Whether renovating or building new, choosing appealing kitchen and bath colors sets the tone for the whole space. Color schemes for kitchen cabinetry, walls, and accents create an energizing or relaxing mood while introducing personal style. From elegant whites to nature-infused greens, get inspired by some of the most popular kitchen color concepts.
Classic White Kitchens
Going all-white walls makes kitchens feel open and airy thanks to light reflectivity. The versatility of a white palette also keeps the look timelessly elegant across any style of kitchen remodel – modern, traditional, cottage, or contemporary.
Tips for All-White Kitchens
Mix natural light wood accents and open shelving against crisp cabinet whites The secret for keeping all-white kitchens feeling bright rather than sterile is incorporating natural wood accents to add warmth. Light-stained oak or birch open shelves, butcher block islands, and seating nooks infuse organic texture against the clean white cabinetry.
Incorporate black hardware and light fixtures for chic contrast For a modern luxe edge, pair pristine white cabinetry with jet-black metal hardware fixtures. Black iron knobs, cup pulls, drawer handles, and rail accents pop boldly. Contrast also comes from pendant lamps and track lighting mixing black and brass finishes.
Add pops of color through a tile backsplash, window curtains, or a colorful refrigerator. Vivid splashes of color keep all-white kitchens playful. Sapphire blue or citrus yellow tile backsplashes frame the cooking zone vibrantly. Lemon-yellow window curtains filter sunshine beautifully. Undercounter-mounted flat refrigerators in ruby red or emerald green inject retro personality.
According to Elle Decor, the combination of white kitchen cabinetry, light walls, and grey quartz countertops creates a harmonious yet vibrant space.
The Cozy Charm of Country Kitchen Cabinets
From antique-inspired fixtures to rich wood cabinetry, country kitchen designs exude quaint charm. Mustard yellows, sky blues, and Robin’s egg hues keep the mood uplifted.
Try These Country Kitchen Cabinet Paint Color Concepts:
Robin’s egg blue lower cabinets with white uppers
Buttery yellow walls with white trim
Sage green cabinets with brick red range hood
As Good Housekeeping mentions, country kitchens allow you to create a cozy, eclectic look through mismatched painted cabinets or locally crafted tile backsplashes in cheery hues.
Color Spotlight: Dark Green Kitchens
Green may seem unexpected for kitchen cabinetry but it brings nature’s peaceful hues indoors. From deep emerald cabinet fronts to light seafoam back panels, green kitchens cultivate an earthy yet energizing ambiance.
Green Kitchen Inspiration
Dark forest green cabinets with bronze hardware For dramatic impact, rich forest or hunter green stained cabinets make a bold statement offset by bronze drawer pulls or pendant lights. As Good Housekeeping’s style editor suggests, dark green cabinetry works best against light granite or quartz counters in warm beige tones. Adding a splash of brightness through a lemon-yellow mixer or fruit bowl keeps the mood upbeat.
Light green glass front uppers against white lower Soft green retro glass front doors on wall cabinets refract light beautifully over crisp white lower slab cabinets for dimension. Use durably tempered rolled-textured glass. For variation, the green upper cabinets could also be open shelving displaying glassware.
Neutral backsplash tiles with green undertones Natural stone mosaic tiles in hues like jade, serpentine, or malachite inject organic texture and bring out green kitchen cabinet tones vibrantly. As Elle Decor notes, blending tiny backsplash tiles in varying neutral greens, creams, and grey-browns achieves depth. Alternate gloss and matte tiles for added light play. Their muted green echoes cabinet fronts without overwhelming.
Part of Hearst Digital Media, House Beautiful notes green kitchen color schemes pairing crisp white perimeter cabinetry with an emerald-colored kitchen island makes a striking style statement.
The Cool Elegance of Blue Kitchens
From powder blue to navy, blue kitchen cabinets project colors both crisp and elegant depending on the shade. Matching range hoods and kitchen islands in similar blues cultivates a soothing, cohesive look.
