Sherwin Williams Clary Sage Kitchen Cabinets: Complete Design Guide for 2024

Kitchen cabinet colors can make or break your entire design scheme, and Sherwin Williams Clary Sage has emerged as one of 2024’s most sought-after choices for homeowners seeking timeless sophistication. This softened green paint color offers the perfect balance between trendy and timeless, creating a calming foundation that works beautifully across multiple design styles.

Many homeowners find inspiration in real homes and design magazines when choosing Clary Sage, and this guide will help you narrow down the best paint color options for kitchen cabinets.

Whether you’re planning a complete kitchen renovation or simply updating your existing cabinetry, Clary Sage cabinets provide the versatility to create everything from cozy farmhouse kitchens to sleek contemporary spaces. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about incorporating this beautiful color into your own home.

What Makes Clary Sage Perfect for Kitchen Cabinets

Sherwin Williams Clary Sage SW 6178 is a medium-toned gray-green with subtle yellow undertones that creates depth and warmth in any kitchen space. Unlike stark white or bold dark colors, this sage green strikes the perfect balance for homeowners who want personality without overwhelming their room.

The paint color features an LRV of 41, making it ideal for kitchen cabinets since it’s neither too dark nor too light. This Light Reflectance Value ensures your cabinets remain a focal point without making smaller kitchens feel cramped or dim. The medium tone reflects just the right amount of light to keep spaces feeling open while providing enough depth to create visual interest.

What makes Clary Sage particularly versatile is its complex undertone profile. The color contains hints of mint, pale pink, grey, light blue, yellow, and olive, allowing it to shift subtly between warmer and cooler appearances depending on your lighting and surrounding elements. In certain lighting, Clary Sage can appear more cool, especially in north-facing rooms, or be warmed up with the right finishes and lighting choices, making it look more inviting and cozy. This adaptability means the color works equally well in north facing rooms with cooler light and south-facing spaces with abundant warmth.

Professional interior designers consistently choose this paint color for its ability to complement various kitchen styles while maintaining a sophisticated, timeless appeal. Unlike trendy colors that may feel dated in a few years, Clary Sage has the staying power to remain beautiful for decades to come.

Design Styles That Work with Clary Sage Kitchen Cabinets

The beauty of Sherwin Williams Clary Sage lies in its remarkable adaptability across different design aesthetics. Designers have created cohesive palettes using Clary Sage and other paint colors for kitchens and even dining rooms, demonstrating how this shade can enhance a variety of spaces. This sage green serves as an excellent foundation for creating cohesive, harmonious spaces that reflect your personal style while maintaining broad appeal.

Modern farmhouse kitchens particularly shine with Clary Sage cabinets, where the color’s natural undertones complement warm whites and natural wood accents perfectly. The softened green creates a connection to nature that’s essential in farmhouse design, while its sophistication elevates the space beyond rustic charm.

Contemporary spaces benefit from Clary Sage’s clean, muted appearance when paired with sleek hardware and quartz countertops. The color provides just enough warmth to prevent modern kitchens from feeling cold or sterile, while its restraint maintains the clean lines that define contemporary style.

Transitional kitchens find their perfect match in this versatile paint color, as it seamlessly bridges traditional and modern elements. Whether you’re combining classic cabinet styles with contemporary fixtures or mixing vintage accessories with modern appliances, Clary Sage provides the neutral backdrop that allows all elements to work together harmoniously.

Boho Kitchen with Clary Sage Cabinets

Creating a bohemian-inspired kitchen with Clary Sage cabinets opens up exciting possibilities for incorporating bold textures and warm accent colors. The muted sage provides the perfect foundation for a more eclectic approach to kitchen design.

Pair your green cabinets with terracotta or warm clay tile flooring to create an earthy contrast that feels grounded and organic. This combination brings warmth to the space while allowing the cabinets to remain the focal point. The natural variations in clay tiles add texture and visual interest without competing with your cabinetry.

Copper and brass hardware enhance the yellow undertones in Clary Sage while adding vintage-inspired warmth throughout the space. Consider mixing different metal finishes for an authentic bohemian feel, incorporating copper pot racks, brass pendant lights, and bronze cabinet pulls to create layers of metallic accents.

Orange and rust accent colors work beautifully through accessories and textiles, bringing energy and personality to the kitchen. Think terracotta pottery, rust-colored dish towels, and burnt orange bar stools that complement rather than clash with your sage cabinets.

Unique lighting fixtures like Moravian star pendants or vintage-inspired chandeliers add personality and create focal points that enhance the bohemian aesthetic. The key is balancing these bold elements with the calming influence of your Clary Sage cabinets.

