How to Paint Your Kitchen Pretty
Updating and refreshing your kitchen with paint can be fun, satisfying and, best of all, cost-effective
Louise O'Bryan
29 November 2016
Houzz Contributor with over 15 years as an interiors writer, stylist and content producer for digital and print media. Specialising in house tours, room renovations and decorating solutions, my previous clients include Inside Out (Aus), Ideal Home, The Times weekend supplement and Sainsbury's magazine. I never tire from the thrill of discovering a jaw-dropping, inspirational home to feature and having an insight into other people's spaces. Call me curious or just nosey!
Houzz Contributor with over 15 years as an interiors writer, stylist and content... More
Are you the kind of decorator that wants a new look in an instant? If so, paint is definitely the decorating tool for you. Tap into these inventive and ingenious ways to bring colour, character and creativity to your kitchen and you’ll have a new look in no time – perfect if you’re terrible at waiting. Plus, using paint to bring a change to your kitchen is guaranteed to be easy on the pocket, yet pleasing to the eye. Give one or more of these ideas a go and make an impact on your kitchen’s look immediately.
1. Choose one item to stand out
It could be a dresser, a sideboard, or maybe a freestanding butcher’s block; whatever standout item you choose to paint, make sure it’s in a groundbreaking colour. Think bold shades like fuchsia pink, mailbox red or sunshine yellow, that will jump out against a neutral backdrop and create a loud impact in an instant.
10 ways to give your kitchen island a facelift
It could be a dresser, a sideboard, or maybe a freestanding butcher’s block; whatever standout item you choose to paint, make sure it’s in a groundbreaking colour. Think bold shades like fuchsia pink, mailbox red or sunshine yellow, that will jump out against a neutral backdrop and create a loud impact in an instant.
10 ways to give your kitchen island a facelift
2. Try rainbow-painted chairs
Give country-style chairs a modern twist by painting them an assortment of bright, smiley colours. It’s a simple DIY project that will liven up your kitchen dining area, particularly if you carry the upbeat colours through to other accessories such as storage canisters or pots and pans.
Give country-style chairs a modern twist by painting them an assortment of bright, smiley colours. It’s a simple DIY project that will liven up your kitchen dining area, particularly if you carry the upbeat colours through to other accessories such as storage canisters or pots and pans.
3. Opt for a single shade of grey…
Create an unfussy, utilitarian kitchen with a simple, pared-down palette of battleship grey. Paint the base units, dining table, and even the chairs in the same grey hue and you’ll achieve a functional contemporary look that oozes confidence. Carefully selected handmade pottery will further capture the rustic rawness of this beautiful look.
Browse more country-style kitchens
Create an unfussy, utilitarian kitchen with a simple, pared-down palette of battleship grey. Paint the base units, dining table, and even the chairs in the same grey hue and you’ll achieve a functional contemporary look that oozes confidence. Carefully selected handmade pottery will further capture the rustic rawness of this beautiful look.
Browse more country-style kitchens
4. …Or breezy blues and crisp whites
Any bright colour is going to be a contrast against crisp, white walls, but there are only a few choice tones that will stay timeless and long-lasting, such as a rich blue that’s inspired by Wedgwood pottery. This classic shade evokes a cool, airy vibe – perfect for encouraging a refreshing feel in warm or coastal environments.
Any bright colour is going to be a contrast against crisp, white walls, but there are only a few choice tones that will stay timeless and long-lasting, such as a rich blue that’s inspired by Wedgwood pottery. This classic shade evokes a cool, airy vibe – perfect for encouraging a refreshing feel in warm or coastal environments.
5. Paint a striking statement wall
A brilliant wall colour will make just as big an impact as painted cupboards. Try extending the colour into another element in the room, such as the dining furniture, to tie in the two areas and create cohesion.
A brilliant wall colour will make just as big an impact as painted cupboards. Try extending the colour into another element in the room, such as the dining furniture, to tie in the two areas and create cohesion.
