If you’re refreshing a kitchen this year, these cabinet color trends Canada designers and homeowners are choosing in 2025 will help you pick a colour that looks current, lives well, and holds resale value. This guide is practical and down-to-earth: clear headings, step-by-step advice, real-life examples, and where to buy in Canada — all in simple English so you can act on the ideas today.
Quick TL;DR — what’s trending in cabinet colours (short list)
- Earthy, warm tones (cinnamon, warm brown, terracotta). (benjaminmoore.com)
- Muted greens (sage, olive, eucalyptus) for natural, calm kitchens. (cabinetsrefinishing.ca)
- Deep, moody shades (navy, charcoal, inky blue) for drama and contrast. (Better Homes & Gardens)
- Two-tone cabinets — island in one colour, perimeter in another (very common). (Cabinquartz)
- Still-solid: timeless whites and warm off-whites for lasting resale appeal. (benjaminmoore.com)
Opening — uses the exact keyword
If you want to follow the latest cabinet color trends Canada for 2025, read on. This post explains the colours that are popular now, how to use them without regret, real examples from Canadian kitchens, and local brands to shop for paints, cabinetry and samples.
Why cabinet colour matters more than ever
Kitchens are the centre of the home — the cabinet colour sets the whole mood. In 2025 the move is away from flat, clinical whites to colours that feel warm, grounded and human. People want kitchens that are both beautiful and practical: colours that hide wear, match appliances, and age well with timber and stone surfaces. Paint houses and design editors are calling 2025 a year for warmer neutrals and richer colours. (benjaminmoore.com)
Trend 1 — Warm earth tones: cinnamon, warm taupe, terracotta
What it looks like: Think warm browns and plum-tinged neutrals — colours that read soft and cozy rather than stark. Benjamin Moore’s 2025 Colour of the Year (a heathered plum-brown called Cinnamon Slate) is a good example of this warm, sophisticated shift. Using these tones makes a kitchen feel like a retreat, especially with wood accents and warm lighting. (benjaminmoore.com)
How to use it:
- Try a warm brown island with pale perimeter cabinets for contrast.
- Pair with matte black or aged brass hardware and warm stone countertops.
- These tones work well in open-plan homes to carry warmth into living areas.
Real-life note: Canadian kitchens with warm cabinet tones often combine them with oak floors and soft white walls — the result reads modern but cosy.
Trend 2 — Muted greens: sage, moss and eucalyptus
Why people love it: Greens bring nature inside and feel calming. The 2025 wave favors muted, greyed greens (sage and eucalyptus) rather than neon or bright greens. These shades are versatile — they look great in both modern and cottage-style kitchens. (cabinetsrefinishing.ca)
How to use it:
- Use sage on a kitchen island and keep upper cabinets in off-white for light balance.
- Match with warm wood shelves and brass taps for a contemporary look.
- Test samples in your light — north-facing rooms may need a warmer green so it doesn’t look cold.
Where Canadians buy paint: Benjamin Moore and Dulux have curated green palettes and sample programs at local dealers. (benjaminmoore.com)
Trend 3 — Deep moody hues: navy, charcoal and inky blue
What it looks like: Dark, saturated colours add luxury and drama. Deep navy or charcoal on base cabinets with pale counters gives a luxe, grounded look that’s very on-trend for 2025. Design roundups list moody cabinet colours as a leading trend for the year. (Better Homes & Gardens)
How to use it:
- Paint base cabinets or an island in navy; keep walls and uppers light to avoid a cave effect.
- Use warm wood counters or open shelving to add contrast and warmth.
- Matte finishes hide fingerprints better than high gloss on dark colours.
