Best Kitchen Color Schemes

A kitchen is the heart of a home. Whether you love to whip up gourmet delights or cook traditional family meals, your kitchen should be comfortable, functional, and attractive. You can also choose a design aesthetic that reflects your personal style. Knowing the best kitchen color schemes can help you transform your kitchen into a beautiful space in your home.

Top 9 Kitchen Color Schemes

1. Gray
2. Beige
3. Matte Black
4. Warm White
5. Pale Yellow
6. Terracotta
7. Sage Green
8. Navy Blue
9. Red

Choosing a color scheme for your kitchen can be a difficult decision. You can start by considering the feeling you want to create for your kitchen. Do you want the space to feel calm and relaxing or full of energy? Also, consider the size and layout of your kitchen. Be sure to learn about small kitchen color schemes if you have less space. And if you are considering a home sale in the near-term, neutral colors are always a wise choice.

Take the time to pick the perfect kitchen paint colors. Remember that you’ll need to coordinate with appliances, cabinets, furniture, light fixtures, and design accessories. You can collect inspiration photos to keep track of your favorite ideas. Talk with design-savvy friends, read blogs, or seek out a consultation with an interior designer to get kitchen color ideas. The kitchen is one of the most lived-in rooms in your home, so choosing the right color scheme is essential.

Top 9 Kitchen Color Schemes

Color and interior design trends change, but some kitchen color schemes stand the test of time. If you want to stay on-trend, you can choose a neutral base color palette and add a pop of through accessories and décor. Or, you can go bold and bright with standout colors.

1. Gray Color Scheme

Gray has been the number one neutral choice for several decades. But keep in mind that there are hundreds of gray shades that range from light to dark. Many people prefer warm grays to cool grays. A warm gray has yellow or pink undertones that can feel modern and inviting, while cool grays have blue undertones.

The right gray tone can work well with almost any hue—from soft pastels to bold and vibrant colors. If you like natural hardwood floors, cabinetry, or countertops, gray can be an excellent choice. Another look to consider is a gray and white color scheme with white subway tiles, gray and white granite countertops, and a single vivid appliance, like an orange refrigerator.

While lighter grays are more common, darker, charcoal gray kitchen color schemes are growing in appeal. Charcoal gray evokes the moodiness and drama of black with a slightly lighter look. It pairs well with vivid hues, such as orange and sky blue for a look that is both unique and elegant.

2. Beige Color Scheme

Beige is another color that comes in many shades—from a creamy near-white to a sandy pale brown. For many people, the right beige is a soothing shade that can brighten up a kitchen. You can use varying shades of beige for walls, accessories, backsplashes, and countertops to create a tone-on-tone aesthetic.

As a neutral, beige complements many décor styles, from classic to contemporary. If you plan on selling your home soon, beige is a good choice. It’s a buyer-friendly color that is pleasing to most people. An unassuming beige helps buyers visualize how they might transform your kitchen space instead of making them focus on your design and décor.

Do you want a neutral, but are torn between gray and beige? Go for greige. A blend of gray and beige, greige is a perfect backdrop for any kitchen color scheme.

3. Matte Black Color Scheme

Want a dramatic look in your kitchen? Consider matte black for your color scheme. Black walls provide a bold style that is a chic option for contemporary kitchens. If all black walls feel like too much, black accent walls can be a good alternative. You could even opt for a black wall covered in chalkboard paint for a creative touch.

Black can also work well for furniture, cabinets, and appliances. Pair black with light colors like beige or taupe for a pleasing combination of dark and light hues. A simple black and white kitchen color scheme will never go out of style.

4. White Color Scheme

White is always a popular color for kitchen walls. With white walls, you have a blank canvas that makes it easy to update your kitchen colors to stay with the trends. If you have a small kitchen, white can open up the space and make it larger. And if you enjoy a farmhouse aesthetic, a white kitchen can be ideal.

For a modern kitchen look, consider an all-white kitchen with white cabinets and furnishings. You’ll find many shades of white available, so take your time to find the perfect one. Pick up some paint samples to test on your walls to help narrow down your options.

5. Pale Yellow Color Scheme

The color of the summer sun, yellow brings energy and life to a space. Yellow is also a good choice if your kitchen is lacking in natural light, but you want a warm, cozy environment. Often, people find bold yellows overwhelming, especially in smaller spaces. For that reason, many homeowners who like yellow opt for a pale shade in their kitchens.

Pale yellow kitchen walls can be the perfect complement to other pastel colors. You can also opt for white walls and pale yellow cabinets or accessories.

