Sherwin-Williams Cabinet Colors We're Loving in 2026 (And Why They Work in Midwest Light)
If you've ever fallen in love with a cabinet color online, ordered a sample, and thought, "That looks nothing like the photo" — welcome to the club. Color is deeply contextual, and nowhere is that more true than in the Midwest.
St. Louis and the surrounding region get a particular quality of light — often warm and golden in the warmer months, but grey-filtered and flat in fall and winter. That seasonal swing matters when you're committing to a cabinet color you'll live with for 10 to 15 years. The wrong color doesn't just look off — it can make your whole kitchen feel cold, dingy, or strangely institutional.
The good news? Sherwin-Williams has a palette that, when chosen thoughtfully, performs beautifully in Midwest light all year long. These are the colors our team at Everstead Design Build is specifying most in 2026 — and why each one earns its spot.
Why Midwest Light Deserves Its Own Conversation
Most color advice you'll find online is written for coastal homes with bright, high-UV light, south-facing windows, and minimal cloud cover. Midwest light is different — and that changes everything.
In our climate, cool undertones get amplified under grey skies. A bright white that looks crisp in a California kitchen can read as stark or even slightly blue here. Warm undertones, on the other hand, stay stable — they read as creamy and inviting whether the sun is blazing or hidden behind clouds.
That's the lens we use when recommending colors to our homeowners: how will this color behave on a November Tuesday at 2pm? If it still looks good then, you're in great shape.
Accessible Beige (SW 7036)
This one isn't new — but it's still one of the most-requested colors we spec, and for good reason. Accessible Beige sits in a beautifully balanced place between beige and greige. It's warm without being yellow, neutral without being flat.
In Midwest light, it reads as a soft, earthy cream. It layers naturally with the warm stones and quartz countertops we're pairing in 2026 — including Cambria and Caesarstone options with organic, low-contrast veining. Add Emtek hardware in brushed brass or champagne bronze and you've got a kitchen that feels collected and calm, not decorated.
Best for: Full upper and lower cabinet runs. Works especially well in kitchens with west- or north-facing windows.
Alabaster (SW 7008)
Alabaster remains one of our most-specified colors, and it's evolving in how we're using it in 2026. Where it used to be the go-to for a "soft white kitchen," we're now pairing it with warmer stones and richer metals — which keeps it from feeling too precious.
What makes Alabaster work in Midwest light is its creamy, slightly warm undertone. It doesn't pull blue or grey like a true bright white. On overcast days, it holds its warmth. In afternoon light, it glows.
We've been pairing Alabaster uppers with Silestone countertops in warmer tones, Top Knobs hardware in antique brass, and stone backsplash tile from Ann Sacks or Bedrosians for texture and movement.
Best for: Two-tone kitchens as the upper cabinet color. Also beautiful for bathroom vanities — see our bathroom remodeling services for how we're applying it there.
Evergreen Fog (SW 9130)
If there's a color that defines the shift in 2026 kitchen design, it's Evergreen Fog. It's a soft, muted sage green with grey undertones — and it behaves remarkably well in Midwest light because of those grey undertones. On bright days, it reads as a gentle green. On overcast days, it pulls slightly more towards sage or eucalyptus. It never goes cold.
We're using it primarily on kitchen islands and lower cabinets, paired with Alabaster or Natural Linen uppers. That contrast creates depth without drama — which is exactly the intentional, layered look our clients are asking for in 2026.
For hardware, we love Schaub pulls in a warm brass or brushed nickel to let the color breathe. For cabinet storage systems inside, Rev-A-Shelf organizers pair perfectly with the thoughtful, functional kitchens we're building.
Best for: Kitchen islands, lower cabinets, or bathroom vanities as a statement color.
Natural Linen (SW 9109)
Natural Linen is the quiet overachiever of this list. It's softer and less assertive than Accessible Beige — closer to an unbleached linen fabric than a true beige. In Midwest light, it reads as warm, calm, and sophisticated.
We've been recommending it to homeowners who love the idea of a neutral kitchen but want something that feels a touch more elevated than standard beige. It pairs effortlessly with Caesarstone quartz, matte black fixtures from Moen or Delta, and warm wood open shelving for texture.
