26+ Kitchen Color Ideas & Inspiration to Elevate Your Kitchen

1. Add Character to Your Kitchen Island

One of our favorite kitchen paint color ideas is to use dark, dynamic hues in small doses to breathe personality into your kitchen. Use color creatively to delineate different spaces in your kitchen—think work areas, inset shelving, and the kitchen’s central stopping point, the kitchen island.

Other wow-worthy kitchen island paint colors we love include:

• Aegean Teal 2136-40
• Tarrytown Green HC-134
• Kendall Charcoal HC-166

2. Embrace All-White Hues

For time-honored kitchen color schemes, white, gray, and neutrals provide a classic color palette.

If you opt for all-white hues, consider different finishes to add dimension. This kitchen features:

• Walls in eggshell
• Cabinets and shelving in satin
• Fireplace mantel in semi-gloss
• Ceiling in ultra-flat (in Waterborne Ceiling Paint) which not only hides common ceiling imperfections, but it also provides a flawless, ultra-flat finish.

3. Go with Green and White

Muted, organic green hues are favorites in the kitchen. When paired with soft white walls, the look is always a win. More soft whites and adaptable greens we love for kitchens include:

• Regent Green 2136-20 paired with White Dove OC-17
• October Mist 1495 paired with Steam AF-15
• Sherwood Green HC-118 paired with Floral White OC-29

4. Brighten Up with a Dash of Bold Color

We love the zing of playful energy that color can bring to any space. Lively hues homeowners love for a pop of color in a smaller kitchen include:

• Smoldering Red 2007-10
• Venezuelan Sea 2054-30
• Ravishing Red 2008-10

Favorite white paint colors for the kitchen include White Dove OC-17, Silver Satin OC-26, and seen here, Vanilla Ice Cream OC-90.

5. Add Beachy Energy with Refreshing Kitchen Paint Colors

Bring island vibes to your kitchen with a rejuvenating hue on your cabinets. Luminous, island-inspired paint colors we love include St. John’s Bay 584, shown here, as well as:

• Biscayne Shore 604
• Tropical Paradise 575
• Surf ‘n Turf 598

6. Make Cabinets the Star of Your Kitchen

Nothing says kitchen inspiration like dazzling sapphire blue cabinets. Blue Macaw 784 in a satin finish ups the ante, transforming a basic kitchen corner into a showcase. Advance^® Interior, which provides a hard, furniture-quality finish that’s perfect for kitchen cabinets comes in:

• Satin Slightly higher gloss than an eggshell finish reminiscent of lacquer (seen here).
• Semi-gloss A subtle gloss, luminous and understated.
• High-gloss An elegant shine with a mirror-like quality.

7. Change Up Small Kitchens Easily with an Accent Wall

Have a narrow kitchen with basic, off-white kitchen cabinets? Creating a wow-worthy accent wall is a simple DIY hack to easily refresh a small kitchen. Check out these colors to enliven your kitchen accent wall:

• Hunter Green 2041-10
• Vintage Wine 2116-20
• Amherst Gray HC-167

8. Best Kitchen Paint Colors for Masking Dirt

Dark paint colors add a dose of drama—with the added bonus of hiding dirt. Try a rich, deep green that combines a nod to nature with mess-hiding pragmatism.

• For lighter, warmer greens, we love Dune Grass 492, Pale Avocado 2146-40 and Fernwood Green 2145-40, all nice alternatives to neutrals.
• Cool greens that work in the kitchen include Tarrytown Green HC-134, Green Gables 2041-30, and Dragonfly AF-510.

9. Add Fun to a Basic Kitchen

Unexpected color combinations transform plain-Jane kitchens into spotlight stars. Here, Caliente AF-290—a former Color of the Year—pops against Angelica AF-665, a lavender-touched pale gray. Other playful pairings we love include:

• Tropical Dusk 2117-40 paired with Sundress CSP-940
• Serenata AF-535 paired with Daytona Peach 079
• Ming Jade 2043-20 paired with Dream Whip 2174-60

10. Layer Blue & Green Paint Colors

In this midcentury modern kitchen, two distinct blue paint colors conjure blue skies—even on the rainiest of days. A dash of spring green pulls from the outdoor landscape.

• Oxford Gray 2128-40 frames the window on the walls.
• Cheery Blue Hydrangea 2062-60 highlights the lower kitchen cabinets.
• Guilford Green HC-116 on upper cabinets pulls in the outdoor greenery.

Other blue paint colors we love for the kitchen include Smoke 2122-40, Caribbean Mist 2061-70, and from the Historical Collection, airy Woodlawn Blue HC-147.

