You know that moment when you walk into someone’s kitchen and it just feels right? Not too loud, not too plain – just warm, calm and effortless.

That’s exactly what happened when I visited a friend’s new place last fall.

She had painted her lower cabinets in this muted green I had never seen before. It was not trendy and bold. It was soft, earthy, and quietly beautiful.

Turns out it was Clary Sage. Since then, I have seen it showing up everywhere – in cozy farmhouses, and clean modern spaces and I started to save all of them.

So, if you are thinking of painting your kitchen cabinets but do not want to go white and navy again, then this color might be exactly what you are looking for.

In this article I will walk through everything you need to know before you choose clary sage – like how it works with different kitchen styles, what colors pair well with it, and how to know if it will look good in your kitchen.

Let’s jump into it!

Is Clary Sage a Good Color for Kitchen Cabinets?

Yes, clary sage is a great color for kitchen cabinets – if you want a soft, earthy look that would not go out of style.

It is one of those shades that add warmth and color without taking over the whole space.

If you are tired of white but not ready to commit to something dark and trendy, then clary sage will give you middle ground.

What makes it work so well is its balance – it is green, but not bold; warm, but not yellowy. In natural light, it looks fresh and soft.

Under warm bulbs, it turns a little deeper and richer. That’s why so many people use it on lower cabinets and islands – it grounds the space without making it feel dark and closed in.

If you are going for a farmhouse, cottage, and even an English-style kitchen, clary sage will fit right in.

And if your space is more minimal and modern, then you can pair it with white walls, brass hardware, and light wood – and it will still feel elevated.

What Colors Compliment Clary Sage?

Clary sage works best with warm whites, creamy neutrals, soft wood tones, brushed brass, and light neutral stone.

This color has a muted green base with a warm undertone, so it pairs perfectly with anything that feels soft, warm, and organic.

If you use it next to bright white and cool gray, it can look off and muddy. But when you bring in warm white like Alabaster/ Swiss coffee, then it will instantly look softer and more intentional. 

Neutral wood tones like oak, maple, and light walnut bring out its earthy vibe.

For countertop, butcher block and white quartz with subtle veining will help to balance the green without competing with it.

Hardware also matters in colors. So, you can pair it with brushed brass, matte black and antique bronze; these all will look great with clary sage. 

Is Clary Sage Warm or Cool?

Clary sage is a warm green with soft yellow and gray undertones.

It is not an in your face kind of warmth, but it definitely leans cozy especially when you see it in natural light and paired with warm wood.

The yellow in the base gives it that earthy, grounded feel, which is why it works so well in farmhouses, cottages, and traditional kitchens.

But here’s the interesting part; clary sage can shift slightly depending on your lighting as we already discussed. 

In a sunny room, it will look brighter and more cheerful. But in a north-facing space and under cool bulbs, it will turn a little more muted and sage almost like a faded olive. 

How Clary Sage Actually Look Like in Real Kitchen – 14 Examples

In the start of this article I have told you that when I see my friend’s kitchen in this color, I start to see it everywhere.

So, I have saved all of these examples and here’s what clary sage looks like in real home kitchens.

Clary Sage with Natural Wood

If you frame your clary sage cabinets with natural wood edges it will warm up the entire look.

As you can see in this kitchen, the wood trim adds structure without overpowering the soft green tones.

If you are working with flat cabinet fronts, this is an easy upgrade that will give you a more finished, and custom feel.

Use Vertical Panels to Add Texture

Vertical grooves to your clary sage cabinet fronts can give them instant charm and depth, especially in vintage and cottage-style kitchens.

The beadboard-style texture breaks up the solid green and makes the space feel hand-built, not mass produced. 

It will work great in older homes and rentals where you want a fresh color without losing the character.

Pair Clary Sage with White Marble

If you want clary sage cabinets to feel elevated instead of rustic, then you should combine them with white marble.

In this setup the crisp veining of the marble cuts through the softness of the green and adds the right amount of contrast.

This combination will work best in bright kitchens with clean walls and minimal upper cabinets. 

Balance Clary Sage with Rich Wood

Are you worried clary sage might feel too soft and washed out in your kitchen? Then you should anchor it with rich, dark wood.

The deep walnut island adds contrast and depth, to make the sage cabinets feel more structured and timeless. 

If you have a traditional and grand millennial-style home where you want a cozy and collected vibe then this is perfect for your space.

Add Reeded Cabinet Fronts

If you want your clary sage cabinets to feel custom and high-end, then you should consider reeded and fluted drawer fronts like this.

The vertical lines will add textures that will play well with the soft-green tone without overpowering it.

This detail is especially successful for small bar areas and built-in beverage stations where you want to add interest without clutter.

Soften Clary Sage with White Countertops

To make the clary sage feel even more inviting, you can pair it with a bright white countertop and a farmhouse style sink.

In this space, the clean white surface balances the green base cabinets perfectly while the apron sink adds character without making it feel too rustic.

Use White Cabinet Knobs

Instead of using trendy pull and mixed metals you can use matte white knobs to blend into both backsplash and the countertop.

It is a quiet detail, but it makes the clary sage cabinet stand out more without looking busy. If you want the color to lead then this style is perfect.

Floor Guide Clary Sage Placement

This kitchen proves that your floor can do more than just sit pretty – it can actually help to balance your cabinet color choices.

The patterned tile here ties into the green lower cabinets without matching them exactly, which make the entire setup feel planned.

Use Clary Sage on Uppers 

Most people paint lower cabinets green – but this kitchen flips the script.

If you have upper glass-front cabinets in your kitchen paint them clary sage and it will draw the eye upward.

You have to keep the base lighter, so use textured wood cabinets on lower. You can try this smart move in a narrow galley kitchen if you want height without heaviness.

Clary Sage with Bold Stone

When you want your kitchen to feel dramatic without going dark, then you can try to pair clary sage with a heavy stone countertop and full height backsplash.

This kind of look works especially well in modern and minimalist spaces where flat-front drawers and smooth finishes dominate.

Lean Fully into the Rustic

Instead of contrasting the green, you can embrace it with layering clary sage cabinets into a deep rustic backdrop.

If you have an exposed wood beams kitchen, then pair it with vintage chandeliers, and earthy textures to echo the warmth of sage.

Related: 22 Outdoor Kitchen Ideas on a Budget

Use Pale Clary Sage 

This kitchen proves you do not need a full gut renovation to get a fresh, and elevated look.

The soft clary sage paint can lift the basic builder-grade cabinets, especially against the beige countertops and light wood floor.

If you are working with dated rental materials, this muted green can bring in warmth and style without clash.

Tie Clary Sage into a Busy Layout

When you have a kitchen that is filled with appliances, open shelving, and bold backsplash, the key is to make clary sage work in repetition.

This kitchen uses the green consistently across cabinets, shelves, and island base – which pull everything together visually.

Pair Clary Sage with Dark Counter

If your kitchen has a busier backsplash and dark tones, clary sage can be the perfect softener – but only if you ground it.

This kitchen nails the balance by using espresso-black countertops that anchor the sage cabinets without competing with them.