These kitchen wall colour ideas can have just as much of an effect on how the space looks and feels as your choice of units, worktops and flooring. Our round up should give you plenty of ideas to get started
(Image credit: Kitchen Makers)
Your kitchen wall colour ideas have the potential to totally transform both the visual appearance of your space, as well as playing a part in how it feels to spend time in.
When designing a kitchen, there are all kinds of factors to consider in order for this room to be a success. From choosing the best layout for the space you have available to selecting units and storage that will serve your needs and create the style you are after.
Kitchen wall colour schemes can often be a bit of an afterthought and many people still play it safe and stick to an all-white backdrop – but using colour on your walls really can finish off the whole look perfectly.
Here, we have gathered together some of the best wall colours for this room, from those that will highlight your units or worktops to ideas for specific styles of kitchen.
How to use kitchen wall colour ideas well
The colours you choose to grace the walls of your kitchen need to be selected to do justice to the rest of your space – your kitchen units, your choice of worktop materials, the flooring and so on.
You also need to think about how much natural light the space enjoys throughout the day – it is amazing how wall colours can transform a gloomy room into one that feels light, bright and fresh.
The size of your kitchen matters too – certain shades do a brilliant job of making small spaces feel bigger than they really are. In larger kitchens, you can use colour to ensure the room feels welcoming and warm.
1. Add a splash of yellow for a sunny kitchen space
Bright yellows look great against super smart navy blue, which helps tone things down a little. (Image credit: Ben Knight Photography)
Many people shy away from using yellow on the walls, yet, in the right situations, this is a brilliant shade for painting kitchen walls.
Yellow is such a happy shade and instantly conjures up sunny vibes, making it the perfect hue for north-facing kitchens which often lack natural light. Yellow walls have the power to really energise a space and can even help create a sense of being invigorated for those spending time in there – perfect for those after kitchen ideas that will help with sleepy mornings.
In this kitchen-diner, an egg yoke yellow has been used for just one wall and looks brilliant paired with the smart navy of the units and the aqua shade of the dining chairs.
2. Match a farmhouse kitchen with a creamy off white
There are so many variations on white – in a country-style kitchen opt for warm, creamy shades. (Image credit: Kasia Fiszer)
After some farmhouse kitchen ideas? Don't neglect to take some time to consider how your wall colours can help with this look.
"A farmhouse kitchen errs on the side of being a relaxed concept, rather than formal kitchens that can lack personality," explains Richard Davonport, managing director at Davonport.
Take a more rustic, laid-back approach to your colour scheme and incorporate plenty of warm shades here, such as vintage-style creamy whites and neutrals tinged with a little pink or yellow for a soft, country feel.
The charming uneven walls in this kitchen have been finished in a chalky, warm off-white which looks perfect alongside the original timber beams and pearl white AGA.
Richard Davonport
Richard Davonport, a luxury cabinetmaker and designer, is the founder and MD of kitchen specialists Davonport. The company designs and makes bespoke kitchens and has its workshop in the heart of East Anglia.
3. Think of your kitchen colour scheme as a whole
The cool minty shade used on the walls of this kitchen-diner make a nice contrast to the warmer pinks used elsewhere. (Image credit: Naked Kitchens)
The colours you choose for the walls of your kitchen need to take into account the other shades within the space if you want them to work – so whether you have incorporated some painted kitchen ideas that have brought brighter shades into your room or have a stand-out backsplash in an eye-popping hue, make sure your wall colour respects this.
In this kitchen-diner, a really eclectic colour scheme works brilliantly to create a space that feels modern yet warm and welcoming. The plum, chocolate and soft pinks that feature on the units are spot on in terms of the latest trends for kitchens. The soft blue/green walls keep things fresh and airy.
"The demand for a ‘warm’ kitchen ambience continues to shape interior trends in 2024, steering away from the era of grey," says Melissa Klink, creative director at Harvey Jones. "Grey is gone and super warm tones and shades will be the new go-to – we’re talking rich burgundies, aged brass, muddy golds, warm terracotta, fresh greens and crisp teal hues, among others."
Melissa Klink
Melissa completed a degree in Interior Design and Fine Art before moving to Los Angeles to gain a masters in interior architecture. She has since designed and managed projects all over the world and is now the Head of Design for kitchen company Harvey Jones.