11. Experience the Easygoing Elegance of Brown

With its brownish-violet undertones, Chelsea Gray HC-168—shown here—elevates these kitchen cabinets even further. Other rich brown paint colors we love include:

• French Press AF-170
• Fairview Taupe HC-85
• Gettysburg Gray HC-107

12. Pair Deep Blue Walls with a Green Ceiling

We love a deep blue paint color that effortlessly bridges traditional and modern kitchen styles. Lucerne AF-530 hits that mark, especially when paired with cheerful green Seedling AF-450 on the ceiling. Other takes on this look include:

• Van Deusen Blue HC-156 paired with Budding Green CSP-790
• Blue Heron 832 paired with Warren Acres 527
• Blue Danube 2062-30 paired with Celery Ice 2030-60

13. Reimagine Beige with Green Undertones

A monochromatic color scheme uses a single hue to create an elegant interior envelope in any space.

This homeowner’s neutral monochromatic look taps into Flowering Herbs 514, a distinct beige with strong green undertones. Love the look? Consider:

• November Rain OC-50
• Doily CSP-130
• Overcast OC-43

14. Add Opulence with Deep Hued Paint Color

White paint hues and wooden floors and ceilings are classic kitchen elements. Consider a deeper hue on lower cabinets for an elegant twist.

While Mysterious AF-565 scores low on this paint color’s LRV (Light Reflecting Value—the percentage of light reflected by a paint color), the use of semi-gloss elevates the look of this navy-black hue for a dose of elegance and drama. Similar hues include:

• Gravel Gray 2127-30
• Baby Seal Black 2119-30
• Blue Note 2129-30

15. Create Shore Vibes

One of the best things about paint color is using it to create a very specific look.

Here, breezy beach energy comes to life thanks to a soft blue-painted ceiling, light blue walls with misty gray undertones, and go-to Chantilly Lace 2121-70 on trim. Recreate the look with these options:

• Constellation AF-540 on ceiling, Serenata AF-535 on walls, Frostine AF-5 on trim
• Breath of Fresh Air 806 on ceiling, Sapphire Ice 808 on walls, Distant Gray OC-68 on trim
• Fantasy Blue 716 on ceiling, Paradiso 717 on walls, In Your Eyes 715 on trim

16. Enliven Wood Surfaces with Charcoal Grays

Using dark gray paint colors adds an elegant, industrial twist to contemporary cabin styling.

The warmth of Gray 2121-10, the rich charcoal seen here, is a softer alternative to black. Similar hues include:

• Deep Space 2125-20 a deep gray tinged with a hint of blue.
• Go lighter and cooler with Steel Wool 2121-20.
• Explore the entire gray color family.

17. Frame Kitchen Windows with Dark Paint Colors

Use charcoal, black, brown or any deep version of your favorite color family to frame your view to the outside.

Here, Black HC-190 on window mullions really pops in this all-neutral kitchen. Consider:

• Midsummer Night 2134-20
• Black Beauty 2128-10
• Raccoon Fur 2126-20

18. Color Block with Black & White Kitchen Paint Colors

A sleek black and white color combination is always powerful. Use it to create interest in a small kitchen as seen in this Brooklyn loft. Try these classic pairings:

• Onyx 2133-10 and White Heron OC-57 (seen here)
• French Beret 1610 and Calm OC-22
• Black Satin 2131-10 and Vanilla Milkshake OC-59

19. Consider a Satin Paint Finish

A satin finish on your kitchen cabinets is both elegant and practical. Seen here in cool-toned Providence Blue 1636, satin sheen delivers a bit of gloss while also offering more stain resistance and durability than lower sheens.

Advance Interior, a premium Benjamin Moore paint ideal for doors, trim and cabinetry, comes in satin, semi-gloss and high-gloss.

20. Use Pale Pink as a Neutral

“Soft pinks are surprisingly versatile,” says Arianna Cesa, Color Expert at Benjamin Moore. “In fact, pink has more range than you may think.”

Delicate pink paint colors offer a refreshing alternative to white, beige or any neutral. Pink also enlivens darker hues and surfaces like wood, granite and stone in the kitchen. Consider...

• First Light 2102-70, a former Color of the Year.
• Pink Damask OC-72, a soft white with a wink of blush.
• Victorian Lace 2100-70, a gray-toned blush.

21. Create Dimension with Different Finishes

Eggshell. Satin. Ultra-Flat. The sheen you choose (also known as finish) contributes to the final look of your space.

This kitchen is a study in monochromatic neutral in Lambskin OC-3, a peachy beige. Satin finish on the trim and cabinetry and eggshell on the walls adds depth to one singular paint color. Glass-doored cabinetry with glass shelving adds translucence.

22. Play with Color Flow

Pull various shades of the same color from room to room for cohesive color flow.