Real-life example: Urban Canadian homes often pair hale-navy islands with quartz counters and walnut shelving for contrast and texture. (benjaminmoore.com)
Trend 4 — Two-tone kitchens — depth without commitment
What it is: Two-tone cabinetry remains huge — a coloured island plus neutral perimeter makes a big impact without painting every cabinet. Common pairings: sage island + white uppers, navy base + warm oak uppers, or cinnamon island + cream cabinets. Two-tone schemes allow you to be bold in one area and safe elsewhere. (Cabinquartz)
How to plan it:
- Keep high-use storage (pantry, appliance garages) in the neutral colour for longevity.
- Use the bolder colour on the island or lower cabinets where it frames the room.
- Match hardware finish across both colours to keep cohesion.
Trend 5 — Whites and warm off-whites — still a safe bet
Why they matter: If resale or wide appeal is important, whites and warm creams still perform well. They brighten the kitchen and pair with any accent colour later. Classic white shades like Chantilly Lace and White Dove remain top sellers in cabinet palettes. (benjaminmoore.com)
How to use whites without feeling bland:
- Add texture (beadboard panels, fluted doors) or warm counters to keep the look interesting.
- Use white uppers and coloured lowers to combine timelessness and trend.
Practical tips for choosing cabinet colour (step-by-step)
- Sample in situ. Paint 12″x12″ patches on multiple walls and view at morning and evening light.
- Start with fixed surfaces. Match cabinets to your permanent finishes (stone counters, floors).
- Scale the colour. Large islands can take deeper or busier colours; small galley kitchens might need lighter tones.
- Test hardware with paint. Metal finishes (brass, black, chrome) change how a colour reads.
- Consider finish. Matte hides marks; semi-gloss is easier to clean. For cabinets, a durable satin or semi-gloss is common.
- Think resale. If you plan to sell within a few years, keep at least some white or neutral elements.
Local vendors & brands in Canada to check
- Benjamin Moore Canada — colour palettes, sample programs and 2025 Colour of the Year. (benjaminmoore.com)
- Home Depot Canada / RONA / Lowe’s Canada — paint, sample pots, and cabinet refacing products. (Homes and Gardens)
- EQ3, Structube, The Brick — for cabinet hardware, finishes and stylistic ideas that match Canadian tastes. (benjaminmoore.com)
- Local cabinetmakers & refinishers — for custom two-tone solutions, paint-grade doors, and durable finishes (search “cabinet maker + your city”). (Kitchen Makeovers)
Shopping tip: Visit a Benjamin Moore dealer to view full-size door samples and ask for cabinet-specific formulas — they often suggest durable cabinet paints and topcoats for kitchens.
Budget moves that get you the look
- Refinish instead of replace. Repaint existing cabinet boxes and switch door fronts or hardware.
- Paint island only. A painted island can modernize the whole room at low cost.
- New handles & lighting. Hardware and updated lighting change how a colour feels instantly.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Choosing from screen images only. Always test real samples — digital photos distort colour.
- Ignoring finish & durability. Kitchen cabinets need paints formulated for heavy use (look for cabinet or cabinet-grade paint).
- Using one sample patch. Try at least three spots; light and adjacent finishes change the appearance.
Quick room plans (real-life combos Canadians love)
- Toronto Condo — Small & Stylish: Sage-green island, off-white uppers, walnut open shelf, warm brass pulls. Fresh, calming, and compact. (cabinetsrefinishing.ca)
- Vancouver Family Kitchen — Warm & Practical: Cinnamon-tone lower cabinets (inspired by Cinnamon Slate), white uppers, black hardware, and oak floors for a warm modern look. (benjaminmoore.com)
- Montreal Renovation — Dramatic & Classic: Deep navy lower cabinets, marble-look counters, matte black hardware and soft white uppers for a luxe-yet-warm vibe. (Better Homes & Gardens)
Final checklist before you commit
- Order sample pots and paint full-size door samples.
- View samples in morning and evening light.
- Pick a durable cabinet paint and talk to your painter about undercoats and topcoats.
- Decide on hardware finish and test it against the painted sample.
- If doing two-tone, confirm the visual balance with a mock-up or taped template.