Choosing the right kitchen color can feel like a tough decision. The tones you choose will likely be a part of your home for several years – meaning you need to find something modern enough to stay in style, but timeless enough to avoid feeling outdated in the seasons to come.
And while paint choices are important in every room of your home, it can be harder, as well as more time-consuming and expensive, to adapt your kitchen color ideas once you’ve made your choice for the room.
But which are the hues the experts say don’t make the grade? This is what you need to know.
5 colors you should never paint your kitchen
It’s no secret that white, neutral, and green kitchen ideas have made waves across the design industry in recent months. However, these tones may have seen their day, color experts say. Here are the shades they’re avoiding in 2022.
1. Red
(Image credit: Michael Sinclair)
Red has always felt like something of a controversial choice in the kitchen, so it is perhaps unsurprising that Valspar’s senior brand manager, Tobie Lewis, warns against this paint idea.
‘Something to be careful about would be painting large areas of your kitchen red. The kitchen is a space where you should unwind and relax while cooking, eating, or hosting your friends. For many, the color red is powerful and too distracting for this specific room,’ Tobie says.
Therefore, despite its reputed ability to enhance your senses (and potentially make your food taste better), for many this passionate shade is best served up outside the kitchen.
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The concept of all-white kitchens sparked a debate as one of the kitchen trends to avoid, and bright white, even in moderation, has fallen out of favor amongst designers. ‘White kitchens are classic, but a bright white tends to feel stark or clinical,’ says Liberty Riggs, a designer from Studio Riggs.
If you still want to incorporate white kitchen ideas into your home, Liberty recommends opting for a ‘creamy white or even a mushroom tone, which will feel much warmer and inviting’.
3. Yellow
(Image credit: Future / Mark Bolton)
‘When painting your kitchen, the one color I always avoid is bright yellow,’ says Amy Youngblood, owner of Amy Youngblood Interiors. The expert suggests that this fluorescent shade detracts from the other beautiful items you may have in your kitchen, such as your countertops or lighting fixtures.
‘You really want your kitchen to be a place of enjoyment and peace. There is already enough going on in your kitchen, and you certainly don’t need a feeling of chaos,’ she adds.
4. Beige
(Image credit: Emma Lee / Twig Hutchinson)
While beige can feel like a safe choice that will stand the test of time, the president of Sharper Impressions Painting, Geoff Sharp, warns that it could leave your kitchen looking boring and lifeless. ‘Beige is often bland and has a safe and conservative feel to it,’ Geoff says. He suggests that you opt for a riskier but stylish shade that makes you happy while making your kitchen pop.
5. Dark green
(Image credit: Future/ Brent Darby)
Whilst the look of your kitchen is always a priority, Manhattan-based real estate professional Parisa M. Afkhami of Coldwell Banker Warburg warns that some shades can impact your house value.
Amongst the most prominent of these is dark green. ‘Colors to absolutely be avoided are darker colors and shades of green, blue, red, and purple, which will cast a shadow on food and darken the space. Green and orange, in particular, should be avoided in kitchens,’ she warns.
So, if you’re thinking of selling your home with a dark green kitchen, you may want to re-evaluate your painted kitchen ideas pronto.
“Very dark paint colors may make a kitchen feel less inviting,” says Switzer. Your kitchen should never feel ominous! Another problem with dark paint according to the designer is that it also shows scratches and imperfections more prominently than lighter paint does.
“Very dark paint colors may make a kitchen feel less inviting,” says Switzer. Your kitchen should never feel ominous! Another problem with dark paint according to the designer is that it also shows scratches and imperfections more prominently than lighter paint does.
“While every hue has its day, certain colors, especially bright neons, can be more of a distraction than an attraction in a kitchen setting,” Kropovinsky explains. Allen agrees, noting that very bright and bold colors, such as red or orange, should be avoided, as they can be overwhelming for the space.
In 2024, moody blues and greens are stealing the spotlight. Deep navy, forest green, and rich emerald are becoming go-to choices for those seeking a sophisticated and luxurious vibe in their culinary space. These deep hues create a sense of drama and depth while adding a touch of elegance to any kitchen.
Like a ray of sunshine, yellow can instantly brighten up a room. Also believed to make people hungry, yellow has a soothing quality and will instantly make people feel calm and happy in your kitchen.
Black and blue are two of the most popular vastu colours for kitchen. Black is believed to be one of the best colours for a kitchen as it promotes energy flow and brings good luck. Blue, on the other hand, symbolizes tranquillity, making your kitchen an inviting space to hang out in.
Painting cabinets the wrong color can definitely hurt resale value. Avoid bright or intense colors that buyers can't picture themselves living with. Whites and neutrals are the way to go when you're getting your house ready to sell.
The best colour combination for a kitchen is often a combination of whites and neutrals, such as white cabinets, light grey walls, and a neutral countertop. Additionally, you can add natural elements, such as wood floors and accents, to bring warmth to the space.
What cabinet color has the best resale value? Most real estate agents will tell sellers that neutral colors will appeal to the widest audience. While white is a very popular color for kitchen cabinets, other neutrals like gray, black, and beige are also good.
We asked interior designers for their insight into upcoming and fading design trends. Forest green, curved accents, and stacked tiles are predicted to soar in popularity. Industrial design, minimalism, and the color gray are out for 2024.
White and neutral tones are popular choices in the kitchen for one reason: they don't date. Before you start to worry about it being boring, remember the more bold your design choices in the kitchen are, the bigger chance there is of you changing your mind down the track.
On par with 2024 kitchen trends, green kitchens are still all the rage — ranging from light sage to forest green. We're also loving deep reds, sunny yellow and even Barbie pink this year. No matter if your kitchen design is modern, farmhouse, country or maximalist, we've got a gorgeous hue that'll inspire your space.
White kitchens are very trendy right now, but they offer more benefits than just being beautiful. Light colors are more reflective than dark colors and they will make your kitchen appear bigger as well as more open and airy.
White kitchen ideas are timeless, but navy blue color palettes and sage green paint colors follow close behind for good reasons: People love a pop of color, and these classic hues can act almost as neutrals. There are so many ways to refresh a kitchen with color alone—no months-long renovation necessary.
'Colors to absolutely be avoided are darker colors and shades of green, blue, red, and purple, which will cast a shadow on food and darken the space. Green and orange, in particular, should be avoided in kitchens,' she warns.
Arguably, the most timeless kitchen cabinet color is white. Bright white cabinets suit a variety of beautiful kitchens, including modern, contemporary, and farmhouse styles. Brilliant whites work to give kitchens a light and airy feel, and off-white options, like the White Dove shade, provides warmth.
Introduction: My name is Errol Quitzon, I am a fair, cute, fancy, clean, attractive, sparkling, kind person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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