Kitchen colour schemes

From classic combinations to more ‘out there’ ones, here’s a collection of kitchen colour palettes to consider if you’re remodelling or starting from scratch…

Blue and brown: Chocolate brown with a crisp blue? Works every time! Layer the two with white or cream accents and think dark wood cabinets with a painted blue island.

Orange and green: You may be thinking ‘no way’ but this colour combo can really bring your kitchen to life. Green is fresh, while orange is zingy and energetic. Plus they both marry well with wood finishes. White walls and appliances will help the space feel more open and spacious.

Red and yellow: Don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it. Pair a rich red with a golden yellow (use yellow as the main colour, then add red accents to make it pop). Patterns work well with this scheme, so think checks, stripes and florals in terms of accessories. PS: Red has been proven to make people hungry.

Grey with ‘everything’: Grey is right up there with white in terms of a clean colour choice for kitchens. Bring out natural textures using the palest of greys. It also works beautifully as a background colour with either soft shades or bright accent colours to help bring it to life. Grey and white may seem like a bland combination used together, but you can always liven them up with red plates and bowls displayed inside a glass-fronted cabinet or a bold red splashback. Or paint the cabinet interiors blue, for example, to offer a backdrop for all-white crockery. Blue and grey play beautifully with wooden flooring, while grey marble countertops would look great set against deep wine-red cabinets. Charcoal grey walls can also make a dramatic statement, with pops of bright and cheerful colour added by accessories.

Black on steel (and with white): Black is stylish and solid, and glossy black cabinetry frames stainless steel appliances beautifully. Team it with orange and grey (seriously, it can look amazing). Pretty floral wallpaper can prevent black cabinets from becoming too heavy. Although the contrast of black and white is strong, this timeless scheme can be brightened with various coloured accessories that can easily be changed over time. You can also soften the harsh contrast of black and white by introducing some grey or warm metallic tones. Just bear in mind that black is a very strong colour, so use it sparingly if you have a small kitchen.

Blue and white: White tiles and countertops set against deep blue cabinets, with stainless steel appliances – so beautiful and sleek; with a hardwood floor to finish the look. Easy as that!

Copper and cream: All you need is some wooden cabinetry and you have ‘earthy’ on a grand scale with this rich scheme. Introduce the copper with cookware, handles, taps and other finishes. Throw in a cream island with wooden top and copper pendant lighting overhead.

Purple, white and black: Grape or plum walls can mingle quite nicely with black cabinets. Introduce some white accents, stainless steel appliances and glass accessories to create a truly sophisticated space.

Yellow with wood: Team rustic wooden furniture with fresh yellow walls and low-hanging brass pendant lights for a real country feel. Regardless of whether the material you use is real wood or laminate, the look of wood creates a welcoming and homely feel that won’t date.

Pink and white: Okay, maybe this is bordering on crazy, but who says a bright-pink splashback can’t work in a white and grey kitchen? In fact, rich berry shades and burgundy can really stand out on cabinets, with white walls and grey floors acting as a neutral background. Throw in some stainless steel or chrome finishes to finish it off.

White on white: The all-white kitchen is perhaps the most timeless of all kitchen colour schemes. It looks fresh and bright and never dates. You can easily add colour to it and change it often with accessories and appliances.

Quick tips
• Colourful tiles in muted rainbow shades, grouped together on a wall, can add interest where there’s a lot of exposed brick and wood finishes in a kitchen.
• All-natural tones in a kitchen don’t have to equate to bland and boring. By their very ‘nature’, they’re warm and inviting and won’t date over time.
• A big kitchen can handle stronger colours, especially if there’s plenty of natural light.
• A clever way to bring bold colours into your kitchen is to keep the expensive items (countertops, cabinets and floors) neutral in colour and save the bolder hues for things that are easy and affordable to swop out.
• Make an island the main focus by painting it a bold colour and using softer shades elsewhere.