Blue Kitchen Color Concepts
Navy blue perimeter cabinets, waterfall island, and brass accents For nautical edge, rich navy blue stained cabinets champagne bronze hardware, and a curved quartz waterfall island echo ocean wave motifs. Brushed brass pulls, knobs, and a matching Sputnik pendant light further the modern yacht vibe.
Robin’s egg blue lower cabinets, white uppers, and displays Playful pastel Robin’s egg blue lower cabinets balanced by bright white uppers keep the mood light and cottage-style. Crisp white open shelves show off pretty floral porcelain or rustic pottery.
Coastal-inspired paint treatment mixing soft cloud blue lowers with white-washed, reclaimed wood uppers Hazy cloud blue painted base cabinets with lightly whitewashed recycled wood doors on uppers conveys casual beach house style beautifully according to designers at Beach House Decor. The contrasting yet coordinated tones harmonize as the cloud of blue caresses whitewashing. Add accents like rope trim, seashell pulls, or starfish knobs. Open shelves stacked with colorful enamelware enhance the breezy charm.
According to the design experts at HGTV, accenting all-white kitchens with a pop of vivid sapphire blue via an accent wall or statement vent hood ties the whole modern scheme together stylishly.
Color Spotlight: Warm and Inviting Brown Kitchens
Bringing a natural, organic feel indoors, the warm hues of brown make kitchen spaces feel comfortably lived-in. Matte chestnut cabinets or chocolate-glazed finishes let the subtle depth of the wood grains shine through beautifully.
Brown Kitchen Inspiration
Espresso-stained cabinets with oil-rubbed bronze fixtures Rich espresso-stained base cabinets pair beautifully with hammered bronze pendants, drawer pulls, and lever-style faucets. Light beige quartz countertops prevent the deeper cabinet tones from feeling too overwhelming while bronze accents make materials harmonize.
Modern matte brown perimeter cabinets with light quartz waterfall island Mid-tone cocoa brown ultra matte Thermofoil cabinets with sleek hidden handles provide a contemporary perimeter frame to a curved white quartz waterfall island. The matte chocolate brown cabinetry feels warm rather than stark against the light stone.
Painted light brown cabinets against brick walls Adorning weathered original brick walls with creamy milk chocolate painted cabinets adds modern polish to an industrial edge in this kitchen. The soft pale brown cabinet paint allows the rugged brick textures to still shine as a focal point while the parallel tones cohesively connect.
As noted by Better Homes and Gardens, pairing rich brown cabinetry with brass hardware and fixtures brings out the wood tones for an elegantly welcoming kitchen space.
The Subtle Sophistication of Gray Kitchens
Grey kitchen designs straddle the line between neutral and bold elegantly. Cool, charcoal cabinets or naturally weathered wood finishes contrast beautifully against bright marble counters and polished chrome accents.
Gray Kitchen Color Ideas
Charcoal-stained oak cabinets with white quartz counters Smokey charcoal-hued stained oak cabinets make a sophisticated statement balanced by bright white Fantasy quartz stone surfaces. Brushed nickel bar pulls and pendant cylinders continue the sleek modern interplay.
Painted slate grey perimeter cabinets with neutral tile backsplash Dark gray lowers grounded by a backsplash mixing ceramic bricks in lighter warm greys, taupes, and cream tones channels rustic urban edge according to designers. The color variance adds depth to the dense matte slate cabinet set.
Whitewashed reclaimed wood island against concrete grey walls A whitewashed oak reclaimed wood kitchen island ebbs the seriousness of charcoal-painted walls. Designers indicate the gray wood island feels rescued and add a needed touch of warmth against the deeper dramatic background.
Benjamin Moore’s team of color experts indicate grey and white kitchen schemes with varied textures have mass appeal for their versatility suiting farmhouse rustic or modern minimalist styles equally.
