Life these days revolves around the kitchen, so creating a kitchen design that you love has a big impact on your daily routine. While the layout of a kitchen should be designed for maximum efficiency, the color palette is up to you. Everything from kitchen paint colors to the finish selections for backsplash, countertops and cabinetry work together for a cohesive, attractive interior design. Today’s kitchen color schemes go far beyond the traditional white kitchen, embracing bold pops of color and dark, moody shades. We’ve gathered some of our favorite kitchen designs here for inspiration.
White Kitchens With Wood Accents
White has been the most popular kitchen color palette for a couple of decades now, while gray kitchen materials have been the most popular choice for neutral color schemes. Moving into 2024, white kitchens are warming up with natural wood tones and sparkling brass or copper fittings. In this kitchen design by A-List Interiors, White Dove cabinetry is set off by modern hardware and lighting in brass. The sleek island is clad in light wood, and wood floors add to the cozy vibe:
A white tile backsplash and quartz countertops anchor this kitchen color scheme with cherry cabinets and shelving for a mid-century modern look. Sage green kitchen paint warms up the walls.
This neutral kitchen adds interest with a color combination of white and cream on the subway tile backsplash, walls and island. Brass pendants and a wood accent on the stove hood complement the warm undertones of Benjamin Moore’s Gentle Cream paint on the island.
In this minimalist kitchen, Benjamin Moore’s White Heron is used as an all-over color for a modern Scandanavian look. Brass and wood accents add low-key sophistication on the kitchen backsplash, while a wood trestle table serves as a casual kitchen island.
Wall Colors For White Cabinets
After living with white kitchen cabinets for years, many homeowners are ready to update this classic color. What color goes best with white cabinets? Neutral shades continue to be popular. A warm gray wall color like Benjamin Moore Metropolitan is deep enough to set off white cabinets, and adds a touch of sophistication.
Beige and khaki neutrals are trending for 2024 as people move away from the cool grays of recent years. Clay Beige paint by Benjamin Moore creates subtle contrast alongside kitchen cabinets painted in Benjamin Moore White Dove:
Blue kitchens are a timeless design that dates back centuries. This kitchen combines warm white cabinets in Swiss Coffee, subway tile, and stainless steel accents with a soft shade of blue paint on the walls:
Sky blues and blue-greens create a serene backdrop for white kitchen cabinets. This cottage kitchen’s beadboard walls evoke coastal charm in Beach Glass paint from Benjamin Moore:
Modern Kitchen Wall Colors
For the past several years modern kitchens have trended towards crisp white softened by light gray, often with an island in dark blue or black. Black and white color schemes tie in with the black window frames popular in today’s farmhouse style homes. This kitchen’s black and white color palette starts with Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace, anchored by a modern island painted in Soot.
Industrial and style kitchens benefit from paint colors with warm undertones. This soaring space is painted in Cloud White from Benjamin Moore:
A contemporary kitchen with a pro chef’s vibe, this black kitchen features an accent wall and matching lower cabinets in Benjamin Moore’s ADVANCE Interior Satin paint. The ceiling and walls are Cloud Cover in Regal Select Interior paint, Matte finish. Black and white photography picks up the silver of stainless steel appliances:
Warm neutral colors like taupe and greige have an updated look when paired with sleek cabinetry in a light wood shade. This French-inspired kitchen has plenty of natural light to brighten up the rich greige walls:
Kitchen Cabinet Color Ideas For 2024
Color-blocking your cabinets breaks up the monotony of a single cabinet color. It’s an easy DIY project that gives an instant update without an expensive remodel. This small kitchen looks fresh and bright with Distant Gray from Benjamin Moore on the walls and upper cabinets, and the classic navy blue of Kensington Blue in Benjamin Moore ADVANCE Satin Interior Paint:
In an open plan home, colorful kitchen cabinets provide an accent color for the adjoining living room. In this mid-century modern interior, teal cabinets add a pop of color against white walls and ceiling in Benjamin Moore White Dove:
Pastel pink lower cabinets create a modern and sophisticated kitchen look when paired with taupe walls, here painted with Benjamin Moore’s Thunder:
Green kitchens are having a moment, with homeowners choosing the warmth of green over gray for both cabinets and walls. Instead of black or gray, this small industrial style kitchen uses an unexpected shade of olive green alongside matte black and stainless steel:
Sage green shades compliment gray marble and stainless steel surfaces without creating too much contrast. Medium green October Mist from Benjamin Moore adds sunny warmth to this cool, modern kitchen:
Even classic black and white is being used in fresh new ways. This vintage style kitchen uses open shelving to create a light and bright look, anchored by lower cabinets in Jet Black ADVANCE Satin Interior Paint from Benjamin Moore.
