27 Best Kitchen Paint Colors That Beautifully Complement Honey Oak Cabinets
Honey oak cabinets bring warmth and character to your kitchen, but finding the perfect wall color to complement their golden tones can be challenging.
The right paint color will enhance your cabinets’ natural beauty without competing or clashing.
With honey oak’s distinctive amber undertones, you’ll want to choose colors that either harmonize with or strategically balance these warm hues.
The good news? You have more options than you might think.
Let’s explore 27 stunning paint colors that work beautifully with honey oak cabinets, helping you create a kitchen that feels both updated and timeless.
1: Soft Sage Green

Sage green creates a natural, organic pairing with honey oak cabinets. This earthy tone complements the warm wood while adding a fresh, updated feel to your kitchen.
The green undertones balance the yellow-orange tones in your cabinets without fighting them.
This combination brings the outdoors in, creating a serene cooking environment.
Consider Benjamin Moore’s “Saybrook Sage” or Sherwin Williams’ “Clary Sage” for this calming look.
2: Warm Greige

Greige (a grey-beige hybrid) with warm undertones works wonderfully with honey oak.
This versatile neutral adds contemporary sophistication while honoring your cabinets’ warm character.
Choose a greige that leans slightly warm rather than cool to harmonize with oak’s golden tones. This combination feels modern yet approachable.
Sherwin Williams’ “Agreeable Gray” or Benjamin Moore’s “Revere Pewter” make excellent choices for this balanced look.
3: Buttery Yellow

Embrace the warmth of your honey oak by pairing it with a soft, buttery yellow. This tone-on-tone approach creates a sunny, cheerful kitchen without overwhelming the space.
Choose a yellow with slight beige undertones rather than bright lemon shades. This subtle approach complements rather than competes with your cabinetry.
Look for colors like Benjamin Moore’s “Philadelphia Cream” or Sherwin Williams’ “Blonde.”
4: Creamy Off-White

A warm off-white creates a clean, bright kitchen while allowing your honey oak cabinets to remain the star. This classic choice provides a versatile backdrop for any décor style.
Choose creams with yellow or golden undertones rather than stark whites or cool whites with blue undertones. This subtle warmth will complement your cabinets’ amber tones.
Try Benjamin Moore’s “Swiss Coffee” or Sherwin Williams’ “Alabaster” for this timeless look.
5: Terracotta

Embrace a Mediterranean vibe by pairing honey oak with warm terracotta walls. This earthy, orange-based color creates a natural extension of your cabinets’ warm tones.
The richness of terracotta adds depth and coziness to your kitchen. Keep it subdued rather than bright to avoid overwhelming the space.
Consider Sherwin Williams’ “Copper Mountain” or Benjamin Moore’s “Audubon Russet” for this warm, inviting look.
6: Soft Blue-Gray

Balance the warmth of honey oak with a gentle blue-gray for a refreshing contrast. This cool-toned color creates visual interest while keeping the space serene.
Choose a blue-gray with subtle warmth in its undertones to prevent the combination from feeling jarring. This pairing feels updated and sophisticated.
Try Benjamin Moore’s “Boothbay Gray” or Sherwin Williams’ “Silvermist” for this balanced contrast.
7: Muted Lavender

Surprise yourself with a muted lavender that beautifully complements honey oak’s golden tones. This unexpected pairing creates a unique, welcoming kitchen with personality.
Choose a lavender with gray undertones for sophistication rather than a sweet, childlike purple. This subtle approach adds interest without overwhelming.
Consider Benjamin Moore’s “Violet Mist” or Sherwin Williams’ “Sensitive Tint” for this creative pairing.
8: Rich Olive Green

Create a nature-inspired kitchen with rich olive green walls alongside your honey oak cabinets. This deep, earthy tone enhances the natural wood beauty while adding drama.
Olive green shares the same earthy quality as honey oak, making them natural companions. The combination feels grounded and organic.
Look for Sherwin Williams’ “Relentless Olive” or Benjamin Moore’s “Jalapeno Pepper” for this bold yet natural look.
9: Warm Mushroom

