How to Pick Kitchen Paint Colors

If you’re not sure what shade will stand out best, Andrea Magno, Color and Design Expert at Benjamin Moore, suggests taking a hint from palettes already in place, from countertops to backsplashes. “Look to the colors used in fixed materials such as stone (marble, granite, quartz), tiles, flooring, and even appliances,” she tells us. This can help the look come together more easily. 

Another great color inspiration? Mother Nature. If you’re puzzled over what colors go together best, take a gander at the great outdoors. For example, the blues, greens, sandy whites, and driftwood grays of the seashore naturally work together. 

When in doubt, opt for white. "White is classic," says New York City based interior designer, Alyssa Kapito. "You'll never ever get tired of it and it'll always feel the cleanest, even when you have dirty dishes in the sink!" A helpful hint: choose a shade that's just off-white. Pure white may be too harsh. "Something with a touch of beige will appear white, but have so much more warmth." Try Kapito's current color obsession: Farrow and Ball's Wimborne White. 

While some color rules may tell you to always avoid or opt for certain hues in the kitchen, Erika Woelfel, Color Expert and VP of Color and Creative Services at Behr Paint, says it all boils down to your vision for the space, and how you intend to use it. “If you’re a frequent entertainer and risk-taking cook, a neutral space may not feel inspiring or energizing,” Woelfel says. “On the other hand, if you use your kitchen to relax and unwind, a bright and bold kitchen could be a turn-off, so stick to neutrals.”

Another factor to consider when selecting your kitchen color are any adjacent rooms. “Often the kitchen is the busiest room in the house so using colors that transition well to other rooms will help in creating a well put-together look,” Magno says. Another way to build cohesiveness is to consider painting or staining a room’s trim to match cabinets. 

If darker hues are your color of choice, Kapito suggests going all the way. "With dark colors, I like to really commit and go very dark—almost black. You'll want to focus on the undertones though." For more tips on going with darker paint, check out our tips here!

If your kitchen has windows, you’ll also want to consider how natural or artificial light may impact the colors. To help do this, Magno suggests testing a paint sample of your desired color(s) on pieces of foam core or poster board to help isolate the color. "Then, hang up the board for a few days and observe the color at various times of the day in various locations throughout the room," says Magno. 

If you’re deciding to paint your cabinets, Woelfel highly recommends cleaning them first for prime finished paint results. “Even the highest-quality paint or primer won’t adhere as well to a greasy, fingerprinted cabinet.” 

Keep your kitchen’s new coat looking fresh for years to come by picking the appropriate finish. For higher-traffic rooms like the kitchen, where spills and splatters are frequent, Woelfel suggests a higher gloss finish, like satin or semi-gloss, that’s durable and resists mildew, stains, and dirt. “Avoid matte finishes which stain more easily and are more challenging to clean.”