Our All-Time Favorite Kitchen Color Ideas That Will Inspire Your Next Makeover
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An all-white kitchen will always be timeless, especially in a farmhouse, but kitchens sporting colorful painted cabinetry are back, and, we think, looking better than ever. We know trying to decide on a cabinet color for your kitchen can be hard so we’re here to help. With a range of shades from airy mint to deep forest, green kitchens have come a long way from the days of avocado-colored appliances; and what could be more farmhouse-chic than a kitchen clad in a classic pairing of blue and white? From warm grays to sunny yellow, and every shade in between, this roundup of some of our favorite kitchens provides lots of inspiration to help you decide on your own kitchen color scheme.
If you’re not quite ready to commit to painting all your cabinets, consider painting just the kitchen island to create an accent piece. (If you’re planning to go the DIY route, read this article for tips on how to paint kitchen cabinets. Yes, even laminate cabinets!) Or, if you like the look of natural wood or white cabinets, try a painted floor for a fun twist. You can also bring in color through a tile backsplash, wallpaper (yes, it’s back in the kitchen, too!), lighting, or your favorite vintage collections. Want even more country kitchen inspiration? Check out these kitchen decorating ideas for hundreds of ideas.
Moody Blue
To help the large kitchen feel cozier, Country Living Editor-in-Chief Rachel Hardage Barrett chose the same soft blue color for the cabinets, walls, and ceiling of her Mississippi farmhouse. “This just-a-bit-moody blue has undertones that keep it feeling historic, not coastal,” says Rachel. Tip: When painting cabinetry, choose a cabinet-grade enamel paint for a flawless, chip-resistant finish.
Get the Look:
Cabinetry and Trim Paint Color: Dutch Tile Blue by Sherwin-Williams
RELATED: See more of this Mississippi farmhouse.
Green-on-Green
Interior designer Christina Salway gave her 230-year-old Maine kitchen a new-old look with a cozy, yet sophisticated green-on-green palette, choosing a darker blueish-green for the lower cabinets and a lighter sage green for the trim and millwork. A tone-on-tone checkered countertop-to-ceiling backsplash of earthy green Zellige tiles continues the palette, while the warm wood floor adds relief.
Get the Look:
Lower Cabinet Paint Color: Inchyra Blue by Farrow & Ball
Trim Paint Color: Vert De Terre by Farrow & Ball
Backsplash Tiles: Wintergreen and Garden Grove Zellige Tiles by Villa Lagoon
Muted Yellow
To inject British charm into her newly-renovated bungalow kitchen. Country Living Design Director Maribeth Jones chose a warm, vibrant yellow for the room’s trim and Shaker-style cabinets. A tall 6-foot-8-inch wood-paneled backsplash punctuates the color choice. White appliances give the room a pretty feel, rather than stainless.
Get the Look:
Cabinetry Paint Color: Sudbury Yellow by Farrow & Ball
White Appliances: Matte White by Cafe
RELATED: 11 Ways to Add Cheery British Charm to Your Kitchen
Navy Blue
Marine blue cabinets topped with walnut countertops, a red cedar ceiling, and a pine subfloor give this tiny kitchen a handsome nautical vibe. Unlacquered brass and rope pendants add another coastal nod.
Get the Look:
Wall Paint Color: London Fog by Benjamin Moore
Cabinetry Paint Color: For similar, Salty Dog by Sherwin-Williams
Forest Green
Designer Trinity Holmes poured on the country charm in this North Carolina kitchen by choosing a rich, dark green for the lower cabinets and furniture-like built-in. Simple, hand-carved wood knobs add a warm accent.
Get the Look:
Cabinetry Paint Color: Enchanted Forest by Benjamin Moore
Wallpaper: For similar, Bebe Gingham Driftwood by Seabrook
Cornflower Blue
For a period-appropriate look for an early 1900s farmhouse, choose a timeless color like this cornflower blue in Melissa Duckworth's small galley kitchen. It’s the perfect complement to the reproduction William Morris wallpaper and antique mint-colored enamel gas range.
Get the Look:
Trim and Cabinet Paint Color: Jamestown Blue by Benjamin Moore
Silvery Gray
Classic Shaker and English kitchens inspired this timeless space, designed by Katie Rosenfeld in partnership with Jannell Zarba of Damiana Design + Project Management). “There are a lot of [English] scullery and back of house aspects to the kitchen,” says Katie, including punch-outs in the cabinetry. The soft gray paint color echoes the billowing seas beyond the windows.
