What Color Cabinets Go With Oil Rubbed Bronze? (Find Out Now!)

You want everything in your kitchen to match, especially the cabinets. If you have cabinets that have oil-rubbed bronze handles and hinges, you want the paint to match them. Understanding which colors match oil-rubbed bronze is important to know.

Oil-rubbed bronze is usually a dark brownish color with red and yellow undertones. The best color cabinets that go with oil-rubbed bronze include grey, dark grey, dark green, and burgundy. Additionally, you can also get cabinets that are painted beige, cream-colored, or white. All these colors match well with oil-rubbed bronze and will contrast it nicely.

Oil-rubbed bronze, however, can also come in different tones. The changes in the tone of the bronze can affect your decision on cabinet colors. Understanding everything about oil-rubbed bronze and your cabinets’ color is important.

Oil-rubbed bronze is a very popular finish for the handles and hinges in your home. Many people choose this color because of its antique and sophisticated look.

The most traditional type of oil-rubbed bronze has a dark quality to it. It is much darker than regular bronze. Additionally, it usually has subtle yellow and red undertones.

Oil-rubbed bronze can almost seem black, though it is not. When choosing the color for your cabinets to match it, you want something that will nicely contrast this darkness.

However, it is important to remember that oil-rubbed bronze comes in different hues. These differences are minor, however. For example, you can have oil-rubbed bronze with the following undertones:

You may already have a nice, oil-rubbed bronze finish to the handles and hinges of your cabinets. However, this does not mean you cannot apply a fresh oil-rubbed bronze finish.

Over time, the finish of the handles can fade. This is due to the constant use that handles receive in the kitchen. When this occurs, you want to apply an oil-rubbed bronze finish.

Moreover, sometimes, the handles are not oil-rubbed bronze. You can add an oil-rubbed bronze finish to transform your handles into something completely new.

If you are choosing a color for your cabinets, it is a good time to take a look at the handles. If you plan on painting your cabinets a new color, you will have to remove the handles and hinges anyway.

If the handles are already a bronze color, all you have to do is spray on the oil-rubbed bronze finish. Remove the handles and hinges and lightly spray them.

You can purchase this finish at your local hardware store. Do not apply too much, though. A light coat is all that is needed to get the look you want on your handles.

Cleaning oil-rubbed bronze is important to know. Before you choose the color of your cabinets, make sure you know how to take care of the bronze.

Luckily, most oil-rubbed bronze fixtures will be spot resistant. However, this does not mean that they cannot stain. When spotting occurs, you will need to clean it if you want it to retain its sharpness.

If you notice spotting on your oil-rubbed bronze handles, you only need water to clean it. Using a cloth, wet it and wipe down the handles. Next, using a dry cloth, immediately dry it.

You must dry the handles as soon as you have wiped them down. This will help you avoid further spotting.

Oxidation can also sometimes occur with oil-rubbed bronze. This oxidation will appear to be green. To remove this, use a mixture of baking soda (two tablespoons) and some lemon juice.

This mixture should have the texture of toothpaste. Use this mixture to scrub away the oxidation. Afterward, you can rinse with water and dry.

Now that you know about oil-rubbed bronze, it is time to pick the color for your cabinets. If you want your oil-rubbed bronze fixtures to look sharp, you need to pick the right colors.

You want colors that will complement the bronze. These colors will offer a nice contrast and make the bronze “pop” for people who see them. This will make any kitchen look sophisticated.

So, what colors, exactly, go well with oil-rubbed bronze? Consider the following colors:

Neutral colors go very well with oil-rubbed bronze. Consider both grey and dark grey for the color of your cabinets. Both of these pair well with the dark bronze color.

If you opt for a lighter shade of grey, this will allow the tone of the oil-rubbed bronze to shine through. This does not, however, mean you cannot use a dark grey.

A dark grey will match the tone of the bronze. However, when you use darker colors, you do run the risk of having the oil-rubbed bronze blend in too much.

It is better to err on the side of caution and go for a lighter shade of grey. However, since grey is a neutral color, you cannot really go wrong.

Dark green may seem like a strange choice to match with oil-rubbed bronze, but it works. The darkness of the green can bring out subtleties of the bronze.

Some oil-rubbed bronzes have slight hints of green in their finish. If this is true of your oil-rubbed bronze, you should consider a dark green for your cabinet.

The dark green will bring forward those hints of green in the finish. Additionally, you can always use a slightly lighter shade of green that has hints of yellow in it.

As with dark grey, you do not want to go too dark. Pick a shade that will complement the bronze without hiding it.

Burgundy is in the red family of colors. It is almost like a reddish-brown, and this makes it a perfect companion to oil-rubbed bronze.

Oil-rubbed bronze usually has red undertones. The burgundy is close in color–though not exactly the same–as oil-rubbed bronze.

The reddish hue of the burgundy can bring out the hints of red in the bronze. Make sure your oil-rubbed bronze has more of a reddish hue before choosing burgundy.

Burgundy can be quite dark. It is important to pick a shade that is not overly dark to bring out the warmth of the bronze.

Beige is an excellent choice for the color of your cabinets. If you have oil-rubbed bronze, this light, tan, brown color will perfectly contrast it.

Since beige is a naturally light color, it pairs well with the darkness of the bronze. It will help bring forth the vibrancy and classiness of the oil-rubbed bronze.

Moreover, beige can make any kitchen seem modern. Pairing these two will bring an elegant finish to the entire room. Some shades of beige can also have a yellow hue, which will pair well with bronzes with the same quality.

Lighter colors can pair very well with oil-rubbed bronze. Cream-colored cabinets and white-colored cabinets are no exceptions.

Cream, or off-white, cabinets will help the oil-rubbed bronze “pop” without being straight white. However, if you want a clean, modern look that is also visually striking, using solid white cabinets is a good choice.

Since white is a neutral color, it pairs well with oil-rubbed bronze. Remember, the oil-rubbed bronze is both traditional and modern at the same time. You want this to shine through in your home.

If you decide to use a cream-colored cabinet, make sure it is the right tone. Some cream colors can have hints of yellow in them. If your oil-rubbed bronze has yellow undertones, this could be a great choice.

Related Questions

What Type of Color is Bronze?

Bronze is a warm color and is rather dark. It has a very dark brown hue to it, and it can seem almost black at times. Oil-rubbed bronze has various undertones, such as red, yellow, and green. Bronze is considered an “earthy” color. 

Can Oil-Rubbed Bronze Rust?

Oil-rubbed bronze is a resilient finish that can resist staining, scratching, and rust. However, this does not mean it cannot experience these tarnishes. As the finish wears off, it becomes more susceptible to staining and rust. Therefore, yes, oil-rubbed bronze can rust in the right circumstances. 

Does Stainless Steel Pair Well with Bronze?

Yes, stainless steel can pair well with bronze. If your kitchen has oil-rubbed bronze fixtures, such as handles and hinges, you can also have stainless steel appliances. These appliances can include the refrigerator, the faucet, and the faucet handles. Stainless steel paired with oil-rubbed bronze can create a nice, modern look.