Kitchens have evolved far beyond being solely the destination for cooking and eating. The kitchen is the center of a home and deserves to shine without the unsightly look of peeling paint. Switching up your kitchen paint color is one of the most simple and effective ways to completely transform your space.
Finalizing design choices and choosing which kitchen trends are best for you can easily become an overwhelming task. Picking the perfect pairings for hardware, accent pieces and, of course, choosing the best paint finishes and colors are no small tasks. When researching kitchen paint ideas you’ll find that, contrary to popular belief, there are many shades of white, and blue is never just blue.
There are hundreds of colors and combinations to choose from when considering paint colors for your kitchen. We’ve compiled multiple colors, ranging from Swiss Coffee to hues of navy blue that are sure to elevate your space—no renovations necessary.
Kitchen Colors: Do’s and Don’ts
Molly Machmer-Wessels, designer at Woodland Design Company, suggests looking at kitchens as “all-encompassing spaces.” In a kitchen, so many details play into one larger story. When choosing wall paint colors for this space, she likes to stick to shades that complement other elements in the space, like the cabinetry, open shelving and countertops.
Don’t pick a color before determining your intention for the space. How do you want to feel when you enter your kitchen? Is your style more clean, modern and straightforward? Maybe you have a warmer, whimsical style and like to play with bright colors. If your goal is to make the kitchen rich and relaxing, dark hues may be the way to go. Identifying your intention makes selecting a color that much easier.
Best Kitchen Paint Colors
Black
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Black is one of those most popular colors that both renters and homeowners are considering for their kitchen updates. If you’re looking to give your cabinets a rich and sophisticated upgrade, then a smoky black like Sherwin Williams Black Fox is a great choice. “A member of the charcoal family, Black Fox brings in earthier tones while still remaining a true neutral,” says Joseph DeCasperis, a kitchen and bath designer in Southern California.
Done correctly, black can give your kitchen a sophisticated and sleek feel. According to Andra DelMonico, lead interior designer at Trendey, the color black works best in a modern or industrial kitchen when paired with materials like wood and concrete.
Navy Blue
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Highlyann Krasnow, creative director of The Design High, suggests navy blue if you’re interested in going darker, but aren’t ready to commit to black. “We are in love with navy kitchen cabinets with brass hardware details,” Krasnow says. Navy is a softer way to achieve a darker, more luxe kitchen cabinet if you think black would be too stark for your home.
Jennifer Guerin, owner of JG Color Studios, says if you’re looking to add a little color without the full commitment of your cabinets, start by painting your kitchen island. A deep blue can also help hide shoe marks if your island doubles as a seating area.
Green
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“It’s the color of life and nature, making it a perfect color for your kitchen,” DelMonico says. You have plenty of shade options, from mint to sage, making this a versatile color. Plants are increasingly popular in home decor because they bring a tropical, outdoorsy feel to the interior of your home. Green paint can provide that same bright, joyful feeling to your kitchen cabinets and give them a fresh, inviting look.
White
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While whites and neutrals can feel too traditional for some, “they generally give the space a feeling of warmth,” Machmer-Wessels says. When designing for clients, she frequently uses Benjamin Moore’s Swiss Coffee. This designer says, “it is an amazingly warm white that goes beautifully with white oak cabinetry. It’s not too white or too yellow. In fact, it’s a perfect creamy shade.” If you’re interested in a brighter color, consider the same brand’s Chantilly Lace hue.
This particular shade is a crisp, clean white that looks like silk or soft linen. According to Tracy Sauer of Spray It Like New Kitchens, the undertone is a very soft and subtle hue that works well with both wood floors and modern appliances. “Known for being the cleanest white color, it is at the top of the list for best selling colors,” Sauer says.
Gray
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According to Thomas Vibe, interior designer and founder of Stone Wizards, gray is the perfect base color in a kitchen. “It is timeless and the most elegant choice,” he says. While gray seems to be playing it safe, it’s a neutral color that can be paired with almost any other color you may have in mind.
However, “I suggest using lavender for a modern twist of basic gray because its sweet and subtle tone makes your kitchen more welcoming,” Vibe adds.
Yellow
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Yellow has a soothing quality, and is often associated with joy and happiness—a perfect way to set the tone in your home. “If you crave positive spaces, choose a shade of yellow for your kitchen,” says Karen Aronian of Aronian Education Design. Choosing to paint your kitchen yellow will give you, and your family, an energizing and joyful start to your day. Not only can yellow add to the look of your space, it can add to the feel of it, too. “If your room is small, yellow can instantly make your room feel bigger and lighter,” says Vibe.
Cream
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“I am loving Benjamin Moore’s Butter Milk,” says designer Diana Weinstein. “It feels like sunshine and butter at the same time—a great option for a kitchen.” Soft creams with warmer tones, like Muslin, are warm and welcoming, without being overpowering. Weinsten also says that Muslin is a great transitional color that pairs perfectly with other colors.
Extra Tips On Kitchen Colors
Color is a brilliant way to create intimacy, especially in spaces like a kitchen where people come to gather. When remodeling your kitchen, you want to make sure that you have specific goals for the layout. Chris Starks from Enrichen the Kitchen, says some of the best kitchen paint colors are those that match your overall design scheme. When painting your cabinets, be sure to use a high-quality primer. This will help the paint adhere better and have a longer lifespan.
What is the most popular color for a kitchen?
According to kitchen design and painting experts, the most popular color for a kitchen is tied between navy blue and white. Home stagers and listing agents often suggest painting the kitchen a fresh white color to make the space look larger, cleaner and inviting. Navy blue is an elegant color that can be made moody, or lighter depending on the accents you decide.
What colors make a kitchen look bigger?
Many designers agree that lighter colors like white and soft pastels make a kitchen look bigger. In particular, “pastel colors help to subtly lift the kitchen into an airy space that feels larger than it is,” says Charlie Worrall of Imaginaire. “This is ideal because most people love the idea of a large kitchen that they can move around in.”
Designer Erin Davis says her go-to paint colors for kitchens are lighter neutrals—greys, taupes and whites—because they also allow your cabinetry, countertops and tile to shine.
How much does it cost to paint a kitchen?
Painting a 13’x13′ kitchen with 310 square feet of wall space to paint, has an average cost range from $465 to $1,240. Most people pay around $852.50.