Get the Look:
Cabinetry Paint Color: Silver Lining by Benjamin Moore
Grass Green
For a happy and casual kitchen on the the coast, architect Nate McBride looked to the views for color inspiration. A lush grass green on the cabinets and backsplash speaks to the surrounding landscape, while white-washed walls add a sense of calm.
Get the Look:
Cabinetry Paint Color: Buckingham Gardens by Benjamin Moore
Wall Paint Color: Snowfall White by Benjamin Moore
Sage Green
To keep her farmhouse kitchen airy and open, homeowner Helen Norman paired new sage green Shaker-style cabinetry with three rows of simple bracketed shelves. “I think a kitchen breathes better with the openness above,” she says. Oil-rubbed bronze hardware continues the warmth of the muted green cabinet color, as does the aged wood flooring.
Get the Look:
Cabinetry Paint Color: Gloucester Sage by Benjamin Moore
Deep Blue
Glossy deep blue cabinetry pair with white walls for a crisp, modern farmhouse kitchen by designer Stephen Shutts. Brass accents add a handsome finishing touch.
Get the Look:
Cabinetry Paint Color: Naval by Sherwin-Williams
Forest Green
Cozy dark green cabinets set the nostalgic mood in this remodeled kitchen by designer Cameron Ruppert. A fresh coat of green paint on the existing brown wood cabinets “reinvigorated the room without disrespecting it,” says Cameron. The previous cartlike island wasn’t very functional, so they opted for a bigger custom piece but kept its features on the minimal side with slab-style drawers and bail pull hardware.
Get the Look:
Cabinetry Paint Color: Peale Green by Benjamin Moore
Green Blue
Homeowner Dana Simpson chose a soft green blue for the Shaker-style cabinets in her light and airy modern farmhouse kitchen. “I love the way it contrasts with the white walls and the colors of nature that come through the windows.” The color is complemented with sandstone and butcher block countertops.
Get the Look:
Cabinetry Paint Color: Green Blue by Farrow & Ball
RELATED: Tour all of the Simpsons’ Connecticut farmhouse.
Earthy Blue
Inspired by the outdoors, architect Steve Giannetti chose a deep blue paint with green undertones for lower cabinets along this kitchen’s back wall. The other cabinets feature a soft gray instead to convey a feeling of a separate freestanding piece.
Get the Look:
Back Cabinetry Paint Color: Hague Blue byFarrow & Ball
Side Cabinetry Paint Color: Worsted by Farrow & Ball
White & Grass Green
With an all-white kitchen, you can pull in color with so many other things, like a glossy grass green painted floor. Don;'t forget the lighting and layers of vintage collections, such as Fiestaware.
Get the Look:
Red Pendant Lights: Hampton Bay Warehouse Pendant from Home Depot
Floor Paint Color: Cypress Vine by Behr
RELATED: Tour all of this charming and colorful lakeside cabin.
Green & Raspberry
Look to wallpaper for color inspiration as in this bold kitchen. The floral William Morris wallpaper ties it all together for a cohesive, instead of choppy, cottage look.
Get the Look:
Cabinetry Paint Color: Calke Green by Farrow & Ball
Island Paint Color: Raddichio by Farrow & Ball
Olive Green
A rich olive green cabinet color helps this tiny beam-capped kitchen feel even cozier, but light-reflecting tile keeps it from feeling too dark. The unlacquered brass faucet and bistro-style shelving also bring some aged shine.
Get the Look:
Cabinetry Paint Color: For similar, Mountain Olive by Behr
Pale Green
To help an historic kitchen keep its nostalgic charm, choose a color that feels plucked from the period, like this jadeite-like green in novelist Jean Hanff Korelitz’s circa-1890s home.
Get the Look:
Cabinetry Paint Color: Palm by Farrow & Ball
Teal Blue
Painting a large island in a big open kitchen instantly helps ground the space. In this Michigan lake house kitchen, the crowd-pleasing cool blue island plays off the water hues located just outside the doors. “A lot of country kitchens would have a farmhouse table in the middle of the space, so we wanted to give it that vibe,” says designer Steve Somogyi of Chicago firm Steve + Filip Design. Adding to the fun spirit, the designers paired the statement island with colorful, patterned encaustic tile for the backsplash.
