Wall colors ideas for kitchens


40 Best Kitchen Paint and Wall Colors for 2023

Emily Hart Photography

It's always fun to consider paint color trends, but when it comes to choosing the right color palette for your cooking space, it's important to embrace both function and style. You'll want a shade that makes cooking and cleaning easy (which means dark colors must be carefully considered). You may want contrasting colors for your walls, trim and cabinets — or prefer a monochrome look. From no-fail neutrals (of course, white cabinets are here to stay) to moody hues, we've rounded up our favorite kitchen paint colors for 2023 — there's something everyone will love.

Before choosing your favorite shade, consider your flooring, lighting, backsplash and whether your space has natural light. We love rich tones like dark gray and navy, but they work best in sunny kitchens. If you're working with a small kitchen, it's best to keep your space light and bright (we suggest true whites or subtle grays). Mossy green, sage and creamy whites pair well with wood cabinets and accents, while earthy reds and browns can be great for a Feng Shui kitchen. As always, we love the timeless black and white kitchen combination. One of the biggest kitchen trends for 2023: blue and green kitchens — we're loving everything from emerald green and navy to mint green and baby blue.

All that's left to do is find the best interior paint and get to work on your kitchen refresh. Lucky for you, we included links to our favorite shades from popular brands like Benjamin Moore, Farrow & Ball and Clare.

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1

Light Green

MEGHAN BOB

Draw on the beauty of nature with a soothing green shade, like Caren Rideau of The Kitchen Design Group does here. She elevates the style with a display of wood cutting boards.

FIND A SIMILAR SHADE:
Picnic by Sherwin-Williams

2

Bright White

@kylie fitts

Crisp white paint is a timeless choice. It helps brighten your work station, and gives you the flexibility to decorate with bold accents. In her personal home, Shelby Girard — Havenly's VP, Creative & Design — contrasts an all-white palette with gold fixtures and raw wood bar stools.

FIND A SIMILAR SHADE:
True White by Farrow & Ball

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3

Mint Green

John M. Hall

Give your retro kitchen a refresh with a layer of sweet light green paint. For a cohesive look, paint the exterior and interior of your cabinets — plus the backsplash.

FIND A SIMILAR SHADE:
Two Scoops by Clare

4

Gray

Tara Donne

Subdued gray wall paneling tempers the dark gray cabinets in this kitchen design scheme.

FIND A SIMILAR SHADE:
Seize the Gray by Clare

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5

Navy

Emily Hart Photography

Create a modern, moody aesthetic with a rich blue hue. Here, interior designer Kelsey McGregor uses the same deep shade for cabinets, walls and trim.

FIND A SIMILAR SHADE:
Old Navy by Benjamin Moore

6

Breezy Blue

Tim Lenz

Bring in a calming blue shade that adds color to your kitchen without overpowering the space. Take a note from the Mendelson Group and find a pale blue that feels bright, fresh and welcoming.

FIND A SIMILAR SHADE:
Summer Friday by Clare

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7

Brown

With an olive brown on top and a sandy beige below, this country kitchen doesn't settle for one shade of brown.

FIND SIMILAR SHADES:
Dirty Chai by Clare
Brooklyn Cowboy by Backdrop

8

Moss Green

Adam Macchia

In this Austin residence, the team at BHDM Design goes for an earthy green hue for the kitchen cabinets, trim and island base.

FIND A SIMILAR SHADE:
Oakmoss by Sherwin-Williams

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9

Steel Blue

Lauren Pressey

If you're worried about committing to a bold paint color, keep your walls and cabinets a neutral shade (like white) and add a pop of color to your kitchen island base.

FIND A SIMILAR SHADE:
Steel Blue by Benjamin Moore

10

True White

Sara Tramp

Instead of going for a classic all-white kitchen, interior designer Emily Henderson creates intrigue with natural wood accents — from the wood paneled ceiling to the kitchen island base.

FIND A SIMILAR SHADE:
Supermoon by Backdrop

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11

Moody Gray

Ryan McDonald Photography

Create a moody, monochrome look with similar shades of gray — as
Studio Sven does here with gray cabinetry, walls and decor.

