This unexpectedly versatile color has rapidly become a go-to hue in spaces both big and small, traditional and contemporary. It’s no wonder why Benjamin Moore named Aegean Teal—an especially calming blue-green—its 2021 color of the year. We can all use some peace of mind, and shades from barely-there green-gray to striking moss make any space feel instantly therapeutic.

The green kitchen cabinet trend also has a celebrity stamp-of-approval. In fact, actor Dakota Johnson’s Los Angeles home, which features cupboards painted in a lively sage (Benjamin Moore’s Alligator Alley) has quickly become one of the most recognized and referenced living spaces on the internet (and an unlikely talking point on TikTok).

But green cabinets aren’t just a trend—they can brighten up a space even more than all-white panels would, lend a dramatic accent even better than a coat of black paint, and look as calming as a pared-back gray. Simply put, it’s the non-neutral neutral that can give any style of kitchen a totally revived look. Need further proof? Read on.

The California Cool

Interior designer Rosa Beltran’s 1936 Silverlake Craftsman has a long history, so when she decided on a gut remodel, she wanted to make sure it kept its old-school appeal. Painted in Benjamin Moore Lafayette Green (part of the brand’s Historic Color collection) the kitchen’s Semihandmade’s DIY Shaker doors add a vintage twist to the bright, open space. 

The Subtly-Toned Studio

OK, sometimes green can be neutral—just look at photographer Kaleigh Gamache’s Minneapolis studio for proof. In Supermatte Desert Grey, her kitchen cabinet Shaker doors by Semihandmade have just the slightest green undertone, which is magnified by lots of surrounding plant life. Half Moon pulls by Sarah Sherman Samuel and Park Studio and three brass sconces add the perfect contrast, making this petite kitchen feel expansive. 

The French Country Vibes

Vivi et Margot founder Charlotte Reiss originally thought about painting her French kitchen cabinets some variant of light gray to brighten them up, but upon seeing a photo of a room painted in Farrow & Ball’s Green Smoke, she instantly changed her mind. Paired with her white Ilve oven and her covetable collection of copper cookware, the smoky green-blue transformed her space into a romantic, cottagecore escape.

The Soft Sage

Farrow & Ball’s Green Smoke takes on a completely different personality in this Chicago home by architects Mollie Code and Mike Shively. Painted on Semihandmade’s DIY Slab doors, the hue brightens up a pantry, especially set against a classic combination of white subway tiles and slate countertops. 

The Breezy Beach Home

When renovating her Amagansett house, Athena Calderone kept her cabinets classic, opting for Semihandmade’s DIY Shaker doors and elevated hardware by Optimum Brasses. The most eye-catching element, however, is the slab of Calacatta Monet marble that makes up her backsplash and countertops. To keep the kitchen soft and peaceful, she opted for Farrow & Ball’s Ash Grey, a mellow, warm-toned green-gray, which brings out the natural green tones in the marble. 

The Contemporary Calm

A vintage hue can look perfectly modern in the right context, as Rockwell House proves in this Chicago space. Applied to Semihandmade’s DIY Slab doors, Benjamin Moore’s Vintage Vogue looks especially dramatic, especially when set against a black marble backsplash and countertop. It’s an impactful combination, but super-simple hardware lends balance to the striking kitchen.