We just bought a home and the kitchen is white white white!
by
Natalia W
+45
I want to repaint the walls in some bright, fun color that won't be too harsh on the eyes, and won't make the house hard for resale - as we might move again in a few years. Ideas?
The kitchen
46 answers
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Natalia, I love your kitchen for the space, great bones and ventilation. Color is something that will change this place for sure. You can install an interesting backsplash and pick a few colors from the backsplash for wall color. This is one way of doing it. I suggest you dress up the island too, a contrast color works great for islands, a few nice bar stools, lighting for the island and a nice contemporary light fixture for the kitchen will spruce up the space. I can't really tell what is going on in the other areas of your home, but for inspiration sake I put a mood board together for you. Get inspired!!
Yamini LEED AP at Urbanmotifs
on Jun 01, 2011
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One of the premiere paint manufacturers, Sherwin-Williams, just released its 2011 color forecast and this year, the forecast is broken into four palettes. The first of the four Sherwin-Williams titles is Bold Invention. The central image that sums up Sherwin-Williams' Bold Invention is at the photo. The Bold Invention colors are; SW 7589 Habanero Chile, SW 6938 Synergy, SW 6947 Tempo Teal, SW 6711 Parakeet, SW 6445 Garden Grove, SW 6963 Sapphire, SW 6800 Something Blue, SW 6696 Quilt Gold, SW 7664 Steely Gray and SW 7036 Accessible Beige. See more details and all four color palates for 2011 at http://www.kitchenandresidentialdesign.com/2010/07/sherwin-williams-2011-color-forecast.html
James A
on Jun 02, 2011
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Hi Natalia, I just recently discovered the amazing things that can be done with paint here. Check out WallStreat Studio's profile on Hometalk: http://www.hometalk.com/activity/31642
Miriam Illions
on Jun 06, 2011
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I LOVE yellow and gray right now. They are really big in fashion design, which translates to home decor. I think if you chose a buttery yellow, it would not send potential buyers running for the hills. Also, grey is so hot right now. It is neutral so it would pair well with so many other colors. If you used a neutral like that on the walls, then you would be able to use any other color combination in your fabrics and table ware. Good luck!
Christie H
on Jul 25, 2011
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I'd work in a celery green there on the walls
Nichter's Home Services Corp
on Jul 25, 2011
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Hello Christie, I would stick with light pastel colors. As Christie said yellow is a good choice just not cation yellow, and light green or blue are good colors to. I would pick my color choice based on the counter type and color.
Hudson Designs
on Jul 25, 2011
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Just Peachy is a nice color.
Peggy M
on Jun 02, 2014
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A light creamy yellow always looks good in a kitchen, and it will get rid of that "hospital white" feeling.
Darla
on Jun 02, 2014
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we painted my daughters kitchen a beautiful light Aqua color, she had the same color floor tiles you do and white cabinets...it gave it a great beach feel :)
Shari Veater
on Jun 02, 2014
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Cool, pale-to-mid-range green -- stay away from anything that goes towards brown. You need light in the kitchen, and most browns eat light (having had to let one client learn the hard way!). Keep it cool, cuz kitchens get hot, and remember shades of green (except anything that resembles olive) makes food look great.
S. R. Letot
on Jun 02, 2014
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I love the white cabinets... the kitchen looks clean and bright to me!! a pale color would be great!!
Beth Boyer
on Jun 06, 2014
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How well do you like the color of your dishes? Maybe get a back splash either painted or of tile done in a color of your dishes. Select another color from your dishes to use on the walls. However, DO NOT PAINT THE CABINETS!!! As a Realtor, I beg you to not paint the cabinets. Future buyers are turned off by that around here.
Maria Johnson
on Jun 06, 2014
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add your favourate color, as accessories. That way as the seasons change so does the mood of the kitchen.
Janice Cochrane
on Jun 07, 2014
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Several shades of peach could work. Just make sure the palate is consistent. There are lots of on line photo of such, just goggle white cabinets with colored walls.