A neutral mushroom tone with warm undertones creates a sophisticated backdrop for honey oak cabinets. This earthy color adds depth without competing with your cabinetry.
Choose a mushroom shade with taupe or beige undertones rather than gray ones. This subtle warmth creates a cohesive look with your golden cabinets.
Try Benjamin Moore’s “Ashley Gray” or Sherwin Williams’ “Perfect Greige” for this elegant pairing.
10: Pale Aqua

Refresh your kitchen with pale aqua walls that provide a cool contrast to warm honey oak cabinets. This serene, watery blue-green feels both timeless and current.
Choose an aqua with gray undertones rather than a bright turquoise for a more sophisticated look. This subtle shade lets your cabinets shine while adding interest.
Consider Benjamin Moore’s “Beach Glass” or Sherwin Williams’ “Rainwashed” for this refreshing combination.
11: Warm Taupe

Create a cohesive, monochromatic feel with warm taupe walls that echo the neutral aspects of honey oak. This sophisticated neutral adds depth without competing with your cabinets.
Taupe with yellow or brown undertones creates harmony with oak’s amber tones. This combination feels elegant and timeless rather than trendy.
Look for Benjamin Moore’s “Shaker Beige” or Sherwin Williams’ “Accessible Beige” for this coordinated look.
12: Muted Coral

Add unexpected warmth with a muted coral that complements the golden undertones in honey oak. This cheerful color creates an inviting, sociable kitchen space.
Choose a coral with beige undertones rather than a bright, saturated shade. This restraint keeps the combination sophisticated rather than overwhelming.
Try Sherwin Williams’ “Coral Clay” or Benjamin Moore’s “Venetian Red” for this warm, welcoming pair.
13: Soft Khaki

Create a natural, harmonious kitchen with soft khaki walls alongside honey oak cabinets. This neutral tan with slight green undertones complements wood tones beautifully.
Khaki provides enough contrast to define your cabinets while maintaining a cohesive color story. This combination works especially well in kitchens with natural light.
Consider Benjamin Moore’s “Hancock Gray” or Sherwin Williams’ “Connected Gray” for this subtly sophisticated look.
14: Deep Navy Blue

Make a bold statement with deep navy blue walls that dramatically contrast with honey oak cabinets. This unexpected pairing creates a striking, memorable kitchen.
Navy’s cool depths balance oak’s warm glow, creating a dynamic tension that feels intentional and designed. The combination works surprisingly well despite being opposites.
Look for Benjamin Moore’s “Hale Navy” or Sherwin Williams’ “Naval” for this dramatic contrast.
15: Soft Mocha

Embrace warmth with soft mocha walls that enhance honey oak’s golden tones. This chocolate-inspired neutral creates a cozy, inviting kitchen atmosphere.
Choose a mocha with red undertones rather than gray ones to complement your cabinets’ warmth. This pairing feels rich and welcoming.
Try Benjamin Moore’s “Weimaraner” or Sherwin Williams’ “Cocoa Whip” for this warm, enveloping look.
16: Muted Teal

Create visual interest with a muted teal that offers beautiful contrast to honey oak cabinets. This blue-green hybrid adds personality while remaining sophisticated.
Choose a teal with gray undertones rather than a bright, tropical shade. This restraint creates a more refined, livable kitchen environment.
Consider Benjamin Moore’s “Wythe Blue” or Sherwin Williams’ “Riverway” for this distinctive combination.
17: Warm Pewter

Add subtle elegance with warm pewter walls alongside honey oak cabinets. This sophisticated neutral with slight brown undertones creates a coordinated look.
Pewter provides more depth than standard beige without the starkness of true gray. This balanced approach works well in kitchens of all sizes.
Look for Benjamin Moore’s “Edgecomb Gray” or Sherwin Williams’ “Worldly Gray” for this refined pairing.
18: Earthy Russet

Create a rich, cohesive look with earthy russet walls that enhance your honey oak cabinets. This reddish-brown color creates depth while honoring wood’s natural tones.
Russet walls feel like a natural extension of honey oak’s color story. This harmonious approach creates a warm, enveloping kitchen environment.
Try Benjamin Moore’s “Moroccan Spice” or Sherwin Williams’ “Rustic Red” for this rich, coordinated look.
19: Dusty Blue

