13 Timeless Kitchen Color Schemes That You'll Never Regret

Blue + Wood Tones

Paneling is a cost-effective alternative to a tiled backsplash in this spacious kitchen, which was inspired by English design. The vertical lines of the painted paneling draw the eye up and give the kitchen a sense of spaciousness. The cool blue color is inspired by Farrow & Ball Parm Gray and is complemented by the warmth of a sealed butcher-block island counter and rattan stools—both have yellow undertones, blue's color wheel opposite.

Green + Gold

Green will ground a kitchen when applied in large doses on cabinetry or walls. Brighten up this saturated shade by incorporating white surfaces and metallic accessories, such as cabinet hardware, light fixtures, and faucets. The shiny finishes will add a touch of sparkle to your kitchen. Additionally, the large windows let in tons of light that reflects off the classic subway tile backsplash, white countertops, and gold finishes to keep the dark hue from weighing down the space.

Gray + Yellow

Gray is gaining ground on white as the neutral base for a contemporary kitchen color scheme. Create a sense of calm by using gray as a background color on walls or cabinets. Gray pairs well with nearly every color, making it a versatile foundation for your kitchen color scheme. Add vibrancy by introducing a bright accent color like sunny yellow. Pepper the space with cool blue or soft green accents to invoke a relaxed feeling.

When deciding on accent colors, consider how much light the kitchen gets during the day. If you have plenty of windows and the sunshine streams in from all angles, softer colors will keep the space from becoming too stimulating. However, if there's not much daylight, bolder colors are a good choice since they add energy to this hardworking area of the home.

Black + White

Black and white create a clean, balanced color combination for a kitchen. Use the timeless duo by pairing white foundational elements with black accents. Further add visual interest by incorporating a black-and-white backsplash, wallpaper, or tile flooring. The chrome and stainless-steel fixtures and details continue the cool tones for an elegant look of simplicity.

Dark Blue + Light Blue

Create a timeless kitchen color scheme by mixing various shades of blue. Start with a lighter shade on larger elements like cabinets, walls, or backsplash. Then, introduce darker blues through rugs, seating, dishware, or window treatments. Make sure the blues have similar undertones (some veer cooler than others) to avoid clashing. Wood floors, furnishings, and matchstick bamboo blinds boost the warmth and add texture and contrast for a cozy kitchen where everyone will gather.

Blue + Orange

Bring your kitchen to life with this energetic kitchen color scheme. Directly opposite each other on the color wheel, bold citrus orange pairs perfectly with soft blue. Both colors complement bright white cabinetry and woodwork, providing a great way to liven up a modern kitchen. It doesn't take much orange to add a zesty look, and the predominantly white room can handle the bright details since it's an ample space with plenty of natural light.

Pink + White

Seamlessly incorporate pink into your kitchen by pairing it with crisp white. The result is a light, garden-fresh feel. Start with pink accents, such as furniture, artwork, dish towels, and other accessories, then work up to pink cabinetry or a backsplash if you’re brave. Choose a coral shade to maintain a classic look, or go for something with more punch for eclectic or kitschy decor.

Red + Yellow

This warm kitchen color combination has been used in Europe for generations and remains popular in modern design today. Pair a deep red with golden yellow to evoke the sense of a stately English manor, a relaxed French country cottage, or a beautiful Tuscan villa. To make your kitchen feel larger, use yellow as the room’s anchor color, then add red accents to punctuate the design.

When using strong hues, consider how they'll work with the rest of the home. If you have an open kitchen, incorporate touches of your kitchen color scheme into the extended space with accessories and throw pillows.

Gray + Purple

Purple can be a bold choice in a kitchen, but the effect is striking with the right combination of colors. For example, purple doesn’t seem as intimidating when paired with a deep charcoal gray. A neutral base helps royal purple accents stand out without overwhelming the space. This purple has enough blue to feel sophisticated instead of playful, as a lighter or more pink-tinged version might. Balance rich, regal colors with plenty of white.

Blue + Brown

This kitchen color scheme has universal appeal. For modern or transitional homes, pair chocolate brown with crisp sky blue, and throw in a few bright accent colors for visual interest. Pick Robin's egg blue and wheat brown in a country or farmhouse-style kitchen, then layer on cream details for a warm and cozy look. To give the duo a traditional feeling, choose deep shades of both colors and break up the dark tones with crisp white and rich gold accents. Any way you use these two colors together, it will give a room a hint of the outdoors.

Black + Red

Red is a surprisingly versatile color for the kitchen, especially when paired with a dark neutral. Choose your shade of red according to your kitchen’s style. For a modern look, go for an orangey red. Try a deep wine-color shade if you’re looking for a more traditional style. Balance the red with black cabinets, flooring, or countertops.

Brown + Mint Green

Soft mint green is the perfect pairing for rustic blonde brown. The beauty of this kitchen color combination is that you don’t have to stick with one shade of brown. A mix of wood grains gives a space character, and the green balances out the subtle differences. Try exposed ceiling beams, wood flooring, or a wood-clad island, then pair it with a mint backsplash, wallpaper, or paint color. Because the mint green is highlighted behind the sink, it looks unique. It draws attention to the open shelving and curated display, combining artwork and dishware that emphasizes the homey aesthetic of this welcoming space.

Dark Gray + Green

Combine dark, stormy gray with refreshing lime green for a modern kitchen color scheme that updates a classic look to a more trendy aesthetic. Apply gray to more permanent elements and save green for swappable accents like island stools, rugs, artwork, and countertop accessories. To avoid an overly gloomy look, balance the color with plenty of white on the upper cabinetry, walls, or backsplash.