The kitchen is the perfect place for colour, offering endless opportunities on both a small and large scale.

Inject colour into the heart of your home for maximum impact with our kitchen colour ideas. From simple touch-ups to maximalist changes, read on to discover some of our best tips for implementing colour in your space.

Colourful kitchen cabinets

Transforming your kitchen with colourful cabinets is a bold move that can redefine the entire aesthetic of the space. When considering this approach, there are several key design elements to consider:

Natural light

Understanding the dynamics of natural light in your kitchen is crucial when selecting vibrant cabinet colours. Kitchens that benefit from plenty of sunlight can handle bolder, darker hues without feeling cramped. On the other hand, in spaces with limited natural light, opt for brighter colours to create a sense of openness.

Room size

Consider the size of your kitchen. In smaller kitchens, lighter cabinet colours work wonders to enhance the feeling of spaciousness. However, if you have a larger kitchen, you have the flexibility to experiment with both bold and muted shades.

Colour psychology

Different colours evoke different moods and atmospheres. Blues, for example, can create a calming and serene environment, ideal for kitchens where relaxation is key. Greens bring the outdoors in, fostering a sense of freshness and vitality. Reds and yellows add warmth and energy, perfect for creating a vibrant and lively space.

Consider the overall colour scheme of your kitchen. Cabinets should complement, not clash, with other elements such as walls, countertops, and flooring. Choosing complimentary colours contributes to a cohesive and well-designed space.

Cabinet finishes

If you opt for wooden cabinets, the type of wood and its finish play a significant role. Lighter woods, such as maple or oak, are versatile and can be stained in various colours. Darker woods, like mahogany or cherry, add richness and depth to the kitchen.

Cabinets with laminate or glossy finishes offer a modern touch. However, these surfaces can pose challenges when it comes to painting. Ensure that the material is suitable for painting, as not all laminates or gloss finishes hold paint effectively.

Kitchen style

The style of your kitchen should guide your colour choices. For a modern, sleek look, consider bold, high-gloss colours. Traditional kitchens might benefit from more muted tones or classic colours. Retro or eclectic styles allow for experimentation with vibrant hues, such as mint greens, oranges and deep reds.

Think about using colourful cabinets as accent pieces. A kitchen with neutral tones can benefit from a pop of colour on the cabinets, creating a focal point without overwhelming the space.

Practicality and maintenance

If you're painting existing cabinets, choose a high-quality, durable paint. Kitchens are high-traffic areas, and cabinets are exposed to grease, moisture, and constant use. A durable paint will ensure your vibrant cabinets remain vibrant for years to come.

Consider how easy it is to clean and maintain the chosen colour. Lighter colours may show stains more than darker ones, so factor in the practicality of your colour choice for day-to-day upkeep.

Longevity

While it's essential to consider current trends, also think about the long-term appeal of the chosen colour. Will you still love it in a few years? Selecting a timeless colour ensures your kitchen remains stylish for years to come.

If you’re upgrading your kitchen with a view to move home in the near future, and want to add more value to your house price, consider a colour scheme that will be appealing to future buyers and be in keeping with the overall style of your home.

Dual-tone colour schemes

Why pick one colour when you can have one, two or even three? Dual-tone cabinets can bring an ultra-modern retro feel to your kitchen space.

Consider pairing olive green with a soft white to create a spa-like atmosphere in both traditional or contemporary spaces - great for pairing with warm wood tones.

The cool combination of blue and white hues helps to create a mellow, relaxing aesthetic. For a balanced application of colour, choose one colour shade for the lower cabinets and keep the above cabinets in white or natural wood.

Adding splashes of colour

If you don’t want to commit to all-out bright kitchen cupboards, consider introducing a bright accent colour through your kitchen island, wall units or end panels. This allows you to experiment with a smaller dose of colour, before making a bigger commitment.

An easy way to incorporate colour into your kitchen subtly is through colourful tiling. Play with patterns and textures, and create contrast in your kitchen with colourful tiles. Colourful tiling works exceptionally well for splashbacks, offering a chic yet practical setting.

Book an appointment with our kitchen design experts for expert guidance on creating your perfect kitchen.

Bright kitchen flooring and rugs

The kitchen floor can often be forgotten about, so don’t let this be the case in your kitchen! Flooring is the perfect opportunity to  add bold colour.

Rugs offer a low maintenance option, helping to section the room in open-plan spaces, as well as providing warmth on hardwood or tile flooring. When picking a rug, opt for a material that is easy to clean and can withstand plenty of foot traffic.

Bright kitchen walls

Add colour in unexpected places – colour doesn’t have to be reserved solely for cabinets, soft furnishings and appliances. You can refresh any room by injecting colour on the walls or ceilings.

Consider painting small sections of a wall to create a feature focus. This works particularly well even in a small kitchen space. Adding an accent colour is a stylish and contemporary attribute to your kitchen space.

Great options for a feature wall include open shelving or a wall with architectural features to help transform the whole look and feel of the space. An accent wall from the hall going into the kitchen or the far wall adjacent to the dining area can add an extensive injection of colour into your kitchen space.

There’s plenty of choice when it comes to bright kitchen wall colours – from breezy ocean blues and earthy greens, to pastel pinks and muted sage greens.

Add colour with soft furnishings

Neutral kitchens are the perfect opportunity to add colour, and if you’re looking for a low-commitment way to interject colour into the heart of your home, consider implementing colour through soft furnishings.

This can be as simple as incorporating a new rug, adding patterned cushions to your dining chairs, and bringing in a colourful table runner for the dining table.

Dial up your dinnerware

Refreshing your utensils, crockery and small appliances with colour is a quick, easy and low-maintenance way to implement colour in your kitchen space.

Begin by choosing an accent colour from a nearby room, then match your dinnerware and utensils with it. You should also consider finding new ways to keep your dinnerware on show, rather than always keeping it tucked away in a cupboard.

Consider going bold for a contemporary or retro kitchen, and opt for strong heritage tones for a traditional shaker kitchen.

There are many ways to bring colour into your kitchen, no matter what space or style you’re working with. Our Home Designers are well experienced in providing the best advice for your individual style and preferences, making sure that your dream kitchen becomes the reality in your home.

Book a free consultation at your home to kick off your kitchen design project.