Rustic & Farmhouse Kitchen Colors
Farmhouse kitchens have been known for their white paint, but expect to see more colorful versions in the future. Kitchen trends for 2024 include warmer shades and more saturated colors, and farmhouse kitchens are no exception. Shades of gray and white add dimension to this classic kitchen while the bold colors of the island and rug liven things up:
White upper cabinets and a pale blue backsplash amplify the light in this cottage kitchen. Lower cabinets in dark green coordinate beautifully with the slate floor:
This rustic kitchen looks newly updated with its modern tile floors and color-blocked design. The accent wall is painted Westcott Navy in Benjamin Moore’s Regal Select paint in Matte. For durable cabinets, the homeowner chose Benjamin Moore’s ADVANCE Interior Paint in Semi-Gloss in a color called Blue Nose.
For a modern take on the farmhouse look, the designer of this kitchen chose a greenish-brown for the wall cabinets to add some warmth to the gray and black scheme. For durability they used ADVANCE Interior Paint from Benjamin Moore, choosing a Satin finish for its modern, low-shine appearance.
This creative homeowner brought the drama to this rustic Mediterranean style kitchen by painting the beige tile in high-gloss Almost Black and the walls in bright white Chantilly Lace, both from Benjamin Moore.
Kitchen Appliances In Color Schemes
It can be challenging to create a new kitchen color scheme that works with existing appliance finishes. If your appliances are white, you can choose a white cabinet paint that matches them exactly for a seamless look. It’s also possible to order a new front panel for many dishwashers that can be painted to match your lower cabinet color.
Black appliances don’t require that you have a black kitchen, but a dark paint color like Benjamin Moore’s Old Navy, Ashland Slate or Salamander on the base cabinets will help them to blend in. For two-tone kitchens, add interest by mixing glossy and matte surfaces across tile, countertops and cabinetry. This vintage-inspired kitchen makes the navy and brass range a centerpiece by surrounding it in glossy white subway tile. The simple island in Hale Navy paint provides visual weight to balance the stove.
Stainless steel cabinets blend easily with today’s popular gray color schemes. As you can see in this kitchen, a medium greige paint color reduces the contrast between cabinets and dishwasher:
This bright and beachy kitchen uses sky blue and pale gray to keep the large stainless steel range from looking heavy and dark. Benjamin Moore’s Distant Gray on the backsplash and Gray Cloud on the lower cabinets move the eye gently from the stove area up to the white and blue on walls and ceiling.
Kitchen Island & Accent Colors
With bold color trending throughout the home, you can expect to see pops of color accenting cabinets and kitchen islands in the near future. For an instant update to a gray and white kitchen, paint an accent wall or island in butter yellow or avocado green.
A clean white color like Benjamin Moore’s White Heron makes a great overall shade for walls, ceiling and cabinets. Their ADVANCE Interior Paint offers a Satin finish that works for all surfaces. Orange wishbone chairs and open shelving in Sunflower yellow add bold color to this small kitchen.
Saturated colors add drama to the kitchen, with vibrant shades to remind us of exotic travel and delicious meals. An accent wall in Benjamin Moore’s Starry Night Blue connects this open kitchen to the adjoining living room.
The popular trend of restoring mid-century homes has led to an interest in how to incorporate color into these iconic spaces. This architectural style often features exposed beams and wood paneling, so a kitchen color scheme needs to consider the undertones of any adjacent wood. In this kitchen, a red-brown paint color picks up the red undertones of the countertops and creates a background for pottery display.
Designing Your Kitchen Color Scheme
Unless you’re building a new home, selecting a new kitchen color scheme will be part of a renovation project. You may have to work around features like countertops or appliances that will stay. However, it’s still quite possible to update your kitchen with new finishes. A new tile backsplash, lighting and hardware will have a big impact. Outdated oak or cherry cabinets can be painted to look brand new. For professional results, choose a paint formulated especially for cabinets; we recommend Benjamin Moore ADVANCE Interior Paint which is available in over 3,500 designer colors in Satin, Semi-Gloss and High-Gloss finishes.
Free shipping on benjamin moore paint samplesWhen it’s time to select your paint colors, try our favorite designer tip for testing paint swatches in the home; paint a large poster board using a Benjamin Moore paint color sample; then move it around the room to observe the color on different walls and in different lighting conditions. For more helpful tips on selecting paint products, check out our Interior Paint Guide.
Ring’s End carries a wide selection of Benjamin Moore paints in-store and online, shipping anywhere in the U.S. Our Connecticut Paint & Design Showrooms have full-time designers offering complimentary in-store color consultations. Visit our Design Services page to schedule your complimentary appointment, or visit a paint store near you to get started today!