Get the Look:
Island Paint Color: Jamestown Blue by Benjamin Moore
Warm Gray
Soothing gray cabinetry sets the scene for a revived traditional kitchen in a centuries-old New York farmhouse belonging to Dr. Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell of Beekman 1802. The previous remodel was completed in the 1990s, but Brent and Josh didn't feel as beholden to the more recent past as they did to true period details. One 20th-century element that survived their complete redo? The brick fireplace and its impressive copper hood. On the floor, reclaimed barnwood laid in a herringbone pattern adds historic integrity.
Get the look:
Cabinetry Paint Color: Smoke and Mirrors by Benjamin Moore
Ceiling and Wall Paint Color: Vanilla Milkshake by Benjamin Moore
Trim Paint Color: Moonshine by Benjamin Moore
RELATED: Tour the rest of Brent and Josh's beautiful farmhouse.
Celadon Green
In this Massachusetts beach house, the Wood-Mode kitchen cabinetry is painted a pretty celadon green that is crisply set off by a white subway tile backsplash. Cape Cod artist Tim Dibble custom-carved the kitchen's slate apron-front sink to incorporate local icons: a windmill, a whale, a lighthouse, and the word "riptide."
Get the Look:
Cabinetry Paint Color: For similar, Coastal Crush by PPG
Gray Blue
If you love a rustic look for your cabin or cottage, but don't want the kitchen to feel too rustic, consider pairing natural wood finishes with a soft, dusty blue. It's the perfect complement that won't overpower all that pretty wood grain.
Get the Look:
Cabinetry Paint Color: Philipsburg Blue by Benjamin Moore
Washed Turquoise and Buttery Yellow
To give her kitchen cabinets a slightly weathered look, Jolie Sikes of the Junk Gypsies first coated them with a blue interior oil stain, then used a rag to apply and partially rub off a layer of wood stain. “Embrace color,” says Jolie. “Just because kitchens are utilitarian rooms doesn't mean they should be quiet, sterile, or boring.” The buttery walls, combined with the natural wood stain on the windows, trim, and beams, create a warm backdrop for the rest of the kitchen. Red accents—such as a pair of swiveling tractor seats—complete the primary color trio.
Get the Look:
Cabinetry Stain: Aquarius by Sherwin-Williams plus Provincial Wood Finish stain by Minwax
Wall Paint Color: Canyon Cloud by Behr
Wood Trim Stain: Pecan by Minwax
RELATED: Check out all the details in Jolie's kitchen.
Creamy White
Designer Lynn Kloythanomsup of Landed Interiors and Homes designed cupboards for this California kitchen that were inspired by the home’s classical early-1900s architecture. Their creamy white finish pairs nicely with the rustic wood and brick walls. A hand-painted harlequin pattern on the white oak floors completes the timeworn look.
Get the Look:
Cabinetry Paint Color: Light Breeze by Benjamin Moore
Floor Paint Color: Timid White by Benjamin Moore
Olive Green
The white planked walls of this Georgia kitchen designed by James Farmer feel fresh and bright off of the rich sage green cabinets. The natural wood shelves and range hood provide the perfect warm complement as do the hits of red and blue in the runners, window shade, and china platters.
Get the Look:
Cabinetry Paint Color: Louisburg Green by Benjamin Moore
Blueish-Black
This moody hue is making us crave a rainy day indoors with a cup of tea while bread bakes in the oven. It is the perfect muted blue—almost black—that feels warm and rich.
Get the Look:
Cabinet and Millwork Paint Color: Opera Glasses by Behr
Canary Yellow
Look no further than the classic yellowware bowl for proof that blue and yellow make for a timeless country combo, as seen here in this 98-square-foot galley kitchen that features canary-yellow cabinets and quilt-like cement tiles. The petite 20-inch range maximizes cabinet space in the small kitchen.
Get the Look:
Cabinetry Paint Color: Honey Bees by Sherwin-Williams
Backsplash Tile: “Tangier Primero” by Villa Lagoon
Warm Gray
Martha Stewart's kitchen features an understated neutral tone that she says was inspired by shells. The warm gray pairs nicely with copper cookware.
