21 Different Ways to Add Color Into Your Kitchen

Paint on the walls? Sure, that's easy enough. But here are 21 alternatives to pack color and panache into your kitchen design.

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September 02, 2021

By: Maria Conti

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Alternative Ways to Bring Color Into Your Kitchen

A colorful, bold kitchen will make a dramatic statement for your home, but this doesn't mean you need to get out the paint brushes. The HGTV pros have provided alternative ways you can add color into your kitchen design.

See More Ideas: Top 36 Kitchen Paint Colors

From: Lauren Nelson

Install a Bold Backsplash

Put down the paintbrush and pull out your pencil, friend, because class is in session. Take notes from this jaw-dropping design and enliven your airy, white-on-white kitchen with a prismatic backsplash tile. Snowy cabinetry, streamlined bronze hardware and creamy marble countertops serve as a crisp base in this contemporary kitchen design. Hand-painted tiles featuring a lively floral and fauna motif steal the show, encasing the space with unforgettable tropical flair.

See More Ideas: Gorgeous Kitchen Backsplash Options and Ideas

Paint Your Trim

The design pros at Hendricks Churchill LLC prove a little paint can go a long way. Follow their lead and paint your floor, ceiling and door trim to saturate your kitchen. Use a moody hue, like the Randolph Blue by Benjamin Moore shown here, to achieve a dramatic look.

See More Ideas: Top 36 Kitchen Paint Colors

From: Hendricks Churchill LLC

Saturate Your Ceiling

Ready to take your design game to the next level? Use this whimsical kitchen by interior designer Swati Goora as your blueprint and wallpaper your ceiling with eye-catching color and pattern. We’re smitten with this technique, because it allows you to make a major statement without making major changes to your cabinets or walls. Bonus points are up for grabs if you coordinate your ceiling paper with the upholstery, accent furniture and window treatments used throughout your space as Goora does here.

See More Ideas: 8 Reasons Designers Are Painting Ceilings

From: Swati Goorha

Pick a Bold Accent Color

Aiming for the effortless chic appeal achieved in this kitchen by D2 Interieurs? Saturate your neutral space with a single accent color – the punchier, the better. The pros at D2 Interieurs use electric cobalt to complement the cool blue undertones found in the marble island and countertop throughout. Examine undertones from your natural stone or other natural elements to find the best accent color for your kitchen design.

See More Ideas: Top 36 Kitchen Paint Colors

From: D2 Interieurs

Stack Your Book Collection

Copy designer Brian Patrick Flynn and add color to your kitchen without the cost or commitment that comes with paint projects. Flynn softens this moody black kitchen with aqua, pale pink and sky blue books stacked on the open air island shelves. Recreate the look at home by adding colorful cookbook stacks on your countertop or floating shelves. Pro tip: Create horizontal and vertical stacks for a dimensional, interesting display.

See More Ideas: 27 Beautiful Book Storage Ideas

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Enliven With Art

Bring lively color to your kitchen with eye-catching artwork to your walls. The design pros at D2 Interieurs electrify this white kitchen with vivid pops of lemon yellow via an iconic Slim Aarons print. A glossy ceramic cookie jar and sculpted brass hardware complement the print and create cohesion in the design.

See More Ideas: 30 Ways to Maximize Space in a Small Kitchen

From: D2 Interieurs

Wrap Your Walls

Paint isn’t the only way to weave color into your kitchen design. Skip the stained hands and empty cans and wrap your space in chromatic wallpaper, instead. Interior designer Lucy O’Brien achieves timeless appeal with airy blue and yellow toile wallpaper, white shaker cabinets and creamy marble countertops.

See More Ideas: 30 Wallpaper Designs for Every Room of the House

From: Lucy O'Brien

Create Showy Seating

Let this design by Caitlin Murray serve as your reminder to never underestimate the impact colorful seating has on a neutral kitchen design. Translate her genius design in your kitchen at home by adding showy, saturated banquette seating to your lackluster breakfast nook.

See More Ideas: 30 Beautiful Breakfast Nooks

From: Caitlin Murray

Dial Up Your Doors

Interior designer Ann Lowengart ensures every day starts with sunshine, thanks to this cheery yellow Dutch door. Set the tone in your white or neutral kitchen by adding a few coats of paint to your doors. Choose a striking citrus shade, like Sunny Veranda by Sherwin-Williams, or use a rich, moody hue to create handsome contrast against your airy walls.

