Kitchen colour combinations

Key Takeaways

  • Kitchen colour combinations should follow a 60-30-10 rule: main tone for most walls, secondary tone for cabinetry or larger surfaces, and a 10% accent for fixtures or trims.
  • Warm neutrals paired with muted greens or blues create timeless schemes—adaptable and cohesive across kitchen styles.
  • Bold contrasts like dark cabinetry or feature walls paired with light surfaces and metallic fixtures deliver modern depth without jarring impact.
  • Ceilings, trims and floors matter — using light or neutral hues here helps strong wall colours feel spacious rather than enclosing.
  • Always test your combinations in real kitchen lighting and alongside your surfaces (worktops, splashbacks, appliances) because undertones shift with materials and light.

Choosing the right colour combination is a vital part of any decorating project. However, it's even more crucial when giving a kitchen a long-overdue image overhaul. If your kitchen cabinets have seen better days or you're tired of looking at the same white walls, you've come to the right place.

Our range of premium paint colours has something for everyone, with eye-catching shades from every corner of the colour wheel. Prefer traditional interiors? Take your pick from crisp white paints and neutral shades that will pair beautifully with a light wood floor and marble countertops. 

Are you a fan of more contemporary designs? Transform your cooking space with a coat of deep navy blue and bring out room features with sunny yellow accents. If you're not afraid of vibrant shades, why not create a dramatic backsplash in burnt orange? 

If you're looking for kitchen design inspiration, read on for 10 beautiful colour combinations that can be put to use in any kitchen. 

Rustic kitchen

Colour Palettes for Traditional Kitchens

Eager to add your personal style to a more traditional kitchen? Earthy tones and neutrals tend to be the best option here but don't for a second think these colour choices are limited. 

Looking for a paint colour to give your wall cabinets an instant lift? Damask F485 is a fine choice. These off-white shade works well with country-style cabinets, but can also be used with more contemporary units. 

If you're searching for a suitable companion, our Canvas G485 paint colour is a great choice. This muted neutral has subtle lilac undertones, making it perfect for adding a touch of warmth to backdrops and inlays. 

To mix things up further, use Kaolin H497 to add even more depth. This beautiful neutral brings together blue and grey undertones, making it a go-to choice for any kitchen interior. 

Colours Mentioned:

Damask F485
A Classic And Tranquil Off-White
Canvas G485
Off-White Alabaster Grey
Kaolin H497
Milky Cream With Yellow And Green Hues

Paint Colour Options for Creating Contrast

Contrasting colours work particularly well in the kitchen. In fact, you can play around with bright paint colours, even if your cabinetry is more traditional in character. 

Looking to make a bold statement in an all-white kitchen? Why not reimagine a kitchen island with a coat of blue paint? With a little creative thinking, you can indulge your passion for colour, without overwhelming a kitchen interior. 

When it comes to kitchen walls, it's usually best to keep things simple with a neutral paint colour. Our Arctic Fox S503 paint is the perfect choice if you're looking for a cool off-white shade with subtle blue undertones. 

To add depth and personality to your space, experiment with darker shades. Atlantis L433 is ideal for giving a kitchen island an instant facelift. What's more, it's just the thing for accenting room features and creating interest. 

If your kitchen is on the small side, use a colour like Sky J356 to open things up and create an airy atmosphere. Because it's so versatile, it can also be used to pick out decorative elements, window frames and open shelves. 

Colours Mentioned:

Arctic Fox S503
A Pure White With A Soft Touch Of Yellow
Atlantis L433
A Contemporary Mid-Tone Blue
Sky J356
Vivid Medium Blue
light kitchen

Colour Schemes to Maximise Natural Light

How much natural light does your kitchen receive on a typical day? If the answer is very little, you'll want a colour scheme that maximises those precious rays.

North-facing rooms tend to pull the short straw when it comes to natural light. This can lead to your kitchen feeling cold, even in the middle of the afternoon. With a bright and airy palette, you can overcome these limitations, making your kitchen feel fresh and inviting. 

For kitchen walls, there are few better colour options than Necklace F428. This stunning shade is fairly muted, but there's some subtle blue at work here that will bring much-needed character to your kitchen. 

Looking for a gorgeous neutral to pair with your new walls? Kaolin H497 hits the right notes with its delicate blue and grey undertones. 

For a subtle splash of colour, use Antarctic Y348. This pale sky blue is perfect for painting cabinets and works well with natural materials. 

Colours Mentioned:

Necklace F428
Pale Light Grey
Kaolin H497
Milky Cream With Yellow And Green Hues
Antarctic Y348
A Subtle Grey With Blue Undertones

Timeless Colour Combos for Classic Kitchens

If you're starting with a more traditional kitchen, all you need is a touch of colour to revitalise your cooking space. Use muted neutrals and classic white for walls and fitted cabinetry, then use livelier shades for freestanding units and islands. 

If you like off-white shades, Arctic Fox S503 is a superb choice for walls and tall kitchen units. To add a subtle colour pop, Winter V503 works well with its blue undertones. 

For more dramatic design features, think about using Nocturne N348. This dark blue is the only way to go when you want to make a statement. Use it for low cabinets and islands and coordinate with decorative objects scattered around your kitchen. 

Colours Mentioned:

Winter V503
Off-White With The Lightest Touch Of Grey
Arctic Fox S503
A Pure White With A Soft Touch Of Yellow
Nocturne N348
Dusky Dark Blue

A Contemporary Colour Combination for Kitchen Walls

If you love contemporary design, don't be afraid to embrace more daring colour ideas. For modern kitchens and open-plan arrangements, bold colour contrasts will always deliver. 

If you're tight on space, stick to something like Paper F497 when painting kitchen cabinets. This off-white paint colour works with just about anything, while its subtle bluish tones make it easy to coordinate with. 

Blue is the perfect partner for whites and neutrals. Use Mosaic J367 for a shot of light teal, or play around with Peacock M366 if you're a fan of richer, more luxurious colour choices. 

Colours Mentioned:

Mosaic J367
Invigorating Light Blue-Green
Paper F497
Pure White
Peacock M366
Deep Teal

Use Blue to Brighten Things Up

Looking to brighten up a dark kitchen? You don't have to limit yourself to an all-white colour scheme or neutral palette. For a contemporary twist, delve into the world of brilliant blues. 

Cumulus Y354 is one of our premier paint shades. Light and breezy, it's perfect for kitchen walls and will help bounce natural light around any space. 

Searching for a light blue that will work well with neutrals? Forget Me Not H353 could be just what you're looking for. Use this for coating walls in smaller spaces, or reach for your paintbrush and give lacklustre units a new lease of life. 

Worried you can't use blue in a more traditional kitchen? Our Prince G490 paint colour is a fine fit for more classic interiors. What's more, it's a flexible choice that can be paired with more contemporary hues if you're thinking of upgrading your cabinetry or appliances. 

Colours Mentioned:

Cumulus Y354
A Calming, Light Blue Hue
Forget Me Not H353
Perfect Pastel Blue
Prince G490
Light Blue Grey
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