It’s easy to play it safe with neutrals, but more and more homeowners are opting for color in all areas of the home. The classic white kitchen isn’t going away, but make no mistake, colorful kitchen cabinetry is impressive and fresh. Whether it’s statement base cabinets, an accent backsplash, or bright wallpaper, click through to discover over 70 inspiring ideas that prove color has a place at the heart of your home.
London designer Beata Heuman is known for her theatrical style and bold use of color and pattern. In her own kitchen, her Dodo Egg pendant lights draw attention to a glass ceiling inspired by pastry shop ceilings in Stockholm. Blue cabinets provide the wow factor.Photographer: Simon Brown
Source: Courtesy of ©Beata Heuman: Every Room Should Sing, Rizzoli New York, 2021
Designer: Beata Heumann
If you’re not ready to go all out on color in your kitchen, consider adding a dose of cheer to your pantry, like in this case with floral wallpaper and pink cabinets.Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home January/February 2022
Designer: Ali Budd
This monochromatic kitchen exudes elegance with its green-colored cabinets, pretty patterns, and brass accents.Photographer: Valerie Wilcox
Source: January/February 2022
Designer: Emily Miracle
Skylights aren’t the only thing bringing sunshine into this country-style kitchen. Daffodil-colored cabinets and green accents add joy.Photographer: Courtesy of deVOL Kitchens
Designer: Courtesy of deVOL Kitchens
Teal tiles and pink walls are simply spectacular in this Mediterranean-inspired kitchen. “Tiny pink flecks on the marble floors looked wonderfully similar to my favorite color, Setting Plaster from Farrow and Ball, so the walls were solid too. ” says Helen Parker, the creative director of British kitchen company deVOL.Photographer: Courtesy of deVOL
Designer: Helen Parker
Once again, leave it to deVOL to capture our imaginations. In another whimsical kitchen, handmade zellige backsplash tiles, fairytale wallpaper and green and white striped curtains create a historic and magical atmosphere.Photographer: Courtesy of deVOL
Designer: Hackney House
This bold kitchen looks retro with a modern twist. Designer Ami McKay used Rosemary by Sherwin-Williams for the green color of the kitchen cabinet and French bistro-inspired tiles for the backsplash. “Everything brings me joy when I enter this kitchen,” says Ami.Photographer: Janis Nicolay
Source: House & Home October 2021
Designer: Ami McKay, pure design
This all-white interior gets a touch of sunshine from a Scullery Yellow prep table from deVol Kitchens.Photographer: Courtesy of deVOL Kitchens
Designer: Pearl Lowe
This kitchen has it all: emerald green herringbone wall tiles and robin’s egg blue upper cabinets. “I decided I wasn’t going to be conservative with my color choices,” says Montreal homeowner Sylvie Renaud.Photographer: Maxime Desbiens
Source: House & Home September 2021
Designer: Jean Stephane Beauchamp
These kitchen island tiles shine like blue-and-white seashells, reflecting the ocean views outside in this rustic-style home in Lions Bay, British Columbia.Photographer: Janis Nicolay
Source: House & Home July/August 2021
Designer: Ami McKay, Pure Design Inc.
