The 5 Worst Kitchen Colors (and What to Choose Instead), According to Designers
If a kitchen renovation is on your horizon, you might be stuck on one of the biggest decisions for the remodel: choosing the right paint color. Deciding on your kitchen color scheme is important for making your design give off a high-end vibe, and for infusing the room with your own personality. But while it’s certainly a personal choice, there are also some shades experts say you should almost always stay away from. Here are the five worst kitchen colors, according to designers.
1. Purple
Purple is an interesting color that can surely add personality to a space, but the experts suggest choosing a more “versatile” shade for the space. “Purple is a color that does not work well in kitchens or the built environment in general. It is a color you tend to get sick of, so building it into the kitchen at the heart of your home seems overly committed,” says Georgina Wilson, principal designer at Georgina Wilson Associates.
“Instead, I tend to choose high-quality, natural materials,” Wilson says. “When you use these sorts of materials, it creates a warm, layered, textured palette with considerable detail and interest. This neutral base means that the aesthetic of the kitchen is versatile and can act together with the adjacent areas in different and positive ways.”
2. Bold Shades
Along with purple, the experts say bold shades are also on the list of colors to stay away from in your kitchen (think: bold reds or pinks, black, or bright, saturated shades). Dominique Bonet, lead designer at LD&D, says these shades can overwhelm the space and take away from what should be a calming environment. She also leans into earthy tones like soft beiges and warm whites for a light and airy space that feels timeless.
3. Neon Yellow
Neon shades are also a big no-no for colors in the kitchen. Like bold shades, neon colors can overpower the room and be a choice you regret in the future, designers say. “Neon yellows might look fun, but in a kitchen it can get old fast and can be hard on the eyes. Plus, they make the room feel hot and intense,” says Carolyn Cerminara, founder and principal designer at Cerminara Design. But if you’re a huge fan of a yellow kitchen, Cerminara says to go with a softer yellow to keep the space warm without the shade being overpowering.
4. White
White has always been a trending kitchen color, as it fits into the neutral color scheme, but believe it or not there is such a thing as too much white in the kitchen. “In my opinion, the worst color for kitchens is a stark white selection for cabinets,” says Meghan Kluth, founder and owner of design studio Moment of Kluth. “The kitchen is the heart of the home and should feel like it is a warm entertaining space to create memories. All-white makes it feel sterile and cold.”
To add more life to your kitchen, Kluth says her favorite go-to shades from Farrow and Ball are Hardwick White and Old White. “The best colors for kitchens are the ones with a rich, warm hue. Hardwick White has a subtle green/gray hue to it depending on the lighting, and for a neutral kitchen Old White is really beautiful.”
5. Yellow & Orange Wood Undertones
Sometimes the worst colors to have in your kitchen have nothing to do with the wall shades at all, but everything to do with your cabinets. For instance, having wooden cabinets with yellow and orange undertones can make your kitchen look extremely dated — specifically, back to the ’90s, according to Cathleen Ryan, interior designer and design manager at Country Kitchens. For a more modern (but still timeless) look in your kitchen, consider painting your cabinets in an off-white or warm color unless you want a natural wood look, then you can opt for a deeper wood stain without the harsh yellow or orange undertones.