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48 Colorful Kitchens Any Designer Would Approve

Dare to go bold with these trendy paint colors!

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modern kitchen with teal cabinets and pink bar stools
MARC MAULDIN

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These days, minimalism is waning and more and more interior designers are going bold with color, especially in kitchens. They’re trading all-white kitchens for personality-packed design schemes filled with moody tones and vivid hues that command attention.

If you’re stumped on how to make a daring palette work in your space, this roundup of colorful kitchens has all the inspiration you need. You can try deep green or blue, go for a sophisticated red, or experiment with an unexpected shade (yellow, pink, and orange are just a few ideas). It’s your call!

Ahead, you’ll spot designer-approved kitchen color ideas for cabinets, islands, backsplashes, and much more. Whether you’re working with a small layout or have a spacious setup, you’ll land on the right one for your style.

1

Dusty Pink

kitchen with pink cabinets
RJ Guillermo

Not only does this kitchen's dusty pink cabinets make for a warm and inviting layout, but the soft tone "reflects natural light beautifully, allowing it to bounce throughout the space and create the illusion of added square footage," says designer Shaolin Low of Studio Shaolin.

Try Behr's Hydrangea Bouquet

Photo by:
RJ Guillermo

2

Inky Blue

kitchen with blue cabinets
Marshall Evan Photography

Make a statement with an inky blue hue that reflects light beautifully. Designer Cheryl Stauffer of Crimson Design Group says the shade "adds depth" to the long, narrow kitchen.

Try Benjamin Moore's Kensington Blue

Photo by: Marshall Evan Photography

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3

Bright Teal

modern kitchen with teal cabinets and pink bar stools
MARC MAULDIN

A utilitarian space doesn't have to be drab. For this kitchen, designer Amber Guyton didn't just install teal cabinets—she covered the ceiling in her Lowcountry Sweetgrass wallpaper (in collaboration with Mitchell Black). "All of the colors work so well together because of the natural elements, brass and gold accents, and artful influence that makes it a one-of-a-kind kitchen," Guyton explains.

Try Behr's Ocean Boulevard

Photo by: Marc Mauldin

4

Fresh Green

kitchen with mint green cabinets
Aimee Ryan

Soft green enhances this small kitchen's airy feel. Plus, it's the perfect match for black hardware. "Cascade green by Sherwin-Williams is one of those perfect green shades," says Nureed Saeed of NU Interiors. "It's not too yellow, not too blue, not too dark, and not too light."

Try Sherwin-Williams' Cascade Green

Photo by: Aimee Ryan

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5

Plum

kitchen with deep purple cabinets
Valerie Wilcox

While this kitchenette acts as a transitional zone, the deep plum cabinets turn it into a “jewel-box retreat,” according to designer Jennifer Worts. “We paired Farrow & Ball's Brinjal with a honed black stone to ground the aubergine notes, creating a look that feels both anchored and ethereal,” she explains.

Try Farrow & Ball's Brinjal

Photo by: Valerie Wilcox

6

Forest Green

kitchen with green cabinets
Ryan Garvin

Want to try a deep hue? Charleston-based designer Michael Mitchell is partial to earthy green. “There is something about using color in a kitchen that can be grounding, timeless, and a little dramatic! The Farrow & Ball Chine Green cabinets here add the perfect amount of charm without overdoing it,” Mitchell says.

Try Farrow & Ball's Chine Green

Photo by: Ryan Garvin

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7

Beige and Dusty Rose

kitchen with beige cabinets and pink island
Joe Schmelzer

For this two-tone look, English interior designer Sam Donnelly pairs greige cabinets with a dusty rose-colored island. "Color doesn’t have to be loud to matter, and Farrow & Ball’s Etruscan Red—that muted reddish brown—felt exactly right: warm, a little unexpected, but not shouty," says Donnelly, founder of Mercantile and Merchant. Walls covered in creamy matte tiles play up the kitchen's elegant feel.

Try Benjamin Moore's Grége Avenue
Farrow & Ball's Etruscan Red

Photo by: Joe Schmelzer

8

Emerald Green and Off-White

modern kitchen with green cabinetry and a large island
Aaron Dougherty

In an effort to keep this kitchen "light and bright," designer Ruthie Staalsen went with off-white upper cabinets and a complementary cream tile backsplash. The green lower cabinets and matching island add just the right amount of drama.