We couldn’t think of a better kitchen cabinet color than Aegean blue for this Harbor Island cottage by designer Tom Scheerer. Patterned tiles in the same shade give the room a retro and cheerful atmosphere.Photographer: Francesco Lagnese
Designer: Tom Scheerer
Halifax designers Colin Blanchard and Kenneth McRobbie of 31 Westgate place great emphasis on injecting personality into spaces. In this charming English-inspired kitchen, wallpaper and cabinets in Farrow & Ball’s Farrow’s Cream (67) add subtle color to the room without going over the top. “The color is optimistic and cheerful and perfect for the moment,” say Colin and Kenneth.Photographer: Courtesy of 31 Westgate
This sweet sage shade is a big trend for spring. Combined with rustic accents like a vintage lantern pendant and white brick veneer wall paneling, it’s a must-have in the kitchen.Photographer: Patrick Biller
Source: House & Home March 2021
Designer: Tommy Smythe, Trish Johnston and Brian McCourt
When it comes to colorful furniture in the kitchen, this rich blue is a no-brainer, particularly accentuated by crisp white walls, warm wood and a versatile 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-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 pink. “We wanted something bold that we wouldn’t have the opportunity to do in a residential setting,” she says. Statement marble and a large dose of black ensure that the room doesn’t look too cute.Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home May 2021
Designer: Ali Budd
Benjamin Moore’s Bonsai (CC-666) on the cabinets and coffered ceiling gives this kitchen a rich, historic look. “It’s a modern take on the avocado,” says Nova Scotia-based designer Jonathan Legate.Photographer: Janet Kimber
Source: House & Home May 2021
Designer: Jonathan Legat
Designer Cynthia Ferguson never shies away from color, and this mood-enhancing kitchen is no exception. Blue millwork, stained glass tiles, and striped bar stools create a unique gathering spot.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 bespoke,” says designer Jack Creasy of Bloomsbury Fine Cabinetry. “I love the dramatic presence of the Lacanche range in this cream color; It also has a calming effect in the countryside.”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 multiple shades of blue in this inviting kitchen. Light blue tiles frame the windows, contrasting nicely with the warmer tones in the room, while a dark teal island adds traditional charm.Photographer: Phil Crozier
Source: House & Home July/August 2020
Designer: Nyla Free
“Blue, the family’s favorite color (Go, Leafs!), was just right for the island furniture, which through careful space planning we were able to bring to a spacious 17.5 feet long,” says designer Arren Williams from the kitchen of this historic Single family home.Photographer: Stacey Brandford
Source: House & Home March 2020
Designer: Arren Williams
Located in a circa 1890s home, this vintage-inspired kitchen is relatively muted in color until you look up. The drop ceiling was replaced with beadboard from an old church and painted a robin’s egg blue.Photographer: Janet Kimber
Source: House & Home July/August 2020
Designer: Colin Blanchard and Kenneth McRobbie, 31 Westgate
“The house is filled with different woods as well as black, gray and white, so we wanted something colorful, rich and slightly traditional in the kitchen,” 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 imagine loving it in 10 years,” say the designers behind Cuisines Steam for this playful kitchen-dining area.Photographer: Maxime Desbiens
Source: House & Home February 2020
Designer: Kitchen steam
Think of dark blue as a neutral: it goes with almost everything and is a more subtle way to use color in the kitchen. Designer Barbara Purdy kept the cabinets neutral but took the plunge with the pretty island.Photographer: Donna Griffith
Source: House & Home April 2020
Designer: Barbara Purdy
In this eye-catching model kitchen, it’s all about the details. Between the custom range hood with metal bands on the shiplap island and the matching marble backsplash, almost every inch of the room is finished 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 designer Francesca Albertazzi’s home has always made our readers swoon. The custom shade makes Francesca’s childhood home look grown-up with a touch of brown for a traditional touch.Photographer: Janis Nicolay
Source: House & Home June 2019
Designer: Studio Albertazzi, Studio Albertazzi
Dreamy pale mint is an unexpected hue in this millennial kitchen, but it was definitely the right choice for designer Ami McKay, who says the color can appear blue or gray depending on the time of day and the 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 custom kitchen. The pretty Regency Moderne-style black island balances the sweetness of this culinary pastry shop, creating a licorice-all-sorts effect.Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home September 2019
Designer: Katherine Newman; Architecture by Peter Cebulak
In this cheerful kitchen there are five different shades of blue on the furniture alone, creating an atmospheric mix. The mid-blue furniture is given added oomph by a row of modern patterned tiles behind the hob. “I wanted to create something fresh and dynamic and yet timeless,” says designer Jean Stéphane Beauchamp.Photographer: Maxime Desbiens
Source: House & Home April 2019
Designer: Jean Stephane Beauchamp
To brighten up the kitchen, the interior of the old wooden cabinets in this Montreal home was given new life with a coat of bright pink paint. The pretty pink balances the blue furniture and is enhanced by a selection of multi-colored cookware throughout the upper.Photographer: Maxime Desbiens
Source: House & Home June 2019
A real gem in this modern weekend home, this emerald green pantry makes a cobalt cookware collection look even more vibrant. The patterned tiles, butcher block counters, and oversized subway tiles all evoke traditional farmhouse style.Photographer: Kim Jeffery
Source: House & Home May 2019
Designer: Cameron MacNeil
Calgary designers Aly Velji and Katie Nelson gave this prairie modern kitchen a touch of personality with an apothecary-style pastel ice cream island that’s a real crowd-pleaser.Photographer: Colin Way
Source: Special edition “Kitchens & Bathrooms” June 2019
Designer: Aly Velvji & Katie Nelson, Alykhan Velji Designs
Not quite ready to take the plunge and replace the kitchen cabinets with something more chromatic? A rollable tomato red island is a way to add lush color without committing to an all-red kitchen.
