Experts Reveal The Best Paint Colors To Splash Up Your Kitchen Or Bath

We polled the experts for smart ways to splash up your kitchen or bath with a carefully curated hue.

“Our new color Faded Terracotta from The California Collection has such a gentle shade with just the right amount of warmth running through it—great when used with a soft red-based white such as Pointing,” says Patrick O’Donnell, international brand ambassador at Farrow & Ball.

After years and years of all-white kitchens and sterile bathrooms, many of us are craving an infusion of color in the kitchen and bath. But with so many color choices, the selection process can be daunting. We polled the experts for their advice on the best shades to give your kitchen or bath a welcome splash of color.

Farrow & Ball Faded Terracotta

“I love the elegance of deep greens right now... for example, a dramatic green like Green Smoke on lower kitchen cabinets and the upper cabinets in a tonally similar color to your wall,” offers Patrick O’Donnell, international brand ambassador at Farrow & Ball “The colors that would effortlessly work here are Shaded White for top cupboards and School House White for the walls. They both have a tiny amount of green through them that would Thatter the ‘hero’ color,” he adds.

For the bathroom, O’Donnell recommends a vanity play. “In a bathroom, soft brown-based pinks or a gentle terra cotta work a treat—they are fantastic colors to Thatter the complexion and give you a healthy glow. Setting Plaster is a perennial favorite and looks beautiful with pale gray marble. Our new color Faded Terracotta from The California Collection has such a gentle shade with just the right amount of warmth running through it—great when used with a soft red-based white such as Pointing.”

“We’ve seen greens and blues increase in popularity for kitchen cabinets,” says Hannah Yeo, color marketing and development manager at Benjamin Moore, who echoes that lighter colors help make spaces look larger. “The Benjamin Moore Color of the Year 2021, Aegean Teal 2136-40, is a great choice for kitchen walls and especially for cabinetry or islands. A blend of blue, green and gray, this color works well with many other materials used in the kitchen, such as various wood tones and appliances. We also see warmer neutrals, such as Muslin OC-12, and accent colors with natural tones working their way into kitchens, which are great choices for those looking to add a hint of color.”

Yeo recommends keeping it clean and tidy in the bath. “For a crisp look, Atrium White OC-145 is a favorite color for its touch of warmth. Bringing in a bit more color, Kingsport Gray HC-86 can help to create contrast against lighter surfaces such as tile. For a more dramatic look, Amazon Soil 2115-30 can help create tranquil environments as a deep mauve with a hint of black.”

“I love the elegance of deep greens right now... for example, a dramatic green like Green Smoke on lower kitchen cabinets and the upper cabinets in a tonally similar color to your wall,” offers Patrick O’Donnell, international brand ambassador at Farrow & Ball.

“Similar to molding in the bedroom, the best way to make a kitchen feel large is to paint the cabinets and walls the same color. This makes the room flow visually and avoids any harsh lines that impede the appearance of height,” says Cara Fox, owner and lead designer of The Fox Group, a Salt Lake City-based residential design and construction firm. “My favorite color for kitchen cabinets and walls is Benjamin Moore’s Swiss Coffee,” she says, noting this shade can work equally well for the bathroom. “For bathrooms, I always choose paint colors that match the marble tones in the room,” Fox says. “Matching colors within the space and on the walls creates such a dynamic flow and allows brass accents to really pop. I have a few favorites when it comes to marble and paint pairings: Calacatta gold marble with Benjamin Moore’s Swiss Coffee, and Carrara marble with Benjamin Moore’s Oystershell.”

“Aegean Teal 2136-40 is a great choice for kitchen walls and especially for cabinetry or islands,” says Hannah Yeo, color marketing and development manager at Benjamin Moore, of its 2021 color of the year.

“We are a lot more versatile when it comes to painting kitchens,” offers Mary Maydan, founder and principal of Palo Alto-based Maydan Architects. “While we often paint kitchen walls white or light gray, the cabinets provide us with a lot of options to be creative. Historically, we have opted for white kitchen cabinets in combination with wood or dark gray accents. That being said,” she adds, “the past year has been all about black. Black kitchen cabinets and very dark countertops are immensely popular, and we love it. It’s sleek and dramatic.”

Looking for something that will stand the test of time for either space? Consider beautifully patinaed hues (like Behr’s Adirondack Blue N480-5 or Weathered Moss N380-3) and timeless classics (like Behr’s French Colony N480-4, Cameo White MQ3-32 or Classic Silver PPU18-11).