Written by Victoria Purcell

7 colourful kitchen ideas

Many of us are guilty of ‘playing it safe’ with kitchen decor, opting for tones of beige, cream and grey to futureproof what can be one of the most expensive rooms in the house. But in a post-pandemic world, the colourful kitchen is king.

Interior designer and stylist Sophie Robinson, known for fronting BBC2’s The Great Interior Design Challenge and BBC One’s DIY SOS, is a firm proponent of the daring and joyful use of colour.

‘I’m always championing people making bolder more confident choices in their homes,’ she says, ‘and once you are confident in what you like you can make more considered purchases that you won’t just throw out because the ’trend’ has passed.’

Feeling colour curious? These seven colourful kitchen schemes are sure to inspire a brighter, bolder makeover…

1. Pink & green

The old adage, ‘pink and green should never be seen’ has gone well and truly out of the window. The bold colour combo is cropping up in more and more kitchens, bathrooms and real homes. In the vibrant scheme below, Carpetright’s Tegola Elite luxury vinyl tiles in Starstone, £44.99 per sqm, provide a neutral backdrop and help bounce light around the colourful space.

pink and green decor scheme in a light, airy kitchen

Carpetright’s Tegola Elite luxury vinyl tiles in Starstone

2. Tonal pinks

If you want to pack a punch with your kitchen design, but don’t want a bold or dark shade to dominate the room, opt for a two-colour scheme, using the lighter one for wall units and a more vibrant hue to allow the kitchen island to really stand out. Arbor by Harvey Jones is handmade and comes primed and ready for painting in your choice of colour. It’s shown below in Farrow & Ball’s Dead Salmon and Preference Red and is also available in oak (prices from £25,000).

tonal pink kitchen cabinets in light pink and deep red

Photo: Arbor by Harvey Jones is in Farrow & Ball’s Dead Salmon and Preference Red

3. Metallic pink

Pink is certainly having a moment in home decor! For a more subtle, tonal approach to this popular shade, try a metallic pink mirrored splashback, as shown in the below Roundhouse kitchen (prices start from £30,000). Reflective surfaces will make a scheme feel lighter and brighter. Pick up the metallic tone through kitchen accessories, brassware and furniture – metallic pink, rose gold and copper toasters, kettles, cafetieres and even dustbins are now widely available.

metallic pink splashback with rose bar stools and dark blue kitchen island

Photo: Roundhouse

4. Coral

The muted coral larder shown below is a great way to inject a splash of colour to an otherwise simple white Shaker kitchen from Harvey Jones. Picking out one item proves that a little splash of colour can go a long way. Plus, for those not sure of committing to a bold colour scheme, it’s easily changeable.

orange larder pantry with white shaker style cabinets

Shaker kitchen from Harvey Jones

5. Teal

Dark blue is becoming a common choice for those seeking a dramatic kitchen scheme, but a spectrum of blues and greens are pushing their way to the fore. This teal design from Burbidge packs a little more punch than the standard midnight shade. Pair with a textured, modern neutral like concrete grey and add matching accessories for an even more colourful kitchen.

burbidge otto teal and concrete cabinets

Photo: Burbidge

6. Purple

Purple may seem like a brave colour for a kitchen, but since Pantone declared the lilac/blue shade of Veri Peri its Colour of the Year 2022, purple is having a moment. The below kitchen by Masterclass Kitchens shows how lavender can be a charming alternative to blue when teamed with neutrals and country-style wooden finishes.

wisteria mulberry purple kitchen-diner with island

Photo: Masterclass Kitchens

7. Patterned

Don’t shy way from pattern in a kitchen. Splashbacks are a great way to experiment with bolder designs, creating a focal point for your kitchen. And with Art Deco back in fashion, why not go for something with a splash of gold and bold, geometric design? The below kitchen design perfectly showcases the Franke Minerva Helix 4-in-1 boiling tap in copper (£1,747).