Choose the Best Kitchen Color for Your Style

Whether you're renovating your dated kitchen or designing a new one from scratch, choosing the right color palette is one of the most important decisions.

The colors you select for your cabinets, walls, counters, and accents will set the overall mood and style of your kitchen. From cool and airy to warm and cozy, the colors should reflect your personality while also making the space as functional as possible.

Most Popular Kitchen Color Trends

If you're stumped on where to begin, consider these most popular kitchen color ideas that designers love.

Classic White

It's no surprise white remains one of the top kitchen colors. The crisp, clean look of white cabinets makes any size kitchen appear larger and brighter. White is timeless and pairs well with any style from modern to traditional vintage.

The risk with an all-white kitchen is appearing too sterile and cold. Be sure to add in metals, wood tones, and pops of color for contrast.

Sophisticated Gray

For a slightly warmer alternative to white, gray is another top choice. The many shades of gray from light dove to deep charcoal provide a versatile neutral backdrop.

Cool grays have an urban modern vibe, while greige tones (a blend of gray and beige) are cozy and elegant. Use gray on cabinets, walls or accessories for an unfussy, relaxed mood.

Cool Blue

From powder blue to navy, blue is a ubiquitous kitchen color. It conjures up feelings of tranquility and calm with a coastal appeal.

Lighter robin's egg blue is playful for a cottage kitchen. Deeper navy blue makes a dramatic, moody statement. Keep in mind, bold blues can potentially make a small kitchen appear more cramped.

Cheery Yellow

Yellow is having its moment again for kitchens. The sunny hue provides an uplifting, energizing vibe. Use a soft buttercream or lemon yellow for a warm, welcoming look.

Take care not to go too bright or traffic sign yellow. And stick to small doses of this stimulating shade unless you want an overly energetic kitchen!

Factor Your Style Into the Equation

Beyond choosing the trendiest kitchen colors, it’s wise to select a color scheme that complements your interior design style.

Modern

For contemporary kitchens, combine crisp whites, medium to dark gray tones, and pops of bright accent colors like orange or chartreuse. Glass cabinetry, high-gloss finishes, and metallic accents enhance the sleek modern aesthetic.

Rustic Farmhouse

Channel the charming farmhouse style with soft whites, warm antique beiges, sage greens, and cream colors. Unpainted wood open shelving, ceramic apothecary knobs, and distressed wood cutting boards accentuate the vintage charm.

Traditional

Traditional kitchens do best with timeless, unfussy color palettes. Think warm antique whites, classic beiges, soft French creams, and moody navy for an elegant, familiar look. Unadorned wood cabinetry and marble or granite countertops keep the look seamlessly chic.

Cottage

For a playful cottage kitchen, embrace cheery pastels like buttery yellow, robin’s egg blue, and spring green. Vintage painted cabinets, woven baskets, and distressed wood accents play up the charm. Chalky painted finishes provide a well-loved patina.

Choose Colors Strategically

Beyond selecting an overall kitchen color scheme, you can use color strategically throughout the space.

Cabinets

Stick to versatile neutral cabinet colors if resale value is important. For a playful custom look, choose a vibrant hue like emerald or orange to make a bold statement. Keep in mind dark cabinet colors can make a kitchen appear smaller.

Walls

Use light paint tints on walls to keep the kitchen looking bright and spacious. Consider rich shades like navy blue on accent walls to create an intimate, moody dining area without closing in the whole space.

Backsplash

The backsplash is the perfect place to add pops of color and interest through materials like handmade tiles or glass mosaics. Coordinate the tones with your cabinets and counters. Mix patterns, textures and complementary colors for extra flair.

Accents

Consider painting the inside of glass cabinet doors an electric blue or citrus orange for fun. Boldly colored appliances like a fire engine red mixer or retro mint fridge also add playful personality. Just be sure to coordinate accent colors for a polished look.

Additional Color Considerations

Don’t forget to factor in other elements that impact your kitchen’s color palette.

Lighting makes a big difference in how you perceive color. Opt for a mix of lighting like pendants, under cabinet lighting and recessed cans for true color integrity throughout the day.

Purchase sample sized paint pots to test swatches of your top color choices on the actual walls before fully committing to a shade.

Factor in counters, floors, and hardware finishes to ensure your complete kitchen scheme aligns. Natural stone or wood counters may shift a color one way, while cool metal hardware adds contrast.

And of course, select colors that make you happy! While white and gray suit a wide range of styles, opt for your favorite hue if it energizes your cooking sanctuary.

At the end of the day, there is no single “best” kitchen color. The key is thoughtfully choosing colors that reflect your personality and enhance how you cook, entertain and live.

While white and gray remain safe neutral bets, don’t be afraid to get creative and embrace bolder shades like sage green or navy blue to keep your kitchen feeling fresh. Proper planning and hands-on paint sampling will ensure your color scheme comes together beautifully.

With strategic use of color from cabinets, to walls, counters and accents, you can create a kitchen that looks tailored, stylish and uniquely you.