BEST COLOURS TO PAINT YOUR KITCHEN
Your kitchen is the heart of your home, and the right paint colour can transform its entire atmosphere. But with countless shades to choose from, how do you find the perfect one? From creating a cosy feel to a sleek, modern look, the colours you choose have a powerful impact on both the aesthetics and the mood of your space.
Below is a list, written by kitchen design expert Penelope Jacobs at MyJobQuote.co.uk, of the best paint colours for a kitchen.
What are the Best Colours to Paint a Kitchen?
Cosy and Warm Neutrals
Neutral, warm colours are great for creating a welcoming atmosphere and can provide a great foundation for your kitchen cabinets and accessories to stand out. Creamy whites and soft beiges are perfect options. Alternatively, you can add a splash of colour with pastel tones such as powder yellow, baby blue, and pale pink. Neutral colours can be used across your entire kitchen and work well when paired with neutral textures such as granite worktops and wood units.
Modern and Fresh Bright Whites
Bright white is a classic choice for kitchens. This paint colour can make a statement while avoiding overwhelming the room. It works well in both contemporary and traditional kitchens. Consider using glossy kitchen units with a handle-less design for a minimalist aesthetic. Alternatively, choose shaker cabinets to create a more classic-looking design. Add a few dark colours on your walls or worktops to help add some definition to the space. A statement accessory, such as a brightly coloured cooker, can help to add a daring spin to the room.
Statement Cool Colours
Cooler colour shades such as grey, blue, green, and purple are all very versatile. This makes them a great choice when it comes to creating a statement feature or wall. There are many ways in which you can add a bold pop of colour to your kitchen scheme. For example, you could add a kitchen island or a row of cabinets that contrast in colour when compared to the rest of your design. Alternatively, you could paint the main wall in the room a bright, eye-catching shade. It’s important when using statement colours that you balance out the effects by adding some neutral tones throughout the rest of the room.
What is the Best Type of Paint for Kitchen Walls?
Interior paints have finishes that range from matte to high gloss. Matt is non-reflective, and high gloss is very reflective. Finishes such as satin, eggshell, and silk fall somewhere in between the scales. Some paint brands will offer a special paint mix, designed specifically for kitchens. These can range from matte to gloss. These mixes are designed specifically so that they are easy to clean and maintain in the kitchen space.
If your chosen shade isn’t available as a kitchen mix, mid gloss finishes are usually the best option. This is because the texture of them makes them easy to wipe down and clean on a regular basis without having any effect on the paintwork.
Modern matt paints have also been developed to be easily wiped clean. If you would prefer a non-reflective surface in the kitchen, this may be a better option. However, it’s best to check the manufacturer’s recommendations before you buy it.
What is the Most Popular Colour for a Kitchen?
The most popular colour for a kitchen is white. White works well on the walls, work surfaces, cabinets, and even the flooring. White is the most neutral of neutrals, and this means that it works well with a wide range of additional design elements. Whether you are looking to add some bold accents or if you’re planning on putting art on the walls, white works as a brilliant backdrop. White is also the perfect colour for people who like to change their kitchen style often. You can very easily swap out certain elements of the kitchen to freshen things up without having to make any major changes in the décor. White is also a very popular choice because it evokes a sense of minimalism and cleanliness.
Which Kitchen Colours Have Been Trending in 2025?
Some of the most popular kitchen colours in 2025 have been muted, warm shades which have an earthy, natural feel.
Browns such as Benjamin Moore’s French Press and moody greens like Farrow and Ball’s Green Smoke are good examples of this trend toward nature-inspired hues.
Buttery yellow has also been embraced as a compromise between a neutral tone and injecting some colour into the space. Examples are Sherwin-Williams’ Butter Up and Behr’s Spirited Yellow, both adding warmth and colour to a kitchen.
Rich and deep blues and reds have also been popular this year, with Farrow and Ball’s Hague Blue and Muscovado from Little Greene. These darker, more dramatic colours work beautifully with lighter coloured elements such as brass or polished nickel.
Calming colours like warm neutrals took the place of stark, brilliant whites in the kitchen, giving the room a more inviting feel. Benjamin Moore’s Cinnamon Slate was their colour of the year and a perfect example of a shade that pairs beautifully with cool and warm tones.
How to Find the Right Colour for Your Kitchen
When deciding on a colour for your kitchen, it’s important to consider several factors, including:
- The size of the room: This matters as colour has a significant impact on how the space is perceived. Small kitchens often benefit from neutral and light colours to create an airier feel, while larger rooms can typically handle darker tones. However, the proper use of deeper shades or dual tones can still be used to great effect in a cosy kitchen.
- Layout of the kitchen: Take note of the layout of your kitchen, whether it’s a petite single wall, galley kitchen or an L, U or G shape. The larger the area and the more numerous the surfaces, the more you’ll need to consider the impact of your chosen primary, secondary and tertiary colour(s).
- How much natural light the space gets: The amount of daylight that comes into your kitchen will not only help you work out the best colours to use to maximise the space, but also how true those shades will appear. Artificial lighting can alter what a colour looks like depending on whether you’re using warm or cool white bulbs or opting for halogen. Natural light shows a truer colour, but remember, daylight changes throughout the year, so bear this in mind too. Consider which direction your kitchen windows face, as north and east-facing kitchens will have cooler light than those with a southerly or westerly aspect.
- The look and feel you want to achieve: Whether you want a traditional, modern, farmhouse or other style of kitchen will also influence your choice of colour. Darker colours can provide a more modern, elegant feel, while soft shades and neutrals provide a more relaxed atmosphere.
- Personal style: Ultimately, your choice of kitchen colour will come down to what you like and the kind of kitchen you want. It’s important that you enjoy the space and not be purely influenced by what’s trending or popular. So, pick something that brings you joy and makes the kitchen a room you want to spend time in.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to designing your kitchen, the right paint colour can make all the difference and can set the tone for the entire space. As we’ve seen, whether you are drawn to warm neutrals that create a cosy atmosphere or bold, cool colours that make a statement, there’s a perfect shade for every kitchen. The key is to consider not just personal taste, but also practical factors like the size of the room, the layout, and the natural light in the room. Choosing high-quality, durable paint designed for kitchen use will ensure your colour choice stands the test of time. Ultimately, a well-thought-out colour scheme that balances your preferred style with the kitchen’s functionality will create a space that you not only love to look at but also love to live in.
MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR… PENELOPE JACOBS: Penelope Jacobs is a kitchen design expert with over 15 years worth of experience in the field. Penelope works closely with clients to make their visions come to life at a price that suits their budget. Penelope also provides expert kitchen design comments for MyJobQuote and has been featured in a range of top publications.
