30+ Best Kitchen Color Ideas for Your Next Remodel or Weekend Makeover
Grab your paintbrush and get ready to give a fresh new look to your kitchen walls and cabinets.
It’s true what they say: The kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s where you and your family spend lots of time, and where your guests likely end up congregating. It should be a space that feels inviting and relaxing but also delivers the style and personality you want your home to reflect. Do you prefer a light and airy kitchen? A happy and whimsical space? Or a room that feels rustic and cozy? No matter the look, your starting point should be establishing the color scheme. This collection of our all-time favorite kitchen color ideas is a great place to start.
An all-white kitchen will always be timeless, but don’t be afraid to bring in color, even in a small kitchen. With a range of shades from airy mint to deep forest, green kitchens have come a long way from avocado-colored appliances; and what could be more farmhouse-chic than a kitchen clad in a classic pairing of blue and white? Having trouble deciding? From serene neutrals to sunny yellow, and every shade in between, this roundup of some of our favorite kitchens provides lots of inspiration to help you decide!
If you're not quite ready to commit to a kitchen full of color, consider painting just the island to create an accent piece. (If you’re planning to go the DIY route, read this article for tips on how to paint kitchen cabinets. Yes, even laminate cabinets!) Now with your palette in place, it's time to tackle the rest of the room—we have many more kitchen decorating ideas to inspire you.
Teal Blue
Painting a large island in a big open kitchen instantly helps ground the space. In this Michigan lake house kitchen, the crowd-pleasing cool blue island plays off the water hues located just outside the doors. “A lot of country kitchens would have a farmhouse table in the middle of the space, so we wanted to give it that vibe,” says designer Steve Somogyi of Chicago firm Steve + Filip Design. Adding to the fun spirit, the designers paired the statement island with colorful, patterned encaustic tile for the backsplash.
Get the Look: Island Paint Color, Jamestown Blue by Benjamin Moore
Warm Gray
Soothing gray cabinetry sets the scene for a revived traditional kitchen in a centuries-old New York farmhouse belonging to Dr. Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell of Beekman 1802. The previous remodel was completed in the 1990s, but Brent and Josh didn't feel as beholden to the more recent past as they did to true period details. One 20th-century element that survived their complete redo? The brick fireplace and its impressive copper hood. On the floor, reclaimed barnwood laid in a herringbone pattern adds historic integrity.
Get the look: Cabinetry Paint Color, Smoke and Mirrors by Benjamin Moore; Ceiling and Wall Paint Color, Vanilla Milkshake by Benjamin Moore; Trim Paint Color, Moonshine by Benjamin Moore
RELATED: Tour the rest of Brent and Josh's beautiful farmhouse.
Celadon Green
In this Massachusetts beach house, the Wood-Mode kitchen cabinetry is painted a pretty celadon green that is crisply set off by a white subway tile backsplash. Cape Cod artist Tim Dibble custom-carved the kitchen's slate apron-front sink to incorporate local icons: a windmill, a whale, a lighthouse, and the word "riptide."
Get the Look: Cabinetry Paint Color, Coastal Plain by HGTV Home for Sherwin-Williams
Gray Blue
If you love a rustic look for your cabin or cottage, but don't want the kitchen to feel too rustic, consider pairing natural wood finishes with a soft, dusty blue. It's the perfect complement that won't overpower all that pretty wood grain.
Get the Look: Cabinetry Paint Color, Philipsburg Blue by Benjamin Moore
Washed Turquoise and Buttery Yellow
To give her kitchen cabinets a slightly weathered look, Jolie Sikes of the Junk Gypsies first coated them with a blue interior oil stain, then used a rag to apply and partially rub off a layer of wood stain. "Embrace color," says Jolie. "Just because kitchens are utilitarian rooms doesn't mean they should be quiet, sterile, or boring." The buttery walls, combined with the natural wood stain on the windows, trim, and beams, create a warm backdrop for the rest of the kitchen. Red accents—such as a pair of swiveling tractor seats plus a vintage vinyl-upholstered barstools—complete the primary color trio.
Get the Look: Cabinetry Stain, Aquarius by Sherwin-Williams plus Provincial Wood Finish stain by Minwax; Wall Paint Color, Canyon Cloud by Behr; Wood Trim Stain, Pecan by Minwax
RELATED: See even more details of Jolie's kitchen.
Creamy White
Designer Lynn Kloythanomsup of Landed Interiors and Homes designed cupboards for this California kitchen that were inspired by the home's classical early-1900s architecture. Her cabinetmaker randomized the width of the joints between shiplap panels to create an offset look. The creamy white finish on the cabinets pairs nicely with the rustic wood and brick walls. A hand-painted harlequin pattern on the white oak floors completes the timeworn look.
Get the Look: Cabinetry Paint Color, Light Breeze by Benjamin Moore; Floor Paint Color, Timid White by Benjamin Moore
Bright Green and Blue
These cheery green and blue colors really brighten up this kitchen by designer Grace Mitchell. Wood tone barstools ground the candy color palette and oversized woven pendant lights add a natural flair.
