Your kitchen is one of the most expensive projects in your home, so the last thing you want to do is choose a color that cheapens the look. And if you're wondering which cabinet color looks most expensive, designers say it's between two timeless hues.
You could spend hours flicking through a seemingly endless list of kitchen color ideas, but if it's a luxurious look you're after, designers always gravitate towards a bright, classic white or a warm shade of beige.
Here's what you need to know about each color option, and how designers recommend making a final decision between the two. With this advice, you'll be able to choose the perfect cabinet color to create a luxury kitchen.
Which Kitchen Cabinet Colors Look Most Expensive?
There's no denying the enduring appeal of a neutral kitchen. It's a look that stands the test of time, regardless of the trends of the moment, and creates an undeniably expensive look. While you might think white and beige are very similar colors, many properties keep them apart.
White is brighter, crisper, and favored for its ability to work in schemes of every size and style, whether it's a cozy cottage kitchen, a minimalist space, or something more contemporary in design.
'White has a timeless quality that works beautifully in kitchens because it reflects light and enhances the sense of space. It provides a clean canvas that allows the architecture and materials to take centre stage,' explains interior designer Lauren Gilberthorpe.
'When used well, white cabinetry can feel effortless and sophisticated, particularly when paired with natural stone, unlacquered brass, or subtle textural elements that bring depth and warmth. The key is to introduce variation, perhaps through a honed marble worktop, a glazed tile, or timber detailing, so the scheme feels layered rather than stark,' she adds.
But it's white's ability to work beautifully in kitchens of every style and add that sense of luxury that makes it so appealing. Paired with the fact that it's classic and easy to style, it's unsurprising that so many designers gravitate towards it.
'It's the perfect color for a natural and light-filled kitchen. It goes perfectly with light and dark countertops, brass or silver fittings, and traditional or contemporary settings. A firm favorite with everyone, and sometimes there is nothing more beautiful than keeping it simple,' adds Helen Parker, creative director of deVOL Kitchens.
Where white is crisp, bright, and reliably timeless, beige offers something different. It's warmer, richer, and adds depth and contrast to a scheme. In many ways, it has become the alternative to white when you want something less minimalist.
'Ever versatile and timeless, beige brings warmth and depth to any space. These neutral shades pair effortlessly with wood tones, enhancing the sense of comfort and tranquility, while also offering a soft contrast and balancing the cooler hues, such as blues and greens,' says Hannah Yeo, senior manager of color marketing at Benjamin Moore.
'Earthy and grounded, these hues add texture and visual interest without overwhelming the space, making them an ideal choice for kitchens. Their understated elegance allows other design elements to shine, while still contributing to a cohesive and welcoming environment,' she adds.
Beige offers that expensive, luxurious look, but often in a more relaxed, casual style. It's a color that embraces quiet luxury and pared-back elegance, which is why it appeals in certain kitchens.
'Beige and the broader family of warm neutrals have become increasingly sought after because they offer a more relaxed, country-house look. These shades feel inherently luxurious when executed in high-quality finishes such as hand-painted joinery or limewashed timber,' says Lauren.
'They connect beautifully with natural light and shift in tone throughout the day, creating a space that feels dynamic and inviting. Beige also pairs effortlessly with natural materials like oak, travertine, and veined marble, which lends a subtle richness to a kitchen without it feeling overdesigned.'
What's the Difference Between White and Beige Kitchens?
White and beige are both beautiful neutral tones, but they bring very different looks and feels to a kitchen. But the undertones and temperatures of these tones differ to create a different aesthetic.
'White offers a bright, clean atmosphere that feels open and modern. Crisp shades, like White Heron OC-57, can make a kitchen feel more spacious and airier, while providing a fresh backdrop that pairs effortlessly with a wide range of materials, including countertops and hardware. This versatility makes white an easy and timeless choice for cabinetry,' says Hannah.
'Beiges, on the other hand, introduce warmth and depth, creating a cozy and inviting environment. These soft neutrals work beautifully with butcher block surfaces or creamy wall colors, offering a harmonious and calming aesthetic, making them an ideal choice for a kitchen seeking comfort and character,' she explains.
Lauren captures it perfectly, noting that 'the difference lies in the atmosphere they create.' The kitchen cabinet colors you choose will signal a different mood and energy, and beige and white evoke different feelings.
'White kitchens often evoke a sense of cleanness and precision, while beige introduces warmth and tactility. White can feel more architectural, emphasising line and proportion, whereas beige leans into mood and comfort,' Lauren explains.
'Both can be elevated to feel luxurious, but their success depends on the tone of light, the material palette, and how they relate to the rest of the home.'
How to Choose Between Them
Fundamentally, both of these neutral hues are a stylish and timeless option for your kitchen cabinetry. Choosing between them can be difficult, but designers say there are a few considerations that can make selecting the right color easier.
'The kitchen is a space where multiple surfaces and materials converge, so planning is essential. Start by creating a mood board to ensure all elements work together. Always sample colors in your actual space and view them against countertops, accents, and other existing elements,' Hannah advises.
'Consider the long-term relationship between your cabinetry color and the surrounding materials, for example, floors, countertops, and walls, which should feel harmonious,' Lauren adds, emphasizing the importance of understanding how a color pairs with other materials and finishes in your kitchen.
A really important factor you will need to consider is kitchen lighting. 'View the color throughout the day under different lighting conditions to make the most informed decision,' suggests Hannah. But it will also depend on the orientation of your kitchen.
'Look at the quality of light in your space before deciding. North-facing rooms, for instance, can make cooler whites feel flat, while warmer neutrals can enhance the natural tone of the light,' Lauren explains.
'Ultimately, luxury comes from how a space feels to live in, not just how it looks. Choose a tone that feels authentic to the home and its setting rather than one that looks good on Instagram.'
White and beige are both luxurious options for your kitchen cabinet color; it all comes down the the overall aesthetic you desire and what best suits the light your kitchen benefits from. There are plenty of hues worth trying, so make sure to consider the best white paints for kitchens and the best beige paints according to designers who have used them.
