Sage green kitchen cabinets split into two camps. There are the deep, almost black greens that feel like a London townhouse, and there are the soft sages that look like they've been sitting in the sun for years. This post is about the second kind.
Soft sage is the easier color to live with. It forgives fingerprints, it works with almost any counter, and it pairs with gold hardware without any effort at all. The only real question is which gold, because the wrong one makes a new kitchen look like a showroom.
Not all gold is the same
"Gold hardware" covers a lot of finishes, and next to sage they behave very differently:
- Unlacquered brass: raw brass with no protective coat. It darkens and spots over time into a warm, uneven patina. The most natural look with sage, and the one in these images.
- Satin brass: brushed with a protective lacquer. Stays the same color. A good middle ground.
- Champagne bronze: paler and softer, almost beige-gold. Very gentle with light sage.
- Polished brass: shiny and yellow. The finish that makes a kitchen look brand new, and not in a good way.
If you want the kitchen to feel like it's been there for years, pick unlacquered. If you want no maintenance, satin brass.
Sage green paint colors that work with brass
- Farrow & Ball Card Room Green: a grayed sage with depth. Looks grown-up.
- Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage: lighter and warmer.
- Sherwin-Williams Clary Sage: soft and a little yellow, very forgiving.
- Benjamin Moore October Mist: a pale, silvery sage for small kitchens.
Brass looks best with sages that have some gray or brown in them. Minty, blue-leaning greens make brass look brassy.
Counters: marble, butcher block or soapstone
Sage green with gold hardware works with three counter materials especially well:
Honed white marble like Calacatta. The gray veining links to the gray in the sage, and the brass warms it up. Honed, not polished, so it feels softer.
Butcher block. Warmer and more casual. Pair with a slightly yellower sage.
Soapstone. Dark gray-black, very old-fashioned in a good way. Makes the sage look lighter.
Knobs, pulls or both?
Traditional shaker kitchens often use knobs on doors and cup pulls on drawers. It's a classic combination and it suits sage well. A few sizing notes:
- Knobs: 1 1/4 inches in diameter on most doors.
- Cup pulls: 3 inches center-to-center on standard drawers.
- Bar pulls: if you prefer them, size them to about a third of the drawer width.
Keep all hardware in the same finish. Mixing brass and black on sage looks restless.
Backsplash choices
Keep the backsplash quiet so the sage and brass stay the stars. Honed marble running up the wall, plain white zellige, or cream subway tile laid straight. Avoid patterned cement tile here; it competes.
The faucet
Match the faucet to the hardware. An unlacquered brass bridge faucet over a fireclay sink is the classic partner for sage cabinets. If budget is tight, a satin brass faucet is fine even with unlacquered knobs; they'll look close enough once the knobs age.
Styling the counter
Less is more. A wooden cutting board leaned against the backsplash, a stoneware crock of wooden spoons, a pot of rosemary on the sill. Everything natural. Chrome gadgets and colorful appliances fight with the soft palette.
How to care for unlacquered brass
Unlacquered brass is meant to change. Wipe it with a soft dry cloth and leave it. If you ever want it bright again, a brass polish restores the original shine in minutes. Most people who choose it never polish it; the patina is the reason they bought it.
What it costs to paint cabinets sage
If you're repainting existing cabinets rather than replacing them:
- DIY: $200 to $400 in cabinet-grade paint, primer, degreaser and sanding supplies. Plan on a full week.
- Professional: $3,000 to $7,000 for a typical kitchen, depending on size and region.
- New brass hardware: $8 to $25 per knob or pull. A typical kitchen needs 30 to 50 pieces.
Mistakes to avoid
- Polished brass. It reads as new and a little cheap.
- Mint or blue-green sage. Brass looks too yellow next to it.
- Mixing metals. Keep hardware, faucet and lighting in the same family.
- Busy backsplash. Let the cabinets carry the color.
Sage green kitchen with gold hardware FAQ
Does gold hardware go with sage green cabinets?
Yes, very well. Unlacquered, satin brass or champagne bronze look best.
What counter goes with sage green cabinets and brass?
Honed white marble, butcher block or soapstone.
Is sage green a trend or will it last?
Sage has been popular for years and it's a soft, natural color that ages well, especially with classic shaker doors.
Should knobs and pulls match the faucet?
Ideally, yes. At least keep them all in warm metal tones.