Natural Linen also photographs beautifully — which matters when your kitchen becomes the backdrop for everyday life (and the occasional dinner party worth sharing).
Best for: Whole-kitchen color runs in homes with mixed natural and artificial lighting.
Urbane Bronze (SW 7048)
Not every client is ready for a dark cabinet — but those who are never look back. Urbane Bronze is a warm, deep brown-meets-charcoal that grounds a space completely. It's rich without being heavy, and in the right kitchen, it's nothing short of stunning.
In Midwest light, Urbane Bronze behaves better than cooler dark tones (like navy or dark grey) because its warm undertones prevent it from going flat or dingy. We pair it with Cambria quartz countertops in lighter, natural-movement options to let the contrast breathe — and Brizo or Kohler fixtures in matte black or brushed gold to echo the depth of the cabinetry.
Best for: Islands, lower cabinets, or full-kitchen statement applications in spaces with ample natural light. Also a standout for custom cabinetry projects — explore our custom cabinetry and painting services to see how we bring this color to life.
Choosing the Right Color for Your Kitchen
Color selection is one of the most personal — and most consequential — decisions in a kitchen remodel. A few things we always tell our clients:
Sample in your actual space. Paint large swatches (at least 12" x 12") and live with them for 48 hours across different lighting conditions.
Consider your countertop first. If you're selecting new countertops and new cabinets simultaneously, start with the stone — it's harder to change and usually anchors the palette.
Think about the whole home. Your kitchen opens to other spaces. Cabinet color should feel like a natural extension of your home's overall palette, not an island.
Trust the undertones. In Midwest light, warm undertones win. Every time.
For a deeper look at how materials and finishes work together in a kitchen remodel, our Kitchen Remodeling Guide covers the full process — from layout to final finishes.
And if you're curious about what's driving broader kitchen design in 2026, we covered the full picture in our post: What's In for 2026 Kitchen Design: Timeless, Warm, and Intentionally Livable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Sherwin-Williams colors are best for kitchen cabinets in 2026? The SW colors we're specifying most in 2026 are Accessible Beige (SW 7036), Alabaster (SW 7008), Evergreen Fog (SW 9130), Natural Linen (SW 9109), and Urbane Bronze (SW 7048). These colors perform consistently in Midwest light — staying warm and grounded across seasons — and pair beautifully with the quartz countertops and mixed-metal hardware trends defining kitchens this year.
What paint finish should I use on kitchen cabinets? For kitchen cabinets, we recommend a satin or semi-gloss finish. Both hold up to cleaning and moisture better than eggshell or flat finishes. Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel is one of our go-to products for cabinet painting — it levels beautifully and cures to a durable, factory-like finish.
Why do paint colors look different in Midwest homes compared to online photos? Most design photography is shot in spaces with abundant natural light, often in coastal or southern climates with high UV exposure. Midwest light — particularly in fall and winter — is cooler and more diffuse, which can amplify cool undertones in paint colors. Colors that look warm and creamy in photos can read as stark or grey in St. Louis homes. That's why we always recommend sampling colors in your specific space before committing.
Can I paint my existing cabinets instead of replacing them? Yes — in many cases, professional cabinet painting is an excellent way to get a dramatically updated look at a fraction of the cost of full replacement. The key is proper prep: thorough cleaning, deglossing, priming, and using a high-quality cabinet enamel. Our team specializes in custom cabinetry and painting and can walk you through whether painting or replacing makes more sense for your specific cabinets and goals.
How do I choose between a warm white and a warm neutral for my cabinets? It comes down to your countertop, your flooring, and how much warmth you want the space to carry. Warm whites like Alabaster let your countertops and backsplash be the stars of the show. Warm neutrals like Accessible Beige or Natural Linen add their own warmth and work especially well in kitchens where you want the cabinets to feel substantial rather than recede. When in doubt, sample both and compare them side by side in your space over two or three days.
Ready to Choose Your Colors?
Color is one of the most exciting parts of a kitchen remodel — and one of the most paralyzing. We've helped hundreds of St. Louis homeowners make decisions they feel great about, not just on selection day, but years later.
If you're planning a kitchen remodel in 2026 and want expert guidance on color, materials, and design from a team that builds what it designs — let's talk.