5 Paint Colors To Never Use In Your Kitchen, According To Designers

While you should certainly feel to think outside of the box and paint your kitchen a color other than white, there are still some hues that designers advise steering clear of in this room of the home at all costs. Below, they’re sharing the colors on their “do not use” list when it comes to the cooking space. 

Neon

You’re better off steering clear of neon paint in the kitchen at all times, according to Christine Carney, the director of design at Blackberry Farm Design in Walland, Tennessee. “Everything else probably has a time and place,” she says. Amy Switzer, the Dallas, Texas-based founder of Amy Switzer Design, agrees. “They would be challenging to complement with other elements in the room and with trendy colors they may not stand the test of time,” she says of neons. 

Very Dark Hues

Switzer says that these colors “may make a kitchen feel smaller and less inviting.” Plus, in a room that often experiences wear and tear, they aren't the wisest choice from a durability standpoint. “They can also show scratches and imperfections more prominently,” she adds. Margie Kaercher says that dark grays and blacks can certainly stun in some kitchens but are not suited for all types of spaces. “If the space lacks natural light, it may feel gloomy and uninviting,” notes the founder of Hearth & Honey Homes in Tampa, Florida. 

Browns

Similarly, brown shades aren’t always right for the kitchen, says Andrea Seymour, founding partner of Springdale Custom Builders in Charlotte, North Carolina. “I feel that brown tones in a kitchen should be kept to either natural wood or stained cabinets or occasionally the countertop,” she says. 

Stark White

Jennifer McKissick isn’t opposed to an all-white kitchen, but she finds that there’s a right way and a wrong way to execute this concept. “Sometimes they can end up feeling a little sterile if the white is too white,” she says. “I lead my clients away from those bright white colors and towards a shade that is just slightly off white,” explains the founder of Jennifer McKissick Interior Design in Greenville, South Carolina. “These creamier shades still give a classic and polished look, but feel more warm and welcoming.” 

Icy Tones

Erica Volkmer, the founder of Evenson Design in Austin, Texas, avoids colors with icy tones, such as cool blues and ash tones grays, in the kitchen. “As the heart of the home, kitchens should be approachable, warm, and inviting,” she says. 

Bright Red

Bright tomato red doesn’t have a place in the kitchen, according to Bethany Adams. The founder of Bethany Adams Interiors in Louisville, Kentucky, says, “The color red is too intense for a room where there's always lots of clamoring.” But that isn’t the only reason: “The color red is proven to make us feel hungry, which is not what you need when you're standing in front of the fridge looking for a midnight snack!” Alisa Popelka says she would also stay away from bright red or orange in the kitchen. “This is a space to unwind and relax while cooking, eating, and entertaining, and a large amount of this color can become distracting, as well as overwhelming,” says the founder of Alisa Cristine Interiors in Dallas, Texas.