Get the Look: Kitchen Island Color, Eco Green by Sherwin-Williams
Green and White
The white walls of this Georgia kitchen designed by James Farmer feel fresh and bright off of the rich green cabinets and pair perfectly with the natural wood shelves and oven hood.
Get the Look: Cabinetry Paint Color, Louisburg Green by Benjamin Moore
Blue-Black
This moody hue is making us crave a rainy day indoors with a cup of tea while bread bakes in the oven. It is the perfect dull blue that still feels warm and rich.
Get the Look: Paint Color, Opera Glasses by Behr
Canary Yellow and Blue
Look no further than the classic yellowware bowl for proof that blue and yellow make for a timeless country combo, as seen here in this 98-square-foot galley kitchen that features canary-yellow cabinets and quilt-like cement tiles. The petite 20-inch range maximizes cabinet space in the small kitchen.
Get the Look: Cabinetry Paint Color, Honey Bees by Sherwin-Williams; Backsplash Tile, “Tangier Primero” by Villa Lagoon
Warm Gray
Martha Stewart's kitchen features an understated neutral tone that she says was inspired by shells. The warm gray pairs nicely with copper cookware.
Get the Look: Wall Paint Color, Stormy Monday by Benjamin Moore
RELATED: See even more of Martha Stewart's inspiring kitchen.
Light Blue
A light blue kitchen island adds to the lighthearted spirit of the Michigan lake home of designer Chenault James . It's a subtle use of color that brings big results. Red diner-inspired barstools add pops of retro color.
Get the Look: Island Paint Color, Rhine River by Benjamin Moore
RELATED: Tour all of this beautiful and family-friendly coastal retreat.
Pure Black
When homeowner Bailey McCarthy moved into her century-old Texas farmhouse, the kitchen wall was a boring beige and the cabinets, which vary in height, were white. "Painting everything black seemed like a good way to make the cabinets blend in with the wall," says Bailey. She balanced the dark statement color with butcher-block countertops and brass hardware and lighting.
Get the Look: Cabinetry Paint Color, Pitch Black by Farrow & Ball
RELATED: Take a tour of the rest of Bailey McCarthy's Texas farmhouse.
Watery Blues
This kitchen's tone-on-tone color scheme started with the deep blue-green painted floor inspired by the surrounding coastal views. Designer Hadley Wiggins then chose what she calls “aviator blue” for the cabinets. It's a perfect complement to the converted barn's warm wood tones.
Get the Look: Cabinetry Paint Color, Blue Toile by Benjamin Moore; Floor Paint Color, Lead Gray by Benjamin Moore
Soft Taupe
When you want to add little color but don't want it to overwhelm, look to a soft taupe. The appealing neutral adds a warm but airy swathe of color. It's a color that also pairs well with stained wood cabinets.
Get the Look: Cabinetry Paint Color, Smoky Ash by Benjamin Moore
Sunny Yellow
Designer Alison Kandler and homeowner Jenn Chiarelli found the perfect sunny shade for the kitchen island in Jenn's bright California farmhouse by pulling paint chips of colors that simply made Jenn feel happy. Then they found ways to incorporate the hues into the kitchen to create a look that is as colorful as it is cheerful. The black woven stools add a grounding element to the candy-colored space.
Get the Look: Island Paint Color, Tropical Moss by Dunn-Edwards Paints
RELATED: Peek inside this happy and colorful California home.
Gray Green
Designer Heidi Caillier chose a soothing green that is a little bit gray and a little blue for the Shaker-style cabinets. “It changes with the light," Heidi says. "It also feels traditional to me, which is what I really wanted.” The color pairs particularly well with soapstone countertops and unlacquered brass bail pulls and knobs. Six-inch terra cotta hex tiles add distinct richness to the artfully layered kitchen.
Get the Look: Cabinetry Paint Color, Oil Cloth by Benjamin Moore; Hardware, unlacquered brass bail pulls and knobs from Classic Brass
Sky Blue
One Kings Lane designer Sarah Blank opted for a calming blue for the shelves, brackets, and walls of this kitchen, lending more cohesion to the space.
Get the Look: Cabinetry and Wall Paint Color, Lulworth Blue by Farrow & Ball
Off-White
When you have a lot of natural wood in your kitchen, pure white walls can feel too stark, especially if you're going for a rustic kitchen look. Instead, choose a warm white that has just a touch of gray in it for a color that complements wood tones and works well with other warm neutral colors. (Plus, it will balance out all your stainless steel appliances.)
Get the Look: Wall Paint Color, Fleur de Sel by Sherwin-Williams
Soft Green
The homeowners of this classic farmhouse-style kitchen used a soft green paint color on both the paneled walls and cabinetry to create a fun statement that isn't overpowering. Neutral accents such as the reclaimed hickory beams, honed granite countertops, and slate floors take the pastel from sweet to sophisticated.
Get the Look: Wall and Cabinetry Paint Color, custom mix of one part Mint Chocolate Chip by Benjamin Moore and two parts Hancock Green by Benjamin Moore
Jennifer Kopf is the Executive Editor of Country Living. She also covers antiques and collecting.
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