20 Gorgeous Kitchen Colour Pairings
Whether traditional or out of the box, these duos will have you reaching for the paint brush to give your kitchen a fresh, new look
Transforming your kitchen needn’t require a complete overhaul. Colour can reflect your mood of the moment, give your kitchen a new lease on life, and be the beginning of a beautiful friendship. If painting is not something you’re mad about, simply swapping the benchtop for something bolder could be all it takes for a modern makeover. Here are some ideas to help you get started.
2. Green and green
The blue-green dominating this kitchen would be fabulous enough, but when paired with a bright green feature in an eye-popping shade, it is positively powerful. This kitchen is a great example of playing with unexpected colour combinations until one leaps out at you and takes a stand. Bringing home colour swatches from the hardware store or paint shop is a good first step.
The blue-green dominating this kitchen would be fabulous enough, but when paired with a bright green feature in an eye-popping shade, it is positively powerful. This kitchen is a great example of playing with unexpected colour combinations until one leaps out at you and takes a stand. Bringing home colour swatches from the hardware store or paint shop is a good first step.
3. Orange and black
A sunny mandarin paired against more modest black is a bold move in any kitchen. But if you can dare to be this brave in the kitchen, just imagine the courage you’ll be able to muster for the other areas of your life.
A sunny mandarin paired against more modest black is a bold move in any kitchen. But if you can dare to be this brave in the kitchen, just imagine the courage you’ll be able to muster for the other areas of your life.
4. Black and white
This traditional kitchen is swoonworthy not just because of its attention to detail (every element of this space reveals a well-developed sense of style) but also because the black works so well to both ground and enliven the space. Don’t neglect any doors in or near your kitchen if you’re looking to create a cohesive effect. Carrara marble benchtops pair well with both black and white.
This traditional kitchen is swoonworthy not just because of its attention to detail (every element of this space reveals a well-developed sense of style) but also because the black works so well to both ground and enliven the space. Don’t neglect any doors in or near your kitchen if you’re looking to create a cohesive effect. Carrara marble benchtops pair well with both black and white.
5. Blue and green
If blue and green should never be seen, I beg to differ. This cheery kitchen uses colour in all the right places to pull off this contemporary look.
If blue and green should never be seen, I beg to differ. This cheery kitchen uses colour in all the right places to pull off this contemporary look.
6. Navy and white
This classic combo never gets old, and can be just appealing in a modern kitchen as it can in one steeped in tradition. Gorgeous.
Island: ‘HC-154 Hale Navy’, Benjamin Moore
This classic combo never gets old, and can be just appealing in a modern kitchen as it can in one steeped in tradition. Gorgeous.
Island: ‘HC-154 Hale Navy’, Benjamin Moore
7. Teal and red
Be still my beating heart. This unexpected match resists being too garish with the addition of warm wooden cabinets, benchtops and shelves. If you love one colour, but can’t be sure a combination is going to work, stick to more permanent fixtures in your favourite hue, and accessorise to your heart’s content in a contrasting shade.
Be still my beating heart. This unexpected match resists being too garish with the addition of warm wooden cabinets, benchtops and shelves. If you love one colour, but can’t be sure a combination is going to work, stick to more permanent fixtures in your favourite hue, and accessorise to your heart’s content in a contrasting shade.
8. White and natural timber
Just because this kitchen isn’t as bold in its use of colour doesn’t make it any less beautiful. This stunning flooring would be lost if the cabinets or benchtop were anything other than white, and what a shame that would be. A neutral palette like this invites the outdoors in, and allows you to play with pops of colour in the form of fruit, flowers or accessories.
Just because this kitchen isn’t as bold in its use of colour doesn’t make it any less beautiful. This stunning flooring would be lost if the cabinets or benchtop were anything other than white, and what a shame that would be. A neutral palette like this invites the outdoors in, and allows you to play with pops of colour in the form of fruit, flowers or accessories.
9. Purple and pink
Not for the faint-hearted, this one, but what a way to show off your personality. Introverts are unlikely to warm to these tones, but those with a penchant for drama may well fall head over heels.
More: How to Be Truly Confident With Colour
Not for the faint-hearted, this one, but what a way to show off your personality. Introverts are unlikely to warm to these tones, but those with a penchant for drama may well fall head over heels.
More: How to Be Truly Confident With Colour
10. Green and white
Just because your kitchen has a more traditional bent doesn’t mean you can’t bend the rules a little. Not quite olive green, not quite khaki, this rich colour pairs wonderfully with white. Offset the duo with some white marble for a luxurious edge.
See more of this apartment
Just because your kitchen has a more traditional bent doesn’t mean you can’t bend the rules a little. Not quite olive green, not quite khaki, this rich colour pairs wonderfully with white. Offset the duo with some white marble for a luxurious edge.