4. Use stormy greys for a dramatic finish
This stunning kitchen is from Kitchen Makers – their Somerton style in Baltic Green. (Image credit: Kitchen Makers)
Dark, dramatic kitchens are big news in terms of kitchen trends right now – and are ideal for anyone who wants their space to feel intimate and somewhere to linger over long dinners by candlelight.
"I have noticed a rise in clients requesting dark and moody interiors, due to the cosy and dramatic atmosphere they tend to create," says Juliette Thomas, founder and director of Juliettes Interiors. "Deep shades of black, navy, charcoal, forest green and dark burgundy are essential for this style."
In this brave scheme, the stormy green grey kitchen, from Kitchen Makers, has been paired with walls painted in a grey just a shade lighter for a finish that is super sultry.
Juliette Thomas
Juliette Thomas is the founder and creative director of the London-based interior design and luxury furniture retail company, Juliettes Interiors. Juliette has been designing and offering unique exclusive interiors and furnishings since 2005.
5. Inject some Mediterranean warmth with orange
Warming shades of orange, peach and terracotta lend a Mediterranean vibe to this kitchen. (Image credit: Darren Chung Photography)
Dreaming of sunnier climes? Use your choice of wall colour to whisk you away to an island in the sun and pair a warming shade, such as ochre or burnt orange, with relaxed cabinetry or some freestanding kitchen ideas.
This kitchen has been finished with a chalky, textured paint finish in a peachy orange which has given it the feel of a Mediterranean kitchen in the rolling countryside. The uneven flagstone floor and mix-and-match units complete the look.
6. Pair seaside blue with white for a coastal chic kitchen
Blue and white are the perfect partners and lend a breezy coastal feel to any space. (Image credit: Simon Maxwell)
Blue tends to be a very popular shade for both traditional as well as more modern kitchen schemes – a classic if you will.
From rich navy kitchen ideas to those that conjure up memories of trips to the seaside, blue is such a versatile colour and can be paired with so many other hues – although white tends to be one of the best.
In this large kitchen diner, a bright royal blue has been selected for the walls. It really highlights the white-painted vaulted ceiling, as well as the choice of units.
7. Match your walls to your kitchen units for a smart finish
Painting your walls in a shade to match your units will really tie the whole scheme together. (Image credit: Kitchen Makers)
If you want a really smart, cohesive look – which, incidentally would work very well for those after ideas for a small kitchen – then this one's for you.
Paint your walls in a shade that exactly matches your units for a really modern, neat look that can work with pretty much any style of kitchen units, including classic Shaker or fully-flush contemporary designs.
In this pretty pink kitchen, from Kitchen Makers, their Haddon kitchen has been finished in the shade Plaster which looks perfect next to the aged brass tap.
8. Take a two-tone approach for visual interest
This space is full of personality thanks to the half-and-half approach that has been taken on the walls. (Image credit: Annie Sloan)
Two-tone walls work in all kinds of spaces and can help overcome a number of issues faced by homeowners, including how to make a low ceiling seem higher. They are also just a great way to add interest and individuality to a space.
In this kitchen-diner, inky navy has been used for the lower section of wall, with a crisp fresh white on the upper portion. The two shades have been reflected in the choice of kitchen flooring ideas to draw the whole look together nicely.
9. Connect to nature with shades of green
This soft green kitchen reflects the greenery that can be glimpsed through the windows and doors. (Image credit: Furniture And Choice)
Green is a great shade in many rooms of the house, imparting a sense of nature and freshness, at the same time as being a very soothing shade that can really help create a feeling of wellbeing. This makes it perfect for using in kitchens, where things can get quite hectic at certain times of the day.
Green can also be used very effectively for kitchen-diners in order to make them feel connected to the outdoors.
"If your kitchen-diner faces your garden, bring the outdoors in by choosing a palette of green, white and wood," suggests Sarah Harley, Assistant Editor for Homebuilding & Renovating.
Sarah Harley
Sarah is Homebuilding & Renovating’s Assistant Editor and joined the team in 2024. An established homes and interiors writer, Sarah has renovated and extended a number of properties, including a listed building and renovation project that featured on Grand Designs. Although she said she would never buy a listed property again, she has recently purchased a Grade II listed apartment. As it had already been professionally renovated, she has instead set her sights on tackling some changes to improve the building’s energy efficiency, as well as adding some personal touches to the interior.
10. Calm a space down with a soft and soothing blue
Softer shades of blue really can help soothe the senses, making them the perfect backdrop in sociable spaces such as this. (Image credit: Dave Burton)
Blue is the perfect shade to use if it is a relaxing, calming space your are aiming for – providing you choose the right kind of blue.
