Color Palettes

What colors go with navy cabinets?

Navy cabinets look best with warm whites, light greiges and soft blue-grays. Warm whites keep navy rich instead of cold. Brass hardware and wood accents add warmth and are the classic finishing touch.

Navy cabinets: typical tones

Approximate colors of the material, to compare with paint swatches.

Classic navy#2F3D4C
Blue-gray navy#434B56
Ink navy#2A3242
Denim navy#3E5063

Best wall colors

Real paint colors from Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore and Behr. Tap one for its codes and closest matches.

Greek Villa SW 7551Sherwin-Williams · #F0ECE2 · LRV 84A warm, creamy white that keeps navy cozy. It avoids the stark contrast of a pure white.Chantilly Lace OC-65Benjamin Moore · #F4F6F1 · LRV 90.04A crisp clean white for a sharp, nautical look. Best in rooms with warm natural light.Edgecomb Gray HC-173Benjamin Moore · #D9D3C4 · LRV 63.09A light warm greige that softens the contrast with dark navy. Good in open plans.Silver Satin OC-26Benjamin Moore · #E3E2DA · LRV 74.9A soft white-gray that lets navy cabinets stand out while feeling gentle.Misty SW 6232Sherwin-Williams · #CDD2D2 · LRV 64Very light gray with a cool blue undertone for a tonal blue look. Works with blue-gray navy.Cotton Knit PPU7-11Behr · #E5DFD2 · LRV 74A barely-there beige off-white from Behr that adds warmth beside cool navy.Light French Gray SW 0055Sherwin-Williams · #C2C0BB · LRV 53A mid-light gray balancing warm and cool. Ties navy cabinets to stainless appliances.

Accent colors

Brass#B8975ABrass hardware is the classic match for navy.
Warm wood#B07D4EButcher block or wood shelves soften navy.
CoralCoral Reef SW 6606 · #D9766CA pop of coral in textiles plays off navy's coolness.Crisp whiteExtra White SW 7006 · #EEEFEAWhite counters and tile keep navy fresh.

3 color palettes

Copy the codes or open a palette in the editor to tweak it.

Nautical brass

Crisp white, brass and wood make navy timeless.

Warm navy

Creamy walls and warm greige soften blue-gray navy.

Tonal blues

Layered blues with a coral spark.

What to avoid

Tips by room

Kitchen island

Navy is the most popular island color. Pair it with white perimeter cabinets and brass pulls.

Bathroom vanity

A navy vanity looks classic with warm white walls and marble or white quartz.

Mudroom or laundry

Navy hides scuffs well. Pair with a light wall and patterned tile.

Bar or butler's pantry

Navy cabinets with brass and wood feel like a jewel box in a small space.

Frequently asked questions

What wall color goes with a navy island?

A warm white or light greige on walls and white perimeter cabinets is the safest combination. It keeps the island as the focal point.

What hardware goes with navy cabinets?

Brass and gold are classic and warm. Matte black is more modern, and polished nickel feels traditional.

Do navy cabinets make a kitchen look smaller?

Only if surrounded by dark surfaces. Light walls, counters and backsplash keep navy kitchens open and bright.

Related guides

Paint names and codes are trademarks of Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore and Behr; this site is not affiliated with them. Hex values are digital approximations, and material swatches are typical tones, not exact matches. Paint looks different with light, sheen and screens, so test a sample next to your own material before you commit.