The easier way to book quality trades

Download app

Choosing a kitchen colour scheme is a big decision. Unlike a bedroom or living room, there are cupboards, worktops, splashbacks and flooring to think about – and changing your mind later isn't always straightforward.

But that doesn't mean you have to play it safe with white or cream. From sage green kitchen cabinets and warm neutrals to black, dusty blue and burnt orange, there are plenty of ways to introduce colour.

Whether you're planning a new kitchen or giving your existing one a refresh, these kitchen colour ideas will help you find a combination that works for your space.

How to choose your kitchen colours

Before falling in love with a particular shade, look at the colours and finishes you already have.

If you're keeping your existing worktops, flooring or cabinets, these are a sensible starting point. It's much easier to choose a wall colour that complements your worktop than to discover your new cabinets clash with flooring you're not planning to replace.

A few things are worth thinking about:

Start with what you're keeping: Look closely at the undertones in your flooring and worktops. A cream worktop with yellow undertones, for example, may look quite different beside a cool grey than it does beside a warm green.

Think about natural light: A colour that looks soft and warm in a sunny kitchen can appear much cooler in a north-facing room. Dark colours aren't off-limits in smaller or darker kitchens, but you'll need to consider lighting and contrast.

Decide where you want the colour: You don't have to paint every cupboard. A kitchen island, lower cabinets or splashback can introduce colour while keeping the rest of the room fairly neutral.

Consider the finish: Glossy surfaces reflect more light, while matt finishes give a softer appearance. Think about how the finish will look alongside your worktops, flooring and appliances.

What colours work best in a small kitchen?

Light colours such as warm white, soft grey, sage green and pale blue can make a small kitchen appear brighter and more open. But you don't necessarily need to avoid darker shades.

The important thing is how the colours work together.

For example, using a similar colour on your walls and cabinets can reduce visual breaks, making a compact kitchen feel more cohesive. Alternatively, darker lower cabinets with lighter walls and upper units can introduce contrast without making the whole room feel enclosed.

A few ideas to try:

• Use warm whites or pale neutrals if you want a light, simple scheme

• Try sage green or muted blue for gentle colour without overwhelming the room

• Keep walls and upper cabinets lighter if you're choosing dark lower units

• Use a colourful splashback to introduce personality without changing the cabinetry

• Avoid too many competing colours and finishes in a small space

And don't forget the lighting. Even the loveliest paint colour can look disappointing if the worktops are permanently in shadow.

For more inspiration, see our small kitchen ideas.

13 kitchen colour ideas to inspire your makeover

From soft, natural colours to bold combinations, these kitchen colour schemes show how different shades can work alongside cabinets, worktops and finishes.

1. Moss green units with champagne backdrop

Moss green units against a champagne backdrop give you an earthy kitchen that still feels warm.

The champagne tone provides a soft, neutral backdrop, allowing the green to stand out without dominating the room.

• Add brass or oak details to bring out the warmth

• Choose a matt wall paint for a softer finish

• Keep worktops pale if you want the green walls to remain the main feature

For more green inspiration, see our guide to what colour goes with dark green.

2. Exposed brick with industrial fittings

An exposed brick feature wall adds colour and texture without relying on paint.

Pair it with industrial-style fittings, such as black metal lights and open shelving, for a kitchen that feels relaxed and lived-in.

• Keep the other walls light so the brick stands out

• Add black or dark metal taps, handles and lighting

• Choose simple, flat-fronted units so the wall remains the feature

If you already have exposed brick, think carefully before covering it. The natural variations in the bricks can give you a useful starting point for choosing the rest of your kitchen colours.

3. Dusty blue with light grey surfaces

Dusty blue is a good option if you want something softer than navy but with more colour than grey.

Alongside light grey worktops or cabinets, it creates a soft colour scheme that can suit both traditional and contemporary kitchens.

• Choose a blue with grey undertones for a more muted finish

• Add warmth with a wooden worktop or open shelving

• Use white or pale grey on the ceiling to keep the room light

If your kitchen doesn't get much natural light, try a few different blue samples before deciding. Some can appear noticeably cooler once they're on the wall.

4. Pastel pink cabinets with white marble surfaces

Pink kitchen cabinets might sound like a bold choice, but a muted, dusty shade can be surprisingly easy to live with.