FIND A SIMILAR SHADE:
NO CURFEW by Backdrop

12

Red

Good Housekeeping

For a unique style, consider a bold hue — like a retro red. It pairs well with stainless steel appliances and a black center island.

FIND A SIMILAR SHADE:
Candy Apple by Glidden

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13

Off-White

Kylie Fitts

To pair with your true white walls and ceiling, opt for a soft white for cabinetry. With a tint of yellow, this 0ff-white shade adds warmth to the space.

FIND A SIMILAR SHADE:
Harvest Moon by Backdrop

14

Dark Turquoise

Miki Duisterhof

From walls to cabinetry, this velvety blue-green is the perfect shade to make a statement. Complementary hues: bright yellow, hence the flowers.

FIND A SIMILAR SHADE:
Tucson Teal by Benjamin Moore

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15

Seafoam Green

Grace Mitchell for Country Living

Recreate this bold, ocean-inspired interior with seafoam green cabinets and baby blue walls. The finishing touch: a woven pendant light.

FIND A SIMILAR SHADE:
Arsenic by Farrow & Ball

16

Stormy Gray

Elizabeth Krueger

Elevate your neutral kitchen with a calming gray hue, like interior designer Elizabeth Krueger does here.

FIND A SIMILAR SHADE:
Stormy Gray by Behr

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17

Soft Cream

Stacy Zarin Goldberg

In this airy kitchen, balancing soft cream wall tiles with cabinets in a deeper shade of the hue make for a cohesive look.

FIND A SIMILAR SHADE:
Casa Blanca by Sherwin-Williams

18

Warm White

Courtesy of Benjamin More/ John Bessler

Complete your farmhouse aesthetic with creamy white walls. The shade adds instant warmth to any kitchen.

FIND A SIMILAR SHADE:
Like Buttah by Clare

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19

Dark Green

Stoffer Photography

Bold shades of emerald green, including painted cabinets, anchor interior designer Jean Stoffer's West Michigan kitchen.

FIND A SIMILAR SHADE:
Forest Green by Benjamin Moore

20

Aqua Blue

Kylie Fitts

For a modern look, have fun with a high-energy color like sky blue. It's the perfect choice to bring personality to cabinets.

FIND A SIMILAR SHADE:
Cool Aqua by Benjamin Moore

55 Best Kitchen Paint Colors

Karyn Millet

Adding color to your kitchen is the best to way to make it look polished—no renovation, no construction, just a paint color (or two or three!) and a brush. Whether you're the kind of person who prefers to keep things understated with white and greige or someone who loves a pop of anything vibrant, you're in great hands here—we rounded up 55 kitchens featuring every shade in the rainbow. Most of the examples ahead star beautiful paint colors, but we also included a few colorful material ideas for those of you want to do more than repaint. Ready to punch up your cabinets with bright blues and reds, or ground a large space with a soothing gray or green? No matter what your color preference—or if you're totally stumped for inspiration—allow the fresh kitchen paint color ideas, designer examples, and shopping tips to guide you.

🏡You love finding new design tricks. So do we. Let us share the best of them.

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1

Olive Green + Warm Wood Tones

Tessa Neustadt

Though designer Tammy Randall Wood is a believer in hiding appliances and other kitchen essentials away behind closed doors, she also makes a strong case for allowing the enclosures to shine with a bold paint color that nods to nature.

Shop a similar shade of green paint below:

BUY NOW Valspar Satin Brisk Olive, $44

2

Black and Charcoal

Heidi Caillier Design

This kitchen designed by Heidi Caillier is only separated by an archway, so to create visual separation without totally clashing, she chose a bold and dark color scheme for the kitchen. The wood-paneled walls are painted black and a charcoal-hued natural stone material serves as a backsplash and also frames the windows for an extra punch of style.

Shop a similar shade of black below:

BUY NOW Farrow & Ball Pitch Black $46

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3

Pale Icy Blue and White Brick

Heidi Caillier Design

Heidi Caillier painted the cabinets an icy blue hue and the brick walls white for a brighter aesthetic and then secured a small piece of artwork to bring some moody depth. The brass hardware and fixtures speak to the gilt frame.

