How can you design a colorful kitchen and ensure it's still timeless?

What colors you use in your kitchen has a big impact on the mood and longevity of the space. Kitchens are no longer just practical spaces, but multifunctional living spaces where we spend lots of time, so the colors we choose for them deserve plenty of consideration.

With such a wealth of inspiration, and so many kitchen colors to choose from, it can be tricky to know where to start. Scroll the internet and social media and you can find examples in every shade. In fact, it seems we’re becoming increasingly adventurous with colorful kitchen ideas. But the question is, will these stand the test of time and how do you design a colorful kitchen that still feels timeless?

When designing a kitchen it can be helpful to look at kitchen color trends for inspiration, but often these can come and go, so how can you design a kitchen palette that will truly stand the test of time? To help guide your choices we reached out to interior designers and color experts for their insights on how to do a colorful kitchen but keep it timeless.

1. Choose a traditional timber shaker design as a base

While it may be more expensive than laminates and manmade boards, investing in high-quality solid timber doors in a timeless style is a wonderful option because they’re guaranteed to stand the test of time and can easily be sanded back and repainted should tastes evolve over the years.

'Material choice is just as important – hardwoods like teak or oak are ideal, as they can be sanded and repainted over time, allowing the kitchen to evolve without losing its character,' says interior designer Lauren Gilberthorpe.

'We recently updated our Loft Kitchen at Cotes Mill in our Scullery Yellow paint,' explains Paul O’Leary, deVOL’s founder and director. 'The furniture remained the same but we repainted the cupboards, added Carrara marble worktops and our aged brass accessories. The transformation is stunning and shows the versatility of deVOL's Shaker cupboards and how an update can be just as good as a new kitchen if you have well-made cupboards to begin with.'

'Colors are always tricky to get right and I don’t know if you are ever completely happy forever, that’s why paint is such a wonderful thing as you can change the whole feel of a room in the time it takes to paint it,' adds Paul.

2. Choose colors inspired by nature

When we asked interior designers for their advice for timeless colorful kitchens one piece of advice came up again and again – take inspiration from nature.

Tones synonymous with landscape such as botanical greens, blues reminiscent of sea and sky, and warm earthy tones all make timeless kitchen cabinet colors, plus they work wonderfully with natural materials like wood and stone which are common materials for floors and worktops.

These colors are hugely versatile and can be dialed up or down depending on the mood you want to create. Punchy greens will create an invigorating feel while soft blues will provide a calming backdrop to busy family life.

'I think the best way to think of timeless interiors is to look to nature and see what mother nature has been creating for millions of years,' says Kristyn Harvey, founder of Kristyn Harvey Interiors. The color palette of nature is usually muted in color, and its uniqueness comes from the layering of similar colors and variations in texture. Nature will always be beautiful, and bringing more of that into the home will always provide a calming effect.'

3. Embrace versatile greens

Green is a hugely popular kitchen cabinet color and for good reason. These days designers tend to use green as a neutral due to its enduring appeal and ability to pair with multiple shades. Earthy olive and sage greens as well as ‘dirty greens’ are proving particularly popular.

‘A colorful kitchen can feel both bold and timeless with the right balance of materials and accents. Green is a favorite choice, as it connects beautifully with nature and the views beyond the kitchen – think fresh herbs, vegetables, and the shifting tones of the landscape,’ explains Lauren Gilberthorpe. ‘It’s a color that makes a statement without feeling overpowering, especially when paired with lighter elements to create contrast.’

In this green kitchen, Lauren opted for Little Greene’s bold Jewel Beetle shade and paired it with light kitchen countertops to ensure the space remained fresh and balanced. ‘Quartz or marble worktops provide a smooth, timeless finish that complements the depth of color in cabinetry. Material choice is just as important - hardwoods like teak or oak are ideal, as they can be sanded and repainted over time, allowing the kitchen to evolve without losing its character.’

4. Pair your cabinet color with timeless details

If you’re cautious about using bold botanical greens, soothing mint green and sage tones will always endure. For this small kitchen, interior designer Katharine LeCates chose Perfect Green from Sherwin Williams.

‘I used Sherwin Williams's Perfect Green because I thought its warm, organic tone would feel comforting and stand the test of time over something punchier,’ explains Katharine LeCates, founder of LeCates Interiors.

However, it’s not just color that contributes to a timeless feel - ‘invest in the details,’ she adds. ‘Custom, classic millwork will last a lifetime and will help your color transcend the look of a quick flip. Also consider high-quality polished hardware that will patina beautifully over the years and always feel individual to your space.’

5. Go for watery blues

As with green, blues have long been a kitchen staple. Conjuring calming ocean scenes and big skies, decorating with blue is hugely versatile and works beautifully with natural materials, especially warm tones of honeyed timber. From soothing pastel tones to inky sea blues, its watery connotations make it serene and calming – a great antidote to busy kitchens. In this kitchen by Emily Ruff from Cohesively Curated chose Benjamin Moore’s Sea Glass shade inspired by the surrounding landscape.

‘It is the perfect light blue-green color that brings impact to the space while not feeling overwhelming. The color really echoes the water view that this space has which is why we chose it,’ says Emily Ruff, founder of Cohesively Curated. ‘One of my favorites is Benjamin Moore Water's Edge, it has a bit of gray to it so it makes the blue feel very subtle and calming. Another favorite for walls is Farrow & Ball Borrowed Light. It is a very subtle light blue so it adds just a touch of color to a space.’

