50 Unexpected Kitchen Color Ideas to Transform Your Space (2024)

From shades of green to vibrant oranges to easy neutrals.

By Kate McGregor and Meghan Shouse
50 Unexpected Kitchen Color Ideas to Transform Your Space (1)

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A beautiful kitchen is the hub of your home, so you want it to make an impact. The best kitchen color ideas set the mood you want for your space. 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. In addition to the walls, you can paint your cabinets, kitchen island, molding, and window trim to give it style and personality. We’ve gathered some of our favorite kitchen color ideas to spark your inspiration.

More kitchen inspiration:

  • 55 Stylish Kitchen Backsplash Ideas for Every Aesthetic
  • How to Design a Timeless Kitchen You’ll Love Forever
  • 100 Kitchen Design Ideas That'll Make You Want to Redo Yours

1

Muted Coral

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Bring some brightness into your kitchen with an unexpected muted coral color, like the one designer Betsy Wentz used here. It goes well with any wood color, whether it’s dark or light. Try Farrow & Ball Bisque for a similar look.

2

Teal and White

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If you’re not loving the idea of an all-white kitchen but still want the bright, clean feeling that comes with one, choose a stark, moody paint color for the cabinets. The teal blue Clara Jung chose for this client’s kitchen makes it feel elevated and classic but not overpowered by one monochromatic tone. Farrow & Ball Inchyra Blue can have a similar effect.

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3

White and Pale Green

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Sometimes a few colorful accents are all you need to make your white kitchen come alive. The greenery in this marble-clad kitchen by Elliott Interiors matches the hue of the green pendant lights, tying them in and making the space feel refreshed. Try Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace to capture this feeling in your home.

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4

Light Blue, Black, and Yellow

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Cabinets painted in Farrow & Ball Light Blue plus Wayne Pate's vibrant Citron print fabric for Studio Four and floor tile in a Greek key motif make the kitchen of this old Delray Beach, Florida, bungalow by Chenault James a cheerful place to be.

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5

Deep Maroon

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Choose a kitchen color that will age like a fine wine along with the features and details around it. The deep maroon cabinets in this kitchen by Shavonda Gardner were chosen to pair with the copper pots and pans and the soapstone counter, as the hue will look just as beautiful and rich as the other surfaces begin to patina. Try Farrow & Ball Brinjal for a similar shade.

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6

Green and Blue

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Take this kitchen by Fran Keenan as proof that blue and green don’t have to skew beachy. She gave an English-inspired new build in Alabama an old soul by using warm tones. These kitchen colors look so welcoming—even the ivory walls have a touch of green in them. They’re painted in Benjamin Moore Abingdon Putty and the trim is in Benjamin Moore Aventurine.

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7

Bright Orange and Neon Green

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Kitchen color ideas don’t really get more unexpected than this, yet the two vibrant shades work together. Designer Shazalynn Cavin Winfrey made this otherwise dark kitchen more cheery and modern by using bold colors. The coffee bar is painted in Valspar Robust Orange, and the custom True refrigerators match built-ins in the breakfast room next door.

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8

Mint and Pastel Pink

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When you want to make your small kitchen feel larger, go for light colors. Laura W. Jenkins designed this cotton candy–esque space for clients who love color and needed a complete overhaul. She wanted to avoid an open concept, so she used these two pale colors to make the space appear more spacious without kocking down any walls. The cabinets seen here are painted in Farrow & Ball Teresa's Green, and the peachy tile is from Fireclay Tile.

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9

Hot Pink

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You know what they say: Go big or go home. That’s how we feel about bold paint colors. This hot pink pantry by Rebecca Bridges, founder of House of Drennan, is playful, warm, and perfect for a room that’s tucked away. If you want to use a bright kitchen color but don’t want it to overpower everything else, consider using it in a separate space like this one. Try Benjamin Moore Hot Lips for a similar shade of pink.

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10

Periwinkle Blue

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Melissa Colgan wanted these kitchen cabinets to evoke “well-worn jeans,” and we say she succeeded. The muted periwinkle paint looks charming with the dark wood and white tile. Benjamin Moore Riviera Azure has a similar laid-back quality.

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11

Sea Foam Green

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Capture the Palm Beach vibes of this home by Trish Becker with cabinetry painted in sea foam green. She used the color—Benjamin Moore Southfield Green—to tie the kitchen to the living room and give the spaces a resort-like feel.

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12

Blue on Blue

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Can't decide between two shades of blue paint? Choose both! Designer Whitney Parkinson makes the case for a two-tone color palette in House Beautiful's 2022 Whole Home. To copy the look exactly, paint your kitchen in De Nimes (trim), Light Blue (panels), and Blanc de Chine (walls).

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13

Blue and Tan

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In Delish's new, state-of-the-art test kitchen, bold blue built-in shelves pop against gray walls that blend into the countertop. The exact shade is Benjamin Moore Old Glory.

14

Butter Yellow

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Wanting to give her clients' San Diego home the Spanish Revival treatment (but with a utilitarian approach), designer Meta Coleman chose Farrow & Ball Sudbury Yellow to complement an antique wooden table and wicker baskets.