See More Ideas: 59 Inviting Colors to Paint a Front Door

From: Ann Lowengart

Install Lively Lighting

Light fixtures are the jewelry of the home, and we believe they should shine bright in every design. The flashy green pendant lights D2 Interieurs uses in this white kitchen do just that. Use bold light fixtures to create a focal point in your airy kitchen and infuse color into your design in one fell swoop.

See More Ideas: 50 Stylish Light Fixtures for Your Kitchen

From: D2 Interieurs

Create a Dreamy Mural

This kitchen breakfast nook includes a blue and green mural that is sure to wow. The blues and greens complement the green and white kitchen space and make for a truly unique and striking design element.

From: Naomi Stein

Put Your Cake Mixer to Work

Use your iconic cake mixer as an effortless and organic way to add color to your kitchen design. Designer Caitlin Murray uses a lime green mixer as a punch of contrast and fresh color in this dramatic teal kitchen. Pro tip: Select a cake mixer color finish based on the hues used in your living room, bedroom or dining space to achieve an intentional and cohesive look throughout your home.

From: Caitlin Murray

Frame Your View

Frame your view with vibrant hues. Use cafe curtains, roman shades or drapes as a vehicle for your favorite colors. Interior designer Caitlin Wilson shows how it’s done, coordinating her window shades with the blue and white chinoiserie accents scattered throughout her sun-drenched transitional kitchen design.

See More Ideas: 10 Winning Kitchen Window Treatment Ideas

From: Caitlin Wilson

Roll Out Color Underfoot

Forget your walls and give your floors some love with a chromatic area rug. This white kitchen is warmed up courtesy of the vintage rug rolled out underfoot. Navy lower cabinets with brushed brass hardware tie in with the rug's sapphire and gold details to round out the design.

See More Ideas: 24 Best Machine-Washable Rugs Under $500

From: Kenna Stout

Install Color-Clad Hardware

Skip the basic brass, nickel or bronze hardware and opt for a colorful alternative. Designer Brian Patrick Flynn outfits the beige cabinetry in this kitchen with forest green bin pulls and handles to complement the glossy subway backsplash and rich stone countertops.

See More Ideas: Kitchen Hardware Styles and Trends

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Perk Up Your Windows

Yellow trimmed windows strike a balance between glamour and whimsy in this playful kitchen by designer Ann Lowengart. Lacquer your kitchen’s window trim in a similar striking hue to create an instant wow factor and bring a subtle wash of color to your neutral design.

See More Ideas: 79 Beautiful Kitchen Window Options and Ideas

From: Ann Lowengart

Embrace Floor-to-Ceiling Tile

Ready to commit to color? Take the plunge and line your kitchen walls with floor-to-ceiling tile like John McClain Design does here. Hand-painted tiles, like these, are hardwearing and bring enduring charm to cottage, contemporary, Mediterranean and Spanish-style homes.

See More Ideas: Gorgeous Kitchen Backsplash Options and Ideas

From: John McClain Design

Style Your Shelves

Use your open-air shelving as a blank slate for tonal glassware, glossy cookbooks and tchotchkes in a color story of your choice. The floating shelves in this dreamy white kitchen, by JLV Creative, offer ample storage for everyday essentials, while infusing the room with a subtle wash of aqua, emerald and teal.

See More Ideas: 45 Must-Know Tips for Styling Your Built-In Bookshelves

From: JLV Creative

Elevate Your Appliances

Swap stainless steel with colorful appliances with retro appeal. Invest in a vibrant refrigerator, range, dishwasher or range hood to infuse your kitchen with personality and charm. Pro tip: Less is more. Avoid the ever-regrettable roadside diner look by sticking to only one or two colorful appliances.

From: Kate Marker Interiors

Enhance Your Island

Give your kitchen island a fresh coat of paint (or 3) to create a focal point and statement in your kitchen design. The pros at Terracotta Design use Oceanside by Sherwin-Williams to enhance the island and continue the cozy hue throughout the space via upholstery, rugs and artwork.

See More Ideas: 100 Beautiful Kitchen Island Inspiration Ideas

From: Terracotta Design Build

Refine the Details

Good design is all in the details, and we say to put those details to work. Bring a touch of color to your kitchen using dainty countertop accessories and textiles. Finishing touches, like these dreamy ginger jars, are a failproof and versatile way to show off your favorite color or make a statement with seasonal hues.

See More Ideas: 9 Unexpected Home Accessories You Can Put in Your Kitchen

From: Bailey Austin Design

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