Kitchen colour is more important than you think when you are doing a kitchen renovation. It’s not just the kitchen photo that matters; the colours you go with can affect how big your kitchen feels, and it even tells how much the light reflects.
The kitchen colour seems like a normal thing. However, they are very important as they determine your overall comfort while cooking.
Whether you’re picking from a few kitchen cabinet colours or planning a full renovation with custom kitchen cabinets, getting the colour right matters more than most people realise.
Let’s talk more about it with the basics.
Understanding Colour Theory Basics
Before diving into kitchen colour ideas, let’s understand the basics.
- Warm colours (reds, oranges, yellows) bring energy. They can make a kitchen feel lively and bold, but may also make a small space feel tighter.
- Cool colours (blues, greens, greys) are more calming. They’re great for modern kitchens and open layouts.
- Neutrals (white, beige, charcoal, soft taupe) are the safe zone. They create a clean, classic look that doesn’t date quickly.
Then there’s the 60-30-10 rule:
- 60% main colour (usually cabinetry or walls)
- 30% secondary colour (benchtops, splashbacks, or flooring)
- 10% accent colour (lighting, stools, decor)
It’s a good way to keep your space balanced and not too loud.
Popular Kitchen Colour Palettes and Their Effects
Let’s break down some common kitchen colour combinations and what they do to the vibe of the space:
White and Wood
A timeless choice for everyone is white and wood style. White keeps things bright while wood tones add warmth. Works well with natural lighting.
Navy and Brass
Dark navy with touches of brass gives a bold, moody edge. Great for larger kitchens or where you want a more dramatic finish.
Black and White
Crisp and clean is what this looks like. This combo works across styles, whether you’re into ultra-modern or classic shaker kitchens.
Soft Greys and Sage Green
These are subtle, fresh colours that suit both small and large spaces. Sage green is also one of the current kitchen colour trends.
Emporium Kitchens often helps customers combine soft tones with strong textures to get that balanced, lived-in feel that still looks sharp.
Choosing Colours Based on Kitchen Size and Lighting
Here’s where things get practical.
Small kitchens
Stick with lighter colours. White, cream, light grey, and pastel shades reflect more light and make the space feel open.
Large kitchens
You’ve got room to play. Deep blues, forest green, and even charcoal can work without making the space feel closed in.
Natural light
If you’ve got big windows or skylights, almost anything goes. But if your kitchen is short on natural light, avoid dark tones on large surfaces like cabinetry. They’ll soak up whatever light you have.
Artificial light
The kind of bulbs you use also matters. Warm lighting goes better with earth tones. Cool lighting works best with white, grey, and blue-based palettes.
At Emporium Kitchens, our designers often visit the site to check light levels before suggesting kitchen cabinet colours, so clients don’t end up with something that only looks good under showroom lighting.
Trends vs. Timeless Colours: What to Consider
There’s always a new “in” colour floating around, but not all of them stick.
Trendy colours
Right now, we’re seeing a rise in matte black, soft terracotta, blush tones, and deep greens. These are great for accents, feature walls, or tapware.
But trends fade. That bright yellow you saw on Pinterest? It might not feel so fresh in two years.
Timeless picks
White, navy, grey, and light wood tones have stood the test of time. They work with both modern and traditional styles and are easier to pair with other finishes.
When clients at Emporium Kitchens want something that’ll still feel right five or ten years from now, we usually suggest blending one trend-based element with a more timeless base, like coloured lower cabinets with a white upper set.
Kitchen Renovations and Colour: Tips from Emporium Kitchens
If you’re in the middle of kitchen renovations, colour choice should happen early, not after cabinets are installed.
Emporium Kitchens recommends these tips when selecting kitchen unit colours:
- Don’t just focus on cabinets. The flooring, splashback, walls, and even the appliances affect the overall tone.
- Test samples at home. Colours look different under different lighting. Grab samples and see how they look during the day and night.
- Go with the house style. A bold modern palette might clash in a heritage-style home. Your kitchen should feel like it belongs.
- Match your lifestyle. If you cook a lot or have kids, darker lower cabinets might hide wear better than all-white ones.
- Use contrast smartly. If your walls and cabinets are light, go for a darker benchtop. This contrast can stop the kitchen from feeling flat.
And remember, custom kitchen cabinets give you full freedom to choose finishes and colours that aren’t available off the shelf. Emporium Kitchens helps customers design cabinetry from scratch, from colours and materials to sizing and layout.
Choosing the right kitchen colour might take a bit of time, but once it’s done, everything else falls into place. You can contact Emporium Kitchens for a complete kitchen renovation consultation.
Need help with building your custom cabinetry or custom walk in wardrobe ? Call us at Emporium Kitchens on 02 9645 6706 or enquire now, and our expert team will be glad to assist you.
