What Colour Should I Paint My Kitchen Cabinets?
Can’t settle on a favourite shade? Take a look at these gorgeous rooms to help you decide
Amanda Pollard
15 May 2023
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
The colour of your kitchen cabinets will have a huge effect on the look and feel of the whole room, and could be the keystone of your entire kitchen design. With that in mind, how do you decide which shade to go for? As part of our Kitchen Planning guide, take a look at these stylish spaces to find inspiration for your kitchen redesign.
Also in this series: What Colour Should I Paint My Living Room? | What Colour Should I Paint My Hallway? | What Colour Should I Paint My Bedroom? | What Colour Should I Paint My Front Door?
Beginning your kitchen project? Read How to Start a Kitchen Renovation
Also in this series: What Colour Should I Paint My Living Room? | What Colour Should I Paint My Hallway? | What Colour Should I Paint My Bedroom? | What Colour Should I Paint My Front Door?
Beginning your kitchen project? Read How to Start a Kitchen Renovation
Say yes to sunny yellow
It’s a bold choice but, if you’re brave enough, a yellow kitchen can look stunning. It works well in this 1960s house, with its flat, midcentury-style units, and is set off beautifully by the bright white worktops. The patterned tiles help bring the whole look together.
With an energising shade like this, the key is to keep the rest of the room uncluttered and calm. That means storage is crucial.
More: 24 Brilliantly Bold Yellow Kitchens
It’s a bold choice but, if you’re brave enough, a yellow kitchen can look stunning. It works well in this 1960s house, with its flat, midcentury-style units, and is set off beautifully by the bright white worktops. The patterned tiles help bring the whole look together.
With an energising shade like this, the key is to keep the rest of the room uncluttered and calm. That means storage is crucial.
More: 24 Brilliantly Bold Yellow Kitchens
Go for elegant dark green
Green in all its various hues is hugely popular right now. If you’re after a sophisticated scheme, dark green could be for you. This heritage-style kitchen, with its classic joinery, has been given a modern edge thanks to the dramatic bottle green shade.
The designers have contrasted the matt units with a glossy white worktop, and elements of metal, wood and rattan give the space a touch of industrial chic.
Green in all its various hues is hugely popular right now. If you’re after a sophisticated scheme, dark green could be for you. This heritage-style kitchen, with its classic joinery, has been given a modern edge thanks to the dramatic bottle green shade.
The designers have contrasted the matt units with a glossy white worktop, and elements of metal, wood and rattan give the space a touch of industrial chic.
Try a modern shade of grey
The beauty of this dark lead grey is that it goes with everything. It works well here with the red fridge-freezer and smaller red accents, but would look equally good teamed with soft pastel shades.
This chameleon colour also lends itself to all types of styles – from retro to contemporary to country. The sloping roof of this kitchen could have made the room feel boxed in, but the decision to only use grey on the base units, and not on the wall cabinets, makes it look more spacious.
The beauty of this dark lead grey is that it goes with everything. It works well here with the red fridge-freezer and smaller red accents, but would look equally good teamed with soft pastel shades.
This chameleon colour also lends itself to all types of styles – from retro to contemporary to country. The sloping roof of this kitchen could have made the room feel boxed in, but the decision to only use grey on the base units, and not on the wall cabinets, makes it look more spacious.
Opt for timeless grey
A classic choice for your kitchen cabinets is a pale shade of grey. A colour like this is also a great option if you don’t want to overwhelm a space, but crave something more inviting than brilliant white.
If you’re worried it might feel bland, layer up different greys as the designers have done here. They’ve chosen a very pale hue for the outer cabinets and a slightly darker one for the island, which gives an added depth to the room.
Ready to hire? Find local kitchen designers on Houzz, browse their past projects and read reviews from previous clients.
A classic choice for your kitchen cabinets is a pale shade of grey. A colour like this is also a great option if you don’t want to overwhelm a space, but crave something more inviting than brilliant white.
