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Do you dream of a light and bright space for gathering with friends and family? Or would you prefer a moodier vibe set up for evening cocktails and at-home date nights? Your kitchen paint color sets the stage for the style of kitchen you want to achieve, and the choices go far beyond your basic neutrals (though, when you do choose a neutral, there are nuances to consider!).
To help you figure out the right deep, layered green-gray, the perfect subtle light blue, or the white with just the right undertones, we asked interior designers for their go-to colors. Here are the kitchen paint colors they swear by in their own work.
Benjamin Moore Knoxville Gray
Mark Kennamer Design / Laurey Glenn Photography
Rich layers of dark blue aren’t what you expect in a kitchen, but that’s exactly why they’re so striking. Benjamin Moore Knoxville Gray is a tempered dark blue-gray-green that is classic yet uncommon.
“Knoxville Gray pulls from the deep blue in the wallcovering while still reading as a sophisticated neutral,” says Mark Kennamer, interior designer at Mark Kennamer Design. “It grounds the space, creates contrast against the texture of the grasscloth, and gives the kitchen a timeless richness without feeling heavy.”
Sherwin-Williams Snowbound
Simply Southern Cottage / Hector Sanchez
There are few kitchen combinations that are better than wood and white. It’s a little bit farmhouse, a little bit crisp and clean, and absolutely welcoming. The key, however, is getting just the right white for the room’s light. Sara McDaniel, owner at Simply Southern Cottage, explains, “Alongside a palette of warm woods and whites, I used Snowbound by Sherwin-Williams. It’s not too white; it’s a perfect, smooth white.
Farrow & Ball Parma Gray
Peggy Haddad Interiors / Kara DeYoung
Parma Gray is one of those perfect light blues that has just the right amount of gray undertones to make it feel subtle and serene. Who wouldn’t want that in a kitchen, particularly on busy mornings? “Farrow & Ball Parma Gray is my go-to ‘color-as-a-neutral’ for classic kitchens,” says Peggy Haddad, owner of Peggy Haddad Interiors. “It’s a soft blue with a whisper of gray, flattering warm woods and brass, and brightening white cabinetry.”
Farrow & Ball Pigeon
Laura Medicus Interiors / Jordan Katz
Paint that straddles the line between color and neutrality is always a welcoming choice in a kitchen. Farrow & Ball Pigeon is one of those hues. It’s a soft, slightly moody green-meets-gray, and it has a depth that’s beautiful alongside brass, wood, and tile.
“Pigeon is one of my all-time favorite kitchen colors,” says Laura Medicus, interior designer and owner of Laura Medicus Interiors. “I love the dimension of this color. It’s a soft, nuanced color with depth. I especially love how it softens the hard lines and stainless steel in kitchens and creates a timeless look.”
Farrow & Ball All White
Canyon Creative Design / Carlos Robles
A pure white is always perfect in a kitchen filled with natural light, but the key is choosing one that feels crisp rather than too cool. Kasandra Rafter, founder and designer at Canyon Creative Design, says, “Farrow & Ball All White is one of my favorite whites right now. The color is clean and fresh without feeling harsh. In the morning, it feels bright and crisp. By evening, it softens and glows in the most beautiful way.”
JH Wall Paint 130 Lime Wash
Baxter Hill Interiors / Halsey Works Architects / Studio Nicholas Venezia
There’s nothing like a kitchen painted in an herbal hue to get you in the mood to start fixing salads and chopping vegetables. JH Wall Paint 130 Lime Wash is a way to introduce green in a more interesting manner. “I love a sage green in a kitchen. It just makes sense and feels fresh and healthy and connected to the garden outside,” says Jen Baxter, founder and designer at Baxter Hill Interiors.
Benjamin Moore Dark Olive
Kira David Design / Emily Null / Tamara Flanagan
Color drenching a kitchen from the walls to the trim to the cabinets gives it a moody, urban feel that’s perfect in small spaces, as well as large kitchens where you want to draw the space in. “Paired with walnut countertops, tile backsplash, and aged brass hardware, Benjamin Moore Dark Olive creates an inviting and intimate space to make yourself a cup of coffee in the mornings and something stiffer in the evenings,” says Kira Obermeier, owner and principal designer at Kira David Design.
Sherwin Williams Languid Blue
BOLT Builders
For a fresh color that feels light and airy in a kitchen, a subtle light blue is always a beautiful choice. It’s cool yet welcoming, and has a calming effect that’s exactly what you need in a high-traffic area. “Sherwin-Williams Languid Blue is soft but still brightens up the kitchen,” says Suzette Conrad of BOLT Builders.
Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray
Alicia Thomasson Interiors
While gray is in the name, Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray reads more like a warm putty that feels both classic and contemporary. It’s soft, warm, and perfect for a kitchen where you plan on gathering friends and family. Alicia Thomasson, owner and principal interior designer at Alicia Thomasson Interiors, explains, “Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray adds just enough creaminess to a bright kitchen with plenty of windows. It takes on an airy tone in the sunlight and a cozy warmth in the shadows.”
