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70+ Colourful Kitchen Ideas

It’s easy to play it safe with neutrals, but more and more homeowners are committing to color in every area of the home.

The classic white kitchen isn’t going anywhere, but make no mistake, colorful kitchen cabinetry is impactful and fresh. Whether it’s bold lower cabinets, an accent backsplash or a bright wallpaper, click through for 70+ inspiring ideas that prove color has a place in the heart of your home. Scroll down to discover how you can bring a dose of color to your kitchen!

London designer Beata Heuman is known for her theatrical style and bold use of color and pattern. In her own kitchen, her Dodo Egg pendants draw the eye up to a glass ceiling inspired by patisserie ceilings in Stockholm. Blue cabinets bring the wow factor.

  • Photographer Simon Brown
  • Designer Beata Heuman

courtesy of ©Beata Heuman: Every Room Should Sing, Rizzoli New York, 2021

If you’re not ready to go all in with color in your kitchen, consider adding a dose of cheer to your pantry, like in this one that features floral wallpaper and pink cabinets.

  • Photographer Alex Lukey
  • Designer Ali Budd

House & Home January/February 2022

This monochromatic kitchen exudes elegance with its green-hued cabinets, pretty pattern and hits of brass.

  • Photographer Valerie Wilcox
  • Designer Emily Wunder

January/February 2022

Skylights aren’t the only thing that bring sunshine to this farmhouse-style kitchen. Daffodil-hued cabinets and green accents are a burst of joy.

  • Photographer Courtesy of deVOL Kitchens
  • Designer Courtesy of deVOL Kitchens

Teal green tiles and pink walls are nothing short of spectacular in this Mediterranean-inspired kitchen.“Tiny flecks of pink within the marble floors were beautifully similar to my favorite Farrow and Ball paint color Setting Plaster, so the walls were now decided on too.” says Helen Parker, the Creative Director of British kitchen firm deVOL.

  • Photographer Courtesy deVOL
  • Designer Helen Parker

Leave it to deVOL once again to capture our imagination. In another whimsical kitchen, handmade Zellige backsplash tiles, fairytale-like wallpaper and green and white striped curtains create a historic and magical feel.

  • Photographer Courtesy deVOL
  • Designer House of Hackney

This bold kitchen feels retro with a modern twist. Designer Ami McKay used Sherwin-Williams’ Rosemary for the green kitchen cabinet color, and French bistro-inspired tile for the backsplash. “Everything sparks joy to me when I walk into this kitchen,” says Ami.

  • Photographer Janis Nicolay
  • Designer Ami McKay, Pure Design

House & Home October 2021

This all-white interior gets a burst of sunshine from a Scullery Yellow prep table from deVol Kitchens.

  • Photographer Courtesy of deVOL Kitchens
  • Designer Pearl Lowe

This kitchen packs a punch with emerald green herringbone wall tile and robin’s-egg blue upper cabinets. “I decided that I wasn’t going to be conservative in my color choices,” says Montreal homeowner Sylvie Renaud.

  • Photographer Maxime Desbiens
  • Designer Jean Stéphane Beauchamp

House & Home September 2021

These kitchen island tiles shine like blue-and-white seashells and echo the ocean vistas outside in this cottage-style home in Lions Bay, British Columbia.

  • Photographer Janis Nicolay
  • Designer Ami McKay, Pure Design Inc.

House & Home July/August 2021

We couldn’t think of a better kitchen cabinet color than Aegean blue for this Harbor Island cottage by designer Tom Scheerer. Patterned tile in the same hue adds to the retro and cheerful feel of the space.

  • Photographer Francesco Lagnese
  • Designer Tom Scheerer

Halifax designers Colin Blanchard and Kenneth McRobbie of 31 Westgate are all for giving rooms personality. In this charming English-inspired kitchen, wallpaper and cabinets in Farrow & Ball’s Farrow’s Cream (67) give the space subtle color without going overboard.”Color is optimistic and cheerful and perfect for the moment,” says Colin and Kenneth.

  • Photographer Courtesy of 31 Westgate

This sweet shade of sage is a huge trend for spring. It’s a must-have in the kitchen when paired with rustic accents, like a vintage lantern pendant and white brick veneer wall treatment.

