The Ultimate Kitchen Remodeling Guide
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The Ultimate Kitchen Remodeling Guide
White and gray marble background

 Williams Ridout

The Ultimate Guide

Introduction

19 Inspiring Kitchen Color Schemes

Written by
Deirdre Sullivan
Deirdre Sullivan is a feature writer who specializes in home improvement and interior design. Her career has taken her from an assistant editor at Elle magazine to a content creator for brands and publishers including Realtor.com, MTV Networks, and Bustle.
Learn about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Deirdre Sullivan
Updated 04/16/21
pewter kitchen

 Williams Ridout

Picking the best paint colors to use in your kitchen can get confusing. Some design experts say when it comes to home value, you should stick to neutral shades. But other designers promote bolder hues to add some personality to your space. If you don't plan on selling your home anytime soon, don't hesitate to design according to your personal tastes.

To help you pick the best kitchen color scheme, here are 19 designs to consider. And to ensure you pick up just enough paint for your project, see The Spruce's Paint Calculator below to help do the math.

  • 01 of 19

    Apple Green Kitchen

    apple green kitchen
    JAS Design Build

    Some bright kitchen colors are still timeless because of their retro appeal. An old favorite is apple green, as shown in this cooking space by JAS Design Build. The hue has a spring-like vibe that brings out the beauty of the wood flooring.

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  • 02 of 19

    Classic White Kitchen

    white modern farmhouse kitchen

    Holly Mathis Interiors

    If you are concerned about enduring style and resale value, a classic white kitchen will stand the test of time. To warm things up, add a few natural elements. In this white modern farmhouse kitchen by Holly Mathis Interiors, the wood shelving and rattan window shade add warmth and visual interest. And the gray kitchen island brings a little depth.

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  • 03 of 19

    Lemon Yellow Cabinets

    yellow modern farmhouse kitchen

    Alys Design

    We can't think of a happier hue than yellow. In this kitchen, the team at Alys Design used a lemony fresh version of the shade to brighten up vintage kitchen cabinets. Covering the walls and floors with pale wood balances the striking paint color.

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  • 04 of 19

    Cobalt Blue Cabinets

    navy blue kitchen
    Meriwether Inc

    Cobalt blue cabinetry punches up this cottage kitchen by Meriwether Inc. Even the fridge got a colorful boost with a custom painted cabinet panel. White subway tile and white walls balance the deep blue and keep the space from feeling too dark.

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  • 05 of 19

    Hunter Green Kitchen

    hunter green kitchen
    Black Lacquer Design

    Fall in love with hunter green in this gorgeous kitchen by Black Lacquer Design. Combining the earthy shade with gold fixtures and a white backsplash created a sophisticated cooking space that feels both warm and welcoming. The skylight and door help to prevent the space from becoming too dark.

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  • 06 of 19

    Painted Kitchen Island

    colorful kitchen with orange island
    Vidal Design Collaborative

    A kitchen island painted in a vibrant shade perks up this traditional white kitchen by Vidal Design Collaborative. The colorful island beautifully matches the geometric tile backsplash. Yet the color isn't overwhelming in the space because it's used sparingly.

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  • 07 of 19

    Green and Blue Kitchen

    blue and green kitchen ideas
    Brett Mickan Interior Design

    Green is both a timeless and soothing hue that can make any space in your abode feel more inviting. In this cooking space by Brett Mickan Interior Design, a rich green on the walls perfectly complements a green-blue shade on the lower cabinetry. White upper cabinets and white trim help the colors to pop.

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  • 08 of 19

    Mustard Yellow Kitchen

    butter yellow kitchen

    JAS Design Build

    If you crave color in your kitchen, behold this mustard yellow kitchen by JAS Design Build. The yellow plays well off the wood top of the island. And the white walls and backsplash, along with the pale blue-gray island, prevent the yellow from being too overwhelming.

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  • 09 of 19

    Mint Green Kitchen

    pale green kitchen cabinets

    Sojournal

    The warm wood countertops in this cooking space from Sojournal work beautifully with the mint green cabinetry. In fact, the cabinet color is so subtle that it almost could be considered a neutral shade. Yet it still adds some personality and style to the kitchen.

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  • 10 of 19

    Black Kitchen

    Kitchen with pitch black wall
    The Vawdrey House

    Dark walls can add drama to a kitchen, especially when combined with light accents. The white dishes pop against the black wall and shelving in this cooking space by The Vawdrey House. And the light island, along with the large window and skylight, prevent the space from being too dark.

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  • 11 of 19

    Sea Glass Green Kitchen

    Kitchen with mint cabinets
    Black Lacquer Design

    You can have a light and bright kitchen and still play with some color too. In this kitchen by Black Lacquer Design, the sea glass green cabinetry adds the perfect amount of subtle color. Yet the kitchen still remains bright and neutral, allowing the floor to pop.

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  • 12 of 19

    Purple Kitchen

    purple kitchen cabinets
    Lewis Alderson

    If you want to get a little bold in your kitchen, purple could be the perfect choice. The color steals the show in this cooking space by Lewis Alderson. The striking hue contrasts beautifully with the light brown walls, wood cabinetry, and navy floor tile.

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  • 13 of 19

    Olive Green Kitchen

    army green kitchen with wood accents
    Williams Ridout

    This custom kitchen by Williams Ridout combines wood and olive green cabinetry for an overall natural vibe. For contrast, the sparkly backsplash and stainless steel countertops bring some shine and help to reflect light in the space. This prevents the kitchen from feeling too much like a dark forest.

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  • 14 of 19

    Teal Kitchen

    teal kitchen
    Devol Kitchens

    Teal can be paired with both cool and warm tones. It goes well with crisp white kitchen cabinets or countertops, as well as with warm wood tones. In this quirky cooking space by Devol Kitchens, the hue pops against the black-and-white backsplash and the warm brown wood table.

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  • 15 of 19

    Muted Hues

    Dove gray kitchen

    JAS Design Build

    Create the tranquil kitchen of your dreams by painting your cabinets a soothing shade of light blue-gray. When building this cooking space for a family of foodies, JAS Design Build selected a hue called Tidewater for its calming effects. It looks crisp against the white backsplash, and the wood trim and island top add some warmth.

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  • 16 of 19

    Turquoise Kitchen

    Turquoise kitchen cabinets and walls
    Chad McPhail Design

    Paint can perk up an old kitchen without the hassle or expense that comes with remodeling. Case in point: this cooking space in a Brooklyn apartment decorated by Chad McPhail Design. A fresh lick of turquoise enlivened the walls and cabinetry without the designer having to gut the whole space. 

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  • 17 of 19

    Painted Ceiling

    yellow kitchen ceiling
    Tara Seawright Interior Design

    Add an unexpected burst of a bright color to your cooking space with ceiling paint. Gel paint, which drips less than other types of interior paint, brightened the ceiling in this white kitchen by Tara Seawright Interior Design. The space still feels relatively neutral but has some unique personality.

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  • 18 of 19

    Matte Paint

    kitchen cabinets in turquoise matte paint
    To Do Something

    When painting kitchen cabinets, consider this tip from the design team at To Do Something: If you are looking to hide dings and other defects, use a flat matte paint. Unlike glossy options, it makes surface imperfections less noticeable because it does not reflect as much light.

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  • 19 of 19

    Colorful Appliances

    kitchen with red fridge
    Williams Ridout

    This kitchen by Williams Ridout combines neutral paint colors with a bold red fridge to create a space brimming with style. The shades of gray and white around the room prevent the red from being too overwhelming. And the matching red espresso machine, as well as the artwork, help to draw the color around the space.