Another tried-and-true color combination is pale yellow and blue. Together, these two colors can evoke a cottage or beachy vibe that is sure to create a comforting space. They also look chic when paired with marble countertops.

6. Terracotta Color Scheme

If vibrant or rustic colors are more your style, consider terracotta for your kitchen. A warm earthy orange, terracotta looks stunning on floors, cabinets, and backsplashes. It also pairs well with organically-inspired materials, such as wood or brick. The natural vibe of terracotta can complement the look rustic sliding barn doors that enclose your pantry or lead into your dining room. Terracotta is a bold choice that brings unmistakable energy to any kitchen.

Since terracotta is such an intense color, you may want to complement it with more subdued or classic hues. Many people opt for stainless steel or black appliances. Also, granite countertops—especially those that have some terracotta-like veining—can be gorgeous. Slate countertops or cabinetry, brushed steel or chrome accents, and honey-colored kitchen linens work well with terracotta. Add some plants or florals in terracotta pots to complete the look.

7. Sage Green Color Scheme

Green is another color that brings the beauty of the natural world indoors. While there are many shades of green available, sage is an ever-popular choice. Soft sage green adds a hint of color without overpowering a kitchen. It works well with accents of warm yellow and brown. Or, you could try turquoise and celery paired with sage walls or a sage backsplash for an inviting, contemporary look.

If you’re looking for an alternative to traditional cabinetry, consider soft sage green kitchen cabinets. This style of cabinets can look and feel like a neutral while bringing a unique touch to your space. Plus, they’re extremely versatile and can coordinate well with various types of stone, steel, and wood tones.

Some sage green tones are chameleon colors that can masquerade as grays in certain lights or when paired with select accents. With these sage green hues, you get the flexibility of a neutral with the visual interest of subtle color.

8. Navy Blue Color Scheme

Navy blue is a classic color that can create a timeless, stylish look in any kitchen. Painting your kitchen walls dark navy blue can create an intense and dramatic look. You’ll likely want to contrast the darkness of your walls with light cabinets, countertops, and appliances. White, silver, and tan always are good choices for kitchen color schemes that feature navy blue. You can also add visual interest with bright colors, such as yellow, green, or orange.

Today, navy blue kitchen cabinets are growing in popularity. Pair them with light granite countertops and metallic accents, such as gold, silver, or brass hardware, for an elegant look. Or, try navy cabinets with gray subway tiles for a contemporary feel. If navy cabinets feel like too much for your space, consider a navy center island. Navy blue backsplashes and accent walls also allow you to introduce a strong color into your kitchen in a small but powerful way.

9. Red Color Scheme

For a space filled with lively energy, choose a red color scheme for your kitchen. If you need to make a large space more intimate, consider a red shade with cool purple undertones. Warmer reds can feel stimulating and motivating.

Red is a bold choice for a kitchen, so you’ll likely want to include more traditional accents. Black and white always look good with red. Silver and steel are good accent tones as well. Since red walls can be such a statement, keep your countertops streamlined and uncluttered. Choose pure white for any countertop appliances or accessories and let your red kitchen color scheme be the star of the show.

Choosing the Perfect Kitchen Color Scheme for Your Home

Many of us start our days with a trip to the kitchen for a cup of coffee and a favorite breakfast. When your kitchen is beautiful, functional, and reflects your personality, it can be a motivating place to begin each day.

With so many kitchen color schemes to consider, you may feel overwhelmed at first. You may find it helpful to explore interior design blogs or websites and take note of what catches your eye. Start a mood board or collect inspiration photos to help gain clarity on your personal aesthetic. Keep track of decorating ideas that you find especially appealing. Do you like the contemporary look of colorful cabinets in navy blue or terracotta? Or does the simplicity of white walls provide a canvas for the farmhouse look you crave?

Also, consider your home’s overall aesthetic. If you live in a converted industrial loft, moody grays and blacks may be the perfect style. But a craftsman-style home with earthy tones and abundant wood needs a different look. Try neutrals or pale greens and blues to let the woods and crafted details make a statement.

If you like to refresh your kitchen décor often to stay on-trend, neutrals are always a good idea. With gray, beige, or white walls, you won’t need to repaint to incorporate this year’s hottest colors into your kitchen. Simple switch out countertop accessories, kitchen linens, tablecloths, and curtains for an of-the-moment look that doesn’t require new paint colors.

Remember that you don’t have to follow along with kitchen design trends and popular color combinations. If you love the idea of bubblegum pink, deep plum, or neon yellow in your kitchen, go for it! With some planning and creativity, you can make any favorite color work well in your kitchen. Choose the color scheme for your kitchen that makes you happy and create a joyful space in your home.