6. Subtle colour counts
Even the smallest touches of colour will pep up a plain, white space with personality. Collect a handful of shapely glass jars and paint them using an assortment of tester pots in harmonious shades. Then line up your hand-painted jars in an eye-catching spot and you’ll have a unique and individual display in no time.
Even the smallest touches of colour will pep up a plain, white space with personality. Collect a handful of shapely glass jars and paint them using an assortment of tester pots in harmonious shades. Then line up your hand-painted jars in an eye-catching spot and you’ll have a unique and individual display in no time.
7. Awash with paint
Ok, so painting floorboards is not a straightforward DIY project like painting shelves or units, as it will be much more disruptive. However, the final result will make such a dramatic difference that you’ll be pleased you made the effort. It’s best to set aside a whole weekend for the project and warn your household that the kitchen will be out of bounds until the paint is dry.
Renew your kitchen without a redo
Ok, so painting floorboards is not a straightforward DIY project like painting shelves or units, as it will be much more disruptive. However, the final result will make such a dramatic difference that you’ll be pleased you made the effort. It’s best to set aside a whole weekend for the project and warn your household that the kitchen will be out of bounds until the paint is dry.
Renew your kitchen without a redo
8. Apply a bright backdrop
Back to simple paint jobs, and this idea for decorating the back of a glass-fronted cabinet is a charming idea that is easily achievable. Opt for a vibrant colour to show off the contents, and create an interesting and beautiful display.
Back to simple paint jobs, and this idea for decorating the back of a glass-fronted cabinet is a charming idea that is easily achievable. Opt for a vibrant colour to show off the contents, and create an interesting and beautiful display.
9. Devise a colour combo
Two-tone kitchens are a growing contemporary trend as they depict a quirky, individual style. To continue the one-off look, a painted splashback in a contrasting colour will fit the bill. Be sure to select a durable kitchen paint that’s wipeable and you can change up the backdrop as many times as you like.
Two-tone kitchens are a growing contemporary trend as they depict a quirky, individual style. To continue the one-off look, a painted splashback in a contrasting colour will fit the bill. Be sure to select a durable kitchen paint that’s wipeable and you can change up the backdrop as many times as you like.
10. Go back to black
Whoever invented chalkboard paint should be applauded. Not only does it transform a room into a fun, lighthearted and relaxed space, it also provides a bold backdrop tone that’s bang on trend. Plus, it’s a great place for kid’s doodles and shopping lists.
10 colour combos for black in the kitchen
Whoever invented chalkboard paint should be applauded. Not only does it transform a room into a fun, lighthearted and relaxed space, it also provides a bold backdrop tone that’s bang on trend. Plus, it’s a great place for kid’s doodles and shopping lists.
10 colour combos for black in the kitchen
11. It’s all in the details
Who says you have to make a big standout statement with paint? We all know it’s the little details that make a difference. Take a good look around your kitchen and see where colour could make a difference – the window frames could be refreshed in a cheery foliage colour to bring the outdoors in, for example.
Or maybe the doorframe and skirting boards could be painted in a standout tone to tie in with an adjoining room. It’s all about looking beyond simple painted walls and keeping things fresh.
TELL US
How have you improved your kitchen’s style credentials with paint? Share your tips and ideas in the Comments section below.
MORE
Read up on more clever kitchen ideas
Who says you have to make a big standout statement with paint? We all know it’s the little details that make a difference. Take a good look around your kitchen and see where colour could make a difference – the window frames could be refreshed in a cheery foliage colour to bring the outdoors in, for example.
Or maybe the doorframe and skirting boards could be painted in a standout tone to tie in with an adjoining room. It’s all about looking beyond simple painted walls and keeping things fresh.
TELL US
How have you improved your kitchen’s style credentials with paint? Share your tips and ideas in the Comments section below.
MORE
Read up on more clever kitchen ideas
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All much more welcoming than white on white.