Modern Farmhouse Clary Sage Kitchen

Modern farmhouse design reaches its full potential when Clary Sage cabinets are combined with crisp white upper cabinets for a stunning two-tone design. For a softer look, off white shades like Shoji White by Sherwin Williams are excellent choices for upper cabinets or trim to complement Clary Sage. This approach creates visual interest while maintaining the clean, fresh feeling that defines modern farmhouse style.

Warm brass or matte black hardware provides the authentic farmhouse feel that makes this style so appealing. Brass enhances the warm undertones in Clary Sage while adding a touch of vintage charm, while matte black creates striking contrast and works beautifully with both the sage and white elements.

Installing a subway tile or shiplap backsplash in soft whites ties the upper and lower cabinets together while adding the texture that’s essential in farmhouse design. These classic materials provide timeless appeal without overwhelming the space or competing with your beautiful cabinet color.

Natural textures through butcher block or marble countertops add another layer of authenticity to your modern farmhouse kitchen. Butcher block brings warmth and creates a connection to traditional farm kitchens, while marble adds elegance and pairs beautifully with the sophisticated sage tone.

Best Color Combinations for Clary Sage Kitchen Cabinets

Creating a cohesive color palette with SW Clary Sage cabinets requires understanding which colors enhance its natural beauty while supporting your overall design goals. When choosing paint colors, consider how they will coordinate throughout your whole house to ensure a unified and harmonious look. The key is balancing the sage green with complementary tones that bring out its best qualities.

Warm whites like Sherwin Williams Alabaster or Pure White work exceptionally well for trim and walls, creating a fresh backdrop that allows your Clary Sage cabinets to shine. These soft white shades have enough warmth to complement the yellow undertones in the sage without creating stark contrast.

For those seeking drama, deep charcoal colors like Iron Ore create stunning contrast when used for kitchen islands or accent cabinets. This approach maintains the sophisticated appeal of Clary Sage while adding depth and visual interest to larger kitchen spaces.

Natural wood tones in walnut, oak, or pine bring warmth and organic texture that enhances the nature-inspired qualities of sage green. Whether through open shelving, hood surrounds, or accent elements, wood creates a beautiful partnership with Clary Sage that feels both sophisticated and approachable.

Soft blush pinks and terracotta colors create surprisingly beautiful combinations with Clary Sage for those drawn to more adventurous color palettes. These warm tones play off the pink undertones in the sage while creating spaces that feel fresh and current.

Navy blues like Benjamin Moore's Hale Navy offer bold complementary schemes that work particularly well in larger kitchens where you can handle more dramatic color combinations. The contrast between sage and navy creates sophisticated, timeless appeal that works across multiple design styles.

Hardware Finishes That Complement Clary Sage

Selecting the right hardware finish can dramatically impact how your Clary Sage cabinets look and feel in your space. Each metal finish brings out different aspects of the color’s complex undertone profile.

Warm brass enhances the yellow undertones in Clary Sage while adding vintage charm that works beautifully in farmhouse, traditional, and even contemporary spaces. The warmth of brass creates a welcoming feeling that makes kitchens feel more inviting and lived-in.

Matte black hardware provides modern contrast and sophisticated appeal that works particularly well in contemporary and transitional kitchens. The dramatic contrast between the soft sage and bold black creates visual interest without overwhelming the space.

Brushed gold offers luxury and warmth without being too shiny or attention-grabbing. This finish works well when you want the elegance of gold tones but prefer a more subdued approach that lets your cabinet color remain the star.

Oil-rubbed bronze complements traditional and rustic kitchen styles while adding depth and character to your cabinetry. This finish has enough patina to feel established and authentic, particularly in farmhouse or traditional design schemes.

Antique copper brings out the warmth in Clary Sage while supporting bohemian and eclectic design themes. This unique finish adds personality and works beautifully with terracotta accents and warm wood tones.

Countertop Options for Clary Sage Kitchen Cabinets

Choosing the right countertops for your Clary Sage cabinets involves balancing practical needs with aesthetic goals. The right surface will enhance the beauty of your sage green while providing the durability and functionality your kitchen requires.

White quartz with subtle veining offers clean, timeless appeal that works beautifully with the sophisticated nature of Clary Sage. Quartzite countertops in similar tones provide durability while maintaining the elegant contrast between light surfaces and medium-toned cabinets.

Butcher block countertops in maple or walnut bring natural warmth that complements the organic feeling of sage green. Wood surfaces create a connection to nature that feels authentic and welcoming, particularly in farmhouse and transitional kitchen designs.