Try Behr's Precious Emerald

Photo by: Aaron Dougherty Photography

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9

Cool Yellow

light green kitchen
Katie Charlotte

Brighten up any space with a light yellow-green paint color, just as Cortney Bishop Design does in this charming kitchen. It looks fresh and cheerful against white shiplap walls and delicate gold hardware.

Try Glidden's Cool Yellow

Photo by: Katie Charlotte

10

Cobalt Blue

blue kitchen
Kelsey Ann Rose

Dare to go bold with a rich hue like cobalt—just be sure to choose a simple backsplash for some balance. Finish the look with chrome and stainless steel finishes, like this setup from designer Nina Carbone.

Try Behr's Dark Cobalt Blue by Behr

Photo by: Kelsey Ann Rose

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11

Moody Teal

colorful kitchens
Photo: Julie Mannell; Design: Heather Kirk

From muted to deep, teal kitchen cabinets are a popular choice. In this cozy kitchen, Heather Kirk of Kirk Riley Design somehow makes the cheerful hue feel like a neutral.

Try Valspar's Sailing By Moonlight

Photo by: Julie Mannell

12

Burnt Orange

orange kitchen
Lauren Andersen/SEN Creative

Hunting for an unexpected hue? Try dark orange, whether it's the entire kitchen or a way to define the pantry. In this modern kitchen, Noz Nozawa mixes warm wood cabinetry with warm orange for visual interest.

Try Benjamin Moore's Electric Orange

Photo by: SEN Creative

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13

Bright Yellow

yellow and blue kitchen
Patricia Burke

Yellow and blue are complementary colors, which means they balance each other out. Here, James Yarosh Associates goes for blue-gray kitchen cabinets and neon yellow for the center island—instant contrast.

Try Glidden's Acorn Squash

Photo by: Patricia Burke

14

Navy Blue + Bright White

dark navy blue kitchen
Pete Helme Photography

Incorporate color in a subtle way with navy blue cabinetry and crisp white walls. For even more contrast, take inspiration from Berkeley Place and skip upper cabinets.

Try Clare's Nearly Navy

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15

Glossy Green

glossy green kitchen with artistic tile marble backsplash and countertop
Courtesy of Artistic Tile

If you have a second kitchen or a butler's pantry, it's the perfect opportunity to flex your creativity. Choose a vibrant shade of green, opting for a glossy finish to level up the drama.

Try Sherwin-Williams' Grasshopper

16

Light Teal

kitchen color ideas
Patricia Burke for James Yarosh Associates

These teal kitchen cabinets are a soothing blend of blue and green. To elevate the space, James Yarosh Associates adds a dramatic marble countertop that extends up the wall.

Try Dunn-Edwards' Steamy Spring

Photo by: Patricia Burke

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17

Deep Purple

glidden purple basil bedroom
Courtesy of Glidden

Shades of purple are popping up in interiors. Glidden even named this daring shade its color of the year. A deep purple looks bold and dramatic, yet calming in the kitchen. Pair it with bright creams and whites so it doesn't overpower.

Try Glidden's Purple Basil

18

Soft Pink

pink kitchen
Studio DIY!

Pink is a unique choice for kitchen cabinets, but the right shade creates a warm, inviting space. Here, Studio DIY goes for a soft pink that leans toward neutral. Hint: Gold hardware is the perfect match for pink.

Try Benjamin Moore's Pink Bliss

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19

Botanical Green

kitchen color ideas
Astrid Templier / Lucinda Sanford

Green kitchens are all the rage—they've been trending for the last few years, but a nature-inspired hue can be timeless. Take note from Lucinda Sanford and pair a leafy shade with a botanical wallpaper.

Try Behr's Sage Green

20

Wine Red

red kitchen with large window
Emily Hart Photography

From burgundy and auburn to muted mauve, warm rusty reds are trending this year. Here, Kelsey McGregor, founder of Kelsey Leigh Design Co., uses a wine-inspired paint color on walls, cabinets and window treatments for a monochrome moment, then weaves in gold hardware to complete the look.

Try Farrow & Ball's Eating Room Red

Headshot of Alyssa Gautieri
Alyssa Gautieri
Senior Gifts Editor

Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) leads Good Housekeeping’s gift guide strategy. She writes and edits commerce content, where she analyzes lifestyle trends, shopping data, and works closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute to recommend top-tested products. Previously, she was the associate lifestyle editor for GH and wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, BobVila.com, and Unique Homes Magazine. When she’s not tracking down buzzy products, you can find her walking her dog, Skye, around Jersey City.

Headshot of Monique Valeris
Monique Valeris
Home Design Director

Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, "What's in My Cart."

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