When it comes to kitchens, colour can feel like a big decision. Do you go bold and vibrant, or keep things calm with neutrals? As one of the hardest working rooms in the home, your kitchen needs to strike the perfect balance between style and practicality.
To help you navigate your options, we've shared our top tips for introducing colour, character and personality into your kitchen, whether you’re planning a full refresh or a simple update.
Embrace colour drenching (yes, even in the kitchen!)
Colour drenching has long been a favourite in bedrooms and living spaces for its cosy, cocooning feel, but it’s just as impactful in the kitchen.
While it might seem like a bold move, painting walls, cabinets, and even woodwork in a single shade can bring a surprising sense of cohesion to a room that’s often full of different textures and materials.
By matching your wall colour to your cabinets, you create a seamless, elegant look that works beautifully in both traditional and contemporary spaces. The result? A kitchen that feels considered, calming, and effortlessly stylish.
Experiment with two-tone style
Two-tone kitchens are here to stay, and for good reason. They’re a simple way to add depth, contrast, and personality without committing to a single colour throughout.
A popular approach is to use one shade for your main run of cabinets and another for a kitchen island. This creates a natural focal point and adds visual interest.
The beauty of this trend lies in its versatility:
- In a classic Shaker kitchen, try introducing a bold, contemporary shade to modernise the space
- In a sleeker, modern kitchen, softer, earthy tones can add warmth and character
It’s all about finding the balance that reflects your personal style.
Refresh your cabinets for a big impact
Giving your kitchen a new look doesn’t have to mean a full renovation. Painting your existing cabinets is one of the most cost-effective ways to completely transform the space.
A fresh coat of paint can breathe new life into tired units, and it gives you the freedom to experiment with colour and update it whenever inspiration strikes.
For the best results, preparation is key:
- Check your cabinets for any damage and repair cracks or holes
- Remove doors, drawers, and hardware
- Clean surfaces thoroughly to remove grease and dirt
- Lightly sand to create a surface the paint can adhere to
- Remove dust, apply primer, and finish with your chosen paint
Taking the time to prep properly will ensure a smooth, long-lasting finish. Check out our full 'how to' guide for painting your kitchen cabinets - it's a must-read if you're considering DIY.
Choose paint that works as hard as you do
Kitchens are busy spaces: think steam, condensation, splashes, and spills, so choosing the right paint is essential.
A durable, washable finish will keep your kitchen looking its best day after day. Our Lifestyle finish is a great option for walls, offering a hardwearing surface that’s easy to wipe clean - perfect for family life.
For cabinets and woodwork, Eggshell No. 17 provides a beautiful silk finish. It’s water-based, virtually VOC-free, and designed to stand up to everyday knocks and scuffs, making it both a practical and environmentally conscious choice.
Make your kitchen your own
Ultimately, colour is one of the most powerful ways to personalise your kitchen. Whether you go all-in with colour drenching, experiment with two-tone combinations, or simply refresh your cabinets, there’s no single “right” approach - just the one that feels right for you.
With a little creativity (and the right paint), your kitchen can become a vibrant, welcoming space that truly reflects your style, while standing up to everything daily life throws at it.
