Decorating & Design

April 27, 2021

60+ Kitchens That Make A Case For Color

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 63 inspiring ideas that prove color has a place in the heart of your home.

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

Source: House & Home March 2021

Designer: Tommy Smythe, Trish Johnston & Brian McCourt

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

Source: House & Home April 2021

Designer: Jeffrey Forrest, Stacklab

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

Source: House & Home January/February 2021

Designer: Jaclyn Peters Design

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

Source: House & Home May 2021

Designer: Ali Budd

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

Source: House & Home May 2021

Designer: Jonathan Legate

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

Source: House & Home May 2021

Designer: Cynthia Ferguson, Architecture by Spragge + Company Architects

"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

Source: House & Home March 2020

Designer: Jack Creasy, Bloomsbury Fine Cabinetry

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

Source: House & Home July/August 2020

Designer: Nyla Free

"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

Source: House & Home March 2020

Designer: Arren Williams

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

Source: House & Home July/August 2020

Designer: Colin Blanchard & Kenneth McRobbie, 31 Westgate

"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

Source: House & Home May 2020

Designer: Peter Atkinson

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

Source: House & Home February 2020

Designer: Cuisines Steam

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

Source: House & Home April 2020

Designer: Barbara Purdy

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

Source: House & Home September 2020

Designer: Curtis Elmy & Trevor Ciona, Atmosphere Interior Design

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.

Photographer: Janis Nicolay

Source: House & Home June 2019

Designer: Francesca Albertazzi, rudywinstondesign.com

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

Source: House & Home March 2019

Designer: Ami McKay, Pure Design Inc.

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

Source: House & Home September 2019

Designer: Katherine Newman; Architecture by Peter Cebulak

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

Source: House & Home April 2019

Designer: Jean Stéphane Beauchamp

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

Source: 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

Source: House & Home May 2019

Designer: Cameron MacNeil

prairie modern kitchen designer Aly Velji

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

Source: Kitchens & Baths Special Issue June 2019

Designer: Aly Velvji & Katie Nelson, Alykhan Velji Designs

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.

Source: 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

Source: House & Home November 2019

Designer: Emily Griffin

Colorful kitchens blue cabinets

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

Source: House & Home October 2018

Designer: Brian Gluckstein

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

Colorful kitchens grey cabinets

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

Source: House & Home June 2017

Designer: Virginie Martocq

Colorful kitchens pink cabinets

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

Source: House & Home April 2018

Designer: Stacey Cohen

Colorful kitchens yellow seating and light fixture

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

Source: House & Home December 2018

Designer: Anne Hepfer

Colorful kitchens blue bar stools

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

Source: House & Home August 2017

Designer: Anne Hepfer

Colorful kitchens dark blue cabinets

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

Source: House & Home October 2017

Designer: Feasby & Bleeks Design

Colorful kitchens dark blue cabinets and pink wall

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

Colorful kitchens blue cabinets

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

Source: House & Home September 2018

Colorful kitchens bright mosaic tile

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

Photographer: Angus Fergusson

Source: House & Home August 2017

Designer: Alex Arnott

Colorful kitchens muted green-blue cabinets

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

Source: House & Home August 2017

Designer: James Davie

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

Source: House & Home March 2019

Designer: Jack Creasy

Colorful kitchens everest green cabinetry

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

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

Source: House & Home April 2018

Designer: Mélanie Cherrier

House & Home Colourful Kitchens Gallery

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

House & Home Colourful Kitchens Gallery

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

Source: House & Home April 2012

Designer: Jill Greaves

House & Home Colourful Kitchens Gallery

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

House & Home Colourful Kitchens Gallery

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

Source: House & Home January 2015

Designer: James Davie

House & Home Colourful Kitchens Gallery

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

Source: House & Home October 2015

Designer: Richard Ouellette & Maxime Vandal, Les Ensembliers

House & Home Colourful Kitchens Gallery

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

Source: House & Home October 2015

Designer: Philippe Beauparlant

House & Home Colourful Kitchens Gallery

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

Photographer: Janet Kimber

Source: House & Home March 2017

Designer: Colin Blanchard & Kenneth McRobbie, 31 Westgate

House & Home Colourful Kitchens Gallery

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

Source: House & Home March 2015

Designer: Jane Francisco

House & Home Colourful Kitchens Gallery

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

Source: House & Home March 2014

Designer: Colin Blanchard & Kenneth McRobbie, 31 Westgate

House & Home Colourful Kitchens Gallery

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

Source: House & Home March 2015

Designer: Marianne Amodio

House & Home Colourful Kitchens Gallery

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

House & Home Colourful Kitchens Gallery

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

Source: House & Home March 2017

Designer: Sarah Hartill

House & Home Colourful Kitchens Gallery

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

Photographer: Janis Nicolay

Source: House & Home March 2015

Designer: Marianne Amodio

House & Home Colourful Kitchens Gallery

Bold blue lower cabinets ground this otherwise light white kitchen.

Photographer: Tracey Ayton

Source: House & Home July 2015

House & Home Colourful Kitchens Gallery

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

House & Home Colourful Kitchens Gallery

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

Source: House & Home December 2016

Designer: Lindsay Mens Craig, Sarah Richardson Design

House & Home Colourful Kitchens Gallery

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.

Source: Behance

Designer: INT2 Architecture

House & Home Colourful Kitchens Gallery

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

Source: House & Home March 2016

Designer: Natalie Hodgins & Kate Stuart, Sarah Richardson Design

House & Home Colourful Kitchens Gallery

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

Source: House & Home October 2016

Designer: Reiko Caron

House & Home Colourful Kitchens Gallery

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

Photographer: Angus Fergusson

Source: House & Home January 2012

Designer: Tommy Smythe, Sarah Richardson Design

House & Home Colourful Kitchens Gallery

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

Source: House & Home October 2014

Designer: Sarah Hartill

House & Home Colourful Kitchens Gallery

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

Photographer: Stacey Brandford

Source: House & Home October 2014

Designer: Jackie Terrell; Architecture by Harrison Design

House & Home Colourful Kitchens Gallery

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

Photographer: Stacey Brandford

Source: House & Home October 2010

Designer: 3rd Uncle

House & Home Colourful Kitchens Gallery

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

Photographer: Robin Stubbert

Source: House & Home October 2015

Designer: Susan Burns

Author: Victoria Christie, Wendy Jacob & Harleen Sidhu