Marble countertops with warm veining like Calacatta or Carrara add luxury and elegance while maintaining the sophisticated color palette that makes Clary Sage so appealing. Marble countertops work particularly well when you want to create a high-end kitchen that still feels approachable.

Granite in neutral tones with flecks of green or gold creates subtle coordination with your cabinet color while providing the durability that makes granite such a popular choice. Look for varieties that echo the natural undertones in Clary Sage without matching too exactly.

Concrete countertops offer an unexpected option for industrial or modern farmhouse styles, providing texture and character while maintaining neutral tones that work beautifully with sage green cabinets.

Backsplash Ideas for Clary Sage Cabinets

The backsplash in a kitchen with Clary Sage cabinets serves as both a functional element and an opportunity to add texture, pattern, or complementary color to your design. The key is choosing options that enhance rather than compete with your beautiful cabinet color.

Classic white subway tile creates a timeless, clean look that allows your Clary Sage cabinets to remain the focal point while providing the fresh contrast that keeps kitchens feeling bright and open. This tried-and-true combination works across multiple design styles and won’t feel dated in years to come.

Zellige tile in soft pink or cream adds texture and warmth while introducing subtle color variation that complements the complex undertones in Clary Sage. The handmade quality of zellige creates visual interest through slight variations in tone and texture.

Natural stone options like travertine or limestone bring earthy appeal that enhances the organic qualities of sage green. These materials add depth and create a connection to nature that works particularly well in farmhouse and transitional designs.

Handmade ceramic tiles in complementary sage or cream tones create a custom look while maintaining the sophisticated color palette. These tiles can add subtle pattern or texture without overwhelming the space.

For those drawn to more dramatic approaches, bold patterned tiles can create stunning focal points when balanced carefully with the calming influence of Clary Sage cabinets. Consider geometric patterns in complementary colors for a more eclectic or maximalist approach.

To help you decide, review photos of real kitchens to see how different backsplash options pair with Clary Sage cabinets. Each photo can serve as inspiration for your own design.

Lighting Solutions for Clary Sage Kitchen Cabinets

Proper lighting brings out the best in Clary Sage cabinets while ensuring your kitchen functions beautifully at all times of day. The right combination of task, ambient, and accent lighting enhances the color’s natural beauty while providing practical illumination.

Pendant lights in brass or black create focal points while complementing your cabinet hardware choice. The warm glow from brass fixtures enhances the yellow undertones in Clary Sage, while black pendants provide striking contrast that adds modern sophistication.

Under-cabinet LED lighting highlights countertops and backsplashes while providing essential task lighting for food preparation. Warm LED bulbs work particularly well with Clary Sage, as they enhance the color’s natural warmth without creating harsh contrasts.

Vintage-inspired sconces add character and provide ambient lighting that creates a welcoming atmosphere in your kitchen. These fixtures work particularly well in farmhouse and traditional designs where period details enhance the overall aesthetic.

Statement chandeliers or island lighting serve as focal points while providing general illumination. Consider fixtures that echo your hardware finish choice for a cohesive look throughout the space. For an even bolder design statement, painting ceilings in a complementary shade can further enhance the impact of Clary Sage cabinets and create a cohesive, creative look.

Recessed lighting with warm LED bulbs provides general illumination while enhancing the sage green tones in your cabinets. Proper placement ensures even light distribution that showcases your cabinet color beautifully throughout the day.

Comparing Clary Sage to Other Green Cabinet Colors

Understanding how Clary Sage compares to other popular green cabinet colors helps ensure you’re making the right choice for your specific kitchen and design goals. Each shade offers unique characteristics that work better in different situations, and comparing these options can help narrow your color choices to the best fit.

Sherwin Williams Evergreen Fog is darker and cooler than Clary Sage, making it better suited for larger kitchens with abundant natural light. While both colors work beautifully, Evergreen Fog has more gray undertones and less yellow warmth.

Benjamin Moore's October Mist is slightly lighter with similar sage qualities, making it a good alternative for those who love the sage aesthetic but need a bit more light reflection in smaller spaces. October Mist maintains the sophisticated appeal while offering a shade lighter option.

SW Sage has more brown and yellow undertones than Clary Sage, creating a warmer, more golden appearance that works particularly well in traditional and farmhouse designs. This option offers similar appeal with a different undertone profile.

Benjamin Moore's Saybrook Sage is cooler and more pronouncedly green than Clary Sage, making it better suited for those who want a more clearly green cabinet color rather than the gray-green balance of Clary Sage.