Avoid royal blue or eye-popping aqua and steer towards the softer shades, such as those with a little grey to them that feel gentle and warm.
In this kitchen-diner, the powdery blue that has been used as a backdrop for the whole space keeps things looking nice and grounded, meaning the multi-coloured dining chairs and natural wood finishes used for the kitchen island can really shine.
11. Introduce colour with your kitchen splashback
This colourful glass splashback ensures the kitchen is full of personality. (Image credit: Red Dog Glass Design)
If you have opted for walls of full-height units, you will obviously need to think slightly out of the box when it comes to introducing any colours to sit against your choice of units.
A clever kitchen splashback idea is the ideal way to bring colour into the kitchen, without it feeling overwhelming – plus this feature performs an important practical role in protecting your walls from water or cooking liquids.
In this smart kitchen, a bespoke glass splashback from Red Dog Glass Design has been fitted to bring a pop of colour to the otherwise dark grey space.
12. Tie your wall colour in with your worktop material
The chalky shade on the walls is a great partner for the concrete work surface.(Image credit: Simon Burt Photography)
If you have put a lot of thought into your kitchen worktop ideas then you will no doubt be keen to ensure all eyes are on them. In order to really make their colour and texture stand out, use a shade on the wall that matches the tones within the worktop material.
This stylish neutral kitchen has been fitted with concrete worktops and their creamy colour has been reflected in the soft off-white walls.
13. Define your dining space with colour
Painting the dining area of a kitchen-diner a different shade to that used for the kitchen is a great way to separate the spaces. (Image credit: Richard Kiely)
If you want to visually define the cooking and dining spaces from one another, pay close attention to this one.
Using colour to zone an open-plan space is a great way to break the whole thing up and give each area its own identity.
Here, a warming pink has been used for the dining space that sits adjacent to the kitchen – it looks lovely against the rich blue of the units and wall above the archway that sits between the two areas.
14. Highlight your units with a coordinating wallpaper
Wallpaper can be used in kitchens very successfully. (Image credit: Divine Savages)
Paint isn't the only way to add colour to your kitchen walls – you might like to consider wallpaper as a way of adding both colour and pattern to your walls instead. There are now many wallpapers available designed specifically for use in areas of high humidity, such as kitchens and bathrooms.
Here, Deco Martini Smokey Gold Wallpaper, from Divine Savages, has been used. It adds warmth and an Art Deco look to the whole space.
Which are the best paints to use on kitchen walls?
You have several choices when it comes to the types of paint that are most suited to kitchen walls.
To make things easier for buyers, there are now many ranges of paints specifically for use in the kitchen, such as GoodHome Kitchen Emulsion Paint from B&Q. You might also like to take a look at Dulux Easycare Kitchen, available from B&Q. These kinds of paint tend to resist grease and stains really well and can withstand moisture and steam too. They are also easy to wash down.
Alternatively, take a look at satin-finish paints, which tend to be easier to wipe down than matt. Latex paints are another good choice as they are wipeable, anti-microbial have good stain resistance.
Should you paint the kitchen walls before fitting units?
In an ideal world it is most certainly easier to achieve a good finish by painting your walls before your units are fitted into place.
By doing things this way round, you avoid the risk of splashing your new units with paint and there will be no need for fiddly cutting in around the cabinets and worktops. You can always go back and touch up and scuffs or marks on the paintwork afterwards.
With all the ideas in the world, the fact remains that the colours you choose to paint your kitchen walls with have to be those that you feel comfortable with. Yes they need to complement the colours of your kitchen units and take into account the shape and size of the room – but the most important thing is that you love them.
For those looking for something a little different, don't discount painted ceiling ideas either. Adding colour in this way can be a brilliant way to change up your kitchen space.
If you are desperate to explore bolder colours but are feeling little scared about an overall shade, consider painting the inside of alcove shelving or the interior of glass-fronted units a brighter shade instead.
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Natasha is Homebuilding & Renovating’s Associate Content Editor and has been a member of the team for over two decades. An experienced journalist and renovation expert, she has written for a number of homes titles. Over the years Natasha has renovated and carried out a side extension to a Victorian terrace. She is currently living in the rural Edwardian cottage she renovated and extended on a largely DIY basis, living on site for the duration of the project. She is now looking for her next project — something which is proving far harder than she thought it would be.
