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The Many Faces of Pewter Green on Kitchen Cabinets (Plus Alternatives!)

    You might have already seen a thing or two about Sherwin Williams Pewter Green, but it’s time to talk cabinets specifically! I happen to think Pewter Green is probably best suited to accent walls, exteriors, and of course: Kitchen cabinets.

    Graphic reads "Sherwin Williams Pewter Green Kitchen Cabinets" with a swatch of Pewter Green over a background photo of the color on kitchen cabinets with light walls and countertops

    By the end of this post you should have a pretty good idea of whether or not this color is perfect for your kitchen.

    This post may contain affiliate links. Should you choose to make a purchase through one of my links, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. I only recommend products that I use.

    Is Green Even a Good Color for Cabinets?

    I think green is a great choice for cabinets! I recently dove into the trend data, and I think they’re likely to remain in style for several more years.

    If you’re curious about that, you can see my “research” in this post: Trend-Setting Green Kitchen Cabinet Ideas (Plus: 22 Paint Colors to Use!)

    I also have a post about Sage Green Kitchen Cabinets specifically, if that’s the direction you’re leaning.

    Choosing a Green for Cabinets

    If you are uncertain about choosing a green for your cabinets, choosing a color with more gray will help your cabinets feel more neutral. Pewter Green is a great choice in that regard.

    If you are coming to the green side from a white kitchen, you might want to consider a lighter option.

    The LRV of Pewter Green is 12 which is about as dark as a mid-toned color can get, before it is truly dark.

    LRV of Pewter Green plotted at 12 on a scale of 0 (black) to 100 (true white) over a background photo of a kitchen with Pewter Green cabinets
    Background photo credit: @marjorie_verschueren

    The LRV of a color indicates on a scale of 0 – 100 how much light a color reflects (or doesn’t reflect). True black has an LRV of 0 and pure white has an LRV of 100.

    In the paint world, we are working in a range of about 3 – 93 because no paint color is purely black or completely white.

    If you think Pewter Green is too dark, I think you can achieve a similar feel with the lighter color Sherwin Williams Acacia Haze:

    Oyster white upper cabinets and acacia haze lower kitchen cabinets (lighter alternative to Pewter Green) in a two tone kitchen with gold hardware and gorgeous granite island
    Photo Credit: @bridgetrealestate

    Pewter Green on Real Life Kitchen Cabinets

    Now that those details are out of the way, let’s see some examples of Pewter Green on cabinets:

    Pewter Green How it Most Often Looks on Cabinets

    Most commonly, Pewter Green looks pretty much like you would expect: A darker mid-toned gray green that is neither particularly warm or cool.

    Pewter Green kitchen cabinets with gold hardware and white countertops in a bright open plan kitchen and living room.
    Photo Credit: @silo.hill

    This might not be what you expect in terms of the color chip (where it looks quite gray):

    Pewter Green Paint Swipe Swatch

    But I feel like once you know what it looks like, you can reasonable predict how it will look in your kitchen.

    Here is another example that is predictably Pewter Green:

    Close up of Pewter Green Kitchen cabinets with gray stone countertops, a white backsplash, and black hardware
    Photo Credit: @thefinishingroommke

    It looks like a deep green with a touch of a pewter cast:

    Pewter Green wall of Kitchen cabinets with white tile, gray countertops, and light gray walls.
    Photo Credit: @thefinishingroommke

    Here is a little bit more of that steely-green tone:

    Pewter Green Kitchen cabinets and built in desk in a kitchen with gray walls and wood trim
    Photo Credit: @thefinishingroommke

    Again nothing too wildly cool or warm. Just a nice deep gray green.

    Pewter Green Where It Looks the Darkest on Cabinets

    Here are a couple of kitchen photos where Pewter Green looks its darkest:

    Pewter Green Kitchen cabinets and island with honey oak floors in a bright kitchen with creamy walls
    Photo Credit: @marjorie_verschueren

    I would say that last picture is also as warm and olivey as Pewter Green gets. (Stay tuned in just a moment for a totally different look in this same kitchen!)

    Here is another super deep dark look to Pewter Green on cabinets:

    Pewter Green Cabinets tucked into a small kitchenette on the right side of a kitchen and lounge area with a Pewter Green Accent wall on the left side of the room. Back side of the cabinets have black geometric panelling on them.
    Photo Credit: @deboeverinteriors

    You aren’t seeing things, the raised geometric panels are actually black. In the low light on the right hand side of the photo, you can peep Pewter Green on the cabinet faces.

    Clearly it looks very dark here due to the lighting, but I just thought I should show you.

    Pewter Green Where It Looks the Most Cool Toned (Blue) on Cabinets

    Here is another shot of the same Pewter Green kitchen where before it looked very dark:

    Kitchen with all Pewter Green cabinets and island with Oyster White walls and wicker pendant lights.
    Photo Credit: @marjorie_verschueren

    It still looks decently dark here, but significantly cooler and more blue-green.

    Don’t Forget Your Supplies!

    This little brush might look funny, but it’s my absolute ride or die!

    Rollers like these hold the most paint and make the job faster. Get a metal roller cage for easy on and off.

    DryDex is the fastest (and funnest!) way to make chips and dents disappear. (Make sure you get a small spackling tool that actually fits in the container, and a sanding sponge.)

