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How To Plan A Kitchen Colour Palette

Discover how to plan a kitchen colour palette, using solo shades or colourful combinations to expresses personal style and enhance a home. We explore a diverse selection of colour schemes, from timeless tones to fresh trends for the fashion-focussed. Alongside kitchen advice around choosing hues, you'll find tips on materials and metallics, as well the best ways to form a palette, such as the much sought after mix-and-match look. We also cover how to use colours to create a desired atmosphere within a space.

A green, shaker kitchen in a kitchen with timber beams and original features

Planning Considerations

There are many factors to consider when choosing a colour scheme. Small rooms, for instance, suit bright, glossy finishes that create the impression of space, while large areas are drawn in with a dark, matt finish. Similarly, shaker designs work well in heritage homes, and slab fronts have clean lines that work well in modern houses.

What effect do colours have?

White

White is a timeless tone that is always in style. It has great versatility too, pairing well with other neutral hues or offering a blank canvas to customise.

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Grey

Grey is a popular tone that has a grounding effect. It tastefully teams with tones like black and white, and hides marks for a forgiving finish.

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Cream

When a warm tone is required, cream is a popular and enduring choice. It’s light and inviting, with a cosy tone that captures comfort and character.

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Blue

Blue has a broad spectrum of shades to choose from, including tranquil tones that tap into a coastal colour scheme, and rich navy, which has a refined air.

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Green

Inspired by the colours of the outdoors, green promotes a positive outlook. Light hues suggest renewal and springtime, while dark tones add drama.

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Black

Black tones are a foundation for many daring designs. This colour creates a cocooning effect in large spaces while appearing sophisticated.

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A two-tone, dark-red and light pink kitchen in an island layout. It has herringbone flooring and white worktops.

Red

Rich red hues belong to the palette of passion. Warm and earthy, these statement shades set the scene nicely for eating and entertaining.

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Pink

Pink is a rosy colour that is linked to romance. A diverse pick, it can calm and comfort, or excite and energise, depending on the hue that is chosen.

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Yellow

Yellow is an uplifting and inspiring colour. From sunny shades to earthy tints, it brightens dull days and stirs creativity – great for culinary adventurers.

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Chilcomb Paint To Order Seafoam Kitchen Set Shot

Personal palettes

Say hello to even more colour options. With 24 paint-to-order shades across our Chilcomb and Elmbridge collections, there's bound to be a match for a personalised palette. From terracotta to estate green, saffron to sea foam – there’s a hue for all styles.

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How to put colours together

The solo approach

A simple, one-colour scheme is easy to achieve for beginners or a quick room refresh. Using a single shade or subtle tonal variations, it’s a smart choice for small spaces.

The mix-and-match method

Double-up with a playful mix-and-match palette that is easy to bring to life. To create a drawn in and cosy ambience, use light hues lower down and darker tones up top.

A layered kitchen in pink, navy and marbled grey

The layered good

For a layered look, curate a medley of colours, styles, and textures. For a shortcut, begin with a mix-and-match scheme, then build up to more complex layering.

Howdens Trends 2020 Classic New Classic Frontals RT

Boost your mood board

Explore our collection of kitchen colour ideas, featuring examples from real customers, to meet your colour match. From fashion-friendly neutrals to palettes that pack a powerful punch, see how a home can come to life by utilising colour.

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