6. Introduce bold accents

Vibrant tones make a wonderful statement in kitchens and are ideal for bringing life and energy to these busy spaces. However, it can be daunting committing to a single bold shade over all the cabinets as you can risk overwhelming the space or the color dates and you have to make some drastic changes.

Instead, a good solution for a more timeless look is to opt for a neutral kitchen and to introduce your favorite shade as an accent color used over a statement piece of furniture such as a larder or a kitchen island, as done here by Joanna Wood who chose green as an island color idea inspired by her cherished collectibles.

'The color scheme for the kitchen came from the warmth of the Cotswold stone walls. The light units and the Corian worktops were also chosen to go with the greens from the collection of Majolica plates that I had been putting together for a couple of years,' explains Joanna.

'The green of the island picks up on the ceramic glaze greens as do the ‘Botswana’ granite worktop with its strong green veining. The effect is dramatic and gives an inside/outside feel with the herbaceous border outside the French doors.'

7. Limit bold color to base cabinets

To embrace color in a kitchen without it dominating, consider using color only on base cabinets and not on wall cabinets. Instead, keep wall cabinets neutral to match walls or opt for open wall shelves. Often used by interior designers, this is a clever technique that will anchor a kitchen space and add personality but which can also make a kitchen feel lighter.

'To design a timeless and vibrant kitchen, opt for colors with grey undertones to avoid an oversaturated look, which in turn can look dated. We find that it helps to design with a ‘feature’ element in mind – like the kitchen island or lower cabinets, and make it pop with a daring color choice,' says Meg McSherry, founder of Meg McSherry Interiors. 'You can balance the space by selecting neutral tones for surrounding elements, or sprinkling in the feature color elsewhere in the kitchen. This way, you create a kitchen that feels thoughtful, without being overpowering.'

8. Combine color with natural materials

For a colorful timeless kitchen consider pairing painted surfaces with natural materials, say the experts.

'Try to avoid plastic and laminate and lean towards natural materials for a timeless feel. Countertops are a great place to do this. Choose between veined marble, dark granite, or dark wood – gorgeous when contrasted with lighter or dark lower cabinets or white subway tiles. Marble and wood are the most timeless and enduring natural materials to use, and will simply never go out of style,' says Tash Bradley, color expert at Lick.

'The textures, patterns, and colors in these materials will add visual interest, eleganc,e and warmth, and pair with almost anything. Meaning that even if you change up the color of your walls, cabinets or decor elements, these can remain. Wood and marble look particularly timeless when paired with greens and blues, as seen below.'

9. Choose neutrals as a canvas for artwork, fabric and accessories

When it comes to timeless kitchen colors, neutrals are always a win. Kitchens can be a big investment, so opting for warm off-whites, creams or grays leaves you safe in the knowledge that the kitchen won't date.

However, just because you have a neutral kitchen it doesn't mean the space is boring. Neutral colors make the perfect canvas to showcase artwork and accessories.

'A white kitchen allows the light to reflect the surfaces keeping the room feeling fresh and spacious. It's also the perfect backdrop for many other colors and can be warmed up with a richer palette of reds and ochres but also left to feel cool and contemporary when mixed with blues and greens,' says Gemma Holsgrove, studio director at Sims Hilditch.

10. Choose warm yellows

From rich ochre tones to buttery hues, warm yellow kitchens are having a bit of a moment, however, we believe they're a good bet if you're looking for a joyful kitchen with longevity.

Earthy tones based on natural pigments bring a warm comforting feel and are a lovely complement to natural materials. When used over traditional cabinetry they make a cheerful alternative to popular blue or green country kitchens.

'Our timeless mellow, honeyed shade ‘Bombolone’, inspired by the signature Italian doughnuts, delivers a warm, comforting glow that is perfect for kitchens, pantries, hallways or sitting rooms. This mid-gold exudes warmth and makes a statement without being too bold,' explains Ruth Mottershead, creative director of Little Greene.

'We're seeing yellow in all shades – from butter to saffron – showing up all over the millwork space,' adds Emily Arthur, CCO of Isla Porter. 'For homeowners who are risk-averse but don't want the monotony of white cabinets, butter yellow can be a wonderful neutral to work with.'

11. Color drench for a harmonious look

When it comes to timeless colorful kitchens it isn't just the color which plays a role, it is also how it is used. Interiors that contain stark color contrasts can sometimes feel jarring and dominating, instead color drenching a space in a muted color can bring a harmonious, comforting feel. This color-drenching look paired with traditional handcrafted cabinetry can be really effective in creating a welcoming and enduring feel, as demonstrated in this kitchen by Artichoke.

'For our Hamburg project, the finish of the woodwork was a labor of love. Designed to appear as if it had been well looked after over many years of use, we introduced layers of paint to hint at the passage of time and history. The single color used throughout with Farrow & Ball’s warm Hay creates harmony and lends a modern touch whilst providing a cozy and inviting atmosphere morning, noon ,and night,' explains Bruce Hodgson, founder of Artichoke.

There are many ways to create a colorful yet timeless kitchen. Firstly, think about choosing kitchen cabinet colors that take inspiration from nature as these are guaranteed to endure.

Limiting the use of bold colors to a feature piece such as a kitchen island or a freestanding larder is a great way to inject color without it dominating and dating. Alternatively, go for neutral colors on the walls and cabinets and use these as a canvas for introducing bold accent colors over floors, lighting, artwork, or fabric window treatments.