  • Photographer Patrick Biller
  • Designer Tommy Smythe, Trish Johnston & Brian McCourt

House & Home March 2021

When it comes to colored cabinetry in the kitchen, this rich blue is a no-brainer, especially accented with crisp white walls, warm wood and an eclectic tile floor.

  • Photographer Donna Griffith
  • Designer Jeffrey Forrest, Stacklab

House & Home April 2021

A Winnipeg bungalow gets a healthy dose of retro flair with olive paint, a rail-and-hook system and a handy pot filler.

  • Photographer Ariana Derksen, Ariana Tennyson Photography
  • Designer Jaclyn Peters Design

House & Home January/February 2021

In designer Ali Budd’s new office, the kitchen is pretty in pink. “We wanted something bold we wouldn’t have the opportunity to do in a residential setting,” she says. Statement marble and a heavy dose of black keep the space from feeling too sweet.

  • Photographer Alex Lukey
  • Designer Ali Budd

House & Home May 2021

Benjamin Moore’s Bonsai (CC-666) on the cabinetry and coffered ceiling gives this kitchen a rich, historical look. “It’s a modern version of avocado,” says Nova Scotia-based designer Jonathan Legate.

  • Photographer Janet Kimber
  • Designer Jonathan Legate

House & Home May 2021

Designer Cynthia Ferguson is never one to shy away from color, and this mood-boosting kitchen is no exception. Blue millwork, stained glass tiles and striped bar stools create a one-of-a-kind gathering place.

  • Photographer Donna Griffith
  • Designer Cynthia Ferguson, Architecture by Spragge + Company Architects

House & Home May 2021

“This kitchen is truly a bespoke experience and uniquely tailored,” says designer Jack Creasy of Bloomsbury Fine Cabinetry. “I love the dramatic presence of the Lacanche range in that off-black color; it’s also soothing against the green.”

  • Photographer Angus Fergusson
  • Designer Jack Creasy, Bloomsbury Fine Cabinetry

House & Home March 2020

For a fresh take on farmhouse style, designer Nyla Free layered shades of blue in this inviting kitchen. Light blue tile frames the windows and contrasts beautifully with the warmer tones in the space, while a dark teal island adds heritage charm.

  • Photographer Phil Crozier
  • Designer Nyla Free

House & Home July/August 2020

“Blue, the family’s favorite color (Go, Leafs!), was just the ticket for the island cabinetry, which, through careful space planning, we managed to size at a spacious 17-and-a-half feet long,” says designer Arren Williams of this historical family home‘s kitchen.

  • Photographer Stacey Brandford
  • Designer Arren Williams

House & Home March 2020

Housed in a circa-1890 house, this vintage-inspired kitchen is relatively muted in color, until you look up. The dropped ceiling was replaced with beadboard from an old church and painted in a robin’s egg blue hue.

  • Photographer Janet Kimber
  • Designer Colin Blanchard & Kenneth McRobbie, 31 Westgate

House & Home July/August 2020

“The house is filled with different woods and black, gray and white so, in the kitchen, we wanted something colorful, rich and slightly traditional,” says homeowner Kendra Patton of the green cabinets.

  • Photographer Janis Nicolay
  • Designer Peter Atkinson

House & Home May 2020

If painting your cabinets a bold color is too far out of your comfort zone, invest in fun dining chairs instead. “The key is to choose what you love — as long as you can still see yourself loving it 10 years from now,” say the designers behind Cuisines Steam of this playful kitchen eating area.

  • Photographer Maxime Desbiens
  • Designer Cuisines Steam

House & Home February 2020

Think of dark blue as a neutral: it goes with almost everything and is a more subtle way to embrace color in the kitchen. Designer Barbara Purdy kept the cabinets neutral but took the plunge with the handsome island.

  • Photographer Donna Griffith
  • Designer Barbara Purdy

House & Home April 2020

It’s all about the details in this striking showhome kitchen. Between the custom vent hood with metal straps to the shiplap island and book-matched marble backsplash, almost every inch of the space is adorned in a rich, blue-gray color.