Balance warmth with a dusty blue that offers gentle contrast to honey oak cabinets. This muted, grayed-down blue feels both fresh and timeless.
Choose a blue with gray or slightly warm undertones rather than cool or bright blues. This nuanced approach creates a more harmonious pairing.
Consider Benjamin Moore’s “Mount Saint Anne” or Sherwin Williams’ “Uncertain Gray” for this balanced combination.
20: Warm Bisque

Create a light, bright kitchen with warm bisque walls that complement honey oak without competing. This creamy neutral enhances wood’s natural beauty.
Bisque offers more warmth than white while maintaining an airy feel. Its yellow undertones coordinate beautifully with oak’s golden hues.
Look for Benjamin Moore’s “Mannequin Cream” or Sherwin Williams’ “Creamy” for this light, cohesive pairing.
21: Muted Plum

Add unexpected sophistication with muted plum walls that surprisingly complement honey oak’s warm tones. This rich purple creates a unique, memorable kitchen.
Choose a plum with brown undertones rather than vibrant purple for a more refined look. This subdued approach feels elegant rather than overwhelming.
Try Benjamin Moore’s “Kalamata” or Sherwin Williams’ “Exclusive Plum” for this distinctive combination.
22: Warm Charcoal

Create dramatic contrast with warm charcoal walls that make honey oak cabinetry pop. This deep neutral adds sophistication without feeling cold or stark.
Choose a charcoal with brown undertones rather than blue ones to maintain harmony with your cabinets’ warmth. This pairing feels intentional and designed.
Consider Benjamin Moore’s “Chelsea Gray” or Sherwin Williams’ “Gauntlet Gray” for this bold yet balanced look.
23: Soft Apricot

Enhance your honey oak cabinets’ golden tones with soft apricot walls. This warm, peachy hue creates a sunny, welcoming kitchen atmosphere.
Choose a muted apricot with beige undertones rather than a bright orange for sophistication. This subtle approach complements oak without overwhelming it.
Look for Benjamin Moore’s “Peach Parfait” or Sherwin Williams’ “Hushed Copper” for this warm, glowing combination.
24: Muted Olive

Create an organic, natural kitchen with muted olive walls alongside honey oak cabinets. This earthy green enhances wood’s natural qualities.
Olive shares honey oak’s natural origins, creating a harmonious pairing. This combination feels grounded and timeless in any kitchen style.
Try Benjamin Moore’s “Dried Moss” or Sherwin Williams’ “Adaptive Shade” for this earthy, cohesive look.
25: Warm Stone

Add sophisticated neutrality with warm stone-colored walls that beautifully frame honey oak cabinets. This versatile gray-beige hybrid works in any kitchen style.
Stone with warm undertones bridges the gap between cool neutrals and warm wood tones. This balanced approach feels curated and thoughtful.
Consider Benjamin Moore’s “Pashmina” or Sherwin Williams’ “Amazing Gray” for this versatile pairing.
26: Soft Turquoise

Create refreshing contrast with soft turquoise walls against honey oak cabinets. This watery blue-green adds personality while remaining livable.
Choose a turquoise with gray undertones rather than a bright Caribbean shade. This restraint creates a more sophisticated, timeless kitchen environment.
Look for Benjamin Moore’s “Healing Aloe” or Sherwin Williams’ “Watery” for this refreshing combination.
27: Warm Adobe

Embrace southwestern warmth with adobe-colored walls that enhance honey oak’s golden tones. This earthy, reddish-brown creates a cozy, inviting kitchen.
Adobe feels like a natural extension of wood tones, creating a harmonious color story. This combination works especially well in kitchens with rustic elements.
Try Benjamin Moore’s “Sienna Clay” or Sherwin Williams’ “Rookwood Terra Cotta” for this warm, earthy pairing.
Conclusion
The right paint color transforms your honey oak kitchen from dated to deliberate.
By choosing colors that complement rather than fight your cabinets, you’ll create a beautiful, cohesive space you’ll enjoy for years to come.