If you’re worried it might feel bland, layer up different greys as the designers have done here. They’ve chosen a very pale hue for the outer cabinets and a slightly darker one for the island, which gives an added depth to the room.
Ready to hire? Find local kitchen designers on Houzz, browse their past projects and read reviews from previous clients.
Keep calm with powder blue
Pale blue is another option if you’re looking for a colour that doesn’t overpower a space. Here, the pretty units evoke a wonderfully peaceful feel and work well with the warm tones of the wooden worktop. And the simple tongue-and-groove splashback helps the pale blue to shine.
Powder blue is also a good choice for a small room, as it helps to create a feeling of space.
Pale blue is another option if you’re looking for a colour that doesn’t overpower a space. Here, the pretty units evoke a wonderfully peaceful feel and work well with the warm tones of the wooden worktop. And the simple tongue-and-groove splashback helps the pale blue to shine.
Powder blue is also a good choice for a small room, as it helps to create a feeling of space.
Be cool with dark blue
Fancy something on-trend but elegant, too? Try inky blue. This sumptuous and, yes, sexy shade may be all the rage, but it’s also a classic.
Give this statement colour a chance to stand out by teaming it with white walls. Add in a marble worktop for full-on luxe and the blue will help to bring out the dark veining in the stone.
More: 5 Worktops that Look Beautiful with a Dark Blue Kitchen
Fancy something on-trend but elegant, too? Try inky blue. This sumptuous and, yes, sexy shade may be all the rage, but it’s also a classic.
Give this statement colour a chance to stand out by teaming it with white walls. Add in a marble worktop for full-on luxe and the blue will help to bring out the dark veining in the stone.
More: 5 Worktops that Look Beautiful with a Dark Blue Kitchen
Bring in a bright blue
A blast of bright blue is truly invigorating. Keep it on the classic side by opting for a royal blue. Of course, you don’t have to go the whole hog like the owners have done here. Instead, dip your toe in by just painting the island or pairing blue base units with white wall cabinets.
A blast of bright blue is truly invigorating. Keep it on the classic side by opting for a royal blue. Of course, you don’t have to go the whole hog like the owners have done here. Instead, dip your toe in by just painting the island or pairing blue base units with white wall cabinets.
Stay fresh with duck egg
This one is for all the pastel fans out there or for anyone who wants to breathe new life into their kitchen. Duck-egg blue is also a smart move for an open-plan scheme, as the colour will brighten up the rest of the space without being too dominant.
This one is for all the pastel fans out there or for anyone who wants to breathe new life into their kitchen. Duck-egg blue is also a smart move for an open-plan scheme, as the colour will brighten up the rest of the space without being too dominant.
Make it mint
Another pastel hue that works well in a kitchen is mint green. There’s something so relaxing about this soft shade. The cabinets in this scheme create a country ambience, but mint green can just as easily evoke a retro or modern feel, depending on the style of the units.
Another pastel hue that works well in a kitchen is mint green. There’s something so relaxing about this soft shade. The cabinets in this scheme create a country ambience, but mint green can just as easily evoke a retro or modern feel, depending on the style of the units.
Pick punchy purple as an accent
Lovers of bright colour could try adding a bold purple to their cabinets. It’s a shade that can take over, so it might be a good idea to bring it in gently.
Choose a few units or just an island or larder and paint it in a bright violet, as the homeowners have done here. These floor-to-ceiling cupboards pack a punch in this modern space, but add just enough colour without being too much.
Lovers of bright colour could try adding a bold purple to their cabinets. It’s a shade that can take over, so it might be a good idea to bring it in gently.
Choose a few units or just an island or larder and paint it in a bright violet, as the homeowners have done here. These floor-to-ceiling cupboards pack a punch in this modern space, but add just enough colour without being too much.
Paint it black
Deep colours can definitely be a shortcut to luxury, so why not gain some glamour points by opting for a beautiful charcoal shade. Choose a paint with a matt finish to avoid getting a 1980s look and amp up the chic factor with sleek pendant lights and silver details.
