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Paint Colors That Match Oak Cabinets in Bathrooms

Oak cabinets have a rich, warm look that instantly adds elegance to your bathroom. However, it can be a challenge to find paint colors that complement the natural tones in oak and add to the sophisticated look of the room. Fortunately, there are several shades that act as a neutral backdrop, which allows the oak to shine, or mimic the warm tones in the wood to create a unified look for the bathroom. To ensure that you wind up with a combination that you like, get samples of the paint and try them out alongside your oak cabinets before you commit to a color.
  1. White

    • White is a foolproof color to pair with oak bathroom cabinets. It is a neutral shade, so it doesn't compete with the warm tones in the wood and actually allows the natural colors of the oak to stand out. The fact that it is a light color also works well in a small space like a bathroom because it brightens the room and makes it feel more spacious. With white walls, you also have a wider range of options when it comes to accent colors, so you can opt for bold, warm colors like red and orange to match the tones in the oak cabinet or go with cool shades like blue and green for a contrasting look.

    Tan

    • If your bathroom cabinets are a light oak, tan paint is an attractive option for the room's walls. Like white, tan is a neutral shade so it complements the warm tones in the wood. However, if you choose a darker tan shade that leans toward brown, the light oak stands out against it so the wood's natural grain and texture is highlighted. Be sure to consider the size of your bathroom when deciding how dark to go with your tan color, though, because a small bathroom may feel cramped if the walls are too dark. You can use chocolate brown as an accent color with the tan and oak to give the bathroom a masculine look, or add red and orange accessories for a bolder look.

    Yellow

    • For oak cabinets that have a golden tint, yellow is an ideal paint color for your bathroom walls. You can choose a dark, golden shade that mimics the gold tones in the oak for a rich, sophisticated look, or choose a lighter, butter color to give the room a bright, airy feel. The warm tones in either yellow shade complement the similar tones in the wood and give the room a unified feeling. When choosing accent colors, warm shades like red and orange are attractive options, but you can also use blue or green to contrast with the warm undertones in the oak cabinets and yellow walls.

    Sage

    • While green is usually a cool color, some shades actually have a warmer look because they contain yellow undertones. Sage is a warm green and can draw out the natural warm tones in your oak bathroom cabinets. It is also a light enough color to work in a small bathroom without making the space feel too cramped. You can choose brown, yellow or terra-cotta as an accent color to give the bathroom added dimension, or opt for other shades of green to create a contrasting look with warm and cool tones.