    This tool will save your back and limit time on a ladder.

    Here are a few more cool-toned faces to Pewter Green cabinets:

    Pewter Green looking like a blue sage color on kitchen cabinets with 3 wood topped iron bar stools lining the back side of a bar.
    Photo Credit: @btbuilderstx

    In all of the photos from this kitchen the color also looks quite light, but judging by the rest of the photo, I think it’s just a bit brightened or over exposed.

    Pewter Green looking like a blue sage color on kitchen cabinets in a hutch with white marble countertops
    Photo Credit: @btbuilderstx

    If you like how the color look in these pictures, you might want to consider Sherwin Williams Retreat so you can get this look all the time.

    Pewter Green looking like a blue sage color on kitchen cabinets in a small coffee bar corner with white marble countertops and a wood wall
    Photo Credit: @btbuilderstx

    What Color Hardware Should You Use with Pewter Green Cabinets?

    If you scroll back through the example kitchens, you will see that black or pewter are the most popular hardware choices with Pewter Green cabinets.

    For me personally, I would like to see Pewter Green with a pop of gold or brass hardware. Yellow is next to green on the color wheel, and most deep greens are complemented very well by warmer toned hardware.

    What Color Countertops Are Best with Pewter Green Cabinets?

    In our example kitchens, we saw both white and gray countertops. With green cabinets, white quartz or marble are the most popular countertop choices.

    Pewter Green cabinet background with butcher block, white quartz, and marble countertops sampled over top, and gold and brass hardware examples underneath.
    Not the best hardware examples, but you get the idea.

    Butcher block countertops are a super affordable option that would also look great with Pewter Green cabinets. I’m a big fan of wood worktops with green cabinets, and I like the sustainability aspect.

    Because Pewter Green is so dark, I probably wouldn’t choose a black or dark gray countertop. A lighter option will give more contrast against the dark cabinets, and give the light somewhere to reflect.

    Other Greens You Might Like for Cabinets (Pewter Green Alternatives)

    If you aren’t set on Pewter Green yet, here are some other colors that you might like on your kitchen cabinets:

    Alternatives for Pewter Green on kitchen cabinets with swatches of Vintage Vogue, Succulent, and Pine Mountain, over a background of a pewter green feature wall below a white and gold patterned ceiling

    These are not necessarily dupes for Pewter Green (you can see those in the main post), but rather colors that have the same feel.

    Sherwin Williams Succulent for Cabinets

    Succulent is super similar to Pewter Green, but a bit cooler:

    Sherwin Williams Succulent on kitchen cabinets and walls in a pantry
    Photo Credit: @homesweetiepiehome

    If you like Pewter Green you will undoubtedly like Succulent, and vice versa. I would suggest getting samples of both, if you are still undecided.

    Speaking of samples:

    The fastest, easiest, and most affordable way to test your paint colors, is by ordering a peel-and-stick sample!

    Samplize will ship you a large “sticker” made of actual paint. You can reposition it to check out the color in every area of your home.

    The best part? It often ends up being cheaper than buying the test pots and sampling the old fashioned way. (Plus you can order all the colors you want!)

    Canadian? Hello Paint does the same thing, without the expensive international shipping.

    Get Your Pewter Green Sample from Samplize (USA)
    Get the Sample from Hello Paint (Canada)

    Read my whole post about this color here: Don’t Use Sherwin Williams Succulent (Unless You Want Everyone to Copy You!) Review & Dupes

    Benjamin Moore Vintage Vogue for Cabinets

    Vintage Vogue actually is one of my Benjamin Moore dupes for Pewter Green. It’s not exactly the same, but it’s a solid alternative:

    Benjamin Moore Vintage Vogue on cabinets in a bright white kitchen with chantilly lace walls, white subway tiles, and white countertops
    Photo Credit: @karinwithaneye

    This color is a little bit warmer than Pewter Green, but still super neutral. This is a great choice for cabinets!

    Read my whole post about this color here: Benjamin Moore Vintage Vogue Review (Plus Dupes!)

    Graphic reads "Nail down your neutral color scheme in 60 minutes or less" with an image of the foolproof neutrals ebook. Button below reads "Show me how!"

    Behr Pine Mountain for Cabinets

    Pine Mountain is a rich gray green that is a bit cooler than Pewter Green. I haven’t been able to find a ton of inspo online for this color, but what I have seen is a very similar look to Pewter Green.

    Behr Pine Mountain swatched over a door painted in the same colors with black handles
    Background photo credit: @see_jenn_create

    If you want to get your cabinet paint at Home Depot, see if Pine Mountain doesn’t fit the bill!

    Should You Choose Pewter Green for Your Kitchen Cabinets?

    What are your thoughts on Pewter Green cabinets?

    My opinion: If you have lots of light, why not? This dark sagey green can go with practically any white or neutral wall color. You can also pick any hardware your heart desires. If you already had a medium to light countertop in mind, this really ticks all the boxes!

    If you’re still totally undecided on cabinet color, take a look at these other posts:

    Smokey Taupe swatch over a background of same color on cabinets in a kitchen with white walls
    Graphic reads "the best sage greens for cabinets" with a Farmhouse, Rustic, Muted, Light, and Dark sage sampled on top of a photo of a sage green door
    Green Kitchen Cabinets in a kitchen with lots of warm wood tones