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55 Designer-Approved Kitchen Color Ideas That Will Transform Your Space
From the right whites to moody blues and mauves.
A beautiful kitchen is the hub of your home. A lot happens within this room's four walls, from your weekly dinner party, game night, or study group to everyday breakfasts. So shouldn't those walls make an impact? The best kitchen color ideas set the mood you want for your space without being overwhelming. It's wise to err on the side of timeless rather than trendy unless you have the patience and budget to repaint every few years.
Minimalism, maximalism, modern farmhouse, and industrial styles all have their signature color palettes, but you may want to think outside the box of design styles to create a kitchen that reflects you and your family. White is the most popular kitchen paint color by a long shot. It's neutral, timeless, and brightens up even the smallest apartment kitchens. But there's a reason that navy blue and sage green follow close behind: People love a pop of color, and these classic hues can act almost as neutrals. Of course, the color you choose isn't limited to the walls or cabinet fronts. You can paint your kitchen island, molding, and window trim in a contrasting shade to draw attention to the details.
For a bold, dramatic look, opt for rich jewel tones in a high-gloss finish. If Scandinavian modern is more your speed, keep your cabinets natural and paint the walls a subtle pastel. There are so many ways to refresh a kitchen with color alone—no monthslong renovation necessary. We've gathered our 60 favorite kitchen color ideas to spark your inspiration and kick-start your next weekend's DIY project.
Blue on Blue
Can't decide between two shades of blue paint? Choose both! Designer Whitney Parkinson makes the case for a monochrome two-tone color palette in House Beautiful's 2022 Whole Home.
Shop a similar shade of blue paint below:
BUY NOW Farrow & Ball De Nimes Blue, $44
Blue and Tan
In Delish's new, state-of-the-art test kitchen, bold blue built-in shelves pop against gray walls that blend into the countertop.
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BUY NOW Backdrop Home Porsche Riviera Blue, $75
Butter Yellow
Wanting to give her clients' San Diego home the Spanish Revival treatment (but with a utilitarian approach), designer Meta Coleman chose warm yellow paint to complement an antique wooden table and wicker baskets.
Shop a similar shade of yellow paint below:
BUY NOW Farrow & Ball Sudbury Yellow, $44
Vermillion Orange
To brighten up even the most overcast of days, designer Matthew Boland opted for a bold and vibrant shade of orange for this Florida kitchen's cabinetry. White walls and stainless steel appliances help temper the effect.
Shop a similar shade of orange paint below:
BUY NOW Benjamin Moore Tomato Red, $50
Mauve and Grey
For a cozy yet sleek kitchen, designer Celia Bryson chose a quiet but still impactful alternative to the traditional barn red the homeowner was originally considering.
Shop a similar shade of purple paint below:
BUY NOW Benjamin Moore Hodley Red, $50
Olive Green and Warm Wood
Though designer Tammy Randall Wood is a believer in hiding appliances and other kitchen essentials away behind closed doors, she also makes a strong case for allowing the enclosures to shine with a bold paint color that nods to nature.
Shop a similar shade of green paint below:
BUY NOW Valspar Satin Brisk Olive, $44
Black and Charcoal
This kitchen designed by Heidi Caillier is only separated by an archway, so to create visual separation without totally clashing, she chose a bold and dark color scheme for the kitchen. The wood-paneled walls are painted black and a charcoal-hued natural stone material serves as a backsplash and also frames the windows for an extra punch of style.
Shop a similar shade of black below:
BUY NOW Farrow & Ball Pitch Black, $46
Icy Blue and White Brick
Heidi Caillier painted the cabinets an icy blue hue and the brick walls white for a brighter aesthetic and then secured a small piece of artwork to bring some moody depth. The brass hardware and fixtures speak to the gilt frame.
Shop a similar shade of blue paint below:
BUY NOW Farrow & Ball Graupel, $110
Pale Yellow
The cabinets climb almost all the way up the wall in this coastal kitchen by Kevin Isbell, but that didn't stop the designer from applying a soft shade of pale yellow paint to the top of the wall and ceiling. This cheerful shade contrasts with the blue painted floors just enough!
