What colors work well in a kitchen? Designers agree that these are the 5 most successful shades

What colors work well in a kitchen? While the answer to this question depends on individuality, there remain some hues that should always look good in every space. 

This room is practical, but it is also social. Therefore, when deciding on kitchen color ideas, it is important to choose something that caters to your functionality – whilst prompting conversation – and ensuring your space stands the test of time. 

What colors work well in a kitchen?

Flirting with new kitchen trends and decorating ideas allow you to exhibit personality in the busiest room of your home – but whatever your style – there are some colors that will work well in every space.

Here are the core colors that experts recommend bringing into your kitchen ideas – for a stylish scheme, always.

1. White

White is officially the most popular color for kitchens this year, according to a recent study*, and it is easy to understand its enduring appeal.

Whether you're looking to cover your walls or cabinets (or both) in this shade – the spectrum of white kitchen ideas is vast. 'In a space where safety is paramount, a lick of white paint gives the room a fresh, light, and airy feel, producing a sense of cleanliness and health, which is probably why white is a popular choice for the kitchen,' says ' Michael Rolland, an interior expert from *The Paint Shed.

All-white kitchens remain ever-popular, but as kitchen designer Tom Howley suggests, you can successfully use it as a base color, too. 'With bold color now materializing in kitchen design, using a two-toned palette enables you to add a bright shade without overwhelming the space,' he says. 'A great way to add the two-toned look is to combine your favorite white or neutral with a contrasting island or base unit color.'

2. Pink

Pink can feel like a controversial color idea – but with the right advice, this sensuous hue can stand as a provocative talking point for all the right reasons. Over the past month, Magnet Kitchens has observed a surge in interest surrounding pink – most likely driven by the aptly-named Barbiecore movement. However, as their head designer, Lizzie Beesley, suggests, 'pink' kitchens do not need to look overpowering. 

'If you're not quite ready to go all-out and paint your cabinets or walls pink, then painting your kitchen island pink is a great way to tap into the Barbiecore trend and introduce a splash of joy into your space,' she says. 'A light or dusty pink for your island can almost act as a neutral, which, when teamed with neutral cabinetry, creates a sense of serenity.' 

Lizzie also recommends adding pink accessories of a similar hue, such as a kettle or your best toaster, to tie the look together.'

3. Green

Green kitchen ideas have sat at the peak of interior design trends in recent years –not least because of their natural connotations that bring the outdoors inside. The hue promotes harmony and positivity, so it is unsurprising that it is so sought-after in the busiest room of the home. And this is a desire that is here to stay. 

'Green is not only on trend right now but is a choice with real longevity,' says Tori Summers, director of product design and innovation at Howdens. 'We instinctively feel 'at home' when we connect to nature; the use of green interiors allows us to bring the outside in and helps to subconsciously calm our mood and minds.'

In a similar way to pink, the experts at Benjamin Moore recommend incorporating small doses of green into your space through your kitchen island. They suggest Aegean Teal 2136-40 for a green-blue statement that combines two of the most stylish kitchen hues in one brush-sweep. 

4. Blue

Green's counterpart, blue, is equally loved for its organic tones – whether you opt for a deep turquoise or a dustier shade. 'Blues and greens can instill a feeling of calm and tranquillity, both increasingly popular colors as we crave a reconnection to nature and schemes that promote positivity,' Tom Howley says. 

If you're looking to bring blue into your kitchen, the team at Benjamin Moore suggests creating a 'visual centerpiece' by painting cabinets in a bold shadelike Wythe Blue HC-143or Hale Navy HC-154, which will make an eternal statement. 

5. Black

Choosing black kitchen ideas is one of the most powerful decorating decisions you can make. However, as Tom Howley suggests, opting for this shade will unlock a trove of benefits for your benefits. 

'Dark and dramatic paint colors such as black have a way of adding ambiance and sophistication to a space,' he says. 'Dark shades can come across as intimidating; however, it's in the way you use them that changes the feel.' 

The designer recommends using the shade on the main run of base and across wall cabinetry for a luxurious and courageous aesthetic that will stay in style for seasons ahead. 'If you're not feeling as brave, then combine dark paint shades with a green accent or a classic neutral for a balanced look that still has an impact,' he adds.