Are your kitchen cabinets in need of a refresh? Sage green kitchen cabinets are a timeless and popular choice that can add a little color without being too bold. Check out the colors on this list to find the best fit for your kitchen!
The phrase “the kitchen is the heart of the home” has stuck around for a reason. Between cooking and hanging out, people spend tons of time in their kitchens.
That also means that the kitchen is usually at the top of the list when it comes to spaces to makeover. And boy have things changed in the world of kitchen design over the last few decades! Dated wood cabinets are “out,” and beautiful colorful cabinets are definitely “in” right now!
Yes, you could easily go with neutral options such as white or gray for cabinetry (and many, including myself, do). But, you can also choose bold colors such as blue or black cabinet colors to make an impression.
The newest kitchen color trend? Believe it or not, the color green is quickly taking over the spotlight.
I’m personally loving this trend, and my current favorite cabinet color is indeed green. But not just any old green. I’m into all things sage!
Sage Green in the Spotlight
I’m not alone. Sage green is having a seriously big moment right now. Both Sherwin Williams (SW Evergreen Fog) and Benjamin Moore (BM October Mist) picked sage green shades as their 2022 Color of the Year. Think it’s a coincidence?
Sage green is a color that brings to mind many different descriptors, including calming, cozy, elegant, grounded, nature-inspired, earthy, timeless, and soothing, just to name a few.
If you want to add a bit of color and serenity to your kitchen, consider using sage green paint to do the job of infusing some personality without looking too dark or bold.
But what are the best choices for sage green kitchen cabinets? I’m here to help!
I’ve taken dozens of possibilities and narrowed the list down to just 12 designer and homeowner-approved options. You can’t go wrong with any of these colors!
Tips for Making Sage Green Paint Colors Work on Cabinets
Although it seems as simple as slapping your favorite color on the cabinets, here are some essential tips to help you get the best results.
- Lighter shades create an airy and spacious appearance.
- Darker shades are bolder and best for kitchens that are larger or have tons of natural lighting.
- Since sage green is a nature-inspired color, add natural elements (wood, stone, and/or plants) for the ultimate pairing.
- Use sage green as an accent by only painting your kitchen island or the bottom row of cabinets green to add a beautiful pop of color.
- Sage green can work magic by anchoring patterns (in the backsplash or flooring) and other design elements.
And to move you quickly from paint zero to hero, I have a great, free resource for you. Grab a copy of 5 Massive Paint Mistakes to Avoid…because when all else fails, as long as you stay away from these 5 cardinal painting sins, you’re probably doing A-OK!
Sage Green Kitchen Cabinets FAQs
Are sage kitchen cabinets a good idea?
Yes! Not only are they a timeless, versatile, and soothing option that never looks dated, but they are quickly growing in popularity as more and more homeowners discover the power of sage green. 
What color goes with sage green kitchen cabinets?
Sage looks incredible with nearly any neutral (white, off-white, greige, beige, or gray). White and light off-white provide the greatest amount of contrast, so a couple of my personal favs for walls include Benjamin Moore Pure White for a clean option or Sherwin Williams Alabaster for a warmer, creamier pairing.
In addition to neutrals, accent colors that look terrific with sage green kitchen cabinets include:
– Navy Blue
– Red
– Pink
– Burgundy
– Terracotta
– Black
Are sage green kitchen cabinets in style in 2023?
A resounding YES! Sage green kitchen cabinets never go out of style. As of 2023, they are seeing a huge spike in popularity as more designers use nature-inspired shades.
What kitchen styles work with sage cabinets?
Sage kitchen cabinets work in nearly any style of kitchen. They’re a natural fit for traditional, modern farmhouse, rustic, French country, contemporary, and modern kitchens.
Are you already feeling a little lost? Let me help you get back on track. Grab a free copy of my guide to help you avoid the same paint color picking mistakes most people always make!
Best Wall Paint Color Choices for Sage Cabinets
Picking one color is hard enough – how can you possibly pick two? I have a series of paint posts that provide essential information on a large library of individual colors to give you everything you need to make a final decision that will transform your space into your paradise.
Note: Many paint names in this post are linked to corresponding color review posts. Click through to find out more!
Here are some incredible wall color options that allow sage green kitchen cabinets to make a statement in any kitchen.
White Walls
White paint colors provide the greatest contrast between the walls and sage cabinets, so they’re my favorite choice for this pairing.
Consider these white color options:
Neutral Walls
Gray and greige (and some beiges) provide versatile pairings with sage green paint colors that do an outstanding job of taking the subtle approach and fading into the background while ALSO highlighting your gorgeous kitchen cabinets.
If you want neutral-colored walls, consider using:
Colors to Avoid With Sage Green Kitchen Cabinets
The beauty of sage is that it’s versatile enough to look great with almost any color! I do recommend contrasting depth with your sage selection. For example, pair light wall colors with darker sage cabinets.
Best Hardware Colors for Sage Green Cabinetry
Hardware plays a bigger part in the overall look of your kitchen than you may realize.
Gold or black hardware is my favorite with sage cabinets because it contrasts against the muted green cabinets and looks great whether you go with a warm or cool-toned sage green paint color.
Silver is classic and timeless and will look great; it just won’t give that “wow” factor. I also recommend considering brass hardware with cool-toned sage green cabinets for a touch of warmth to create balance.