More: 7 Stylish Ways to Work Black Kitchen Cabinets
Deep colours can definitely be a shortcut to luxury, so why not gain some glamour points by opting for a beautiful charcoal shade. Choose a paint with a matt finish to avoid getting a 1980s look and amp up the chic factor with sleek pendant lights and silver details.
More: 7 Stylish Ways to Work Black Kitchen Cabinets
Stick to neutrals
Of course, it’s not obligatory to choose a bold colour. And if greys or pastels aren’t your cup of tea, you can always fall back on a neutral such as cream, stone or a muted mushroom hue like this one.
This shade is warmed up by a wooden floor and island worktop, and the kitchen is full of character courtesy of quirky accessories such as the oversized clock and lamp-style lighting on the worktops.
Tell us…
Will you be choosing any of these hues for your kitchen cabinets? Or maybe you have other ideas? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Of course, it’s not obligatory to choose a bold colour. And if greys or pastels aren’t your cup of tea, you can always fall back on a neutral such as cream, stone or a muted mushroom hue like this one.
This shade is warmed up by a wooden floor and island worktop, and the kitchen is full of character courtesy of quirky accessories such as the oversized clock and lamp-style lighting on the worktops.
Tell us…
Will you be choosing any of these hues for your kitchen cabinets? Or maybe you have other ideas? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
What are you working on?
Related Stories
Kitchen Inspiration
10 Smart Storage Tips for Your Kitchen Bins
Keep kitchen rubbish stylishly tucked away with these clever solutions
Full Story
Kitchen Design
Which Kitchen Worktop Colour Should You Choose?
By tidgboutique
Consider these popular colours and styles to get the look you want, no matter which material you use
Full Story
Kitchen Inspiration
5 Inspiring Before and After Kitchen Transformations
Whether you want to boost storage, incorporate original features or maximise your space, take ideas from these designs
Full Story
Kitchen Inspiration
5 Ideas for Kitchen Extension Layouts in Victorian Homes
By Kate Burt
Embarking on a rear extension project? Need layout ideas? Look no further...
Full Story
Kitchen Inspiration
16 Kitchens With Vertically Stacked Tiles
Looking for kitchen tiling inspiration? Browse this gallery of beautiful designs
Full Story
Renovating
Should I Live On-site During My Kitchen Renovation?
By Kate Burt
If you’re weighing up whether to stay put or ship out during your project, this expert guide is a must-read
Full Story
Bedrooms
What to Expect at the Biggest Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom Show
Plan ahead with our rundown of what’s in store at the kbb Birmingham event this March
Full Story
Kitchen Design
Which of These Kitchen Renovation Trends Would You Choose?
By Kate Burt
The 2024 Houzz Kitchen Trends Report is out. Dive into the highlights to see what’s topping your choices
Full Story
Kitchen Inspiration
24 Beautiful Bare Wood Kitchens
By Kate Burt
From pale and pared back to warm and textured, unpainted cabinets are suddenly everywhere. Which look do you like best?
Full Story
Kitchen Planning
How to Design a Multigenerational Kitchen
A space that successfully meets the needs of all those who use it is not only inclusive, it’s futureproof
Full Story
#Rachel Russell - the only advice I can give you is not to try to pack too much into your tiny space. Less is more. You might have to chose between appliances and storage. Can you have a pantry cupboard somewhere close enough to be convenient but not taking up all your cabinet space? Think about clearances, make sure you have enough room to work and use it properly. Shaker style sounds perfect for the age of the property. Pastel colours are lovely. Think about how the kitchen colours will tie in to the rest of the space. Think about how to hide the bin or if thats not possible then commit to putting the rubbish out daily. Trip hazards are another thing to avoid when space is limited. I hope you get a beautiful tiny kitchen.
My favourite kitchen was in a flat I lived in just over a decade ago. It was very simple but bright and the walls were a lovely shade of yellow. I love the yellow cabinets in the first kitchen but I'm thinking of going for a yellow wall again - my kitchen is very bright - and then trying to figure out what colour to go with for the cabinets.
I love this dark green in the 2nd photo!