If your kitchen is starting to feel dated but a full remodel isn’t in the budget, cabinet painting might be the smartest home improvement investment you can make this year. A fresh coat of paint on your cabinets can completely transform the look and feel of your kitchen–without the cost, mess, or timeline of a full gut renovation. At Van Tuinen Painting, we’ve been helping Kalamazoo homeowners fall back in love with their kitchens for over 50 years, and we’re seeing some exciting trends taking shape in 2026.
Two-Tone Cabinets Are Here to Stay
One of the most popular cabinet painting trends right now is the two-tone look, where upper and lower cabinets are painted in complementary but different colors. A classic combination gaining traction in the Kalamazoo area is crisp white uppers paired with a deep navy or forest green on the lower cabinets. This approach adds visual depth and a custom feel that makes a kitchen look professionally designed. It’s a bold choice that pays off, and it’s far more affordable than swapping out your cabinet boxes entirely.
Earthy, Nature-Inspired Tones
Goodbye, stark white–at least as the only option. Warm, earthy hues are dominating kitchen design in 2026. Think terracotta, warm taupe, sage green, and muted olive. These colors bring a sense of calm and coziness to the kitchen, which has become the true heart of the home in recent years. These nature-inspired tones work beautifully in both traditional and modern kitchens and pair well with wood accents, stone countertops, and brass or matte black hardware.
Greige: The Perfect Neutral
For homeowners who love a neutral palette but find pure white too cold or stark, “greige” (a blend of gray and beige), has become a go-to cabinet color. It’s warm enough to feel inviting but neutral enough to work with virtually any countertop, backsplash, or flooring. Cabinet painting in a greige tone is one of the most versatile updates you can make, especially if you’re thinking about resale value down the road.
Dark and Dramatic Cabinetry
Deep, moody hues like charcoal, black, and dark navy are increasingly popular for homeowners who want a bold, sophisticated kitchen. This is especially effective in kitchens with good natural light, where dark cabinets create a striking contrast against light countertops or a subway tile backsplash. Professional cabinet painting is essential for this trend–achieving a smooth, brush-stroke-free finish in dark colors requires the right primers, the right paints, and the skill to apply them correctly.
The Importance of Professional Cabinet Painting
Trends are exciting, but execution is everything. Cabinet painting isn’t the same as rolling a wall. Doors need to be removed, surfaces properly cleaned and sanded, the right primer applied, and a finish coat laid down in a controlled environment to avoid dust and debris. Different wood species–like the oak and maple common in many Kalamazoo homes–require different preparation techniques to ensure the paint bonds properly and lasts for years.
At Van Tuinen Painting, our craftsmen understand the nuances that separate a great cabinet painting job from one that starts chipping or peeling within a year. We use premium-grade paints and proven application methods to deliver a factory-smooth finish that holds up to daily kitchen life.
Why Kalamazoo Homeowners Choose Van Tuinen Painting
When it comes to cabinet painting in the Kalamazoo area, Van Tuinen Painting has the experience and reputation that matters. With over 12,000 painting projects completed and more than five decades of service to Southwest Michigan, we bring a level of craftsmanship and professionalism that shows in every finished project. We provide free, detailed estimates with no surprise upcharges, and we back our work with a full-year warranty on workmanship.
Whether you’re drawn to a bold two-tone look, a warm earthy palette, or a sleek dark finish, our team can help you choose the right color, the right products, and the right approach for your specific cabinets and kitchen style.
Ready to take advantage of the latest cabinet painting trends and give your Kalamazoo kitchen a stunning refresh? Contact Van Tuinen Painting today for your free estimate–we’d love to help you create the kitchen you’ve always wanted.