  • Photographer Colin Way
  • Designer Curtis Elmy & Trevor Ciona, Atmosphere Interior Design

House & Home September 2020

This mossy hue in the home of designer Francesca Albertazzi has consistently drawn raves from our readers. The custom shade makes Francesca’s childhood home look all grown up with a hit of brown for heritage flavor.

House & Home June 2019

Dreamy pale mint is an unexpected hue in this millennial-approved kitchen, but it definitely was the right choice by designer Ami McKay, who says the color can read as blue or gray depending on the time of day and light.

  • Photographer Janis Nicolay
  • Designer Ami McKay, Pure Design Inc.

House & Home March 2019

This heavenly shade of pink on the round baking station is an unexpected focal point in this bespoke kitchen. The handsome black Regency Moderne style island balances the sweetness of this culinary confection for a licorice allsorts effect.

  • Photographer Virginina Macdonald
  • Designer Katherine Newman; Architecture by Peter Cebulak

House & Home September 2019

There are five different shades of blue in this cheerful kitchen on the cabinetry alone, resulting in a moody medley. The mid-toned blue cabinetry gets an extra boost from a swath of mod patterned tiles behind the cooktop. “I wanted to do something fresh and dynamic yet timeless,” says designer Jean Stéphane Beauchamp.

  • Photographer Maxime Desbiens
  • Designer Jean Stéphane Beauchamp

House & Home April 2019

To brighten up the kitchen, the interior of the old wooden cabinets were given a new lease on life with a coat of vibrant pink paint in this Montreal home. The pretty pink balances out the blue cabinetry, and is amped by a selection of multicolored cookware in the uppers.

  • Photographer Maxime Desbiens

House & Home June 2019

This emerald green pantry is a real jewel in this modern weekend home, and makes a collection of cobalt cookware look even more vibrant. The patterned tile, butcher block counters and oversized subway tile all nod to traditional farmhouse style.

  • Photographer Kim Jeffery
  • Designer Cameron MacNeil

House & Home May 2019

Calgary designers Aly Velji and Katie Nelson gave this prairie-modern kitchen a shot of major personality with an ice-cream pastel, apothecary-style island that’s a real people pleaser.

  • Photographer Colin Way
  • Designer Aly Velvji & Katie Nelson, Alykhan Velji Designs

Kitchens & Baths Special Issue June 2019

Not quite ready to make the leap and replace those kitchen cabinets with something a little more chromatic? A roll-away tomato-red island is one way to inject luscious color without committing to an all-red kitchen.

Canadel

A striking shade of cerulean blue enlivens the cabinetry in this downtown Toronto home. The kitchen cabinets were made by a boutique millworker and hand-painted using historical shades for added interest: the lowers are Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue, and a warm neutral, Drop Cloth, is on the uppers.

Tour this French bistro-style kitchen on H&H TV.

  • Photographer Sian Richards
  • Designer Emily Griffin

House & Home November 2019

This saturated kitchen amps up a plummy licorice cabinetry (Farrow & Ball’s Paean Black) with a fondant rose shade (Farrow & Ball’s Sulking Room Pink) on the walls for a luscious combo.

  • Photographer Courtesy of Farrow & Ball

Farrow & Ball

The grey-blue kitchen cabinets in the 2018 Princess Margaret Showhome designed by Brian Gluckstein creates a cooling effect for a kitchen that’s serene and sophisticated.

  • Photographer Angus Fergusson
  • Designer Brian Gluckstein

House & Home October 2018

Emulating the wild tones of the tropics — feathery flamingo pink, deep sea blue and vibrant emerald green — this color-packed kitchen is a daring feast for the eyes.

  • Photographer deVOL Kitchens

deVOL Kitchens

A prismatic grouping of triangles on the runner color this airy, vaulted-ceiling kitchen pretty, adding a dash of modernity to the hardworking terracotta-tiled flooring.

  • Photographer Kim Jeffery
  • Designer Virginie Martocq

House & Home June 2017

Capitalizing on luxe metallic finishes, this modern family kitchen is glamour at its finest. Most notable is the expansive and eye-catching, copper-hued island, which — believe it or not — is actually laminate!

