Cooking Colours for Your Kitchen

Like Plain Foods but Spicy Kitchen Cupboard Colours?

Do you need an easy-to-clean kitchen wall paint while you throw ingredients into multiple pots like you’re reimagining Ratatouille? Are you inspired by Nigella or the Hairy Bikers and want a kitchen that reflects your personality’s menu? The right paint can bring a kitchen to life, blending function with style in a way that suits both daily routines and culinary creativity. Whether it’s a bold new look or a subtle refresh, colour plays a vital role in making your kitchen a space you love – and you can find those colours at Rawlins Paints. Our specialist coatings ensure your new designs last longer!

 

 

A kitchen’s colour can shape its character, setting the tone for how the space feels and functions. Whether you’re moving into a new home, refreshing a long-standing design, or creating a stylish commercial space, updating the colour scheme by painting your home is one of the easiest and most effective transformations you can make.

Personalising a New Home

Moving into a new property is an exciting opportunity to make the space truly yours. The previous owners’ colour choices might not reflect your personality or lifestyle, so repainting the kitchen allows you to set your own style. Bright, airy tones can make the space feel welcoming and open, while bold, statement colours create a sense of confidence and flair.

Refreshing a Well-Loved Kitchen

For those who have lived in the same house for years, it’s easy for a kitchen to feel outdated or uninspiring. Trends change, and what once looked modern can begin to feel tired. A fresh coat of paint instantly revitalises the space, whether by embracing new trends like deep moody greens or soft, elegant neutrals. Even small updates, like a new colour for cabinets or a statement wall, can make a significant impact.

Transforming Your Kitchen’s Style

Shifting from one interior style to another is often as simple as changing the colour palette. A minimalist, all-white kitchen can be turned into a warm, rustic retreat with rich earth tones. A traditional farmhouse kitchen can be updated to an industrial-style space with cool greys and bold black contrasts. Whether moving from sleek to shabby chic, or vice versa, colour is the defining element that ties the theme together.

Making a Commercial Statement

For new cafés, restaurants, or bakeries, the right colour scheme is essential in setting the mood for customers. A pastel-toned shabby chic café can feel inviting and comfortable, while a vibrant, bold colour scheme creates energy and excitement. The right shades can enhance a brand identity and make a lasting impression on visitors.

Enhancing Functionality with Colour

Colour isn’t just about appearance – it influences how a space is used. Lighter shades can make a small kitchen feel larger, while darker tones create intimacy and warmth. High-traffic areas benefit from durable, scrubbable paint finishes in mid-tone colours that mask dirt and wear. Soft, muted shades can reduce visual clutter, creating a calming and organised space for busy cooking routines.

 

 

Replacing kitchen cabinets can be expensive and disruptive, but a fresh coat of paint can deliver the same transformative effect at a fraction of the cost. Painting cabinets not only breathes new life into a tired kitchen but also aligns with sustainable home improvement practices by reducing waste. Whether opting for a high-gloss contemporary look, a distressed shabby-chic style, or a soft matte farmhouse finish, the right paint ensures a durable, professional result.

The Rust-Oleum Make It Yours range offers a solution for walls, cupboards, floors, kitchen and bathroom tiles, and wood surfaces, keeping colours consistent across all areas. This means cupboards can match or contrast with walls and trims for a seamless or dynamic effect. With a wide range of finishes, from matte to satin and high-gloss, homeowners can personalise their kitchen space without investing in entirely new cabinetry.

Beyond simply changing colour, refinishing cabinets allows for additional design choices, such as adding new handles, installing glass panels, or applying decorative moulding to give a bespoke look. Lighter colours like soft greys and off-whites help open up a small kitchen, while deep blues and forest greens create a striking, sophisticated statement. Proper preparation – including cleaning, sanding, and priming – ensures the paint adheres properly, resulting in a long-lasting, resilient finish that can withstand the demands of a busy kitchen environment. Our blog post here goes into detail on how to prepare and paint your kitchen cabinets.

 

 

Wallpaper doesn’t always need to be stripped away before painting. A high-coverage primer like Zinsser Cover-Up blocks patterns and textures, the product creating a smooth, paint-ready surface. For those opting to remove wallpaper, paint removers and steam strippers can help speed up the process. Taking the time to prepare the surface properly ensures a flawless, long-lasting result.

If painting over wallpaper, ensure it is firmly adhered to the wall with no peeling edges or bubbles. Loose sections should be re-glued, and any seams should be lightly sanded for a smooth transition. Cleaning the wallpaper surface is essential, as grease, dust, or grime can prevent paint from adhering properly. Once primed and sealed, applying high-quality kitchen paint will provide a seamless finish, making the wallpaper underneath completely undetectable while adding a fresh new look to the space.

 

 

Choosing the right colour palette is essential in achieving a balanced kitchen design. There are three main approaches:

• Harmonious palettes: Using colours next to each other on the colour wheel, such as blues and greens, creates a natural, calming feel.
• Tonal palettes: Variations of the same colour, from light to dark, add depth while remaining cohesive.
• Complementary palettes: Opposing colours, like blue and orange or green and red, produce striking contrasts that add vibrancy to the space.

 

 

Each kitchen tells a story, and colour choices help define the atmosphere:

• Energised: Bright yellows, reds, and oranges stimulate appetite and creativity. These colours are commonly seen in lively, busy kitchens where cooking is an interactive experience. Red, in particular, has been shown to increase appetite and pairs well with white or grey accents for a balanced look.
• Calm: Soft blues, greys, and whites create a serene, organised space. These hues are ideal for those who prefer a minimalist, clean aesthetic. Pale blue evokes a sense of freshness, while grey and white make the space feel more expansive and inviting.
• Sophisticated: Deep blues, greens, and blacks offer a bold yet timeless look. A navy or forest green kitchen exudes luxury, particularly when combined with brass or gold fixtures. Black is becoming increasingly popular for ultra-modern designs, often paired with marble countertops and sleek lighting.
• Quirky: Unexpected combinations of pastels, neons, and earthy tones make a kitchen unique. A combination of pink and mustard yellow or turquoise and burnt orange can add personality to the space, reflecting an eclectic taste and fun, inviting atmosphere.
• Urban: Industrial tones like charcoal, steel grey, and white contrast with metallic features. This style is inspired by modern city lofts, often featuring exposed brick, black steel accents, and concrete surfaces. Darker greys can provide a moody and dramatic effect, while lighter greys soften the overall aesthetic.
• Shabby Chic & Vintage: Distressed white, pale grey, and dusty pink create a nostalgic feel. This look is perfect for traditional or farmhouse-style kitchens, often featuring vintage furniture, rustic shelves, and pastel accents. A distressed paint effect on cabinets can enhance the vintage appeal.
• French Chic: Muted blues, whites, and creams paired with ornate detailing enhance a European touch. French-style kitchens often incorporate antique-looking cabinetry, intricate light fixtures, and tiled backsplashes in soft, elegant tones. A combination of deep blue and creamy white evokes the charm of a Parisian café.

 

 

Every idea listed here can be achieved with the right paints and finishes, available from Rawlins Paints. From upcycling cabinets to refreshing walls, high-quality products ensure long-lasting results – and it doesn’t have to cost the earth, either. A DIY kitchen makeover can be achieved with any size budget – see our blog on the matter here – whilst your imagination can run wild.. Need guidance? Leave a comment, and Rawlins’ Technical Experts will help you choose the perfect solution for your kitchen transformation.