Kitchens have been at the heart of many exciting color schemes this year. From deep forest green to rich shades of wine red, kitchens are increasingly becoming more confident in their colors.
However, is that to say it's always a good idea to decorate your kitchen with trending hues? This year's kitchen color trends have undoubtedly favored some of the deepest and most daring hues, and while they're stylish, that's not to say they're necessarily easy to live with.
Here, we explore the pros and cons of going bold with kitchen colors, as explained by interior designers. Since decorating a kitchen is often a costly undertaking, it's something you'll want to get right the first time around, so it's worth thinking twice before jumping on the latest color trend.
Should you paint your kitchen a bold color?
Many interior designers argue that there are plenty of good reasons to go for a bold kitchen color scheme. Kevie Murphy, principal and CEO at KA Murphy Interiors explains below:
'Painting your kitchen a bold color can be a game-changer – it gives you a space that's uniquely you and lets your personality shine. Why invest in good design if you’re not going to express yourself?'
Paint and color expert Annie Sloan is also complimentary of bold kitchen colors, adding: 'There are no drawbacks to painting your kitchen a bold color. You will always love cooking in a space that makes you feel happy and joyous. Bright colors look wonderful in kitchens. I tend to go for strong dark greens like deep dark Amsterdam Green or Olive which is more of a khaki green. You’ll be surprised how easy a dark green kitchen is to live with.'
'Deep blues like Oxford Navy or strong reds like Paprika Red will also make your kitchen feel warm and welcoming and both colors look great with brass or copper hardware,' Annie adds.
However, a bold kitchen color scheme may not always be the best choice, depending on your interior design style and how much of a statement you want to make. If not properly balanced, bold colors in a kitchen can appear jarring, warn designers:
'Bold colors need to be used thoughtfully,' says Kevie Murphy. 'If it’s overdone or out of sync with the overall design, it can come off as tacky. The key is balance: pair those bright, trendy shades with timeless elements like classic hardware or marble countertops. When done right, bold colors can be anything you want – timeless, moody, or vibrant.'
Gain expert tips on designing your kitchen with The deVOL Kitchen, covering many key elements from colors to lighting.
What's more, designer Kelsey Haywood of Haywoodmade Interiors cautions that it's important to make sure your color choice has longevity, rather than using it just because it's trending:
'When it comes to trends, if you feel strongly you will love this for the test of time, do it. If you're doing it because you're seeing it everywhere and you want your kitchen to look like most kitchens on Instagram, I would suggest reevaluating. It's such an investment and alternatively, you could go with something more timeless and play up bold color with a backsplash or even fun dinnerware!'
Going for something slightly more understated when it comes to kitchen colors may also be a wise idea if a house move is on the cards anytime soon, warns designer Maren Baker:
'If you are planning to sell your home in the near future then you may want to consider toning down the color a bit so maybe it isn't quite as bold (it doesn't necessarily have to be white, but just make it a tint or shade of a color instead). It is expensive to re-paint kitchen cabinets and although buyers are willing to paint a wall, an entire kitchen might give them pause – I would say use this as caution when considering bold-colored appliances or backsplash tile as well.'
Things to consider before decorating your kitchen with a trending, bold color
If you're set on adding depth and drama to your kitchen through the use of bold colors, there are a few simple design tips that can help create balance and ensure the result is far from jarring. Below, we've rounded up interior designers' top tips for a bold kitchen color scheme you'll love for years to come.
Stick to smaller doses of color
'I love incorporating color into kitchens, but I usually prefer to do so with carefully placed pops of bold color rather than overall saturated color,' says designer Allison Mattison of Trellis Home Design.
She continues: 'I like incorporating color in elements like sconces, statement light fixtures over a table or kitchen island, colorful barstools, window treatments, and then adding coordinating accessories like pottery or cookware. These elements can be easily swapped out later if a different color is desired.'
Go for enduring bold colors
If you're set on going for a bold color in your kitchen, designer Ryan Kopet of Miles & Kirk Design suggests reaching for a dark, historical-inspired shade that can feel timeless such as blue kitchen ideas or green kitchen ideas:
'There is nothing wrong with painting your kitchen a bolder tone, though I would steer clients to look towards things that are lasting and historical – greens, blues, even a Bordeaux could look interesting and amazing without feeling tired and quickly outdated. Play up old-world stones and metals to keep it fresh. Think pewter counters, chromed drip bars, and Calcutta viola for instance.'
Choose timeless materials
Designing your kitchen is as much about the materials used as the wall colors and kitchen cabinet colors. Below, Chicago-based designer Elizabeth Taich suggests incorporating richer, timeless hues through natural materials:
'A kitchen is most likely the largest investment that you will make in your home, and that investment should go the distance. Your kitchen should not feel time-stamped but rather timeless. If a white kitchen lacks excitement, why not opt for a classic wood, such as Walnut, in an updated stain to make it fresh and innovative?'
Stick to your home's color story
'When painting kitchens in bold colors I like to stick with the color story of the home,' shares says Charlotte-based interior designer Alexis Warren.
'I love that you are able to show more of your personality when you select a color versus using white. It is very important to remember to select a color that is timeless and something you won't tire of quickly. The biggest drawback is if you tire of the color you selected it is pricey to repaint your cabinets. However, if you stick with a color that complements the rest of your home and is timeless you will never regret it,' Alexis adds.
From painting the walls to the color of the kitchen cabinets, there are lots of ways to incorporate bold hues into the heart of the home. Daring colors can be just as timeless as neutrals, so long as it's a color you're naturally drawn to and carefully balanced with the rest of the room's decor.
