5 Designer-Approved Kitchen Paint Colors to Help Create an Organized, Productive, and Warm Space

Color is one of the most important components when it comes to a remodeling project, and has the ability to control and dictate our emotional and behavioral response to a room. Seriously, how cool is that? Choosing to repaint is the easiest and most affordable way to transform and supercharge a space. I call this painting on purpose, and I’m excited to share my tips with you. 

Painting on Purpose

Whether it’s your bedroom, office, or entryway, determining the right emotion you want to convey is just as important as the color selection. Every single color in the rainbow evokes a different emotional response, which should be considered when selecting the right color for any space. Other factors to consider when selecting a paint color for your one-of-a-kind space include lighting, layout, and spatial awareness. 

Choosing Kitchen Colors With Intention

Here, I’m going to share the importance of selecting the right colors for the heart of the home: the kitchen. The design intention of this space is to encourage productivity and organization, while ensuring the kitchen remains inviting and cozy. 

For kitchens with ample natural light, experimenting with trendy or darker colors can add depth and character. For smaller kitchens or those with limited natural light, opting for lighter, softer hues can help create a more spacious and airy feel. The key is choosing a paint color that resonates with your desired atmosphere and functionality. 

The colors listed below inspire organization, cleanliness, and productivity—all qualities we strive for in a kitchen. For these intentions, stay away from browns, reds, and blacks as they can disrupt the harmony and flow of a kitchen.

Classic and Timeless Kitchen Paint Colors

White: Swiss Coffee by Benjamin Moore

White cabinets have a bad reputation because they tend to look mass-produced and basic. However, white truly is a great color to inspire cleanliness, clarity, and focus. It’s also a timeless color that never goes out of style. When it comes to selecting the perfect white, it’s important to pay attention to the undertones. A gray-based undertone can make a room lack personality, increase anxiety, and feel sterile, which can deter us or guests from settling in. I recommend selecting a white paint with a creamy beige undertone that can encourage warmth, but also up the cleanliness, clarity, and focus factor. 

My favorite white color for a kitchen is Swiss Coffee by Benjamin Moore. The clean hue will accentuate the lines of your kitchen, and inspire organization and focus, but the warm undertone aids in personality to allow for a more comfortable, curated, and cozy space. I usually pair this color cabinet with classic polished nickel hardware, timeless bridge faucets, and marble countertops. 

Greige: Accessible Beige by Sherwin-Williams

If you're seeking more oomph from your average white kitchen, greige is your color. This gray-meets-beige combo evokes a clean yet comfortable environment. One of my all-time favorite greige colors is Sherwin-William’s Accessible Beige. It has a gray undertone, but it’s both cool and warm—a hard combo to find in a paint. This color will embody a warm, calm, and cozy feel during gloomy rain and snow seasons, and a cool-embracing feeling during hot days in spring and summer. It’s well-balanced, natural, and clean. 

On a cabinet, this color pairs well with black hardware, brass hardware, or polished nickel. It has the ability to be traditional and transitional, making it a top color at my design firm. We love this color paired with natural components like wicker baskets, jute rugs, open shelving, and oil paintings to bring in more color and texture. 

Sage Green: Saged Green by Backdrop 

A green kitchen is like walking into a big hug—there are so many amazing benefits to the color. Green reduces anxiety, increases productivity, and enhances growth. It also promotes digestion, which makes it the perfect color for a kitchen. 

When using green, it’s important to be mindful of natural lighting. If you’re lacking natural light, it’s best not to choose a shade that is too dark as it can appear muddy. Sage green would be a better option as it’s able to complement other elements without feeling too dominant. It’s the perfect timeless color with a splash of personality and pairs well with butcher block countertops and brass hardware/fixtures.

Bold and Trendy Kitchen Paint Colors

Deep Green: Lawn Party by Backdrop 

If you have a small but sunny space, lawn party green is an exciting way to amp up the sunshine vibes! It's bold, but also evokes a sense of wellness. 

Yellow: Hay No. 37 by Farrow and Ball

Yellow is known to create uplifting and cheerful spaces; it also promotes socialization and adds a pop of dopamine to anyone's energy, making it a great color for your kitchen. Perfect for social butterflies, how could you not want to host games nights and bubbly brunches with this color kitchen? To minimize the punch, I recommend pairing a yellow kitchen with white or butcher block countertops, and polished nickel hardware.