Colour is one of the most vital considerations when creating our dream kitchen, influencing every conceivable aspect of design, from flooring, to cabinets and countertops. In the past few years, Google searches for ‘what colour to paint my kitchen’ have increased significantly, as we consider kitchen renovation a priority.
Search data analysis has revealed which kitchen colours are forecast to be most popular in 2024, and the results feature some timeless classics, as well as a few surprises.
In first place is the perennially popular green kitchen, a well-deserved placement given its versatility and adaptability. Further down the list, we find more adventurous choices, with red, pink and yellow all appearing in the top ten.
The top 12 most popular kitchen colours of 2024:
- Green
- Black
- Blue
- Grey
- White
- Navy
- Pink
- Cream
- Yellow
- Red
- Light blue
- Brown
Rather surprising is the popularity of black kitchens. “Dark and dramatic black paint finishes have a way of adding ambience and sophistication to a kitchen. An entirely black kitchen can be beautifully impactful, but can be used in more nuanced ways to change the feel of the space," says Tom Howley, Design Director of the eponymous kitchen company.
"Used on the main run of base and wall cabinetry, black can look luxurious and majestic with a timeless, intimate appeal. If you’re not feeling as brave, why not opt for a statement black island counter, or maybe black accessories like taps and handles?”
Pink kitchens – a trend on the rise – came in seventh place. "An elegant, more playful alternative to grey it creates incredible warmth and an alluring appeal to a kitchen," says Tom. "Pink may divide opinion; however, over the past few years, this versatile shade has boomed in popularity."
Read on for our take on the most popular kitchen colours of 2024...
Top kitchen paint colours
1
Green
"From deeper forest and olive shades to the more subtle tones of eucalyptus and sage, the versatility of the green hue is, in part, what makes it the go-to palette in today’s modern kitchen," says Jen Nash, Senior Design Lead at Magnet.
"Combining associations with nature and an evocativeness of balance, growth, renewal and harmony, green is a refreshing colour that allows the hardest working room in the home to feel both invigorated and calm in equal measure."
2
Black
A well executed black kitchen is clean and fuss-free, and invites a number of options for complimentary colour combinations and feature metalwork.
Bold and moody in expression, if a little tricky to get right, black kitchens are most impactful when you have floods of natural light to brighten darker cabinetry.
3
Blue
A more forgiving shade than all black, inky blues are usually paired with light woods and creamy countertops to offset any heaviness that comes with a wash of dark colour. Greener variations like a teal or sapphire introduce richer undertones that highlight brass or gold metalwork.
Pictured: Bespoke kitchen at Plain English
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4
Grey
One of the more sophisticated shades for a kitchen, suitable for traditional kitchens, with matt charcoal cabinetry and warm wooden surfaces, or more modern and industrial styles with clean lines and slick metalwork. And it forms a brilliant base for an abundance of colour, from pale blue to rich burgundy.
5
White
A pristine white kitchen can look like it has been lifted from the pages of a glossy magazine.
Light and airy, this infinitely versatile shade invites a minimalist design scheme full of clean lines and sleek cabinetry, whilst a warmer off-white can be complimented with natural woods, marble, and a plethora of accessories.
Pictured: The Real Shaker Kitchen at deVOL
6
Navy
The deepest blue on our list. Navy is a handsome colour for a kitchen and works particularly well on shaker cabinets over the flatter slab cabinets, because their recessed panels allow for some brightening highlights and shadows. Pair with marble for a truly failsafe combination in country kitchens.
Pictured: Country Living Whitstable kitchen at Homebase
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7
Pink
Pink kitchens require a keen eye to avoid an overly saccharine outcome. Rich or chalky shades of pink can be a sophisticated choice, especially when used on shaker cabinets. And as you can see in this fabulous Farrow & Ball kitchen, pink makes a great pairing with deep blues and brass.
Pictured: Sulking Room Pink at Farrow & Ball
8
Cream
Classic cream was not as highly sought-after as one might expect, despite being the picture of versatility. A more forgiving shade than pure white, cream has warmer undertones that invite rich metallics (the hanging copper pots and hardware here are a wonderful choice,) along with red or yellow woods.
"Neutrals can achieve the perfect balance of light and space in the kitchen," says Tom. "The key with a neutral kitchen is to pair cabinetry with contrasting walls and textural elements. This will give the design an edge and create appealing visual interest."
Pictured: Bespoke Shaker Kitchen at deVOL
9
Yellow
A joyful choice making it into the top 12 most popular kitchen colours for 2024. A soft and sunny yolky yellow brightens up a room and provides a deceptively versatile base for highlights of primary blue, a rich aubergine, sky blue, and even burnt orange.
Pictured: Bespoke kitchen at Plain English
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10
Red
Red is a great choice to uplift darker rooms without much natural light. Combining red cabinetry or even red walls with raw materials, like natural woods and stone, offsets any risk of your reds appearing too bright or garish.
Pictured: Kitchen by Plain English
11
Light blue
The softest blue on our list and one of our favourites. This is a classic country kitchen palette – a pale cornflower blue, crisp whites and touch of warm wood. Another match here would be small pops of cheerful buttercup yellow.
Pictured: Kitchen by British Standard Cupboards
12
Brown
A rich and warming shade in twelfth place. It can be relatively easy to mix browns as long as you have some uniformity in your finishes – keep your lacquered woods and rougher raw finishes separate. A bright white wall or the milky white of marble usually makes a great companion.
Rachel Edwards
Style & Interiors Editor
Rachel Edwards is the Style & Interiors Editor for Country Living and House Beautiful, covering all things design and decoration, with a special interest in small space inspiration, vintage and antique shopping, and anything colour related. Her work has been extensively translated by Elle Japan and Elle Decor Spain. Rachel has spent over a decade in the furniture and homeware industry as a writer, FF&E designer, and for many years as Marketing Manager at cult design retailer, Skandium. She has a BA in French and Italian from Royal Holloway and an MA in Jounalism from Kingston University. Follow Rachel on Instagram @rachelaed