Shop a similar shade of blue paint below:

BUY NOW Farrow & Ball Graupel, $110

4

Pale Yellow

Read McKendree

The cabinets climb almost all the way up the wall in this coastal kitchen by Kevin Isbell, but that didn't stop the designer from applying a soft shade of pale yellow paint to the top of the wall and ceiling. This cheerful shade contrasts with the blue painted floors just enough!

Shop a similar shade of yellow paint below:

BUY NOW Backdrop Disco Nap, $45

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5

Khaki Green, Gray, and Pink

Thijs de Leeuw/Space Content/Living Inside

The rest of the home designed by Nicole Dohmen of Atelier ND is dominated by rosy hues, so to prevent it from taking over the kitchen while still ensuring flow with the surrounding rooms, she opted for earthy tones on the cabinets. Violet still makes an appearance in the Calacatta marble counter and backsplash zellige tiles, and a dusty blush tone veils the ceiling.

Shop a similar shade of neutral paint below:

BUY NOW Farrow & Ball Mouse's Back, $115

6

Midnight Blue

Emily Hart

Oklahoma designer Kelsey Leigh McGregor used charcoal gray Negresco granite on the backsplash and countertops of this kitchen so they would nearly disappear against the dark paint color used on the walls, hood, and cabinets. Though it's dark navy, it appears black in certain lighting.

Shop a similar shade of paint below:

BUY NOW Farrow & Ball Stiffkey Blue, $110

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7

Light Pink and Burnt Orange

Karyn Millet

A super light shade of pink applied in a plaster-like finish and paired with a burnt orange island makes a statement in this small New York City kitchen designed by Celerie Kemble. The faux finish channels the texture of wallpaper.

Shop a similar textured paint below:

BUY NOW Portola Paints Specialty Finishes

8

Eggplant

James Merrell

In this striking London kitchen, design Rita Konig opted for cabinets from her own colorful line for Plain English in a shade of purple dubbed Burnt Toast. Calacatta Viola, a mauve-streaked marble, brings out the inky eggplant.

Shop a similar shade of purple paint below:

BUY NOW Rita Konig Burnt Toast cabinets

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9

Forest Green

William Abranowicz

Polished concrete gets a surge of warmth from the green cabinets and abstract blue artwork in Kathleen McCormick's home. It's the perfect combination of edgy and homey.

Shop a similar shade of green below:

BUY NOW Valspar Peacock Green, $30

10

Marigold and Brick Red

Katie Newburn

The cheerful yellow wallpaper in Shavonda Gardner's kitchen proves that you don't need tons of windows and natural light to make your kitchen feel sunny. The red range and lower cabinets add a fun and unexpected contrast while the unlacquered copper pots, soapstone counters that quickly patina, and wood tones tine the two warm colors together.

Shop a similar shade of red below:

BUY NOW Farrow & Ball Pelt, $110

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11

Pale Blue-Green

Nicole Franzen

In this tiny Brooklyn apartment, Patrick McGrath sectioned off the kitchen from the living space with a freestanding island but he also did so visually by painting the wall of cabinets a soft blue-green shade.

Shop a similar shade of light blue below:

BUY NOW Benjamin Moore Polar Sky, $55

12

Navy Blue

Emily J Followill

This kitchen designed by Melanie Milner gets the royal blue treatment, which is glamorous on its own, but even more so with the bronze, mahogany, and natural stone materials used throughout.

Shop a similar shade of light blue below:

BUY NOW Benjamin Moore Deep Royal, $55

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13

Greige, Cream, and Muted Mint

Heidi Caillier Design

A greige tone is used for the cabinets while a cream tone is used on the ceiling and accent wall. But the color-blocking fun doesn't stop there in this Heidi Caillier-designed kitchen—the door is painted in a muted mint shade that picks up on the unique color of the range.

Shop a similar neutral shade below:

BUY NOW Farrow & Ball California Sand, $110

14

Marigold + Terracotta

William Abranowicz

Paint isn't the only way to bring color to your kitchen. In this impressive hacienda kitchen, The vaulted ceiling is covered in terracotta tiles while the marigold zellige tiles assert a sunny atmosphere.