Get the Look:
Wall Paint Color: Stormy Monday by Benjamin Moore
RELATED: See even more of Martha Stewart's inspiring kitchen.
Light Blue
A light blue kitchen island adds to the lighthearted spirit of the Michigan lake home of designer Chenault James. It’s a subtle use of color that brings big results. Red diner-inspired barstools add pops of retro color.
Get the Look:
Island Paint Color: Rhine River by Benjamin Moore
RELATED: Take a tour of all of this beautiful and family-friendly coastal retreat.
Pure Black
When homeowner Bailey McCarthy moved into her century-old Texas farmhouse, the kitchen wall was a boring beige and the cabinets, which vary in height, were white. “Painting everything black seemed like a good way to make the cabinets blend in with the wall,” says Bailey. She balanced the dark statement color with butcher-block countertops and brass hardware and lighting.
Get the Look:
Cabinetry Paint Color: Pitch Black by Farrow & Ball
RELATED: Take a tour of all of Bailey McCarthy's charming Texas farmhouse.
Watery Blues
This kitchen's tone-on-tone color scheme started with the deep bluepainted floor inspired by the surrounding coastal views. Designer Hadley Wiggins then chose what she calls “aviator blue” for the cabinets. It's a perfect complement to the converted barn's warm wood tones.
Get the Look:
Cabinetry Paint Color: Blue Toile by Benjamin Moore
Floor Paint Color: Lead Gray by Benjamin Moore
Soft Taupe
When you want to add little color but don't want it to overwhelm, look to a soft taupe. The appealing neutral adds a warm but airy swathe of color. It’s a color that also pairs well with stained wood cabinets.
Get the Look:
Cabinetry Paint Color: Smoky Ash by Benjamin Moore
Sunny Yellow
Designer Alison Kandler and homeowner Jenn Chiarelli found the perfect sunny shade for the kitchen island in Jenn's bright California farmhouse by pulling paint chips of colors that simply made Jenn feel happy. Then they found ways to incorporate the hues into the kitchen to create a look that is as colorful as it is cheerful. The black woven stools add a grounding element to the candy-colored space.
Get the Look:
Island Paint Color: Tropical Moss by Dunn-Edwards Paints
RELATED: Tour all of this happy and colorful California home.
Gray Green
Designer Heidi Caillier chose a soothing green that is a little bit gray and a little bit blue for the Shaker-style cabinets. “It changes with the light,” Heidi says. “It also feels traditional to me, which is what I really wanted.” The color pairs particularly well with soapstone countertops and unlacquered brass bail pulls and knobs. Six-inch terra cotta hex tiles add distinct richness to the artfully layered kitchen.
Get the Look:
Cabinetry Paint Color: Oil Cloth by Benjamin Moore
Hardware: unlacquered brass bail pulls and knobs from Classic Brass
Sky Blue
One Kings Lane designer Sarah Blank opted for a calming blue for the shelves, cabinetry, and walls of this kitchen, lending more cohesion to the space.
Get the Look:
Cabinetry and Wall Paint Color: Lulworth Blue by Farrow & Ball
Off-White
When you have a lot of natural wood in your kitchen, pure white walls can feel too stark, especially if you're going for a rustic kitchen look. Instead, choose a warm white that has just a touch of gray in it for a color that complements wood tones and works well with other warm neutral colors. (Plus, it will balance out all your stainless steel appliances.)
Get the Look:
Wall Paint Color: Fleur de Sel by Sherwin-Williams
Soft Green
The homeowners of this classic farmhouse-style kitchen used a soft green paint color on both the paneled walls and cabinetry to create a fun statement that isn't overpowering. Neutral accents such as the reclaimed hickory beams, honed granite countertops, and slate floors take the pastel from sweet to sophisticated.
Get the Look:
Wall and Cabinetry Paint Color: custom mix of one part Mint Chocolate Chip by Benjamin Moore and two parts Hancock Green by Benjamin Moore
Crisp White
There is nothing more timeless than an airy all-white kitchen. The look works especially well in kitchens that have varying textures (both literally and visually), such as the shiplap planked walls and open shelving in this dreamy kitchen, which keep an all-white space from feeling stark and sterile.
