Easy ways to add colour to your kitchen

Go bold in the kitchen

A new kitchen is a big investment. Historically, white has been the rule in timeless style. However, that’s changing. A swath or pop of colour can bring a new kitchen to life, delivering a bigger return of happiness for the time and money invested. Ready to set your colour wheel in motion? Here’s how.

How to choose the right colour

Add colour to cabinetry

Try rich, earthy hues that border on neutral: olive green, clay pink and buttery yellow. Briony Mikrou of Kaboodle Kitchen suggests using one colour for base cabinets and another complementary finish for wall cabinets. If you lean toward a Hamptons look, teal, moss and duck egg blue will take it to the next level. Scandi-style loves a pop of pink or sage, while country homes favour bush tones. Products like Kaboodle’s Paint Your Own Doors range provide plenty of options. Coloured stone is also having a moment, so try Kaboodle’s marble-look Santolina benchtops for a wash of seafoam blue on the island bench.

Go for tiled or glass splashbacks

“Splashbacks allow you to express colour within a kitchen and, while it’s a permanent update, it can also be changed more easily than cabinetry,” says Bunnings trend and design manager Jane Wright. Tiles are the go-to for adding colour, texture and functionality all at once. “Try adding earth-toned or muted blue or green handmade-look tiles to a neutral kitchen,” suggests Jane. Play up tile patterns with a premixed coloured grout, or opt for an entirely different look with a swathe of colour-backed glass. Amid muted tones and clean lines, a colourful splashback is the star of this Scandi-style kitchen.

Add colour with accessories

For tapware, Jane says black, brass, gold and pewter all work with coloured kitchens, but coloured tapware is also on the horizon in colours such as sage green, clay, terracotta, indigo, mustard and white. Meanwhile, Briony suggests swapping out handles to add interest, and recommends open shelving with steel frame or layered timber shelves as the ultimate pedestal for tonal ceramics, dinnerware and potted greenery.

Want to know how to execute a specific style?

From modern industrial kitchens to all-black interior schemes, our kitchen styles page has design inspiration and ideas that will walk you through creating your dream look.

Photo Credit: Alejandro Sosa 3D