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15

Vermillion

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To brighten up even the most overcast day, Matthew Boland opted for a bold and vibrant shade of red-orange for this Florida kitchen's cabinetry. White walls and stainless steel appliances help temper the effect. Try Benjamin Moore Tomato Red for a similar look.

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16

Mauve and Gray

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Designer Celia Bryson chose a quiet but still impactful alternative to the traditional barn red this homeowner was originally considering. To get a similar effect, try Benjamin Moore Hodley Red.

17

Olive Green and Warm Wood

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Though designer Tammy Randall Wood is a believer in hiding appliances and other kitchen essentials behind closed doors, she also makes a strong case for allowing the enclosures to shine with a bold paint color that nods to nature. Try Valspar Satin Brisk Olive replicate this custom green.

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18

Black and Charcoal

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This kitchen by Heidi Caillier is separated only by an archway, so to create visual separation, 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. Farrow & Ball Pitch Black is a similar soft black.

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19

Icy Blue and White

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Heidi Caillier painted these cabinets in an icy blue and covered the brick in white to give this kitchen a brighter aesthetic. The brass hardware and fixtures speak to the gilt frame of the artwork hanging on the backsplash. Try Farrow & Ball Graupel for a similar shade.

20

Midnight Blue

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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: Kelly-Moore Paints After Midnight. Though it's a dark navy, it appears black in certain lighting. We like Farrow & Ball Railings for a similar effect.

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50 Unexpected Kitchen Color Ideas to Transform Your Space (2024)

FAQs

What color kitchen never goes out of style? ›

"White, black, browns, and grays have been historically integrated into both traditional and contemporary designs, proving that these colors are universally ageless."

What is the most appealing kitchen color? ›

When it comes to kitchens, white, gray, blue, red, yellow, and green really shine. Each of these shades can do something different for the room, but they all help create a warm and welcoming space. Warmer colors such as red are believed to stimulate the appetite and are an excellent option for kitchens.

How to make a kitchen quirky? ›

Here are a few examples of how to “quirk up your kitchen”. Bold and Vibrant Colors: Unique colour combinations are instant gratification. The colour choice of your kitchen cabinets really is down to the individual.

What kitchen colors make the kitchen look bigger? ›

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.

What colour should be avoided in the kitchen? ›

“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.

What backsplash won't go out of style? ›

Choose a classic backsplash

Subway tile is the most enduring choice for a backsplash. Avoid bold, trendy colors, and instead look for white or neutrals. Keep it simple, and bring in color elsewhere in the kitchen, with more easily replaced items, such as dish towels, art, bowls of fruit and rugs.

What is the new kitchen color for 2024? ›

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.

What color kitchen decreases home value? ›

According to the study, yellow kitchens will lower price while light blue and soft gray blue kitchens will increase the price (by $1,809 on average). In fact, the study found that in general throughout the house distinct colors like yellow and red will decrease the price although not as much as a total lack of color.

What is a happy color for a kitchen? ›

Yellow for Cheerfulness

All shades of yellow add a spring in your step, but we can't imagine a better way to start your day than in this cheerful kitchen that has cabinets painted in a saturated yellow.

How to make a kitchen look wow? ›

Combining different materials, finishes and styles will create an eye-catching kitchen that smoothly transitions into your living space. Materials like rough-hewn wood effect furniture combined with stone-inspired worktops will create a rustic, industrial-inspired feel, for example.

How can I make my kitchen stand out? ›

Adding a pop of color to your kitchen is an easy way to make it stand out. ​This could be as simple as adding colorful stools, decor, or wall color. ​Adding glass panel inserts into your cabinets will make a statement. ​They help change up the normal flow of the cabinets beautifully.

What is the most timeless color kitchen? ›

Light and white kitchens are timeless. They are here forever,” says Andi Morse, of Morse Design in Atlanta, Georgia. “If you go back in time you will see that white kitchens existed in the 1920s, 1950s, and up to now.”

What is the color of the year in 2024? ›

Pantone named Peach Fuzz (Pantone 13-1023) as its Color of the Year for 2024. The soft, heartfelt hue expresses the desire to nurture kindness, compassion, and connection—all while fostering a deep coziness as we seek a peaceful future.

What is the luckiest color for a 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.

What is the best color for a timeless kitchen? ›

1. Classic White Cabinets. White kitchen cabinets have long been hailed as a timeless kitchen cabinet colour. They offer a clean, fresh look that complements various design styles, from traditional to modern (check out my post on shaker-style cabinets if you're looking for traditional cabinet inspo).

What color kitchen will not date? ›

Stick to neutral colours with cupboard doors – while you may love bright, zingy colours right now, the appeal might have faded in a couple of years. White and light woods have stood the test of time and remain as popular now as 20 years ago.

What color kitchen has best resale value? ›

6. 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.

What is a timeless look for a kitchen? ›

What is Timeless Kitchen Design? Timeless refers to classic design choices that are simple, subtle, understated, and can adapt and withstand the ever-changing styles of interior design. “Light, white, and simple. Nothing over the top – something that will appeal to most people.” – Darien Wilson, Deslaurier Designer.

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