kitchen with oak units

Oak cabinets are a staple of many kitchens. Honey oak kitchen cabinets are typically found in more traditional spaces, although natural wood is regularly integrated into more contemporary interiors. While wood tones can add character to a space, decorating a kitchen with oak cabinets can prove difficult. 

Struggling to find a colour that goes with your oak cabinetry? Selecting the right shade is easier than you think. No matter whether you’ve recently invested in solid wood units or looking to spruce up space kitted out with honey oak cabinets, you’ll find the perfect shade to coat your kitchen walls with at Tikkurila

From muted neutrals to more daring hues, we’ve got a colour to suit every kitchen. Explore our full range online today to find a gorgeous shade of kitchen paint that will show off those warm wood tones in all their glory. 

The Best Wall Colours for Oak Kitchen Cabinets

If you’re thinking about giving our kitchen a makeover, it’s tempting to think about replacing existing units or painting cabinets in a new shade. While this is something to think about if your existing fittings have seen better days, there’s no need to conceal oak wood cabinets if they’re still in great condition. 

With its orange-brown hue and warm tones, oak is the perfect accent for any kitchen. It looks right at home in farmhouse-style spaces, but also adds some rustic edge to contemporary interiors. 

Choosing a new wall colour is often all that’s required to make your kitchen come together. The good news is that you have plenty of wall colours to choose from. 

If you prefer to keep things simple with timeless aesthetics, neutral paint colours are the way to go. They pair perfectly with light-coloured oak cabinets, but also look right at home alongside stainless steel appliances and brushed brass hardware. 

Considering a more dramatic kitchen makeover? Dynamic navy blue and teal-infused shades are just the ticket for modern interiors. What’s more, they work incredibly well with light oak cabinets and white appliances. 

Need some help finding a first-class shade to transform your kitchen and give your oak cabinets a new lease of life? We’ve picked out some of our favourite shades to help you find the right paint colour for your space. 

Grey

Homespun L498
Cool Grey With Blue Undertones
Surf S500
Misty Wave Grey

Grey shades work incredibly well with all types of kitchen units. However, this colour family is perfectly effective at pairing with oak cabinets. An easy choice for traditional kitchens and more modern cooking spaces, you can never go wrong with grey walls. 

Need some colour suggestions? How about Homespun L498? This cool grey boasts some stunning blue undertones, meaning your kitchen won’t be lacking in character. 

This one makes a fine match to stainless steel appliances and dark-coloured counters, but it will also look right at home alongside white goods and lighter accents. You can even introduce a darker shade to provide your kitchen with added depth. 

Searching for that darker hue? How about Surf S500? This misty grey is underscored with a hint of blue, making it a marvellous option for more contemporary kitchens. It’s darker pigment makes it a fine addition to kitchens equipped with stainless steel appliances, but it also pairs nicely with honey oakland lighter accents.

Beige

Damask F485
A Classic And Tranquil Off-White
Illusion F483
Elegant Taupe

The idea of a beige kitchen might  instantly inspire, but neutral shades are a go-to choice for decorating projects. Furthermore, beiges work beautifully alongside natural materials, making them a suitable colour-match for oak kitchen cabinets. 

Ready to give beige another chance? Think about using a paint colour like Damask F485 when decorating your kitchen. This serene off-white has delicate hints of pink and grey, giving you broad scope for working in jewel tones and other accent colours. 

Furthermore, this timeless shade won’t look out of place in a more modern interior. It coordinates equally well with solid oak as it does with stainless steel. 

Need more ideas? An elegant paint colour like Illusion F483 is worth thinking about if you’re planning on redesigning your kitchen. 
This taupe-infused shade has lilac undertones, with both colour elements working incredibly well with all varieties of oak. You can use it with muted oak cabinets for a clean and fresh interior or mix it with honey oak to bring out the warmer tonnes of the wood. 

Green

Sepal L447
Deep Olive Green
Aloe X381
Soothing But Trendy Light Green

One of the best colours to pair with oak is green. In fact, just about any nature-inspired colour works well with wood. A green kitchen will promote a sense of tranquillity, helping you relax as you prepare meals or entertain friends. 

If a green kitchen sounds like a good fit for your home, consider a colour like Sepal L447 when decorating. This deep olive green has incredible depth, making it a solid choice for all styles of kitchen. 

Use it liberally if your kitchen is on the large side. If your cooking space is small, mix things up with complimentary neutrals and light sages. 

Were you thinking about a more muted shade of green to add to your kitchen? A colour like Aloe X381 might prove a good fit. 

Although subtle, this green-infused paint colour will add plenty of personality to the hub of the home. It’s perfect for north-facing kitchens, but can also be used in sunny interiors to make the most of natural light. 

Blue

Atlantis L433
A Contemporary Mid-Tone Blue
Trade Wind H441
Pale Teal With Mint Hues

Blue palettes are rarely used in kitchens. However, this vibrant colour family is packed with gorgeous shades that will overhaul your interiors and prove the perfect partner to oak kitchen cabinets. 

If you’re looking for a bright blue shade for a modern kitchen, think about using Atlantis L433. Rich and vibrant, it’ll look great alongside warmer oaks and stainless steel appliances. 

If you're worried about overloading your space with too much colour, reserve this mid-tone blue for certain sections of your kitchen. Use it to paint storage cubbies or backsplashes, then reach for a lighter hue to paint the rest of your kitchen walls. 

Light blues are very effective at freshening up tired-looking kitchens. A shade like Trade Wind H441 is a fine choice if your kitchen is feeling dank and gloomy. 

This pale teal is underscored with minty undertones, which will instantly leave your kitchen feeling revived. It’s a relatively subtle shade, so you’ll have no trouble pairing it to your existing oak units or more traditional room accents. 

Off Whites

Lotus F448
Delicate Yet Dynamic Soft Green
Paper F497
Pure White

Not everyone wants to crowd their kitchen interiors with bags of colour. However, that doesn’t mean you have to settle for high-maintenance brilliant white. 

Off-whites bring you the best of both worlds. Your kitchen gets a clean and crisp makeover, but your interior decor schemes benefit from subtle undertones. 

Looking for an off-white to decorate with? Think about something like Lotus F448. A closer look at this gorgeous shade will reveal a delicate undertone of green, which will make a fine addition to your interior and balance beautifully with oak cabinets. 

Want to keep things simple? A pure white like Paper F497 might be something to bear in mind. Subtle grey undertones mean you won’t have to worry about constantly touching up your kitchen walls, while the delicate of hint of colour will coordinate nicely with oak units and other natural materials.

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Disclaimer: Tikkurila UK Paint Calculator is provided as a guide only. The coverage rates will vary depending on surface being coated and the particular product range being used. More information on these products can be found on the cans, on the technical data sheets on individual product pages, by using our live chat service or by calling our technical team on 0131 334 4999.

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the estimate, however paint requirements may vary depending on the surface, type of paint, sheen level and colour chosen.