7 orange kitchens that will persuade you this unexpected color is in fact the perfect shade for a warm, personality-filled space

Orange kitchens have been enjoying a revival, and while I was skeptical at first, it's proving to be a hue designers are in fact leaning into, and I can't deny that it definitely invites warmth and personality into your space. From vibrant hues to earthier tones, it's more versatile and more livable than I first thought.

When it comes to kitchen color ideas, orange might not be on your radar in the same way greens and blues are. But with peach, terracotta, and even warm wood tones cemented as timeless choices, it's definitely worth considering for your kitchen if you are after a bolder look that's not going to totally dominate the space.

Not sure how to bring orange tones into your kitchen? From subtle pops of vibrancy to color-drenched spaces, these are a few of our favorite ways to bring this warming hue into your cooking space.

7 stylish orange kitchen ideas to inspire your space

Decorating with orange is favorable in homes, new and old, offering a delightful variety for plenty of kitchen aesthetics. Whether you want a space that feels bright and vivacious or more pared-back and organic, there's an idea here for every taste.

1. Go bold with a color drenched orange kitchen

If bold, bright, and colorful perfectly describe your interior design style, why not go all-in with a color drenched kitchen? Orange is a color that adds warmth, interest, and plenty of personality, so using it in large swathes and really committing to the color is going to create a really interesting, cocooning space.

The team at MMB Studio completely transformed this galley kitchen with that exact approach. The cabinets, upper walls, and window frame have all been painted the same bright shade of orange for a statement design.

By keeping the window wall, kitchen countertops, and ceiling a more neutral hue, the kitchen still feels open and airy – it provides an area of relief from the bright color to create a more balanced finish. In fact, my making such a bold decision, the design team has actually made this small kitchen look bigger, a reminder that neutral shades are not always the go-to in tiny spaces.

2. Limewash your kitchen walls and ceiling with orange paint

This is a far more subtle example of an orange kitchen, but it still takes the color-drenching approach, this time just on the walls and ceilings. The orange is also toned down because of the lime wash paint, which gives a softer feeling to the space.

If you like the sound of introducing bolder colors to your kitchen, but don't want it to overwhelm the space, a lime wash finish is a really good idea. You still get the boldness of your color choice, but without the solid wall of color. It's a finish that works particularly well with orange too, because it creates that lovely rustic allusion of drying terracotta clay.

3. Brighten a traditional kitchen with orange cabinets

Orange can often feel like quite a contemporary color, especially in the way we see it most commonly used, but the right shades can actually feel really traditional and add a hint of brightness to a more classic design.

'Some people are nervous about using strong colors such as orange, but it is actually a very traditional color that could be made with natural pigments and was popular in the dimly lit interiors of the 18^th century,' says Merlin Wright, design director at Plain English Design.

This scheme is a perfect example – it's a traditional kitchen filled with classic features, but the right shade of orange applied to the cabinets and window frames instantly adds warmth and a richer finish to the space. The orange shade is aptly named Rusty Nail.

4. Pair orange and gray for a warmer finish

Another impactful way to embrace orange in a kitchen, but keep it feeling very livable, is to pair it with a more livable color. Gray kitchens were once a classic, and although they have slightly fallen out of favor, it's still a really versatile color that works especially well in a kitchen. The key to using gray in a kitchen in 2025, is to steer clear of cool grays and warm it up with toastier shades – enter orange.

'Orange adds a burst of warmth and positivity and goes beautifully with the grays, which are often the background to our sometimes drab climate or the natural tones of a flagstone floor,' says Merlin.

As you can see really clearly in this orange kitchen, the gray also works to balance out the boldness of the orange too. It's the perfect unexpected color combination.

5. Create a retro feel with an orange and white scheme

The simplest way to make a more colorful hue feel balanced and classic in the kitchen is to pair it with white. This design is a perfect example, where a more vibrant orange hue on the lower and full-length cabinets is balanced out by white upper cabinets, walls, and countertops.

'The bold use of Formica Clementine injects a sense of playfulness and personality into the space, creating a striking contrast against the soft Arpa Bloom Bianco Nube and warm oak tones,' says Anne Clouston, of Plykea Kitchens. There's a retro feel here too, that's very in fitting with all the 80s and 90s kitchen trends making a comeback.

6. Bring in orange through warm-toned wooden cabinetry

If you want a more natural take on orange kitchen ideas, a wooden kitchen with warm undertones can be truly striking when done right. You want the wood to feel warm and natural without creating a dated look.

This kitchen by Jaqui Seerman Design is a lesson in making walnut cabinets feel on-trend and timeless. Opting for the more contemporary slab cabinet design ensures the cabinets don't feel outdated, while black details pair perfectly.

7. Add a pop of unexpected color through your shelving

Not everyone wants a colorful kitchen so adding just a pop of orange hues is a great way to add unexpected color to a neutral scheme. In this kitchen, simply painting the back of the open shelving in a bold shade of orange gives the space a more unique feel.

'Orange Sky 2018-10 is a playful, exciting orange hue, showing all the uplifting qualities of this energetic color family,' explains Arianna Barone, color marketing manager at Benjamin Moore.

'This kitchen shows how to bring in color thoughtfully and impactfully to an otherwise neutral space. Open shelving in kitchens provides the perfect backdrop to showcase serveware with a bold splash of color.'

If you weren't already convinced that orange is a beautiful color to decorate your kitchen, these spaces are just further proof. There are so many colors that go with orange for a daring or sophisticated design, there's no reason this kitchen color trend won't endure for years to come.