Color Spotlight: Vibrant Yellow Kitchen Palettes
Nothing perks up a kitchen like sunny yellow cabinets or walls. Paired with white trim, yellow kitchens channel cottage charm. Boost brightness with reflective surfaces.
Yellow Kitchen Inspiration
Canary yellow perimeter cabinetry against light pine wood counters Vibrant canary yellow lacquered perimeter cabinets pop brightly against natural blonde pine butcher block countertops and island according to designers. The light tonal wood counters prevent the saturated yellow from becoming overwhelming.
Pale lemon walls and backsplash tiles, white cabinetry Soft sunlight yellow walls harmonize with embossed ceramic lemon peel tile backsplash adding citrus warmth behind clean white shaker cabinets. The pale neutral yellow everywhere lifts without stealing focus.
Vintage-inspired pastel yellow lower cabinets, Robin’s egg blue uppers Alternating retro pastel yellow lower slab cabinets with Robin’s egg blue uppers channels 1950s charm. Matching yellow cafe curtains filter incoming daylight beautifully tying the whole quirky color scheme together.
As Good Housekeeping magazine’s style editors remind us, vivid yellow kitchens feel happier thanks to the cheery color resonating light optimism. Tiny kitchens can borrow this effect through just yellow window valences.
The Sophistication of Black Kitchens
Once considered too bold, black kitchen cabinets and fixtures bring a sleek, modern elegance to contemporary spaces. Matte black perimeter cabinets contrast beautifully against light marble counters and polished metal chrome fixtures for neo-traditional refinement.
Black Kitchen Inspiration
Matte black cabinets with bronze hardware accents Rich ultra matte black cabinets pop against hammered bronze cup pulls and pendant lights for sophisticated allure according to designers. Their tips indicate combining the matte-painted shade called “Carbon” with lighter counters prevents gloom.
Black stained oak cabinets, white quartz counters Smoky black-stained oak cabinets drama stands beautifully against crisp white Fantasy quartz stone surfaces. Edge-to-edge hidden door hinges continue clean sightlines.
Soft-close black cabinets with hidden handles for seamless lines Sleek high-gloss black lacquer cabinets close whisper-soft with integrated finger groove pulls according to manufacturers. The seamless cabinet fronts project a refined modernist style.
As designers from HGTV explain, the trick for making black kitchen cabinets feel warm rather than cold is balancing them with light walls, pendant lamps, and touches of wood tones.
Color Spotlight: Pink Kitchen Palettes
Long relegated just to little girls’ rooms, blush, rose, and peony pink kitchen designs channel vintage 1950s influences in a playful fashion. Brighter fuchsia fronts add tropical punch on accent walls or cabinets.
Pink Kitchen Color Ideas
Soft pink lower cabinets against white uppers Blush pink base cabinets spark femininity grounded by crisp white uppers with visible thick framing according to designers. The soft yet saturated rosé tone emits cheerful vibes.
Metallic rose gold hardware with creamy cabinets Warm antique brass and copper pulls elicit romantic flare against soft floral lace-patterned thermofoil creamy cabinetry. Mixing metal finishes adds depth.
Marble tile backsplash blending grey veins and pale pinks Carrara marble mosaic backsplash with faint blush veining mirrors the undertones of Strawberry gumball pink perimeter cabinets beautifully according to designers. The backsplash shades prevent overwhelming sweetness.
As Katie Marker, Design Director for Wellborn Cabinet remarks, pairing airy pink cabinet colors with marble counters and brass fixture trims crafts a distinctly feminine yet timeless kitchen look.
Bottomline
Updating worn kitchen cabinetry or implementing a brand-new color scheme both require thoughtful color combinations that enhance the space. Study how different paints or stains look against countertops, floors, and lighting. Repainting just lower or upper cabinets also updates the look affordably. Ultimately choose a personalized color palette that energizes your cooking space!