See more of this apartment
11. Black and red
This modern combo looks best in sleek, polyurethane or laminate kitchens. Stainless steel complements these colours perfectly and light walls and floors are the way to go to avoid the kitchen looking too heavy.
This modern combo looks best in sleek, polyurethane or laminate kitchens. Stainless steel complements these colours perfectly and light walls and floors are the way to go to avoid the kitchen looking too heavy.
12. Aqua and white
Did someone say Caribbean getaway? This mix draws inspiration from aquamarine oceans and white sandy beaches on a tropical isle.
More: 10 Stunning Splashback Ideas
Did someone say Caribbean getaway? This mix draws inspiration from aquamarine oceans and white sandy beaches on a tropical isle.
More: 10 Stunning Splashback Ideas
13. Hot pink and white
Feminine and pretty, but far from lacking punch, this flamboyant choice is over-the-top fabulous. Offset brights with natural timber – it helps ground this kitchen – and opt for accessories in other supercharged colours.
Feminine and pretty, but far from lacking punch, this flamboyant choice is over-the-top fabulous. Offset brights with natural timber – it helps ground this kitchen – and opt for accessories in other supercharged colours.
14. Retro teal and yellow
This quirky caravan kitchen has retained its classic teal cabinets (and awesome door hardware), and added a splash of sunshine with those yellow appliances. The toaster and kettle tie in so well because they stick to the retro theme with their shapely designs.
More: How to Make Coloured Appliances Work in Your Kitchen
This quirky caravan kitchen has retained its classic teal cabinets (and awesome door hardware), and added a splash of sunshine with those yellow appliances. The toaster and kettle tie in so well because they stick to the retro theme with their shapely designs.
More: How to Make Coloured Appliances Work in Your Kitchen
15. Lilac and stainless steel
I bet you didn’t see this one coming. This unusual colour pairing could work just as well on panelled timber cabinets, or on glossy, modern ones as in this kitchen. Just be sure you’re not going to tire quickly of such an unusual shade before going down this road.
I bet you didn’t see this one coming. This unusual colour pairing could work just as well on panelled timber cabinets, or on glossy, modern ones as in this kitchen. Just be sure you’re not going to tire quickly of such an unusual shade before going down this road.
17. Turquoise and black
It’s a perfect match. This kitchen would not be nearly such a show-stopper without that custom-painted cabinetry shaking things up. Black, white and natural timber tone down the turquoise just enough to create a masterful overall effect. Quartz benchtops and neutral concrete flooring perform a similar function.
It’s a perfect match. This kitchen would not be nearly such a show-stopper without that custom-painted cabinetry shaking things up. Black, white and natural timber tone down the turquoise just enough to create a masterful overall effect. Quartz benchtops and neutral concrete flooring perform a similar function.
18. Brown and white
This classy kitchen makes use of a colour rarely seen in modern kitchens, but this brown is such a warm, surprising tone that it works a treat. The streaks in the Calacatta Gold marble benchtops and splashback tie together the kitchen’s different elements marvellously.
This classy kitchen makes use of a colour rarely seen in modern kitchens, but this brown is such a warm, surprising tone that it works a treat. The streaks in the Calacatta Gold marble benchtops and splashback tie together the kitchen’s different elements marvellously.
19. Orange and turquoise
Don’t forget to think about lighting if you’re hoping to inject some excitement into your kitchen. Imagine replacing these pendants with glass or metal versions – they’d not have nearly the same impact.
More: Colour Splash: How to Feature Your Favourite Hues
Don’t forget to think about lighting if you’re hoping to inject some excitement into your kitchen. Imagine replacing these pendants with glass or metal versions – they’d not have nearly the same impact.
More: Colour Splash: How to Feature Your Favourite Hues
20. Blue and white
An all-white kitchen can be given a fresh, new look with the addition of some lovely ceiling paint. The cornflower blue ceiling in this kitchen is set off with some strategically placed armchairs nearby.
TELL US
How have you used colour in your kitchen? Share your ideas in the comments section.
MORE
Kitchen Inspiration: 13 Wonderfully White Kitchens
Mood-Boosting Colours for Your Home
Kitchen Trend: Black Is Back
Kitchen Inspiration: 16 Timber Kitchens to Inspire You
An all-white kitchen can be given a fresh, new look with the addition of some lovely ceiling paint. The cornflower blue ceiling in this kitchen is set off with some strategically placed armchairs nearby.
TELL US
How have you used colour in your kitchen? Share your ideas in the comments section.
MORE
Kitchen Inspiration: 13 Wonderfully White Kitchens
Mood-Boosting Colours for Your Home
Kitchen Trend: Black Is Back
Kitchen Inspiration: 16 Timber Kitchens to Inspire You
Wallpaper is a simple way to transform any area of the house, but when it’s as mouth-watering as this one, only the kitchen will do. These funky bar chairs make a stylish statement without taking away from the star event – that mesmerising wallpaper.
Take a look around this townhouse