White marble worktops provide a simple contrast, while soft grey or sage green walls can help balance the pink.

• Choose a dusty or muted pink rather than a particularly bright shade

• Add black or metallic fittings for contrast

• Use warm under-cabinet lighting to soften the overall scheme

If you're unsure about committing to pink throughout, consider using it on a kitchen island or a single run of cabinets.

5. Green and white mosaic tiles with beech worktops

Green and white mosaic tiles can bring pattern into a kitchen, while beech worktops add natural warmth.

It's a combination that works particularly well when the cabinets are fairly simple and the splashback provides most of the colour.

• Keep the units understated so the tiles stand out

• Choose a green that complements the tile rather than competing with it

• Add wooden accessories to tie the worktop into the wider scheme

Before ordering patterned tiles, look at a larger sample if possible. A design that seems subtle on one tile can become much busier once it's repeated across an entire splashback.

Not sure what to pair with your beech units? See our guide to what colour goes with beech kitchen units.

6. Mustard walls with speckled marble surfaces

Mustard yellow can bring warmth into a kitchen, particularly when paired with cream, natural wood or stone-effect surfaces.

Speckled marble works well here because the natural variation breaks up the stronger colour of the walls.

• Use mustard on the walls or a single run of units

• Choose warm white or cream for the remaining surfaces

• Add black or brass accents for contrast

If you're nervous about using mustard across the whole kitchen, start with a smaller area, such as the wall around a breakfast nook.

7. Burnt orange units with black accessories

Burnt orange kitchen cabinets are a bold choice, but an earthy, muted shade can be easier to live with than a brighter orange.

Black taps, handles and accessories provide contrast, while neutral walls and flooring allow the cabinetry to take centre stage.

• Choose a deep, earthy orange rather than a vivid shade

• Keep walls and floors neutral

• Use black fittings to balance the warmth of the cabinets

If you're keeping an existing floor, check how the orange works with it before ordering your units. Some warm wood tones can compete with the cabinetry rather than complement it.

8. Mediterranean teal and white with pale wood

Teal brings plenty of colour to a kitchen, so you don't need much else competing for attention.

Pale wood shelving, stools or furniture can soften the contrast, while simple cabinet fronts keep the overall look from becoming too busy.

• Use white on the ceiling and upper walls

• Add pale wood shelves, stools or a table

• Choose simple handles so the colour remains the focus

9. Ocean-blue tiles with oak surfaces and white units

Ocean-blue brick tiles can introduce depth and colour through the splashback rather than the cabinetry.

Oak worktops bring warmth, while white units keep the combination relatively simple.

• Use the tiles as a splashback or on one feature wall

• Choose oak or a similar mid-toned wood for the worktop

• Keep the remaining cabinets neutral so the tiles stand out

This is a useful approach if you like colourful kitchens but don't want to commit to painted cabinet doors.

10. Colours that go with grey kitchen units

Grey kitchen units provide a neutral starting point, but the colours you pair with them can make a big difference.

If your cabinets are a cool grey, adding warmth through the walls, worktops or accessories can stop the room looking flat.

Some combinations to consider include:

• White and light wood: A simple, bright scheme

• Blush, cream or soft yellow: Warmer colours that soften grey cabinetry

• Deep green or navy: Stronger contrast for a more dramatic look

• Brass, copper or black fittings: Smaller details that change the overall appearance

Check whether your grey cabinets have warm or cool undertones before choosing a wall colour.

For more help, see our guide to what colour goes with grey.

11. Sage green kitchen cabinets with warm white walls

Sage green kitchen cabinets are a good choice if you want colour without anything too bold.

The muted green works naturally alongside warm whites, cream, oak and stone finishes, making it suitable for both modern and traditional kitchens.

• Pair sage green units with warm white walls for a soft contrast

• Add oak worktops or shelving to bring out the earthy tones

• Choose brass or black handles depending on whether you want a warmer or sharper finish

Sage green can vary quite a lot between manufacturers. Some shades lean towards grey, while others have a warmer, yellow-green undertone.

If you're keeping existing flooring, compare several samples before deciding. A sage green that looks lovely beside oak might not work quite as well with cool grey floor tiles.

