It can change the whole feeling of the room. Even brightening up just one area, for example an island,with a refreshing hue can be a real mood-booster. Combine two colors on your cabinets, and you’re on your way to a truly personal look. So break out of the white-and-wood zone and let color work the room. We’ve pulled together a dozen kitchen color combos to get you going.
1. SEA AND SKY
In this large open kitchen, designed by architect Stuart Disston, the deep-blue island takes center stage, while sky-hued cabinets define the perimeter. Photo by John M. Hal
BARN RED AND SAGE GREEN
Wood finishes on the island, ceiling, and floor warm up the overall palette even more. Photo by Jeffrey Volke
LEAF GREEN AND WHITE
Covered the ceiling with custom-painted canvas (wallpaper could work too) in a matching green-and-white scheme. Along with plates hung over the cooktop, it invites the eye to travel around the room. Photo by Eric Piasecki/Otto
BOLD BLUE AND SOFT BLUE
To add some oomph to the simple Shaker-style cabinets in this kitchen, architect used pale blue on the cabinet boxes and a deeper shade on doors and drawer fronts. The result: pure cottage charm. Photo by Eric Roth
BRIGHT RED AND MIDNIGHT BLACK
This dramatic kitchen feels balanced thanks to a pairing of equal-intensity colors. Black cabinets effectively fade into the background to show off the red island at the center, while a light backsplash and countertops keep the painted pieces from feeling heavy. Photo by Courtesy of KraftMaid Cabinets
COOL GRAY AND HOT ORANGE
A changeable color—is it blue? is it gray?—this neutral has enough interest to stand on its own. But it really comes alive paired with the fiery orange that interior designer Andra Birkerts added on the island. Photo by Eric Roth
LEMON AND LIME
Vibrant colors reign in this kitchen, where bold green perimeter cabinets and a sunny yellow island are united by the kitchen’s multicolor tile backsplash. Dark granite and light wood counters focus all the attention on the cheery palette. Photo by Eric Roth
DEEP AQUA AND WHITE
Too much white can blur a room’s details. To highlight the architecture of this space, designer used a mid-tone blue to ground the floor and define the ceiling trusswork. The same color on cabinet doors and the built-ins’ exposed edges brings these charming features to the fore. Photo by Mark Lohman
PALE GRAY AND GREENISH BLUE
To give this kitchen some zing without overwhelming the color-shy homeowner, designer ringed the room with neutral gray cabinets before painting the island a dusty green-tinged blue. Gray-veined marble on the island countertop and range backsplash helps tie the two areas together. Photo by Eric Roth
FLAME RED AND SOFT YELLOW
The designer chose a punchy scheme to brighten this corner bar, just off the kitchen. Using a light yellow paint-glaze mix on the panels adds dimension to bright orange-red cabinets. Green wallpaper makes the colors pop even more, while a rich mahogany countertop keeps the look from being too whimsical. Photo by Eric Roth
CORNFLOWER AND YELLOW
Using the blue on the backs of the open shelves adds depth, while a sliver of white trim above and below the yellow cabinets and a row of glass-front cabinets up top lend a sense of airiness. Photo by Eric Roth