A striking sky blue hue enlivens the furniture in this downtown Toronto home. The kitchen cabinets were made by a boutique millworker and hand-painted in period tones for added interest: the base cabinets are finished in Hague Blue by Farrow & Ball, and the tops are finished in a warm neutral drop cloth.Tour this French bistro-style kitchen on H&H TV.
Photographer: Sian Richards
Source: House & Home November 2019
Designer: Emily Griffin
This rich kitchen combines a plum-colored licorice cabinet (Farrow & Ball’s Paean Black) with a fondant rose hue (Farrow & Ball’s Sulking Room Pink) on the walls for a lush combination.Photographer: Courtesy of Farrow & Ball
The gray-blue kitchen cabinets in the 2018 Princess Margaret showhome designed by Brian Gluckstein create a cooling effect for a calm and sophisticated kitchen.Photographer: Angus Fergusson
Source: House & Home October 2018
Designer: Brian Gluckstein
Mimicking the wild tones of the tropics—feathery flamingo pink, deep ocean blue, and vibrant emerald green—this colorful kitchen is a daring feast for the eyes.Photographer: deVOL kitchens
A prismatic grouping of triangles on the runner nicely colors this airy kitchen with a vaulted ceiling and adds a touch of modernity to the durable terracotta tile floor.Photographer: Kim Jeffery
Source: House & Home June 2017
Designer: Virginie Martocq
This modern family kitchen boasts luxurious metallic finishes and is glamor at its finest. Most notable is the expansive and eye-catching copper-colored island that, believe it or not, is actually made of laminate!Photographer: Valerie Wilcox
Source: House & Home April 2018
Designer: Stacey Cohen
Sunny canary yellow accents add a cheerful vibe to 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
Inspired by the serene blue sky and sparkling water beyond the boundaries of this boathouse, designer Anne Hepfer ensured that the airy hue found its way into the interior too – light blue stools in the kitchen add a stylish accent.Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home August 2017
Designer: Anne Hepfer
A bench in soulful olive tones and an exotic red runner underline the room with inviting warmth, while the sapphire blue cabinets add the accent.Photographer: Angus Fergusson
Source: House & Home October 2017
Designer: Feasby & Bleeks design
Wrapped in a rosy millennial pink and a deep black with red undertones on the base cabinets, this aesthetic focal point feels cozy yet elegant.Photographer: Farrow & Ball
Former Holt Renfrew President Mario Grauso’s charming Bridgehampton, New York estate – a relaxing retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life – features characterful cuisine with all the charm of a French country estate.Photographer: John Green
Source: House & Home September 2018
The cool-patterned backsplash tiles in this nautical kitchen look unashamedly blue and add a refreshing dose of Mediterranean flair.Photographer: Angus Fergusson
Source: House & Home August 2017
Designer: Alex Arnott
Muskoka Living brings the outdoors into this cottage kitchenette inspired by the scenic landscape of the Ontario region. Mint green light fixtures, light blue window trim, and aqua blue cabinets create a complementary color scheme that makes the home shine.Photographer: Donna Griffith
Source: House & Home August 2017
Designer: James Davies
Rustic salvaged barn beams, architectural details and custom cabinetry in Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue add a touch of tradition to 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
A fashionable strip of white veined marble, serving as both a countertop and backsplash, blends seamlessly with the traditional forest green cabinets and vintage paintings that sit on the open shelf with brass hardware.Photographer: deVOL kitchens
The democratic, denim-like hue (who doesn’t love blue jeans?) in this family-friendly kitchen makes it even more inviting. Brass accents, rustic wooden beams and a classy rug add to the cozy atmosphere, so it’s no surprise that everyone wants a chair.Photographer: Andre Reiter
Source: House & Home April 2018
Designer: Melanie Cherrier
Cornflower blue cabinets brighten gray subway tiles and white walls in this light-filled kitchen, providing a gentle counterpoint to the bold patterned tiles. Gold hardware and pendant lights warm up the fresh color palette.Designer: Emily Henderson
The homeowner’s Scandinavian background provided the inspiration for the dramatic wall coverings in this kitchen-dining area. The raspberry-colored cushions of the mid-century chairs are an unlikely but perfect match.Photographer: Donna Griffith
Source: House & Home April 2012
Designer: Jill Greaves
Two-tone kitchens are a great way to add color without overdoing it. Keep the hardware the same throughout to unify the space.