Sherwin-Williams Pearly White
Eralyn Interiors / Jessica Bordner Photography
If you’re looking for a white that blends beautifully with cool and warm tones, Sherwin-Williams Pearly White is the answer. It’s a clean white that is the prettiest backdrop for a bright, timeless kitchen. Erica Davis, principal interior designer at Eralyn Interiors, says, “It’s a soft white that feels warm and inviting without reading yellow, which makes it perfect for kitchens where light shifts throughout the day.”
Benjamin Moore Natural Cream
Saab Studios – Becca Lea Photography
Certain neutrals evolve throughout the day, taking on different hues depending on how the sun hits the room. Benjamin Moore Natural Cream is one of those colors, and its soft neutral hue makes a kitchen feel lovely and inviting. Lauren Saab, founder of Saab Studios, explains, “What makes this shade special is how it changes throughout the day. Morning light brings out a softness that feels bright and clean, and by evening it deepens into a richer tone that gives the room a gentle, inviting glow.”
Sherwin-Williams Homburg Gray
Kith and Kin
Greens and blues can feel warm and inviting, particularly if they’re used alongside wood accents. Sherwin-Williams Homburg Gray is a dark green-gray that perfectly straddles that space between cool and inviting. “As designers, we love color. While we often use wood for kitchen cabinetry, mixing in earthy greens and blues creates a cozy, timeless, beautiful space,” says Katie Newcomb of Kith and Kin Interiors.
Benjamin Moore Simply White
Marissa Stokes Interior Design / Mark Roskams / Frances Bailey
If you’re looking for a clean, pure white with just a slightly creamy undertone, then Simply White is the best of the best. This is how you achieve your perfect Nancy Meyers kitchen.
Marissa Stokes, founder of Marissa Stokes Interior Design, says, “Benjamin Moore’s Simply White is the perfect backdrop. It’s crisp and bright, yet warm. In a kitchen, it allows surfaces, metals, and finishes to shine without competing.”
Sherwin-Williams Mount Etna
Kaycee Conallen Design Studio
A dark color can actually highlight the details in a kitchen, particularly if there’s attention-grabbing millwork that deserves to be a focal point. “Sherwin-Williams Mount Etna is a deep, slate-inflected blue that introduces depth and sophistication. The contrast between the creamy uppers and moody base cabinets offers visual balance while allowing the millwork’s craftsmanship to shine,” says Hannah Beil of Kaycee Conallen Design Studio.
Benjamin Moore Cocoa Butter
Studio Borges / Sean Litchfield
Soft, peachy blush tones are unexpected in a kitchen, yet they create a space that feels alive and welcoming, even when contrasted with classic white cabinets. “A blush color helps the kitchen feel warm and inviting rather than sterile or boring in this lively home,” says Thiara Borges Dananberg, founder of Studio Borges.
Benjamin Moore White Dove
BOLT Builders
Benjamin Moore White Dove is a classic color that designers turn to again and again, so it’s no surprise that it’s also one of the best colors for a kitchen. “White Dove is warm but bright and creates a cozy and traditional feel in the kitchen,” Suzette Conrad of BOLT Builders says.
Benjamin Moore Rushing River
Metal + Petal
Homeowners often default to neutrals in the kitchen, but color can actually work as a design tool to make a kitchen feel more spacious and open. “Cool tones like dusty blue or soft sage can trick the eye into sensing more space,” says Jade Joyner, principal designer for Metal + Petal. “They’re also calming, which is ideal for small, high-functioning areas. Try Benjamin Moore Rushing River for an airy yet grounded effect.”
Farrow & Ball Studio Green
McCroskey Interiors / Nate Sheets Photography
A deep, moody color always makes a statement in a kitchen. It’s a little bit unexpected and sits perfectly between modern and classic. This dark green from Farrow & Ball fits the bill. “Farrow & Ball Studio Green is a rich, saturated green that makes a striking statement on cabinetry or an island. It pairs especially well with brass hardware and marble, creating a luxurious yet livable focal point,” says Laura McCroskey, interior designer at McCroskey Interiors.
Benjamin Moore Pashmina
McCroskey Interiors / Nate Sheets Photography
A taupe-tinted neutral is like a hug in the kitchen, and this color makes any space feel cozy and warm. “Benjamin Moore Pashmina is an earthy neutral that adds depth and sophistication,” says McCroskey. “It’s versatile enough to complement stone counters and natural wood tones, making the kitchen feel layered and grounded.”
Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter
Andrea Sinkin Design / Lo Austin Photo
A warmer-than-white neutral can give a kitchen a cozier, more homey feel, and that’s exactly what Andrea Sinkin Jaffe, owner of Andrea Sinkin Design, did in this formerly white kitchen with a classic warm gray from Benjamin Moore. “The kitchen was white, and we painted it in Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter to make it feel updated. We painted the walls in a flat finish, while the cabinets are satin.”
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