The best kitchen color ideas and color schemes

It’s a hackneyed phrase because it’s true: the kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s where we have our morning coffees, get around a table together, read the Sunday papers and supervise the occasional bit of homework. Our kitchen, more than any other room in our home, has to do a lot of heavy lifting. That’s why it’s so important to get your kitchen color scheme just right. So, whether you’re going for a traditional look or modern and minimalist, we've got the kitchen paint colors to suit your home. Read on for kitchen color ideas and our top kitchen color schemes.

How do I choose a color scheme for my kitchen?

When choosing a color scheme for your kitchen, there are no hard and fast rules. The secret is to find a color you love and tailor it to your kitchen depending on how you'll be using it, how you want your kitchen to make you feel, what your lighting is like, and how big the room is.

Should kitchen cabinets be lighter or darker than walls?

Tash Bradley, our Director of Interior Design, reflects how she is often asked, 'should kitchen walls and cupboards be the same color?' or 'should kitchen cabinets be lighter or darker than your walls?'. The truth is, there's no right or wrong answer. It all depends on what look you want to achieve". "The key is contrast", she explains. So, if you want to go dark on your cabinets, opt for a lighter shade on your walls and vice versa.

What colors make a kitchen look bigger?

If you want to make your kitchen appear bigger, "paint can work magic if you apply the same shade across walls and cabinetry", says Tash. "Let the architecture of the room in on it too, from architraves to cornicing, so that the whole room melts into one. The less there is for your eye to read, the larger your space will seem", she explains. Tash recommends "reflecting the light around your space with light paint colors. It's a fabulous way to make your space feel bright and airy and brings a timeless feel that will compliment or adapt to many accent colors and style genres". You want to think about bouncing light around the room, which is why white paints are a great way to do this.

Aren't white kitchens out of style? 

The simple answer is no. Just because you go white on your walls doesn't mean your entire kitchen has to be white. You can incorporate other colors in your cabinetry or create a gorgeous boho chic style with warm woods and open shelving. We love White 02 as a go-to all-rounder for making a space feel bigger.

What are the most popular kitchen colors right now?

Whilst we try not to follow trends too much in the kitchen (it's the most expensive room in the house to renovate), you can switch up your kitchen paint colors and even kitchen cabinet colors without too much difficulty (or expense). From perennial greens and blues to modern monochrome, here are some of our favourite looks.

Our top kitchen color ideas for 2023:

Traditional and reliable kitchen color schemes

Think English racing greens, duck egg blues or even country yellows. These heritage-style kitchen color palettes are perennially popular and will be around forever—no matter what the trends are doing. Tash recommends a gentle Green 09, deep Green 06 or midway Green 02. According to her, "these colors will connect you with nature and can even encourage healthy eating". Very useful in the kitchen when you're reaching for that after-dinner snack!

Another timeless kitchen paint color combination is dark blue paint with white. Dark blues like Blue 06 and Blue 07 are really stimulating and create a very grown-up feel in the kitchen. Pair them with White 03 or White 05 for a balanced look. Alternatively, if you can’t decide between blue and green, get the best of both with Teal 03 or Teal 02.