Source: Sarah Sherman Samuel
Designer: Sarah Sherman Samuel
Designer and homeowner James Davie went full color in his kitchen, where soft blue cabinets, ceiling beams and millwork flow into the patterned floor.Photographer: Angus Fergusson
Source: House & Home January 2015
Designer: James Davies
Create an impression with an expressive wallpaper. Here, an orchid pattern adds liveliness and echoes the real orchids on display.Photographer: Andre Reiter
Source: House & Home October 2015
Designer: Richard Ouellette & Maxime Vandal, Les Ensembles
A bistro-style kitchen gets a touch of warmth thanks to beige-green paneling and green leather bench seating. A sandy quartz countertop adds interest.Photographer: Donna Griffith
Source: House & Home October 2015
Designer: Philippe Beauparlant
An indigo subway tile backsplash feels British and historic, echoing the deep veins of the Calacatta marble countertops.Photographer: Janet Kimber
Source: House & Home March 2017
Designer: Colin Blanchard and Kenneth McRobbie, 31 Westgate
If you can’t commit to a fully equipped kitchen, opt for a more neutral base and add bright accents, like the purple food processor and the yellow stool here.Photographer: Colin Faulkner
Source: House & Home March 2015
Designer: Jane Francisco
For a classic look, choose a rich cabinet color like Green Smoke (47) from Farrow & Ball and pair it with a creamy neutral on the walls.Photographer: Janet Kimber
Source: House & Home March 2014
Designer: Colin Blanchard and Kenneth McRobbie, 31 Westgate
In the dining area of this kitchen, a fireplace mosaic combines the room’s orange and cool tones to effective effect.Photographer: Janis Nicolay
Source: House & Home March 2015
Designer: Marianne Amodio
Bold colors meet bright patterns in this British kitchen, with the hypnotic splashback tiles echoing the rich green of the cabinets.Designer: Flora Soames
Splashes of bright botanical wallpaper are slightly fashionable and add a welcome touch of warmth to the kitchen’s soft teal cabinets.Watch this space on H&H TV.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home March 2017
Designer: Sarah Hartill
A bright blue faucet and a row of marigold yellow cabinets add energy to a light wood kitchen.Photographer: Janis Nicolay
Source: House & Home March 2015
Designer: Marianne Amodio
Bold blue base cabinets add the finishing touch to this otherwise bright white kitchen.Photographer: Tracey Ayton
Source: House & Home July 2015
A classic wall of base cabinets in soft eucalyptus green fits perfectly into this Victorian kitchen. The backs of the glass fronts, painted in the same color, complete the look.Designer: deVOL kitchens
Denim-covered armchairs pick up on the deep blue hue of the closet, and blue bistro chairs add an extra boost of energy.Photographer: Stacey Brandford
Source: House & Home December 2016
Designer: Lindsay Mens Craig, Sarah Richardson Design
A small kitchen gets a big design impact with bright colors and bold patterns. An abstract diamond pattern backsplash brings lots of color to the room without overwhelming it.Designer: INT2 architecture
Why stop at one color? A mix of reds, oranges, blues and greens creates a unique cuisine.Watch this space on H&H TV.
Photographer: Stacey Brandford
Source: House & Home March 2016
Designer: Natalie Hodgins & Kate Stuart, Sarah Richardson Design
A dark gray patterned tile on the floor picks up the blue tone of the cabinets and softens the modern lines.Photographer: Brandon Titaro
Source: House & Home October 2016
Designer: Reiko Caron
A striking red lantern pendant is a showpiece in this neutral kitchen, adding some much-needed color.Photographer: Angus Fergusson
Source: House & Home January 2012
Designer: Tommy Smythe, Sarah Richardson Design
A special wall with a whimsical, fairytale-like wallpaper really shows off the blue-gray cabinets and creates an expressive space.Photographer: Michael Graydon
Source: House & Home October 2014
Designer: Sarah Hartill
Dark sage cabinets are enhanced 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
A pop of color hidden in the island cutouts adds a touch of life to an otherwise neutral kitchen.Photographer: Stacey Brandford
Source: House & Home October 2010
Designer: 3. Uncle
Soft blue cabinets echo the patterned vintage Egyptian tile backsplash for a worldly feel.Photographer: Robin Stubbert
Source: House & Home October 2015
Designer: Susan Burns