  • Photographer Valerie Wilcox
  • Designer Stacey Cohen

House & Home April 2018

Sunny canary yellow accents inject a cheery vibe in this otherwise all-white kitchen tailor-made for a trendy Montreal family of five.

  • Photographer Virginia Macdonald
  • Designer Anne Hepfer

House & Home December 2018

Inspired by the serene blue sky and glittering waters beyond the borders of this boathouse, designer Anne Hepfer ensured the airy hue continued its way into the interior — light blue stools in the kitchen make a stylish splash.

  • Photographer Virginia Macdonald
  • Designer Anne Hepfer

House & Home August 2017

A soulfully-colored olive banquette and exotic red runner punctuate the space with a welcoming warmth while the sapphire blue cabinets up the ante.

  • Photographer Angus Fergusson
  • Designer Feasby & Bleeks Design

House & Home October 2017

Swathed in a rosy millennial pink and an inky black with red undertones on the lower cabinets, this aesthetic hub reads cozy yet elegant.

  • Photographer Farrow & Ball

Farrow & Ball

Former Holt Renfrew president Mario Grauso’s charming Bridgehampton, New York, abode — a relaxing respite away from the hustle and bustle of city life —boasts a character-driven kitchen with all the charm of a French country retreat.

  • Photographer John Gruen

House & Home September 2018

Feeling brazenly blue, the cool patterned backsplash tile in this nautical kitchen adds a refreshing dose of Mediterranean flavor.

  • Photographer Angus Fergusson
  • Designer Alex Arnott

House & Home August 2017

Muskoka living brings the outdoors in in this cottage kitchenette inspired by the Ontario region’s scenic terrain. Mint-green light fixtures, light blue window trim and aqua blue cabinets make for a complimentary color scheme that sings.

  • Photographer Donna Griffith
  • Designer James Davie

House & Home August 2017

Rustic salvaged barn beams, architectural details and bespoke cabinets painted in Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue factor a taste of heritage into homeowners Andraya Frith and Graham Kenchie’s 600-square-foot English country kitchen in Stirling, Ontario.

  • Photographer Virginia Macdonald
  • Designer Jack Creasy

House & Home March 2019

A fashionable stretch of white veining marble that serves as both the countertop and backsplash juxtaposes seamlessly with the traditional forest green cabinets and vintage paintings that perch atop the brass-mounted open shelf.

  • Photographer deVOL Kitchens

deVOL Kitchens

The democratic denimy-y hue (who doesn’t love blue jeans?) in this family-friendly kitchen makes it even more inviting. Brass accents, rustic wood beams and a rich runner enhance the cosy vibe so it’s no surprise that everyone wants to pull up a chair.

  • Photographer André Rider
  • Designer Mélanie Cherrier

House & Home April 2018

Cornflower blue cabinets brighten grey subway tiles and white walls in this light-filled kitchen, providing a soft counterpoint to the bold patterned tile. Gold hardware and pendant lights warm up the crisp palette.

  • Designer Emily Henderson

Emily Henderson

The homeowner’s Scandinavian background provided the inspiration for the dramatic wall covering in this kitchen dining area. Raspberry-colored upholstery on the mid-century chairs are an unlikely yet perfect match.

  • Photographer Donna Griffith
  • Designer Jill Greaves

House & Home April 2012

Two-tone kitchens are a great way to bring in color without going overboard. Keep the hardware the same throughout to unify the space.

  • Designer Sarah Sherman Samuel

Sarah Sherman Samuel

Designer and homeowner James Davie embraced color wholeheartedly in his kitchen, where soft blue cabinets, ceiling beams, and millwork tie into the patterned floor.

  • Photographer Angus Fergusson
  • Designer James Davie

House & Home January 2015

Create an impact with a punchy wallpaper. Here, an orchid pattern adds vigor and picks up on the real-life orchids on display.

  • Photographer André Rider
  • Designer Richard Ouellette & Maxime Vandal, Les Ensembliers

House & Home October 2015

A bistro-style kitchen gets a jolt of warmth thanks to the beige-green panelling and green-leather banquette. A sandy quartz countertop adds interest.

