Color is a crucial element of modern kitchen design. A fresh coat of paint can completely revitalize the mood, function, and resale value of your kitchen, making it well worth the investment.
iCabinetry Direct offers kitchen cabinets that can complement any color scheme, with durable yet functional products meant to stand the test of time. Here, we’ll discuss some of the most popular colors in the modern kitchen so that you feel confident when you select your swatches.
Black Modern Kitchens
With a classy look that holds up to the wear and tear of today’s modern kitchen, while creating an environment for the rest of your kitchen to shine, black is always the new black!
Matte and high-gloss finishes can completely change how black paint appears. A matte black feels moody and sophisticated while also seamlessly hiding smudges. On the other hand, high-gloss black is bold and dramatic, echoing sleek sports cars or satin. Consider pairing matte black with bright chrome hardware for contrast, or smooth out high-gloss black with luxurious gold.
Blue Modern Kitchens
When we talk about a blue kitchen, we’re not talking about the Smurfs…today’s modern kitchen can have subtle blue tones mixed with grey or even black to give a blue accent to the kitchen. And if the Smurfs are your cup of tea, then don’t be afraid to be bold…that’s always an option too!
A blue kitchen is extremely versatile, with a wide array of shades to choose from. Navy has an old-school, timeless look, especially if paired with brass handles and white quartz countertops. Cobalt is bold and expressive, looking excellent with brushed nickel accents. On the other hand, powder blue is soft, dreamy, and relaxing, especially if combined with champagne bronze hardware and butcher block countertops.
Brown Modern Kitchens
Whether you’re looking for a deep brown, an espresso or perhaps a lighter shade of coffee, brown is one of the most versatile colors in the modern kitchen. Not one to steal the spotlight, brown is comfortable playing supporting actor to the other leading features in today’s modern kitchen.
Walnut and mocha are some of the trendiest colors in 2025, as they have a rich, natural look that looks stunning with crisp white countertops. Consider upping this earthy appeal through stone accents and gold pulls.
Cherry Modern Kitchens
Cherry doesn’t always have to be the topper to finish off the dessert! Cherry’s rich tones can brighten up your kitchen without overpowering the rest of the room, taking an ordinary kitchen and putting it over “the top!”
This is an especially popular choice for transitional kitchens, as it has an effortless, midcentury feel: bold but not too intense. For maximum curb appeal, opt for furniture-leg cabinets and slim, streamlined steel pulls. Because cherry is such a powerful color, use neutral stone flooring to avoid overwhelming the room.
Grey Modern Kitchens
Why limit yourself to just 50 shades of grey when thinking about your fantasy kitchen? A versatile color, grey adds a level of style and class to the modern kitchen, giving black a run for its money as the “new black”.
While grey may seem simple, even the slightest hue change can completely shift the mood. Warm greys offer a soft, gentle shade like a crisp winter day, while cool greys are moody and glamorous. Consider pairing grey with wood tones, like maple, and silver accents to boost the appeal.
Get frisky and see what shades of grey can add some spice to your kitchen remodel!
Light Wood Modern Kitchens
Lighten up! If dark tones aren’t your cup of tea, then take a walk on the lighter side of the modern kitchen with light wood colors, stains and woods. With loads of options, going with a lighter shade can brighten up your kitchen, creating a warm centerpiece of your home.
Modern design is all about sustainability, which is why many designers lean toward eco-friendly materials like birch and bamboo. These woods grow faster, making them gentler on the environment. To add a touch of flair, pair these with matte black hardware and darker accents.
Orange Modern Kitchens
Orange you glad you clicked on the above ? Okay, that was bad…but orange is a great color to help you be bold and make a statement in today’s modern kitchen. Leave fear knocking at the door…
Because orange is such a strong color, it is often used as an accent rather than a dominant shade. You could use it as a cabinet accent or an island panel, retaining some of its zestiness without overwhelming the rest of the kitchen. Creamsicle can go great with darker wood tones, while tangerine can pair well with birch or poplar.
Red Modern Kitchens
Add some fire to your modern kitchen by going with the boldest color in the rainbow! Making a statement is easy when you splash some red across your kitchen. The only question is…can your cooking keep up?
Red looks wonderful when paired with white and black, as this offers a balanced yet trendy look that harkens back to 1950s diners. Consider using quartz and stainless steel for a clean, bright palette. You could even get creative and use a subway tile backsplash to further the trendy retro feel.
