Colour is one of the biggest decisions in any kitchen design. It sets the mood of the room, changes how large it feels and decides how the kitchen will sit with the rest of the house. Below, we walk through four families of colour, neutral, blue, green and dark, with real kitchens we have hand-painted in each.
Kitchen Colour Schemes at a Glance
Most kitchen colour schemes fall into four groups. Neutrals such as Cornforth White or Pointing are the most versatile and let wood, stone and brass take the lead. Blues, from duck egg to navy, suit both traditional and contemporary kitchens. Greens, from sage to deep grey-green, sit comfortably between neutral and bold and pair well with white. Dark shades such as Railings or Black Blue add drama, and can be used on a whole kitchen, a single run or just the island. Light matters as much as the colour itself: the same paint reads brighter in a well-lit room and deeper in a darker one. Handmade Kitchen Company build every kitchen at our workshop in Essex and hand-paint it on site in the colour of your choice.
Neutral kitchen colours
Neutrals still give a kitchen depth and personality. Earthy tones are a good starting point, and a neutral base leaves room for other features to stand out: a statement splashback, rustic timber, decorative lighting. For more shades, see our guide to Farrow & Ball neutrals.
Our Billericay kitchen is an L-shaped design with an island at its centre. We hand-painted the whole kitchen in Cornforth White by Farrow & Ball, a soft, understated grey that works as a base for the wooden elements and black gloss appliances.
The Cuffley kitchen is hand-painted in Pointing by Farrow & Ball, a warm, delicate white that is fresh without feeling stark, alongside Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances. It softens the whole space.
Blue kitchen colours
Blue is one of the most versatile colour families for a kitchen, working in both traditional and contemporary homes. A duck egg blue softens a room, while a deep navy makes a statement and can stand in for grey or black. See our guides to Farrow & Ball blues and Little Greene blues for more.
Our Clayhall kitchen is hand-painted in Royal Navy by Little Greene, a deep, characterful navy that makes a warmer alternative to dark grey or black. It works well with the Carrara quartz worktops, brass hardware and ILVE range cooker.
The Potters Bar kitchen is hand-painted in Stiffkey Blue by Farrow & Ball, an inky, traditional navy that reads bluer in well-lit rooms. Three different worktops were chosen for this kitchen, and the strong blue ties them together.
Green kitchen colours
A contemporary, lasting kitchen does not have to be white or grey. Green paired with white gives the same sense of openness, and sage and olive shades have become a lasting favourite with our clients. Green sits between neutral and bold, so it works as an accent or across a whole scheme. See our guide to Little Greene greens for more.
Our Broxbourne kitchen pairs green and white with wooden elements. The green is Cooking Apple Green by Farrow & Ball, a fresh green that looks richer and more old-fashioned in low light and brighter in a well-lit room, especially against white. It suits this open-plan space well.
The Stock kitchen is also green and white. Our client chose Card Room Green by Farrow & Ball, a dark grey-green that comes alive next to a warm neutral such as Off-White. Used on the island, it makes it the focal point of this large open-plan room, finished with a marble splashback and white wicker bar stools.
Dark kitchen colours
Dark paint adds atmosphere and sophistication. It can feel daunting, but it is how you use it that sets the tone. A whole kitchen in a dark shade feels luxurious and enveloping; if you are less sure, pair it with a classic neutral, or keep it to the island. Natural light and flooring both make a big difference to how a dark colour reads. Our guide to dark kitchen cabinets covers what to pair them with.
Our Harringay kitchen is hand-painted throughout in Railings by Farrow & Ball, a soft black with a blue undertone that makes the room dramatic and enveloping. Plenty of natural light from the roof lantern and bi-fold doors keeps it from feeling heavy, and satin brass handles lift the dark paint.
In one of our Bishop’s Stortford kitchens, part of the main run is hand-painted in Black Blue by Farrow & Ball, in a two-tone scheme. The rich, dark colour works with the solid wood worktop, an aged brass Perrin & Rowe wall-mounted tap and a fireclay sink.
In another Bishop’s Stortford kitchen, the island is hand-painted in Brinjal by Farrow & Ball. This deep aubergine brings warmth to the room and makes a strong accent on an island.
Kitchen Colour Scheme FAQs
How do I choose a kitchen colour scheme?
Start with the fixed elements: worktops, flooring and how much natural light the room gets. Then choose a main cabinet colour that works with them, and decide whether to add a second colour on the island or a single run. Always test large samples in the room at different times of day.
What is the most timeless kitchen colour?
Warm whites and soft neutrals date the least, because they let materials such as wood, stone and brass carry the character. Deep blues and greens have also proved lasting choices for painted shaker kitchens.
Do dark kitchen colours make a room look smaller?
They can in a small room with little light. With good natural light, or balanced by lighter walls and worktops, a dark kitchen feels enveloping rather than cramped.
Should the island be a different colour?
It is a popular way to add colour without committing the whole kitchen to it. A darker or bolder island becomes the focal point, while the main runs stay neutral.
Where does Handmade Kitchen Company hand-paint kitchens?
We design and hand-build bespoke kitchens at our workshop in Essex and hand-paint them on site in the colour of your choice, for clients across Essex, Hertfordshire and North London. Explore our kitchen colours.
If you would like help choosing the colour scheme for your kitchen, contact us today. We look forward to hearing from you.