  • Photographer Donna Griffith
  • Designer Philippe Beauparlant

House & Home October 2015

An indigo subway tile backsplash feels British and historical, and picks up on the deep veining in the Calacatta marble countertops.

  • Photographer Janet Kimber
  • Designer Colin Blanchard & Kenneth McRobbie, 31 Westgate

House & Home March 2017

If you can’t commit to a full kitchen in color, opt for a more neutral base and add in bright accents, like the purple stand mixer and yellow stool seen here.

  • Photographer Colin Faulkner
  • Designer Jane Francisco

House & Home March 2015

For a classic look, pick a rich cabinet color, like Farrow & Ball’s Green Smoke (47), and pair it with a creamy neutral on the walls.

  • Photographer Janet Kimber
  • Designer Colin Blanchard & Kenneth McRobbie, 31 Westgate

House & Home March 2014

In this kitchen’s eat-in area, a fireplace mosaic unites the space’s orange and cool tones into one impactful effect.

  • Photographer Janis Nicolay
  • Designer Marianne Amodio

House & Home March 2015

Bold color meets bright patterns in this British kitchen, with the hypnotic backsplash tiles picking up on the deep green of the cabinets.

  • Designer Flora Soames

Flora Soames

Splashes of bright botanical wallpaper are slightly mod and bring a welcome hit of warmth to the kitchen’s soft blue-green cabinets.

Tour this space on H&H TV.

  • Photographer Alex Lukey
  • Designer Sarah Hartill

House & Home March 2017

A bright blue faucet and bank of marigold yellow cabinets add energy to a blond wood kitchen.

  • Photographer Janis Nicolay
  • Designer Marianne Amodio

House & Home March 2015

Bold blue lower cabinets ground this otherwise light white kitchen.

  • Photographer Tracey Ayton

House & Home July 2015

A classic wall of base cupboards done in a soft eucalyptus green suits this Victorian kitchen perfectly. The backs of the glass-fronted cabinets painted in the same matching hue complete the look.

  • Designer deVOL Kitchens

deVOL Kitchens

Denim-covered armchairs pick up on the cabinet’s deep blue hue, and blue bistro chairs add an extra jolt of energy.

  • Photographer Stacey Brandford
  • Designer Lindsay Mens Craig, Sarah Richardson Design

House & Home December 2016

A small kitchen gets a big design lift with the help of bright colors and bold pattern. An abstract diamond-pattern backsplash brings plenty of color to the space without overwhelming.

  • Designer INT2 Architecture

Behance

Why stop at one color? A riot of reds, oranges, blues and greens combine to create a one-of-a-kind kitchen.

Tour this space on H&H TV.

  • Photographer Stacey Brandford
  • Designer Natalie Hodgins & Kate Stuart, Sarah Richardson Design

House & Home March 2016

A dark gray patterned tile on the floor picks up on the blue hue of the cabinets and softens its modern lines.

  • Photographer Brandon Titaro
  • Designer Reiko Caron

House & Home October 2016

A statement red lantern pendant is a showpiece in this neutral kitchen, providing it with all the color it needs.

  • Photographer Angus Fergusson
  • Designer Tommy Smythe, Sarah Richardson Design

House & Home January 2012

A feature wall of a whimsical fairy tale-like wallpaper makes the blue-grey cabinets really pop and creates a statement-making space.

  • Photographer Michael Graydon
  • Designer Sarah Hartill

House & Home October 2014

Dark sage cabinets are amplified by a green-and-cream backsplash, green vase and upholstered chairs.

  • Photographer Stacey Brandford
  • Designer Jackie Terrell; Architecture by Harrison Design

House & Home October 2014

A splash of color, hidden in the island cutouts, adds a pop of life to an otherwise neutral kitchen.

  • Photographer Stacey Brandford
  • Designer 3rd Uncle

House & Home October 2010

Soft blue cabinets pick up on the patterned backsplash made of vintage Egyptian tiles for a worldly flair.

  • Photographer Robin Stubbert
  • Designer Susan Burns

House & Home October 2015

Written By

Talia Hart, Victoria Christie, Wendy Jacob & Harleen Sidhu

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