For a more dramatic green kitchen, consider deeper olive or forest green cabinets instead.

12. Black kitchen cabinets with wood and light worktops

Black kitchen cabinets can look striking in both contemporary and traditional homes.

Black cabinets look particularly good alongside natural wood and pale worktops, which help break up the darker surfaces.

• Choose pale stone or marble-effect worktops for contrast

• Add oak or walnut details to introduce warmth

• Use good task lighting to keep preparation areas bright

• Consider black lower cabinets with lighter upper units if you don't want an entirely dark kitchen

Black can be particularly effective on a kitchen island, especially when the surrounding cabinets are white, cream or natural wood.

One practical consideration is the finish. Matt black finishes can show fingerprints and grease marks, so it's worth checking how easy the cabinet fronts are to wipe clean before choosing.

13. Warm neutral kitchen colours with natural wood

If you prefer a neutral kitchen, there's plenty of choice beyond bright white and cool grey.

Warm whites, mushroom, putty, beige and soft cream can create a welcoming scheme, particularly when paired with oak, stone or other natural materials.

• Use warm off-white cabinets with oak worktops for a simple combination

• Try mushroom or putty-coloured units with pale stone surfaces

• Add texture through tiles, wood and natural finishes rather than introducing lots of colours

Pay attention to undertones when combining neutrals.

Two shades that look almost identical on a paint chart can clash when they're next to each other, particularly if one has a pink undertone and the other leans yellow.

Warm neutrals can also work well if your kitchen opens into a living or dining area and you want the colours to flow naturally between the spaces.

How can you change your kitchen colour without replacing everything?

You don't always need a completely new kitchen to change its colour.

If your existing cabinets are in good condition, you may be able to refresh them by painting, wrapping or replacing the doors.

Repaint your kitchen cabinets: Painting can give existing units a completely different appearance. The right preparation, primer and paint will depend on the cabinet material.

Wrap your kitchen doors: Vinyl wrapping can change the colour or finish of suitable cabinet doors without replacing them.

Replace the cabinet doors: If the cabinet boxes are sound, new doors can give your kitchen a different look while retaining the existing layout.

Our guides to spray painting kitchen cabinets, kitchen door wrapping and replacement kitchen doors can help you compare the likely costs.

If you're considering doing the work yourself, see our how to paint kitchen cabinets guide.

Need reassurance? All tradespeople pass up to 12 checks before joining, and we keep checking after.

Who can help with a kitchen colour makeover?

The trade you need depends on what you're changing.

A painter and decorator can refresh the walls or suitable cabinet doors, while a kitchen painter or spraying specialist can help with a professional cabinet finish.

If you're replacing doors, worktops or the kitchen itself, you may need a kitchen fitter.

From choosing the perfect paint colour, to trends and inspiration, how-to guides, and expert advice, take a look at our painting hub for help with all your decorating decisions.

Find checked kitchen professionals near you

Whether you're refreshing existing cabinets or planning a bigger kitchen makeover, you can find checked and reviewed tradespeople through Checkatrade.

With Checkatrade, our members are:

• Checked – Every Checkatrade member must pass up to 12 checks and commit to upholding the Checkatrade Standard

• Reviewed – Over 6.2 million reviews from real jobs have been published on Checkatrade, covering everything from communication and timekeeping to tidiness and quality of work

• Guaranteed – Jobs booked through Checkatrade are covered up to £1,000 (T&Cs apply)

Request a quote, search in the Checkatrade app, or enter your postcode below to find tradespeople working in your local area.

Before committing to your colour scheme, think about:

• Whether you prefer a warm neutral, muted colour or deeper heritage shade

• How the colour works with your home's overall style

• The colours and undertones of existing worktops and flooring

• How paint samples look in natural and artificial light

• Whether your cabinet style complements the colour

• Which materials and finishes will add warmth or contrast

• How the kitchen colours connect with adjoining rooms

• Whether you're painting existing cabinets or replacing them

• Your budget and whether you need help with the design or installation

Kitchen colour FAQs

Checkatrade

Follow us

More Kitchens Articles

U shaped kitchen ideas: 7 layouts and design tips for your home

How much does kitchen design cost in 2026?

How much does kitchen door wrapping cost? 2026 prices

View all