When we started designing the garage apartment kitchenette, I knew I wanted the space to feel custom, cozy, and a little bit elevated, even though it’s a small kitchen. One of the biggest design decisions was choosing the cabinet color, and I kept coming back to navy blue cabinets.
Once we decided to do the red brick chimney accent wall, I knew the cabinets needed to both contrast with the brick and still feel warm and classic. Navy ended up being the perfect choice.
In this post, I’m sharing why I chose navy cabinets, the exact cabinets we used, and why I keep going back to RTA Cabinet Store for our projects.
Why I Chose Navy Blue Cabinets for the Kitchenette
As soon as the brick chimney went in, I knew I didn’t want white cabinets. White would have been safe, but I wanted this kitchenette to feel like a real design moment.
Here’s why the Navy made the most sense:
- Navy contrasts beautifully with red brick
- Blue and red together have a classic, timeless look
- Dark cabinets make a small kitchenette feel rich instead of plain
- Navy works well with brass, black, and stainless hardware
- It ties in with the other colors we’re using in the garage apartment
I also love that navy feels elegant without feeling trendy.
The Exact Cabinets I Used
For this space, I used the Florence Midnight Blue Shaker cabinets from RTA Cabinet Store
I’ve used cabinets from RTA Cabinet Store in multiple projects now, including:
- My main kitchen
- My laundry room
- This garage apartment kitchenette
And every time I’ve been impressed with the quality, the finish, and the price.
Why I like RTA Cabinet Store cabinets
- Solid wood construction
- Soft close doors and drawers
- Durable painted finish
- Affordable compared to custom cabinets
- Easy to assemble and install
For a project like this, where we’re doing a full renovation, being able to get high-end looking cabinets without custom pricing makes a huge difference.
Why the Florence Midnight Blue Shaker Style Worked Perfectly
The shaker style keeps the cabinets classic, while the midnight blue color makes them feel custom.
What I love about this combo:
- Shaker cabinets never go out of style
- The midnight blue color looks rich, not too bright
- The finish works well with brick, wallpaper, and brass
- It fits both modern and traditional spaces
Because this kitchenette is in the garage apartment, I wanted it to feel like a real kitchen, not just a basic add-on and the cabinet color made a huge difference.
Install Tips for RTA Cabinets
If you’re planning to use ready-to-assemble cabinets, I shared all of our install tips in this post: How To Install Kitchen Cabinets
In that post, I go over:
- How we installed our cabinets
- Tips for leveling
- Layout planning
- Tools we used
- Mistakes to avoid
We’ve installed these cabinets in several rooms now, and once you do it once, it gets much easier.
Final Thoughts on Using Navy Cabinets in a Small Kitchen
I’m so glad I didn’t play it safe with white cabinets in this space.
The navy cabinets:
- Make the kitchenette feel custom
- Look amazing with the brick chimney
- Add contrast without feeling dark
- Give the garage apartment a high-end feel
Sometimes a bold cabinet color is exactly what a small space needs.
FAQ About Navy Kitchen Cabinets
Are navy cabinets too dark for a small kitchen?
Not at all if you balance them with light walls, brick, or countertops, navy can actually make the space feel richer and more designed.
Do navy cabinets go with brick?
Yes. Navy and red brick are a classic combination and work especially well in farmhouse, traditional, and cottage-style homes.
Are RTA cabinets good quality?
In my experience, yes. I’ve used RTA Cabinet Store cabinets in multiple rooms and have been very happy with the durability and finish.
What style of cabinets go best with navy?
Shaker cabinets are the safest choice because they keep a timeless look.
