Choosing the right wall color to match wooden kitchen cabinets

I’ve been thinking about updating my kitchen, but I don’t want to replace the cabinets since they’re solid wood and still in great shape. The problem is the color — the wood is kind of orange-toned, and the walls are plain white, which makes everything look too warm. I want to find a wall color that balances it out without making the room feel dark. Some people suggested sage green or light gray, but I’m not sure how that would look in natural light. Has anyone tried pairing warm wood with cooler tones? I’d love to get some inspiration before I start painting.

 

One of my friends had a similar setup, and she ended up choosing a muted bluish-gray for her walls — it toned down the orange beautifully. The key was finding a shade that didn’t clash with the wood grain but still added contrast. If you want to explore more ideas, check out Painters in Port Alberni, BC; they’ve got some great examples of how color combinations can completely change the mood of a kitchen. It’s amazing how just a subtle shift in hue can make the wood look richer instead of outdated. Sometimes even repainting the trim or adding matte finishes can modernize the whole look.