.
