Kitchens have evolved far beyond 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. Changing the paint color in your kitchen is one of the easiest and most effective ways to completely transform your space.

Finalizing the design choices for your kitchen upgrade can easily become overwhelming. Choosing the perfect combinations for hardware, decorative pieces and, of course, choosing the best kitchen paint colors and finishes is no small task. When looking for kitchen paint ideas, you will find, contrary to popular belief, that 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 seven colors, ranging from Swiss coffee to hues of navy blue that are sure to elevate your space – no renovations needed.

Kitchen colors: do’s and don’ts

Molly Machmer-Wessels, designer at Woodland Design Company, suggests looking at kitchens as “encompassing spaces”. In a kitchen, so many details play into a bigger story. When choosing wall paint colors for the kitchen, she likes to stick with colors that complement other elements of the space, like cabinets, open shelves, and countertops.

Don’t choose a color before determining your intention for the space. How do you want to feel when you walk into your kitchen? Is your style more clean, modern and simple? Maybe you have a more warm, whimsical style and like to play with bright colors. If your goal is to make the kitchen rich and relaxing, the way forward may be darker. Identifying your intention makes it much easier to select a color.

Best Kitchen Paint Colors

Black

Black is one of those most popular colors that renters and homeowners consider for updating their kitchens. If you are 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 more earthy tones while still remaining a true neutral,” says Joseph DeCasperis, a kitchen and bathroom designer in Southern California.

Done correctly, black can give your kitchen a sophisticated and elegant feel. According to Andra DelMonico, chief 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

Highlyann Krasnow, Creative Director of The Design High, suggests navy blue if you want to darken, but aren’t ready to go for the dark. “We’re in love with navy blue kitchen cabinets with brass hardware details,” Krasnow says. Navy is a softer way to get a darker, more luxurious kitchen cabinet if you think black would be too stark for your home.

Jennifer Guerin, owner of JG Color Studios, says that if you’re looking to add a bit of 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

“It’s the color of life and nature, which makes it a perfect color for your kitchen,” says DelMonico. You have plenty of shade options, from mint to sage, which makes this a versatile color. Plants are increasingly popular in interior design because they bring a tropical and outdoor feel to the interior of your home. Green paint can give that same bright and cheerful feel to your kitchen cabinets and make them look fresh and inviting.

White

While whites and neutrals may seem too traditional for some, “they usually make the space feel warm,” says Machmer-Wessels. When designing for clients, she frequently uses Benjamin Moore’s Swiss coffee. This designer says, “It’s an incredibly warm white that pairs beautifully with the white oak cabinetry. It is neither too white nor too yellow. In fact, it’s a perfect creamy shade. If you’re interested in a brighter color, consider the Chantilly Lace shade from the same brand.

This particular shade is a crisp, crisp white that looks like soft silk or linen. According to Tracy Sauer of Spray It Like New Kitchens, the shade is a very soft and subtle shade that works for both hardwood floors and modern home appliances. “Known to be the cleanest white color, it tops the list of best-selling colors,” Sauer said.

Grey

According to Thomas Vibe, interior designer and founder of Stone Wizards, gray is the perfect base color in a kitchen. “It’s 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 might think of.

However, “I suggest using lavender for a modern touch of basic gray, as its soft, subtle tone makes your kitchen more welcoming,” Vibe adds.

Yellow

Yellow has a calming quality and is often associated with joy and happiness, a perfect way to set the tone for your home. “If you fancy 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 happy start to the day. Yellow can not only add to the look of your space, but it can also add to the feel of it. “If your room is small, yellow can instantly make your room bigger and lighter,” says Vibe.

Cream

“I love Benjamin Moore Butter Milk,” says designer Diana Weinstein. “It looks like sun and butter at the same time, a great option for a kitchen. Soft creams in warmer tones, like muslin, are warm and inviting, without being overbearing. Weinsten also says that chiffon is a great transitional color that pairs well with other colors.

Additional tips on kitchen colors

Color is a great way to create privacy, especially in spaces like a kitchen where people come to meet. When you renovate your kitchen, you want to make sure that you have specific goals for the layout. Chris Starks of Enrichen the Kitchen says some of the best kitchen paint colors are the ones that match your overall design scheme. When painting your cabinets, be sure to use a high quality primer. This will help the paint to adhere better and have a longer life.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)