Kitchen Paint Colors: Ideas Beyond White

Kitchen paint colors can range from deep reds and rich blues to mellow yellows — and even black. Starting the morning in a room with color can make it feel like more than just a neutral space.

Not every homeowner wants to take a risk with a colorful kitchen. For those feeling more daring, remember that wall paint is not permanent; it is one of the easier finishes to change later.

Color Schemes for the Kitchen

An all-white or neutral kitchen is a safe choice, but not everyone loves light colors — and very light walls can be harder to keep looking clean in a busy kitchen. Color is not just for living rooms and bedrooms, so the kitchen can be a good place to experiment. The right kitchen color suits your personality and your décor.

Start With What Stays

Kitchen walls are a small part of a room dominated by cabinets, countertops, backsplash, flooring and appliances. Those fixed elements should guide the wall color. Natural light matters too: north-facing kitchens tend to read cooler, sunny ones warmer, and under-cabinet and overhead lighting change colors again at night. The named colors below were featured in our original article; treat them as examples to sample, not as universal picks.

Red in the Kitchen

Red is strong and warm. It is also one of the trickiest wall colors, especially in a kitchen full of mixed materials. Deep, muted reds such as burgundy or maroon work well with dark appliances or a black countertop. Brighter reds such as tomato make white or washed wood cabinets stand out. Before painting the whole kitchen red, test several samples. Examples to sample: Roycroft Copper Red and Sherwin-Williams Positive Red.

Green Kitchens

Green can feel youthful and energetic, or calm and restful, depending on its shade and undertone. For a burst of color, chartreuse or lime can liven up a sterile kitchen; they pair well with orange- or red-toned woods such as cherry or red oak. Mint or olive green is easy on the eyes and a safe choice for just a hint of color. Emerald green is less common on kitchen walls; it pairs well with white cabinets and marble counters for a modern-retro look. Examples to sample: Sherwin-Williams Pewter Green and Acacia Haze.

Blue in the Kitchen

Many people find blue calming, and it works with a wide range of kitchen materials and finishes.

• Navy is a sophisticated, almost-neutral shade that makes white and shiny elements stand out.
• Cobalt is harder to pull off, but like navy it contrasts beautifully with white and warm tones and suits a Mediterranean-inspired kitchen; copper or gold hardware adds a rich touch.
• Lighter blues — soft mist, aqua or turquoise — make a kitchen feel bright and airy, work with both white and dark elements and help warm-colored furnishings stand out.

Examples to sample: Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue and Bird's Egg.

Pink in the Kitchen

How you use pink determines whether it reads playful or sophisticated. Hot pink can energize an all-white kitchen or serve as a surprise accent in a traditional one. A softer blush pairs well with warm woods and neutrals, and modern fixtures and finishes keep pale pink from looking dated. Examples to sample: Sherwin-Williams Exuberant Pink and Benjamin Moore Pensacola Pink.

Orange and Yellow

For bright, happy colors, orange and yellow are natural choices. They can go wrong, but used well they add zest. Orange can look dated in some traditional kitchens yet feel fresh in a modern one; it pairs with warm woods such as cherry, and it is often best tried as an accent before committing a whole room.

Yellow also takes some getting used to, but it comes in many kitchen-friendly shades: mellow pastels, bright lemon and mustard, which makes a good backdrop for blue and red accessories. Yellow also works well with rustic brick and oak cabinets. Examples to sample: Sherwin-Williams Lemon Twist and Benjamin Moore Spicy Jeweled Peach.

Gray in the Kitchen

Gray is widely used in living rooms, bedrooms and baths but is sometimes overlooked on kitchen walls. If you have colorful appliances or finishes you want to highlight, gray makes a good backdrop. It works in light or dark shades and suits both traditional and modern kitchens — just watch its undertone against your cabinets and counters. Examples to sample: Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron and Bunny Gray.

Black in the Kitchen

Black is probably the most daring kitchen wall color. It can absorb light and make a space feel cramped, but used well it looks elegant. Plenty of windows, skylights or a tall ceiling help balance it. Without those, pairing black with neutrals and reflective surfaces and good lighting can still keep the kitchen from feeling dark. Examples to sample: Benjamin Moore Blackberry and Sherwin-Williams Caviar.

Choosing Your Kitchen Color

The kitchen is often the first room you walk into in the morning. Do you want to be greeted by soft, muted colors or a fresh splash of color? White kitchens will always have a place, but a colorful kitchen can be just as livable when the color works with the fixed materials around it.

If you are planning a larger kitchen update, our kitchen remodeling team can help coordinate wall color with cabinets, countertops and other selections.