Pamela Miller
on Jun 16, 2014
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I disagree with those who have suggested using "some pale color" on the walls. You need some kind of contrast, so you need to go a little darker than pale!
Rebecca Freeman
on Jun 16, 2014
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Save yourself the time and money and add color with your accessories. Add bright colored curtains or blinds, place mats and a beautiful vase with flowers in it on the island. I would put in some neutral colored backsplash, something that many colors would go with. This way you can change the colors you use for the seasons, or holidays. Hope you post pictures of the "after" when you decide what you want to do. Nothing is better than a white kitchen!!
Amy Ogden-Paparone
on Jun 25, 2014
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A turquoise color has my vote! Or I once had my kitchen painted a bright citrus lime yellow and loved it!
Cheryl
on Jun 29, 2014
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If you are thinking of perhaps selling home, leave the colour that it is, clean and neutral, with colourful gadgets in will set kitchen off lovely, and will look more inviting to buyers.
SUE
on Aug 15, 2014
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I just saw a bureau (dresser) painted in Deep Ocean by Benjamin Moore (which is a turquoise color) and then she glazed it and I just thought that it was such a stunning color. It would be a great color for your walls I think. I also think that if you did that color you could do a pearl color tiles for your back splash!
Janet
on Aug 19, 2014
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As a former Realtor from the dark ages (80's), my advise to my sellers was to use as neutral of colors as they could. Sometimes when bolder colors are used, it makes it difficult for the buyer to imagine what it might look any other way. That being said, I just bought a home recently. All the walls WERE neutral and as a color lover, my mind was going into overdrive picturing how I wanted to kitchen to be this color and the bedroom to be this color, etc. What I did was painted 2 walls of my kitchen just as I pictured in my mind BUT knowing when/if I decide to sell, it will be much easier to paint a more neutral color over just those 2 walls if necessary. And, the backsplash idea....that's a good one. Again, I would restain myself from some of the trendier colors and keep it toned down just a bit. That way no matter WHAT color the kitchen is or becomes later, the backsplash won't have to be taken off.
Marina Lytle
on Aug 20, 2014
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Accessorize with kitchen things and plants leave walls how they are even a colourful kitchen mat would help
Rusty
on Aug 24, 2014
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I have lived with an all white kitchen for 7 years. Always wanting more color but to afraid to commit to one. What I have done is paint the inside of the cabinets so I get the peachy color, when they're opened, accenting the accessories It's a win-win for me
Penny
on Aug 24, 2014
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Green plants , colored pottery, ,maybe colored pots and pans hanging on a rack , as someone suggested paint the inside of the cabinets , a warm peach or apricot color is so nice to go with other colors of the accessories, Maybe paint a slightly different white, tinted a color on the walls, toward the color of the accessories .. White doesn't have to be pure white,to set off a room. a grey or lavender,, blue , green,it will be a slight color but will deferr the blinding white of the room even ,peach tint ,etc.,see what i mean
Judy Adams
on Aug 25, 2014
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You have probably already done something, but if not; I say: go for it! paint your walls what ever color makes you happy and to heck with what the realtors say. It's your house. You live there now. You deserve to have what makes you happy now. Why wait or worry what the next owner might think or do. My daughter painted her living room RED with a leathered faux finish and the cabinets in the kitchen lime green!The realtor told her they would never sell the house unless she painted everything neutral. They sold the house in 10 days (at almost the worst of the housing crash!)and the new owners loved it as it was and haven't changed a thing! Just goes to show your should enjoy your home and when the time comes to sell don't worry so much. The things that made you love the house will probably still appeal to a new owner!
Elizabeth Wright
on Aug 25, 2014
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Just add a tiled backsplash. It will give it some pop along with some colorful items that can sit out on the countertop. Your kitchen is open concept so keep it uniform with the other room. Don't paint the cabinets and think about changing the countertop only to a contrasting color. Keep it neutral though if you plan on selling. Neutral doesn't have to be pale or beige either.