Wood Modern Kitchens
There are many ways that today’s modern kitchen can grab your attention. Is it the appliances, the countertops or maybe the fixtures? With a solid and stylish foundation built on sturdy wood from a variety of species, the rest of your modern kitchen can shine!
Natural wood is beautiful, but it does require a bit more maintenance. Modern engineered wood can achieve almost the same look and is extremely durable, making it an excellent choice for busy homeowners.
To further upgrade your design prowess, consider mixing wood with matte metals for a show-stopping contrast.
How Lighting Impacts Modern Kitchen Colors
Different lighting circumstances can dramatically affect how your color scheme appears. Sunlight can be either warm or cool, depending on the time of day and the room’s orientation, while LEDs are typically cool. Pendant lighting can vary depending on the color of the lampshade, meaning you can significantly change the way the room appears depending on the color you choose. Meanwhile, under-cabinet illumination offers a soft, muted backdrop.
Warm and cool tones aren’t about temperature, but about the wavelengths. If you have a paint color with warm undertones, it may appear washed out under cool lightbulbs, while it will seem deeper and richer under warm bulbs .
To ensure that your color palette looks beautiful with your given setup, paint a test swatch and observe it throughout the day and in different circumstances before committing to the color.
Matching Cabinet Finishes With Modern Color Schemes
Matte, gloss, and semi-gloss are the most popular paint finishes in modern kitchens, and they can significantly impact how the room appears. Glossy finishes are great for a sleek, high-end look, while matte finishes offer a softer, more natural appeal. Coordinating your finishes with the right color will add texture and depth for a more harmonious look.
Choosing the Right Modern Kitchen Color Palette
The right palette will combine finishes, lighting, and the right materials for a cohesive design. To start, consider the mood that you’d like your kitchen to embody. High contrasts are typically a good option, especially if you choose neutrals that can be spiced up with decor. Ensure that you use the same hardware finish throughout the kitchen for balance, even if you choose different cabinet colors.
No matter what your passions, iCabinetry Direct’s modern cabinetry options will complete your vision. Start shopping today for a bold new kitchen design!
FAQs about Modern Kitchen Colors
2025’s hottest kitchen paint colors include deep greens like sage green and earth tones like terracotta or beige. These are especially trendy when paired with natural wood tones. Deep blues, like navy blue or blue-green, are popular with metallic accents.
Crisp white walls, like White Dove by Benjamin Moore, are still popular, but many are turning to warmer, earthier tones to support the growing use of natural materials.
When choosing kitchen paint colors, consider the available natural light and overall space. A small kitchen should trend toward light colors for the cabinetry, such as soft white or natural pine. Base cabinets can be a darker shade, as this helps to ground the space, but upper cabinets should be lighter.
Order samples of the cabinet paint color and observe it at different times of day. This will help you see how the same color may look different depending on whether it is sunny, cloudy, or dark.
Powder blue is a popular option for small spaces, as it creates a welcoming tone and brightens the area. For those who want more colorful kitchens, consider a sunny yellow.
Yes, two-tone cabinetry has become a go-to design style for modern kitchens. This decision adds depth and interest without being overwhelming.
Ensure that there is enough contrast between the various shades, as if they are too close to one another, it may look accidental. Consider dark cabinetry for the perimeter or lower cabinetry and brighter colors for the upper cabinets. This makes the room appear taller and ensures an inviting space.
Neither option is inherently better for modern cabinetry. The decision depends on your specific layout, tastes, and how bright the room is. For example, dark brown cabinets with brass hardware look sophisticated and dramatic, while soft whites offer a neutral backdrop for bold choices like matte black cabinet hardware. Explore our inspiration gallery to see how other homeowners have used colors in their kitchen cabinet designs.
Using different colors can add character and visual interest, but it’s crucial that you strike a perfect balance. Choose a single hue as the primary color, preferably a neutral option like greige or white. This will be your wall color. Then, choose complementary accent colors. If your primary color has warm or cool undertones, ensure that the accents have a similar undertone. Otherwise, the combination may look jarring.
Even if you choose different colored kitchen cabinetry, consider using the same hardware on all the cabinets, as this adds visual cohesion. For example, you might have natural wood cabinets with stainless steel handles against a sage green wall, which provides a Zen-like warmth and minimalist appeal.
High-contrast kitchen paint combinations are some of the most timeless design choices. For example, sage green and wood are a popular, naturalistic choice. Other popular combinations include navy blue and gold, espresso and white, or greige and taupe.
