Kitchen paint colours

Neutral kitchen paint

Neutrals are a versatile option for kitchen schemes. These shades sit comfortably in any space, from both spacious, open-plan kitchens to characterful cottage designs. When selecting a white hue for your kitchen, it’s important to consider the undertones of your chosen shade. 

White kitchen paint colours with warm undertones will create a gentle environment that is easy to live with. Consider shades like Flint, China Clay and Mushroom to bring subtle, inviting warmth to your kitchen scheme.

Grey kitchen paint

For many centuries, grey paint shades have provided an elegant and understated backdrop for interiors. The colour grey works well when it features in several rooms, or in open-plan living spaces. Using this approach will help to create natural flow throughout your home. 

In dark, north-facing rooms, grey kitchen paint can sometimes feel slightly cold and uninviting. To avoid this, choose a grey that contains noticeable warmth, for example an elegant, green-based grey like Normandy Grey.

Yellow kitchen paint

Kitchens are often fast-paced environments that see lots of activity throughout the day. A bright and cheerful yellow colour palette will complement a lively, energetic kitchen setting. Yellow is a welcoming paint colour that exudes warmth, positivity and joy. It can be ideal for a sociable kitchen where you entertain guests. 

For a burst of sunshine, incorporate vibrant yellows like Giallo and Indian Yellow. Or use golden honey tones like Bombolone on all elements of your space for encompassing warmth.

Brown kitchen paint

Many kitchens contain hard, reflective surfaces that can feel quite harsh. Incorporating layered, natural hues can help to create a cosy ambience instead. Brown paint colours provide a warm earthiness that creates a connection with our natural environment. Use brown kitchen paint to pair with natural materials like stone tiled floors, wooden furniture, jute and rattan accessories.

We recommend using Intelligent Matt Emulsion for kitchen walls

This washable kitchen paint finish has a beautiful low sheen of just 2%. Intelligent Matt Emulsion is robust enough to withstand all the activity of a modern family kitchen. 

Any marks or stains can easily be washed away with warm, soapy water. Your painted surface will maintain a smooth finish and beautiful appearance.

This eco-friendly, water-based paint means you can complete your kitchen decorating project quickly and easily. Intelligent Grip™ brings the technology of the primer into the topcoat. You can therefore achieve long-lasting durability without needing a separate primer. This paint is also certified child-safe, ensuring your kitchen is completely safe for little hands. 

Learn more about Intelligent Matt kitchen paint

For a slightly more durable finish, or in kitchens that are not well ventilated, use Intelligent Eggshell, which has a subtle low sheen of 10-15%.

Selecting a colour for your kitchen scheme

As with any room, the colours you choose for your kitchen can have a huge impact on the look and atmosphere of the space. When considering what colour to paint your kitchen , it’s important to ask yourself a few questions. Consider how you want to feel when you are in your kitchen, and what you will use the space for.

Do you want a kitchen that will boost your mood each morning and set your day off to a positive start? Or is it more important that your kitchen feels relaxed and inviting, the perfect space to enjoy a cosy cup of coffee? 

Once you have these things in mind, you can begin researching colours that will fulfil these requirements. 

Kitchen paint FAQs

Can you paint kitchen cabinets?

Little Greene’s Intelligent Satin paint finish is ideal for painting kitchen cabinets. As a true multi-surface paint, you can use Intelligent Satin to transform kitchen cabinet doors made of traditional wood. You can also elevate Formica, melamine and uPVC. 

Our Intelligent Paints are available in the complete Little Greene colour palette. This means you can incorporate your kitchen cabinets into an existing kitchen scheme. Or, you can complete a full transformation that embraces every surface of the space.

To paint your kitchen cabinets, first prepare the surface by removing handles, and cleaning and sanding the surface to provide a key. Intelligent Satin has a built-in primer, so you can paint directly onto bare or previously painted surfaces, using a brush or roller. For best results, we recommend applying two full coats of paint, allowing to dry for 1-4 hours between coats. 

Read our full guide to painting kitchen cabinets.