Shop a similar shade of yellow paint below:
BUY NOW Backdrop Disco Nap, $45
Khaki Green, Gray, and Pink
The rest of the home designed by Nicole Dohmen of Atelier ND is dominated by rosy hues, so to prevent it from taking over the kitchen while still ensuring flow with the surrounding rooms, she opted for earthy tones on the cabinets. Violet still makes an appearance in the Calacatta marble counter and backsplash zellige tiles, and a dusty blush tone veils the ceiling.
Shop a similar shade of neutral paint below:
BUY NOW Farrow & Ball Mouse's Back, $115
Midnight Blue
Oklahoma designer Kelsey Leigh McGregor used charcoal gray Negresco granite on the backsplash and countertops of this kitchen so they would nearly disappear against the dark paint color used on the walls, hood, and cabinets. Though it's dark navy, it appears black in certain lighting.
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BUY NOW Farrow & Ball Stiffkey Blue, $110
Light Pink and Burnt Orange
A super light shade of pink applied in a plaster-like finish and paired with a burnt orange island makes a statement in this small New York City kitchen designed by Celerie Kemble. The faux finish channels the texture of wallpaper.
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BUY NOW Portola Paints Specialty Finishes
Eggplant
In this striking London kitchen, design Rita Konig opted for cabinets from her own colorful line for Plain English in a shade of purple dubbed Burnt Toast. Calacatta Viola, a mauve-streaked marble, brings out the inky eggplant.
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BUY NOW Rita Konig Burnt Toast
Forest Green
Polished concrete gets a surge of warmth from the green cabinets and abstract blue artwork in Kathleen McCormick's home. It's the perfect combination of edgy and homey.
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BUY NOW Valspar Peacock Green, $30
Marigold and Brick Red
The cheerful yellow wallpaper in Shavonda Gardner's kitchen proves that you don't need tons of windows and natural light to make your kitchen feel sunny. The red range and lower cabinets add a fun and unexpected contrast while the unlacquered copper pots, soapstone counters that quickly patina, and wood tones tine the two warm colors together.
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BUY NOW Farrow & Ball Pelt, $110
Pale Blue-Green
In this tiny Brooklyn apartment, Patrick McGrath sectioned off the kitchen from the living space with a freestanding island but he also did so visually by painting the wall of cabinets a soft blue-green shade.
Shop a similar shade of light blue below:
BUY NOW Benjamin Moore Polar Sky, $55
Navy Blue
This kitchen designed by Melanie Milner gets the royal blue treatment, which is glamorous on its own, but even more so with the bronze, mahogany, and natural stone materials used throughout.
Shop a similar shade of light blue below:
BUY NOW Benjamin Moore Deep Royal, $55
Greige, Cream, and Muted Mint
A greige tone is used for the cabinets while a cream tone is used on the ceiling and accent wall. But the color-blocking fun doesn't stop there in this Heidi Caillier-designed kitchen—the door is painted in a muted mint shade that picks up on the unique color of the range.
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BUY NOW Farrow & Ball California Sand, $110
Marigold and Terracotta
Paint isn't the only way to bring color to your kitchen. In this impressive hacienda kitchen, The vaulted ceiling is covered in terracotta tiles while the marigold zellige tiles assert a sunny atmosphere.
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BUY NOW Clé Tiles Saffron zellige tiles, $20
Cream and Dark Green-Blue
Designer Karen Swanson limited the number of cabinet uppers she installed in this English countryside-inspired kitchen, explaining that, "so many people want to blanket the wall in cabinets, but that can make a kitchen feel heavy and claustrophobic." Instead, she left a windowed wall bare so light can pour in, and so she could hang artwork. Dark cabinet lowers and storage columns pick up on the dark green in the still life but don't overwhelm the room.
Shop a similar shade of cream below:
BUY NOW Benjamin Moore Sugar Cookie, $55
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