Benjamin Moore Weekend Getaway is another excellent alternative to Clary Sage. Weekend Getaway features a balanced green with subtle blue undertones and a slightly higher Light Reflectance Value (LRV) than Clary Sage, making it a great choice for spaces that need a bit more brightness. Its undertones and LRV set it apart from both Clary Sage and other Benjamin Moore's greens, offering a fresh yet calming look.

SW Softened Green appears one shade lighter on the same color strip as Clary Sage, offering similar undertones with increased light reflection for those who need a slightly brighter option while maintaining the same color family.

Tips for Painting Clary Sage Kitchen Cabinets

Successfully implementing Clary Sage in your kitchen requires careful planning and attention to detail. These practical tips help ensure your finished project looks professional and meets your expectations. Reviewing examples of Clary Sage cabinets in real homes can also help set realistic expectations for the final result.

Testing paint samples in your kitchen’s specific lighting conditions is essential before committing to Clary Sage. Paint large sample boards and observe them at different times of day to understand how the color behaves in your space. North facing rooms may show the color differently than those with abundant southern exposure.

Consider two-tone designs with Clary Sage on lower cabinets only, paired with a complementary color like warm white or soft white on upper cabinets. This approach can make kitchens feel larger while providing the sophisticated appeal of sage green without overwhelming smaller spaces.

Using proper primer ensures even color application and durability that will keep your cabinets looking beautiful for years. Quality primer is particularly important when painting over existing finishes or when making dramatic color changes.

Allow adequate drying time between coats for the best finish quality. Rushing the process can result in uneven coverage or finish issues that detract from the sophisticated appearance you’re trying to achieve.

Coordinate your cabinet color choice with existing elements like flooring and appliances to ensure a cohesive final result. Consider how Clary Sage will look with your current materials or plan updates to other elements as needed.

Maintenance and Care for Clary Sage Kitchen Cabinets

Maintaining the beauty of your Clary Sage kitchen cabinets requires understanding proper care techniques that preserve both the color and finish quality over time. Regular maintenance keeps your investment looking fresh and new.

Use gentle, non-abrasive cleaners specifically designed for painted surfaces to preserve the paint finish. Harsh chemicals or abrasive scrubbing can damage the surface and affect the color’s appearance over time.

Touch up scuffs and scratches promptly to maintain the overall appearance of your cabinets. Keep leftover paint for touch-ups, and address minor damage before it becomes more extensive and harder to repair invisibly.

Consider semi-gloss or satin finish for easier cleaning in kitchens, where moisture and cooking residue require regular cleaning. These finishes provide better durability while maintaining the sophisticated appearance of your chosen color.

Protect cabinets from excessive moisture and heat near appliances like dishwashers and ovens. Proper ventilation and protective measures help preserve both the paint and underlying cabinet materials, which is especially important if you want to maintain durable kitchen cabinets.

Regular cleaning prevents buildup of cooking residue that can dull the sage color over time. Establish a routine that keeps your cabinets looking their best while preserving the sophisticated appeal that made you choose Clary Sage in the first place.

Final Thoughts and How We Can Help

Creating a kitchen with Sherwin Williams Clary Sage cabinets offers the perfect opportunity to design a space that’s both on-trend and timelessly beautiful. This versatile sage green provides the sophisticated foundation for kitchens that feel welcoming, elegant, and uniquely yours. Whether you’re drawn to modern farmhouse charm, contemporary elegance, or bohemian creativity, Clary Sage cabinets adapt beautifully to support your vision while maintaining their distinctive appeal.

The key to success lies in understanding how this beautiful color works with different elements in your kitchen, from countertops and hardware to lighting and accessories. By carefully considering these relationships and following the guidance in this comprehensive guide, you’ll create a kitchen that not only looks stunning today but will continue to feel fresh and sophisticated for years to come.

Sherwin Williams Clary Sage kitchen cabinets provide a beautiful balance of muted sophistication and natural warmth, making them an ideal choice for homeowners who want a timeless yet fresh look. With its versatile undertones, moderate light reflectance value, and compatibility with a wide range of design styles—from modern farmhouse to contemporary and bohemian—Clary Sage offers endless opportunities to create a kitchen that feels both inviting and stylish.

If you’re ready to transform your kitchen with Clary Sage but would like expert advice, our design team at Wholesale Cabinet Supply is here to support you. Simply visit our Free Kitchen Design page, upload your kitchen measurements, and connect with one of our experienced designers. We’ll guide you through color selections, finishes, and design details to ensure your Clary Sage kitchen cabinets look stunning in your home.

Let us help you bring your dream kitchen to life with the timeless elegance and versatility of Sherwin Williams Clary Sage cabinets.