MamaSita
on Aug 26, 2014
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Just add some colorful backsplash & some accersaries like colorful spoon holder on the counter , add some plants or flowers will lighten up. You have nice raised area beteween the windows.
Rrs368534
on Aug 27, 2014
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I just painted my white white white kitchen Jonquil, from Sherwin Williams. What a breath of fresh air!
Judy Showen
on Aug 27, 2014
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I would paint just the two walls showing in the picture a rich chocolate color - it's neutral but still bold, and you can still accessorize with virtually any color. Leave the rest as-is so it's not too dark.
Barb
on Aug 27, 2014
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There are so many paint choices out there! I would paint the walls a bright color, and keep the cabinets white. ( just a little paint on the walls will change the whole look!) You can always repaint when you are ready to sell. (painting is not a big deal, it's easy and fun) Do what you like, a few years is a long time to live with all that white!
Bonnie
on Aug 28, 2014
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Retired kitchen designer here. The cabinets are likely white thermofoil (sealed in plastic) and not wood and therefore they are not practically paintable. My strongest possible advice is not to try. Your countertops are laminate. Depending on your budget, changing a countertop is the biggest bang for the buck these days. Because of the configuration of your kitchen (the sink at an angle in the corner) the square self-laminated edge or a wood trim edge are your only choices in a laminate (Formica, Wilsonart, etc.) top. The other choices have come down in price in recent years, and even granite is more affordable than ever. The good thing about a solid surface top of any kind (granite, quartz, Corian-types, etc.) is that if you have re-sale in mind, you get almost your entire investment back if not more. The catch is color, and there you do need to be a little more neutral. That said, neutral does not mean "builder beige." In fact the new neutral is actually green, which is not the same as "orange is the new black. IMO, you could only help yourself in the short- and the long-term by investing in a granite countertop and a natural-stone tile backsplash that coordinates with that top. At that point, since you are still in all neutrals, accessorize with a complementary color. For example using a Kitchenaid mixer as an anchor, with white cabinets and green counters, you could do cobalt blue. or purple or pink or peach or copper or stainless or lemon yellow Anything, really, but red. It will look like Christmas all year, which might be OK for us Christmas fanatics but for normal people would be a bit much. As is obvious I could go on and on re this topic, so I'll just put a period here and wait til next time. LOL
Jackie Johnson
on Aug 28, 2014
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@Natalia, You have a beautiful kitchen - it is lovely. Whatever color you have in the rest of the house, you could carry it through some to the kitchen - not a lot - just a hint.
Ruth Wolery
on Aug 29, 2014
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Choose a curtain fabric in the colors you just love - match up one of the colors in the fabric and paint behind the cupbords and backsplash . Minimum expense and a small shot of color,
Lorna Stone
on Aug 30, 2014
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I used Ben Moore's Waynesboro Taupe in a white kitchen and loved the contrast; it's still a neutral color but enough of a change up from the white cabinets that it made the kitchen pop. Congratulations on your new home!
11 Magnolia Lane
on Aug 31, 2014
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I would add accessories , curtain or valance , rugs in your favorite color . Ex. Vase , canisters , towels , . Turquoise is big now .
Linda Putz
on Aug 31, 2014
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Light lemon yellow on the walls and light lime green and lemon yellow for accessories. I did this with my kitchen and it looks amazing.
Pamela Golden
on Aug 31, 2014
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Just remember it is the simplicity of one color that keeps it restful peaceful and clean looking. When you start putting different colors on different plaines you begin to see more lines that call more attention to edges of things creating more shapes. Yes more interesting but you can produce and be next to some gorgeous food and you and it will stand out in your kitchen.
Katherine Vollmer
on Aug 31, 2014
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REPLACE THE LITE FIXTURE OVER THE ISLAND TO HANGING PENDANTS. USE A GREEN GLASS TILE BACKSPLASH. HANG PLATES ABOVE THE ENTRANCE TO THE KITCHEN OR USE A GRAFIC WALLPAPER THERE. PAINT THE WALLS SEA GREEN. FIND BAR STOOLS FOR THE ISLAND AND MAYBE PUT A LARGER COUNTER ON THE TOP TO ACCOMADATE THE STOOLS.