If you want a contemporary or transitional look in your kitchen, opt for using bar hardware, while pulls and knobs help create a traditional or modern farmhouse vibe.
Want the cliff notes for choosing the perfect color every time? Grab a FREE copy of my guide to help you avoid the paint color picking mistakes most people make!
The Best Shades for Sage Green Kitchen Cabinets
Looking for inspiration? Here are my top 12 recommendations of shades for picture-perfect sage green kitchen cabinets. Make sure to vet each shade by using peel-and-stick paint swatches!
1. Benjamin Moore October Mist
This light silvery-green was Ben Moore’s 2022 Color of the Year, so it naturally earned a top spot on the list of the best sage green kitchen paint colors! A mid-toned gray-green (LRV of 46), October Mist (#1495) often looks much lighter than you may expect.
See how light it appears on these rustic sage green kitchen cabinets from Jenna Sue Design?
2. Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage
Saybrook Sage (HC-114) is reminiscent of soothing aloe and strikes (in my opinion) the ideal balance between green and silver. With an LRV of 45, it’s a lovely shade with plenty of body.
And doesn’t it look great with the black countertops and backsplash in this kitchen from @rejeneratedfinds?
3. Behr Bitter Sage
Bitter Sage (N390-4) is a little deeper, with an LRV of 34.
But, surprisingly, this green hue almost never looks too dark. I love the plants and black hardware in Haneen’s Haven’s kitchen!
4. Sherwin Williams Retreat
Retreat (SW 6207) is a beautiful cool-leaning sage that has blue undertones. With an LRV of 21, it is a deeper shade than Bitter Sage, and its blue undertones make a chameleon color.
Sometimes in shadowy areas blue undertones can come forward in this shade, but here in this beautiful kitchen from the talented cabinet makers at @blockbrotherscc, the sage green kitchen features look more like a stunning neutral color.
5. Sherwin Williams Evergreen Fog
As Sherwin Williams 2022 Color of the Year, Evergreen Fog (SW 9130) is one of the highest-demand sage greens for kitchen cabinets. It has an LRV of 30, making it a little lighter than SW Retreat.
Although both shades share a blue undertone, Evergreen Fog’s blue undertone is more prominent on these modern sage green kitchen cabinets.
It almost looks blue-gray with the white upper cabinets and white counters in this kitchen from Schue Love, right?
6. Sherwin Williams Svelte Sage
With an LRV of 41, this full-bodied sage is a gorgeous, olive-leaning option thanks to a hint of brown undertone.
This amazing example of Svelte Sage (SW 6164) from @ciarakenaston shows it’s incredible ability to look like many different shades rolled in one depending on the lighting.
In the brighter natural light, the shade goes cooler and more green, while in warmer lighting, the color heads into more of a khaki zone.
7. Benjamin Moore Rainy Afternoon
Rainy Afternoon (#1575) is a deep, earthy sage (LRV 15) that’s a natural fit for pairing with any (or multiple!) wood tones.
The silver hardware in this traditional kitchen from @newfoundexplorer gives it a grounded and classic vibe.
8. Sherwin Williams Sage
Aptly named Sage (SW 2860) has an LRV of 42 and lands at a nice balance between green and gray.
This kitchen from Inspired by Charm is full of rustic charm, and I love the beadboard wall, black hardware, and (sage) open shelving!
9. Sherwin Williams Clary Sage
Clary Sage (SW 6178) has an LRV of 41 and yellow undertones that give it a rich, earthy appearance.
With the wood tones, black hardware, and incredible white glass subway tile backsplash, I want this kitchen from @ourhuntingtonhome for MY home!
10. Benjamin Moore Sage Mountain
Sage Mountain (#1488) is a deep sage with an LRV of 28.5 that’s grounding and gorgeous. It’s an earthy green with a truly organic feel.
The dark brown, warm wood tones (I’m thinking walnut?) and brass hardware complement the warm-toned sage on the shaker cabinets, while the white marble countertops in this kitchen from Bon Traveler create balance.
11. Sherwin Williams Green Onyx
Green Onyx (SW 9128) is a mid-toned sage green color (LRV 31) with yellow undertones that make it a natural fit with wood accents.
I love that this kitchen from Painted by Kayla Payne kept the small room feeling airy by choosing upper white cabinets and only painting the lower cabinets sage green. That’s a great option when you’re trying to help a small kitchen feel larger.
12. Farrow & Ball Vert de Terre
Vert de Terre (#248) is a beautiful sage green, and one of the light sages on this list. With an LRV of 48, this is a really good color with a delicate, minty quality.
The white countertops and gold hardware in this kitchen from Ashley Brooke play with the warmth in the cabinet color perfectly!
I hope this list of sage green kitchen cabinets inspires you to go add a grounding, earthy tone to your existing kitchen or during an upcoming kitchen remodel! If a cabinet refresh is on your to-do list, I’m betting there’s a shade of sage green here that could be the perfect fit.
And if you are seriously considering any of these sage colors, remember paint-sampling is better than ending up paint-sorry! I highly recommend these peel and stick samples because they are inexpensive, re-usable and re-positionable…
Pin this paint color for later! And if you use this paint shade, leave a comment on the pin! That helps others decide if they want to try this color, too!
Ready to show those boring, bland walls who’s the boss at home? This no-cost guide will help you sidestep mistakes that almost everyone makes when it comes to picking paint! You’ll be on your way to perfect paint promptly…pinky swear.
Leave a Reply