How to Color-Block With Confidence in the Kitchen

Color-blocking is a popular fashion trend that has been a firm favorite with designers and fashion lovers over the past several years. Although it’s taken a little longer for the high-impact look to filter down into the interiors world, the technique is now being embraced by many design professionals and home decorators, too, especially in the kitchen, as a way to liven up a neutral scheme and help a space stand out. Take a look at the color-blocking cheat sheet that we’ve compiled for you below.

Start small. If you desire a look that makes a statement but isn’t over-the-top, or you simply wish to dip your toe into this bold trend, take a light approach to color-blocking and pepper your kitchen with bright furniture, countertop appliances or kitchenware. These things are easier and more affordable to replace and switch up than major pieces.

Dining chairs: Eames DSW in white, red and yellow


Opt for a dramatic dark base color. For an ultramodern look that oozes edginess with a playful twist, opt for a dark base color and then introduce block look-at-me brights to cut through the moody scheme. As you can see in this luxe black kitchen, the striking contrast between dark and high-energy shades amplifies the color-blocking effect, resulting in a dynamic scheme that offers a double dose of drama and stop-and-stare appeal.

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Paint a brightly toned accent wall. A simple way to color-block in an all-white or neutral kitchen is to paint a feature wall in your favorite color. Choosing the same color for your accents will help tie the scheme together, while highlighting other standout features that deserve to shine.

How to add color to a white kitchen


Can’t commit to one color? Paint a geometric color-blocked motif on one or all of your walls instead. As you can see here, the result will be a kitchen that packs a visual punch and is high on color and life.


Select shades from the same color family. If you’re not confident choosing hues that will work together or would prefer a scheme that’s a little subtler, a simple solution is to layer your space with tones in the same color family, rather than colors that clash. To add extra visual interest, introduce contrasting textures, including matte, glossy, metallic and tiled surfaces.

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Dress your cabinet doors in different colors. A fun way to experiment with color-blocking in your kitchen is to paint your cabinet doors and drawer fronts in a clashing mix of colors, as in this Mondrian-inspired space. This DIY project can be completed over a weekend and will set you back only the cost of a few cans of paint, which means you can color-block your way to a fresh, new cheery kitchen (on the cheap) in very little time.


Color-block with moody tones. For a sophisticated look, take design cues from this contemporary kitchen and team slightly dirty tones, like dusty blue, khaki and brown. Consider adding a bright accent wall to energize the scheme or highlight an interesting design feature, as was done with the electric purple art niche against the right side of this island.



Introduce a colored backsplash or island. Could you work a backsplash or an island in an eye-popping shade into your kitchen? Maybe you could make like this kitchen and work in both. Dress them in coordinating tones to create a uniform look, or select clashing colors to add another layer of visual interest and contrast.

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Pair different types of wood. Another way to try this trend if you’re not a big fan of color and want to decorate your kitchen in a natural palette is to construct your cabinetry using different colored woods. To ensure your wood-on-wood look doesn’t appear too busy, orient the panels so that the grains run in the same direction. If your kitchen is compact, consider using panels with a horizontal wood grain (like the ones in this space), as they create the illusion of spaciousness.


Play with hues on opposite sides of the color wheel. When choosing colors to pair in your kitchen, you can’t go wrong if you select contrasting hues that sit opposite each other on the color wheel. My favorite pairings include turquoise and orange, purple and lemon, and dusky pink and teal, which is the key to this culinary area’s deliciously chic look.


Go for colored appliances. If your appliances are ready for an upgrade, consider splurging on colored ones. Remember, appliances are big-ticket items, so choose a color you love and don’t see yourself getting sick of for a while. If you’re revamping your entire cooking zone, decide whether you wish to play it safe and dress the rest of your space in classic white or neutral tones, or go all-out and introduce contrasting colors that will complement your new appliances and make them pop.

Range: Cluny 1400G in Provence Yellow, Lacanche


Break some rules. Love lively colors? Then don’t be afraid to break or use all of these color-blocking rules. After all, your kitchen is the heart of the home and should reflect you, so if the thought of having a high-energy, rainbow-toned kitchen that’s full of color and life sets your heart aflutter, go with it and color-block to your heart’s content!

Bar stool: H2 in orange, LumiSource

Your turn: Do you have a showstopping color-blocked kitchen? Post photos of your colorful cooking zone in the Comments.

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10 Wildly Colorful Kitchens That Thrill and Delight

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