Shop similar yellow tiles below:

BUY NOW Clé Tiles Saffron Zellige Tiles, $20

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15

Cream + Dark Green-Blue

JARED KUZIA

Designer Karen Swanson limited the number of cabinet uppers she installed in this English countryside-inspired kitchen, explaining that, "so many people want to blanket the wall in cabinets, but that can make a kitchen feel heavy and claustrophobic." Instead, she left a windowed wall bare so light can pour in, and so she could hang artwork. Dark cabinet lowers and storage columns pick up on the dark green in the still life but don't overwhelm the room.

Shop a similar shade of cream below:

BUY NOW Benjamin Moore Sugar cookie, $55

16

Sky Blue

Annie Schlechter

In this kitchen by Sheila Bridges, a shimmering blue wallpaper is accentuated by glossy sky blue paint. If you're tempted to paint a small kitchen all white to make it feel larger but also find yourself craving color, consider this space your sign to the plunge with a pastel.

Shop a similar shade of blue paint below:

BUY NOW Benjamin Moore Grandma's Sweater, $46

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17

Fire Engine Red

George Ross

Birgitte Pearce designed a hidden pantry to keep stored items discrete behind sliding doors with textured glass—but once open, the pocket doors reveal a bright red surprise (a great introduction to the world of bright paint colors for the uninitiated!). The wood floating shelves and brass door handles warm up the saturated colors.

Shop a similar shade of blue paint below:

BUY NOW Benjamin Moore Heritage Red, $90

18

Cadet Blue

Emily Followill

Because the kitchen sits at the center of this home designed by Meredith McBrearty, she used the same blue-gray color in adjacent rooms and then hung lime green pendant lights to inject a splash of fun.

Shop a similar shade of blue paint below:

BUY NOW Benjamin Moore Normandy, $46

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19

Glossy Green

Thomas Loof

Kati Curtis opted for jewel tones throughout this old Tudor home to open it up and give it that surge of energy that only saturated colors can accomplish. The lush green paint is even richer in this high-gloss finish. The custom matte metal panels over the refrigerator is a welcome surprise next to such shiny materials.

Shop a similar shade of blue paint below:

BUY NOW Benjamin Moore Shamrock Green, $46

20

Pale Green

David Tsay

A pale green blends seamlessly between the kitchen and dining area of this "jungalow," by Justina Blakeney, especially when paired with the Moroccan clay tile backsplash and ombre dining bar stools in the living room.

Shop a similar lacquer finish below:

BUY NOW Farrow & Ball Cooking Apple Green, $110

How to choose the right color for the walls in the kitchen

In case of insufficient light and especially the lack of sunlight, choose warm, calm shades for the walls - yellow, orange, light brown and beige.

If a lot of sunlight enters the room, it is better not to paint the walls in saturated colors, as they will become even brighter when illuminated and may change color.

Green color is popular now. It is believed that the green color has a good effect on digestion. For the kitchen, it is advisable to choose pistachio or soft salad shades.

Also popular pastel colors, yellow gloss, red copper. The universal color is white, it can be used in any style, from classic to modern.

Consider the color and design of the kitchen furniture.

For example, white kitchen furniture goes well with red, green, burgundy, peach, yellow, blue walls.

Classic brown furniture looks good against peach, beige or white walls.

Furniture is one of the most significant elements of the interior, so you often have to choose the shade of the walls just for it, and not for other interior details. If the furniture needs to stand out, then regardless of its color, the walls should not be bright and do not contain catchy ornaments. The more unusual and original the furniture looks, the more restrained the walls should be - calm shades, without flashy patterns.

If your kitchen set has a very light and calm shade, and the kitchen is large enough, you can choose a brighter and more saturated color for the walls.

Solid color furniture needs to contrast with the walls - walls can be bright, patterned and large decorative elements.

If pieces of furniture should not attract attention (furniture is old, in poor condition or simply ugly), then emphasis should be placed on juicy and expressive walls - catchy patterns and shades that delight the eye.

If the room is small and the number is furniture is also not enough, then you can paint the walls in calm, restrained colors, and decorate one side with a bright large picture.

