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These 14 Delicious Paint Colors Are Sure to Complement Your Kitchen

By
Deirdre Sullivan
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Deirdre Sullivan
Deirdre Sullivan is an interior design expert and features writer who specializes in home improvement as well as design. She began her career as an assistant editor at Elle magazine and has more than a decade of experience. Deirdre contributes content for brands including The Spruce and Realtor.com, and has been a featured speaker at various conferences.
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Updated on 03/19/24
Modern kitchen with white painted cabinets and walls

The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto

The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the home, not only because it's where all of your meals are made but also because it is a place to gather, bond, and create memories with loved ones. You want your kitchen to feel inviting and fresh to inspire creative food creations and lively conversations.

Here are 14 of the best paint colors that will make your kitchen an extra joyful space for meal prep time and beyond.

Choosing the Right Color for Your Kitchen

Finding perfect paint colors for kitchen walls can be challenging because you need to think about so many other elements of the room including the colors of your appliances, cabinets, countertops, backsplash, and flooring. Not only that, you have to think about the size of your kitchen as well.

Luckily, there are some general guidelines to keep in mind that will help you make the right choice:

  • Keep the size of your kitchen in mind: Small kitchens really open up with white and muted shades because these reflect more light, creating the illusion of more space. For larger kitchens, deeper shades such as navy blue work best.
  • Work with the natural lighting from your windows: The location of your kitchen windows will make a huge impact on the way the natural light plays out in your space. For example, if your kitchen window faces south or west, you can work with this warm natural light by using light paint shades. For north-facing windows, avoid using cool-toned colors and go with warm hues.
  • Stay loyal to your preferred design style: You want your kitchen to feel like your own, which is why staying loyal to your preferred design style is imperative.
  • Make sure your cabinets, countertops, and backsplash complement the kitchen's walls: Finally, you don't want your cabinets, walls, countertops, and backsplash to clash. To create the perfect color scheme for your kitchen, use a color wheel to find complementary shades for each element. For example, if you have wood counters, try going with a shade of blue.
  • 01 of 14

    Sherwin-Williams Cavern Clay

    Paint swatch of Sherwin Williams Cavern Clay

    The Spruce 

    Kitchens with an earthy, retro '70s feel are increasing in popularity. Pair walnut cabinetry with beautiful terracotta walls in a paint called Cavern Clay (SW 7701) by Sherwin-Williams. The warm reddish, almost chocolaty dark neutral color works well with natural wood tones, avocado green, purplish grays, creamy white, and golden yellow.

  • 02 of 14

    Magnolia Homes Cinnamon Sugar

    Magnolia Home paint swatch in Cinnamon Sugar

    The Spruce 

    When it comes to painting kitchens, beige tones are often overlooked. Beige walls create a feeling of warmth, which fits right in with the process of cooking. A pretty beige color to consider is Cinnamon Sugar by Magnolia Homes. Its subtle tan base has pink notes that make a kitchen look cozy but not muddy or yellowish.

    Tip

    Knowing the undertone of the color you choose is helpful. The undertone is a bit of color added to the base, but it makes a difference in a room when it combines with surrounding hues. Careful sampling of your color choices is the best way to ensure you choose the right undertone for the space.

  • 03 of 14

    Sherwin-Williams Let it Rain

    Sherwin Williams Let It Rain color swatch

    The Spruce 

    "No color is off limits for a kitchen, but these days I prefer kitchen walls in serene tones of a pale ocean blue," Heidi Techner, the program director of interior design at Harcum College, says.

    She notes that Let it Rain (SW 9152) by Sherwin-Williams combines elements of an invigorating blue with a calming gray undertone to create a relaxing and restorative energy Use the color as a neutral_white cabinetry and pine flooring make for beautiful accents when paired with this shade in the kitchen.

  • 04 of 14

    Benjamin Moore Upper West Side

    Benjamin Moore Upper West Side paint swatch

    The Spruce

    White is sometimes a little too lackluster for a kitchen space. Interior designer Alec Holland says, one of his favorites is Upper West Side (CSP-70) from Benjamin Moore. It is warm enough to create a little depth and drama without feeling dark or moody. It also looks thoroughly chic with white kitchen cabinetry.

    When you want a hint of color, but aren't looking to stray far from quiet hues, this taupe is a great darker neutral option.

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  • 05 of 14

    Glidden Red Delicious

    Glidden Red Delicious paint swatch

    The Spruce 

    "Red is a stimulating color making it ideal for a kitchen accent wall because it can stimulate the appetite, and even create an energizing environment for lively conversation," Techner says. A yummy color worth trying is Red Delicious (00YR 08/409) by Glidden.

    Pair this classic red, which many consider a darker neutral, with cabinetry in its complementary color of cerulean blue for a truly luxurious look. Or tone down the red with a rich gray or a delicious darker brown (think caramel candy apple).