Get the Look:
Wall and Cabinetry Paint Color: White Dove by Benjamin Moore
RELATED: The Best White Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colors for a Clean, Airy Vibe
Grass Green
Your kitchen’s hit of color doesn’t have to be only on the walls. In her South Carolina abode, homeowner Lauren Northup looked down for her color play. Taking her cue from the grass-green floors at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, she chose to paint the kitchen floors a striking green. “Blues and greens mean rest, home, and happiness to me,”says Lauren. “This color on my kitchen floor is a good balance with the bright white walls and cheerful checked curtains.”
Get the Look:
Floor Paint Color: Arsenic by Farrow & Ball
RELATED: 20+ Brilliant Ideas for Painted Floors
Ethereal Blue
In their cozy converted schoolhouse project, designers Jason Oliver Nixon and John Loecke of Madcap Cottage looked outside for the kitchen's color inspiration. They removed the small room's drop ceiling and replaced it with a vaulted tongue-and-groove one. Then they swathed the new ceiling in a dreamy shade of blue—a design trick often seen on Southern porches that originated with the Gullah in Georgia and South Carolina. “The color draws the eye up, which makes the room feel like it stretches to the sky,” says Jason.
Get the Look:
Ceiling Paint Color: Blue Ground by Farrow & Ball
RELATED: Tour the rest of Madcap Cottage’s cozy converted schoolhouse!
Chalky Blue
Can't decide between a bold color for your cabinets and an eye-catching wallpaper for the walls? Why not try it all? Singer-songwriter/designer Holly Williams shows how to balance both beautifully in this Kentucky farmhouse.
Get the Look:
Cabinetry Paint Color: Blue Daisy by Benjamin Moore
Cabinetry Hardware: Tolson by Rejuvenation
Shelves: Marble with Brass Brackets from World Market.
RELATED: See even more of Holly Williams' inspiring farmhouse makeover.
Linen White
Don't feel bad if you're a bit picky. Marsha Ahearn, the owner of this summer retreat in Martha's Vineyard, painted her kitchen with a 50/50 blend of two shades to get her ideal white. It's the perfect backdrop to let your brightly colored accessories pop.
Get the Look:
Wall Paint Color: 50/50 blend of China White and Linen White, both by Benjamin Moore
RELATED: Take a tour of the rest of dreamy coastal cottage.
Cheery Yellow
This sunny kitchen proves there is no such thing as too much of a good thing. Its Shaker-style cabinetry, as well as its walls and those of the adjoining breakfast nook, is awash in a bright and cheery yellow. Glass cabinet fronts and white trim, fixtures, and appliances add a punch against the solid color and help keep the space feeling light.
Get the Look:
Cabinetry Paint Color: Convivial Yellow by Sherwin-Williams
Forest Green
Most people opt for white in the kitchen, but this rustic space is bathed in moodier hues. The paneled cabinets are painted in an earthy forest green, while the beadboard backsplash lets the golden tones of the natural wood shine through—giving the 75-square-foot small kitchen a jewel box feel. A white apron-front sink offers a burst of brightness.
Get the Look:
Cabinetry Paint Color: Mohegan Sage by Benjamin Moore
Pale Pink
If you want to bring some color to your kitchen, but aren't quite ready to fully commit, keep the backgrounds timeless and white, and then turn to appliances and accessories to add punches of color.
Get the Look:
Wall Paint Color: Ultra Pure White by Behr
Refrigerator: SMEG in Pink
Blue on Blue
Designer Christina Salway painted the beadboard-fronted lower cabinets in the kitchen of her 1900s farmhouse a dark blue-gray hue. It both grounds the room and lets the salvaged white farmhouse sink pop. Above, the white open shelving is set off by a barely-there blue paint color on the walls.
Get the Look:
Wall Paint Color: Quiet Moments by Benjamin Moore
Cabinetry Paint Color: Night Train by Benjamin Moore
RELATED: You won't believe this farmhouse transformation! Take a tour of Christina's entire home.
Bright Yellow and Blue
There's nothing more appealing than a blue-and-white kitchen. And you can't beat a yellow kitchen for a happy setting. We say combine the two for a true win-win. This Kentucky kitchen proves the point beautifully with its pairing of a charming blue-and-white quilt-patterned tile backsplash and a light and bright yellowy-green painted island. White wall cabinets and butcher-block countertops keep things balanced.
Get the Look:
Island Paint Color: Sweet Pear by Benjamin Moore.
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