Paint the Kitchen in Fresh, Summery Colors

Is your kitchen due for a fresh, summer makeover? A gallon of paint is all you need to give your cooking area a whole new look, and perhaps some motivation to try new dinner recipes. The color scheme in your kitchen should feel warm and inviting, without being over-the-top. So what are the current color trends for the modern family's kitchen? Here are a few of my favorite fresh, summery colors.

Fresh, clean neutrals

Who says neutral colors have to be boring? Whites and light colors give the kitchen a clean feel. While bright whites with cool undertones can feel a tad on the sterile side, yellow and pink undertones can give the kitchen a warm, cozy vibe, while keeping the clean, open feel. Try SW7121 Corona for a warm white. Pair whites with medium to darker neutrals, like golden tan and chocolate brown, to add interest. You might also add a little color: yellow or a muted orange, for example.

Pretty lavender or violet

In a smaller kitchen, you might be able to get away with painting each of the walls in a light, lavender color. But for larger kitchens, you might want to choose a lighter, neutral color for the main walls. Then choose a medium to dark violet to use on an accent wall. In my kitchen and dining area, I painted the main walls in a very neutral beige. Then I painted the smallest wall (behind the refrigerator and range) in a dark purple. SW7576 Damsel and SW6841 Dynamo are great choices for a kitchen.

Bright, mossy green

Since sage green is so overused in the home, the next best is moss green. It is a brighter hue, with yellow undertones. SW6719 Gecko would look great with dark, golden brown cabinets and an accent of warm red. If you are afraid that your summery kitchen color will end up looking like something from the 1970's, use golden greens moderately, with plenty of other colors.

Cool lemon squeeze

You have to be very careful when you paint an entire kitchen in yellow. Beware that this is considered an "aggravating" color, and can cause feelings of frustration. That said, SW6908 Fun Yellow is actually a pale hue that would look really pretty in a kitchen. Just be sure to take a sample of this color home first to look at it in your lighting. If you have a kitchen with lots of natural sunlight, it can end up looking a lot brighter than when you are in the store.

Lovely peony

This color is somewhere between red and coral. Warm reds are enticing colors for the kitchen, helping to spark an appetite at dinner time. I like SW6600 Enticing Red, which leans a little more toward the reds than corals, because it is not too dark or too bright for a family gathering place. Be warned, however, that red is another of the "aggravating" colors, so use it with caution.

Related Content
Choose the Perfect Paint Color for Your Home
Color Palette Ideas for Your Contemporary Home
Tuscan Interior Design Color Palette Ideas