In general, it is recommended to stick to the colors closest in tone. Soft, warm colors of the walls look equally harmonious with both light-colored furniture and darker tones.

Look at the design of furniture . If it is chosen in a romantic and rustic style, then it is better to leave the walls light - pale green, beige tones, with bright contrasting stripes of brick shades.

For an interior in a classic style, more solid and juicy shades are suitable - cold pink, strictly blue, beige.

For modern style furniture with its metallic sheen and subdued brightness, it is better to choose a solid, conservative and calm wall finish.

There are several "forbidden" colors for kitchen walls: is black and all dark shades of brown. They oppress and make the room cramped, evoke associations with dirt. * To understand how comfortable you will live with the chosen wall color, hang sheets of white paper, old wallpaper or cardboard on the walls. Apply paint spots on them and leave for a few days, during which, looking at these colors, you can understand which color suits you best.

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What colors to paint the kitchen: 46 best options

The kitchen is the place where the inhabitants of the house spend a lot of time. Therefore, I want it to be not only comfortable and functional, but also stylish. The color of the walls is of great importance here - it is he who sets the general tone for the interior.

Light kitchens

Light colors are the most popular choice for wall color in a small kitchen. They visually increase the space, which is especially important in conditions of a sufficiently large amount of furniture in this room.

Shades of white

White is ideal for narrow or small kitchens with low ceilings. The smaller the room, the lighter the shade of white that suits it. Such walls go well with dark furniture and allow you to fit it into a small room.

White color is an occasion to try to create a stylish black and white combination. Since black furniture and accessories are used as a small inclusion on a white base, the interior will not be overloaded.

Another option is to use bright, contrasting colors. It can be patterns on the wall itself or bright furniture that would be difficult to use with a different background.

Another stylish combination: light on light. White furniture and light wooden accessories on a light background fill the interior with lightness and freshness.

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Shades of Beige

Those who find white too cold and boring should take a closer look at the warm shades of the beige palette. They also have the ability to expand the space, but at the same time create a feeling of comfort.

Dark wood furniture looks especially good against this background. Another successful combination: beige furniture and light wood furniture. This option makes the kitchen chamber and calm.

Photo: Instagram alexey_kuhni_belarus

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Light shades of gray

An unusual option for those who find beige and white too beaten. The gray color is quite deep and noble, it will calm and become a good background for bright kitchen accessories and furniture.

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Photo: Instagram chayka.design

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Pastel shades

Delicate solution for decorating the kitchen. Mint, light yellow, blue and pink walls create a cozy atmosphere. They can be used as a way to shade bright furniture or a dark floor.

These walls go well with pastel-colored furniture, creating an airy and gentle combination.

Also, the pastel colors of the walls will softly shade the dark wood furniture.

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With the help of such an accent wall, zoning can be carried out: for example, to highlight a dining area or a work area.

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Furniture against the background of such walls can be bright, matching them. This is a rather bold decision that requires great precision in the selection of shades.

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Dark-colored furniture can also stand against the background of bright colors, it will muffle the color of the walls.

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And the most successful, classic combination: a bright background and white furniture. It will make the interior lighter and shade the walls.

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Dark colors

Dark colors add depth and expression to a room. In addition, the combination of one dark wall with light ceilings and other walls visually opens up the space. The main thing is to choose the right shade, not forgetting to take into account the main lighting in the room.

Black shades

In black, most often they decorate a small area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe kitchen, if it is small. At the same time, it is combined with white, its shades and contrasting colors. If the size of the room and the amount of natural light allow, the kitchen is sometimes decorated entirely in black, be sure to dilute it with light floors. In this case, the ceiling can be in the tone of the walls.

When choosing furniture, you should pay attention to light sets and countertops. The black and white version always looks stylish.

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Oddly enough, dark or completely black furniture will also look good next to black walls. At the same time, it is important that the interior has bright light accents and good lighting.

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Another unusual solution is pastel-colored furniture on a black background. In this case, the walls will give the interior depth and saturation, and the furniture will make it more playful. With this combination, it is better to make the ceilings and the floor light.

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Other dark shades

Dark grey, blue and green are easier to incorporate than black.


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