In this country kitchen, light blue-green Wythe Blue HC-143 is prominent on the cabinetry and kitchen island. A delightful pop of dark Aegean Teal 2136-40 cabinetry pops from the mudroom beyond. Consider these green pairings to recreate the look:

• Cedar Grove 444 and Pinelands 446
• Spa AF-435 and Aventurine AF-445
• Sherwood Green HC-118 and Avon Green HC-126

23. Lean into Surprising Kitchen Color Ideas

Mix modern and rustic by pairing freshly painted cabinets with copper accents.

Choose black and blue hues with the same undertone for a cohesive look. Here, the hint of blue undertone in Deep Space 2125-20 synchs with elegant Van Courtland Blue HC-145. Other blackish-blue pairings we love:

• Flint AF-560 and Montpelier AF-555
• Almost Black 2130-30 and New Hope Gray 2130-50
• Cheating Heart 1617 and Mineral Alloy 1622

24. Power up Small Spaces with Deep Hues

A more saturated color on your cabinets in any level of glossy sheen maximizes shine, forging a look that's all dark glamour.

Take color cues from countertops, the backsplash, fixtures and flooring to inspire new color for your cabinets. We love the drama of:

• Statement-making Char Brown 2137-20, seen here
• Wenge AF-180 from the Color Trends 2023 palette
• Espresso-ready French Press AF-170

25. Celebrate Vivacious Kitchen Inspiration

Doing dishes is a lot more fun beside a vibrant accent wall that puts a smile on anyone's face.

Raspberry Blush 2008-30, the Color of the Year 2023, elevates and energizes this small kitchen. Make this look yours with:

• Hydrangea Flowers 2008-40, a softer coral.
• Claret Rose 2008-20, a blend of orange, pink and red.
• Ravishing Red 2008-10, a confident red-orange.

26. Reimagine Light with the Color Stories^® Collection

Ready for a color story? Color Stories, an exclusive Benjamin Moore collection of 240 paint colors tells a colorful tale.

Crafted to take on different appearances as the light changes, these sophisticated hues upgrade any kitchen. In addition to the Color Stories colors shown in this rustic kitchen, we love:

• Spice Market CSP-925, an exotic yellow.
• Hidden Sapphire CSP-690, for a regal touch.
• Arctic Seal CSP-15, a dusky gray.

Brighten Up with Bold Kitchen Wall Colors

With typically less wall space in the kitchen, it’s a great room to play with brighter, stronger colors.

We love the zing of playful energy that Banana Yellow 2022-40 adds to this small kitchen with predominant white cabinetry. Scroll to the bottom of this page to see this same kitchen accented with Ravishing Red 2008-10 and Patriot Blue 2064-20.

Other lively hues homeowners love for a smaller kitchen wall color include Smoldering Red 2007-10, Venezuelan Sea 2054-30 and Blue Danube 2062-30.

Classic white kitchen cabinets pair perfectly with any pop of color you choose in a kitchen. Some of our favorite white paint colors for the kitchen include White Dove OC-17, Silver Satin OC-26, and seen here, Paper White OC-55.

Curated Color for Kitchen Cabinets

Cabinets tend to be the visual centerpiece in the kitchen, so choosing the just-right color is important.

Blues, greens, and pale or muted grays are very popular in today’s kitchens. Here, pale gray Titanium OC-49 on both walls and cabinets opens up this small kitchen space. This sleek, monochromatic look uses sheen to differentiate the surfaces: matte on walls, satin on cabinets, and semi-gloss on trim.

Kitchen Island Colors Add Spice

Not quite ready for a full kitchen cabinet re-paint? Use dynamic hues to breathe a bit of your personality into your kitchen in small doses.

Consider a fresh coat of paint color for your lower cabinets only. Or highlight a central kitchen island with a bold hue.

Here, a deep blue kitchen island offers high impact style in Oxford Gray 2128-40. The choice of a rich, semi-gloss sheen elevates it from practical to posh.

Other kitchen island paint colors that offer a major wow-factor include Regent Green 2136-20, Tarrytown Green HC-134, Kendall Charcoal HC-166.

DIY or Professional Painter?

Painting kitchen cabinets is more affordable than replacing them. While doing it yourself may hold appeal, refinishing your cabinets can be challenging for even the most ambitious DIY-er. For example: Cabinets must fully dry between steps, making it a multi-day job.

We recommend hiring a professional painter for the best outcome. It’s also worth noting that professional painters prefer Benjamin Moore’s Advance Interior on kitchen cabinetry for its hard, furniture-quality finish. Be sure to put Advance on your shopping list, whether doing it yourself or hiring a painting pro!