30 Bright, Bold and Colorful Kitchens

An epoxy floor in a custom shade of turquoise alludes to the ocean not far from this beach house kitchen by DD Allen. (If you love the idea but live inland, how about grass-green epoxy to evoke an open field?) Throw pillows in bright shades add punch to the space.

The Icestone terazzo countertops in this kitchen by Massucco Warner Miller are made from recycled glass bottles that give the surface a sea-glass-like sheen. The cabinets were painted a pale turquoise to match. When attempting to match kitchen materials, remember that paint can always be tinted to coordinate with your countertop, cabinets or fabrics, so choose the paint last.

These super-glossy blue wall tiles from the Italian company Fap Ceramiche add color and sheen to a modern kitchen. "A dose of your favorite color can personalize a kitchen and make it a refuge," says architect Susan Doban, who frequently recommends vivid hues in her projects. A strip of chalkboard paint adds contrast — and a practical way to share information and favorite recipes.

Designers Tim Scott and Erica Westeroth, CKD, NCIDQ, took their inspiration for this Canadian bachelor's kitchen from the colors and shapes of Havana, where he has a vacation place. "The blue mosaic tile represents the dancing waves of the ocean," says Westeroth. "The convex curved wall was wrapped in cabinets of beautiful English Sycamore veneer, emulating the lush soil and the sugary white marble floors shimmer like the sandy beach."