How Do I Choose a Color Scheme for My Kitchen?

The kitchen is the heart of the home. Americans spend 37 minutes per day in their kitchens for food prep alone, not to mention the time spent actually sitting down to enjoy delicious meals together!

So when the time comes to redecorate, picking the right color scheme is no easy task. You may be asking yourself, “How do I choose a color scheme for my kitchen?”

In the end, the best colors for a kitchen depend on your own preferences, but we’ve put together some tips to help you narrow down your final options.

Consider Existing Colors

Unless you’re in the middle of new home construction or a total renovation, you’re not designing your color scheme from a blank slate.

Your floor, cabinets, backsplash, and appliances add a dash of color to your space—so you’ll want to consider these hues as you move forward with your new palette. Do you want to choose brighter colors to compensate for your dark black appliances? Would you like to pull the white of your cabinet into accents on your wall?

As you consider this, don’t forget to examine the undertone of your counters and cabinets to see what shades would pair best with it. You should also know the difference between warm, cool, and neutral shades to find complementary colors.

There’s no right or wrong way to approach this, but it’s important to remember that you aren’t designing in a void. The last thing you want to do is regret your new kitchen paint color when it clashes with something else in the room!

Pick Your Favorite Color Palettes

Start brainstorming about which colors most appeal to you.

Whether you’re torn between misty greys or bold reds, it’s a good idea to keep track of any colors in the running. If you’re trying to match a specific color you have in mind, there are plenty of different apps and software to help you get there. You can even consider color psychology if you’re so inclined!

If you prefer seeing the colors in person, you can also take a trip to your local home improvement store. The selection of paint samples at most stores includes hues that already complement each other, so you won’t have to worry about finding the perfect match to your favorite shade.

Take Your Lighting Into Account

As you narrow down your options, don’t forget that lighting plays a huge role in how your paint looks once it’s actually in your kitchen. What looked stunning in a store or on a screen might look bland or dark on your walls.

Take some time to consider the lighting in your kitchen, natural or otherwise, as well as the types of light bulbs you use in your home. To find the color you want, you’ll need to see it in your kitchen, under your lights. Don’t be afraid to paint a little test patch on your wall for a better idea of the finer look!

If your lighting is uneven in places, you might also choose to paint your walls in different colors depending on the placement of your fixtures. Accent walls continue to be a huge painting trend, and having one brightly painted wall in a darker corner of the room can help keep the space balanced.

Opt for Neutral Surfaces and Appliances

This step only works if you do have the opportunity to construct a new kitchen or remodel an older one. If you have the chance, selecting neutral shades for your cabinets and countertops can open up the range of paint colors that work well in your kitchen.

This is especially true for your counters and backsplash, the most eye-catching surfaces in the room. Finding neutral colors for these surfaces ensures that your beautiful paint colors aren’t fighting for attention with bolder designs or patterns. It also helps save you from further headaches if you decide to repaint your kitchen at a later date.

Like all of the tips in this post, of course, your mileage may vary on this one. Some homeowners love a bold pop of color next to neutral walls or an eye-grabbing countertop that plays against subtle accents elsewhere in the kitchen.

Don’t Be Afraid of Bold Accents

While you don’t want every surface in your kitchen to have overpowering shades of color, it’s a great idea to add a dose of your own personality through fun and colorful accents to your kitchen.

If you opt for subtle or neutral colors, try adding a pop of color with your backsplash, add an accent wall as mentioned above, or change up your light fixtures for some vibrant hues. Don’t forget the kitchen door!

Add Personality

As you weigh these tips against current home decor trends, don’t forget that your kitchen should be uniquely you.

Consider all of the factors we mentioned as well as professional advice, but don’t hesitate to choose something that you love. The best kitchen colors are the ones you can see yourself and your family living and cooking with for a long time to come.