LINDA HENRY
on Aug 31, 2014
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For a classy, attractive look that will appeal to you (without breaking the budget, and it will only look expensive) and seem high-end to future buyers, I would choose paint and new solid surface countertops/backsplash and hardware (Old Euro style rustic wrought iron would be a nice touch). I would recommend starting the color palette with a granite countertop, in a lively, beautifully-patterned neutral like Gallo Napolitano (beautiful mix of beige/espresso black with merlot spots that add a bit of sparkle at night). Make the island larger by building out the top and adding corbels to support a larger-sized granite countertop. Then add wrough iron, rustic stools with comfortable upholstered seats. The backsplash which only looks expensive and gives an ageless quality would be tumbled Travertine, and if you want to take it up a notch, ahve them installed on a 45 degree angle with intermittent bronze carved accent tiles -- looks custom. I'd use a great neutral elegant paint like a warm neutral chamois pale gold or BenjMoore's Monroe Bisque to pop the granite neutrals and make the space appear larger. Could use merlot or black or gold for an accent color in accessories, and add Roman shades in the color palette with accent color like Merlot on the trim of the shades. Could also use larger-scale Travertine floor tile (the larger, the less labor cost involved, but to a point for average-sized spaces, perhaps 12-14" squares. Note: Avoid wallpaper! Expensive to remove and most people cannot agree on what is an attractive print. Also don't give buyers any "projects" they think they must do to live with your space in the future. Paint is a great choice if budget is limited.
Sylvia C
on Sep 01, 2014
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Consider new counter tops and copper door inserts. If copper isn't your style, you can also use very heavy aluminum foil. once you finish the designs you can paint on a thin coat of black or brown paint, then immediately rub it off, leaving a slight darkened finish. Or stick foil to the doors using spray adhesive, then use nail head tape in a simple design around the edges. Be sure to mask off everything you want to leave white. Or paint the doors black and leave the cabinets white... If you are artistic, you can also paint leaves, vines or other things on the door centers. It's easiest if you remove each door, paint it and replace it. You can do that very easily with a simple pattern that you adjust and repeat for each door. Also, printed burlap applied to the center of the doors then coated with clear poly paint is another option. Since your cabinets don't do all the way up, you might put different shapes of flea market baskets up there.
Jane Goodwin
on Sep 02, 2014
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Have you thought about wall stickers. They add color and are inexpensive. you can even get some made for kitchen backsplashes. Easy way to try a color without having to commit
Silvia Lafleur
on Sep 04, 2014
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I like it. Needs your homely touch - accesories
Karinvanderryst
on Sep 04, 2014
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I had mine painted in a light butter yellow. They look fantastic. I painted the baseboards white.
Bonnie Brenkert
on Sep 09, 2014
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I don't know what you think about a light yellow or a medium blue or siege green. It just depends on what colors YOU like. Also acesserise with that color and a pop of another color that would compliment the colors. Good Luck. Big decision!!
Ann L. Clapsaddle
on Oct 01, 2014
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I dearly love the white. It is so clean and fresh. I would put up a curtain and valance in a color that matched my kitchen appliances ( mixer, blender, toaster so on). I think that would be beautiful and a lot less expensive than painting.
Elizabeth Poteat
on Nov 13, 2014
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The color already there is very soft and calm. Maybe instead of painting the walls incorporate color with accessories. My kitchen is neutral with pops of black with various rooster and flower pictures with beautiful colors. Maybe just paint the island to add interest. good luck and have fun.
Joann Jarvis
on Apr 27, 2015
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I agree with Joann Jarvis. Adding color with your accessories would be best. Not everyone is fond of yellow or any other color you may choose. Natural is always best. You'd be surprised how nice adding color with your accessories will make the biggest impact. Use the red, yellow, blue etc.....
Ltt834476
on May 26, 2015
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