  • 06 of 14

    Benjamin Moore Gray Owl

    Benjamin Moore Gray Owl paint swatch

    The Spruce

    "Gray Owl (2137-60) by Benjamin Moore works in most kitchens because it goes with a broad range of colorful cabinetry," says Patrick Planeta, owner of Planeta Design Group. "It makes white cabinets stand out, and the paint shade is also light enough that when paired with darker cabinetry it will not make the rest of the kitchen feel oppressive or heavy."

    He also appreciates the color's ability to balance tonal differences, which makes this versatile neutral perfect for kitchens with two-toned cabinets.

  • 07 of 14

    Sherwin-Williams White Duck

    Sherwin Williams White Duck paint swatch

    The Spruce

    Kylie, the interior designer and decor blogger behind Kylie M. Interiors, says White Duck (SW 7010) by Sherwin-Williams is a pitch-perfect blend of beloved greige, which means that it never feels too beige or gray as the light changes throughout the day. The neutral allows white subway tile to sing and provides a clean backdrop for rustic wood accents.

  • 08 of 14

    Benjamin Moore Alligator Alley

    Benjamin Moore Alligator Alley Paint Swatch

    The Spruce

    Benjamin Moore's Alligator Alley (441) is a stunning forest green shade that will add so much personality to your kitchen. It's also the same color used in Dakota Johnson's kitchen (if you know, you know). While Johnson opted to use this color on her kitchen cabinets, it would also work beautifully on your kitchen walls.

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  • 09 of 14

    Farrow & Ball Pink Ground

    Swatch of Pink Ground by Farrow & Ball

    The Spruce 

    Farrow & Ball's Pink Ground (No. 202) feels neutral but still adds a pop of color. A dusty pink, Pink Ground has a special warmth to it thanks to its high concentration of yellow pigment. Farrow & Ball recommends pairing Pink Ground with a warmer white shade on woodwork to create an extra unique look in your home.

  • 10 of 14

    Sherwin-Williams Salty Dog

    Salty Dog Sherwin-Williams Paint

    The Spruce

    Sherwin-Williams' Salty Dog (SW 9177) is a deep navy blue that will deliver a powerful punch of vibrant color to your kitchen. Take a paint brush with this beautiful blue to everything from your kitchen cabinets to the walls.

  • 11 of 14

    Behr Egg Cream

    Behr Egg Cream Paint Swatch

    The Spruce

    Egg Cream (P270-4) by Behr is a soft yellow that is fresh and smooth. While the color is still bright, Egg Cream is not overpowering but rather an inviting yellow. Yellow kitchens are definitely on trend but still timeless. You will enjoy the happy hue for years to come.

  • 12 of 14

    Benjamin Moore Brewster Gray

    Benjamin Moore Brewster Gray

    The Spruce

    Brewster Gray (HC-162) by Benjamin Moore is a moody gray with blue undertones that is perfect for those who want to have their kitchen make a dramatic statement. Part of Benjamin Moore's Historical Colors collection, Brewster Gray pairs well with beiges and light grays.

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  • 13 of 14

    Benjamin Moore Spring Leaf

    Spring Leaf paint swatch from Benjamin Moore

    The Spruce

    If you're aiming for a cheerful kitchen, but don't necessarily want to paint your walls yellow, consider a happy and energizing color like Benjamin Moore's Spring Leaf (2030-40). It's a bold, saturated green that wakes up a dreary kitchen. Pair it with black, white, strawberry red, and even warm gray cabinets.

  • 14 of 14

    Benjamin Moore Simply White

    Simply White paint swatch from Benjamin Moore

    The Spruce

    Another delicious white paint color for your kitchen walls or cabinets is Benjamin Moore's Simply White (OC-117). New York-based interior designer, Laurel Bern, on her blog Laurel Bern Interiors, notes that this is a terrific shade of white.

    "I would say you probably can’t go wrong with it, either as a trim or wall color," she says.

    Simply White does have a bit of a yellow, gray, and green undertone, but it refreshes and wakes up the dreariest kitchen. It looks its most contemporary when paired with light gray glass subway or mosaic tile.

Tips for Choosing a White Kitchen Paint

Choosing a white wall paint color for a kitchen can be challenging since it's largely covered with cabinetry. That's because there are undertones to every white, making it either a warm or cool color.

The best way to choose a white for a kitchen is to sample it on every wall in large swaths so you can see how the color reacts with cabinets, appliances, and sources of light. With whites, you may see many different shades and tones throughout the day and night.

FAQ
  • What is the most popular color to paint a kitchen?

    The most popular kitchen paint color is white and navy blue.

  • What colors make a kitchen look bigger?

    Lighter colors such as white, pale green, light blue, soft grey, or blush pink will always help make your kitchen appear larger because these are more reflective than darker shades. However, the way the color is used is just as important as the color you choose. For example, painting your cabinets and walls the same color creates cohesiveness, helping your kitchen seem bigger than it actually is.

  • What is the best kitchen color for feng shui?

    The best kitchen colors for feng shui are shades such as greens, browns, yellows, blues, oranges, or reds. However, the color you choose will all depend on what energy you want to bring to your kitchen. For example, green invites energy into a space while red brings passion and joy.

How to Paint a Kitchen