Cue the Color: Kitchens That Rock the Rainbow

Nature's favorite hues serve up some wow-worthy kitchen design. Step away from the whites and grays and let ROYGBIV be your guide for a kitchen with kick.

Keep in mind: Price and stock could change after publish date, and we may make money from these affiliate links.

August 01, 2018

By: Chelsey Bowen

Shop This Look

Photo By: Emevil

Photo By: Kathryn Barnard

Photo By: Photography by Robin Stubbert

Photo By: Abran Rubiner

Photo By: Denise McGaha

Photo By: Caitlin Murray

Photo By: Kim Cornelison Photography

Photo By: Jane Beiles

Photo By: Julie Soefer Photography

Photo By: Stacey Brandford Photography

Photo By: Brandon Barre

Photo By: Amy Bartlam

Photo By: Allison Corona Photography, Let It Shine Photography, Doug Petersen Photography

Photo By: Julie Dodson

Photo By: Matt Herrer ©Photographed by Matt Herrer

Photo By: Jeff Herr Photography

Red: A Shade to Gather Around

No matter how comfortable your living room is, everyone always gathers in the heart of your home: the kitchen. After all, it's where all the action (and food!) is. Red has long been hailed as the hue that stimulates appetites and conversation, making it the perfect color for your kitchen. Cranberry-red cabinets are the real showstopper in this colorful cottage kitchen. The combination of butcher block and Carrara marble countertops balance out the can't-miss-it shade of red, while counter-to-ceiling blue glass tiles make for a subtle yet impactful backsplash.

Red: Attention-Grabbing Hue

This kitchen will have you seeing red, but in the best way possible. High-gloss base cabinets in fire-engine red are a noteworthy contrast to the crisp white uppers and soft gray countertops. Red, orange and white mosaic tiles combine for a geometric backsplash that ties the two cabinet colors together. Coordinating drawer pulls take the contemporary kitchen from streamlined sleek to gorgeously glam.

Red: Spice It Up

To quote fashion designer Bill Blass, "When in doubt, wear red." As a colorful alternative to stainless steel, black or white appliances, red is a daring yet classic choice. A jolt of the eye-catching shade energizes this mostly neutral space, which mixes an Old-World aesthetic with state-of-the-art modern amenities.

From: Carol Sundstrom

Orange: A Blaze of Color

Intense hues can be hard to incorporate without overwhelming a space — balance is key. This modern kitchen is grounded by charcoal gray lower cabinets and tile flooring, allowing the bold orange upper cabinets to steal the show. The flame-inspired hue brings the eye up and invigorates what would have been a one-note color palette.

Orange: Completely Complementary

Add a cheery pop to a neutral color palette with a burst of orange. Soft white cabinets set the scene for this open, airy kitchen, which gets a bold pop of orange via the sleek oven. Centering the family-friendly space, the expansive island is ideal for prep work and gathering around for a quick meal. Contemporary barstools add another note of orange, which pairs perfectly with its complementary hue in the blue-gray island. Wood countertops as well as the hardwood floors add warmth to the space, while geometric pendant lights lend a sculptural accent.

From: Benedict August

Orange: A Touch of Warmth

Orange is a warm color that brings an instant glow to any space.

Yellow: Hello Sunshine

A little bit of yellow, a little bit of polka dot, totally cottage and 100 percent charming. This farmhouse kitchen is eat-in ready with a pairing of the oversized buttery island and polka dot barstools. The rest of the space features white Shaker cabinets and tumbled stone backsplash which is grounded by the country essential: knotty pine flooring.

Yellow: The Happiest of Hues

Pattern and cheery color combine in this contemporary kitchen. The bright yellow oven pops off its surrounding blue-gray cabinetry. Yellow is, after all, the most visible color to the human eye, and the repetition of the hue in the backsplash and accessories helps to move your eye through the space. The chevron floor and graphic-patterned backsplash bring visual texture to the kitchen in more understated tones that tie all the kitchen's colors together.

From: Denise McGaha

Yellow: Spices Things Up

Bright, both aesthetically and emotionally, yellow is the perfect choice for a small kitchen. For this on-the-tiny-side kitchen, the clean-lined cabinet choice is key to opening up the space. The bright yellow in a glossy finish not only visually enlarges, but also bounces light around. A muted gray mosaic tile backsplash and stainless-steel appliances and countertops balance out the brilliant hue.

From: Anthony Carrino

Green: Woodsy Meets Wow

Green goes high-glam in this showstopping kitchen where forest green cabinets are topped in luxurious black marble countertops for a rich, enveloping design. To offset the dark hues, the backsplash is outfitted with clean white cross-shaped tiles while the flooring is soft gray tiles laid in a herringbone pattern. Gold fixtures and hardware finish the space with a sophisticated polish.

From: Caitlin Murray

Green: Fresh and Clean

The Kelly-green island is the central character in this cheery cottage kitchen. The L-shaped island was made for gathering around, whether for casual meals or finishing homework, with its cozy green-and-white slipcovered barstools. White wood-clad walls and Shaker-style cabinets create a crisp-yet-welcoming atmosphere.

From: Lori Paranjape

Green: Minty Fresh

Relaxed and rustic, the sage-green cabinets work as a neutral backdrop to this kitchen, which is grounded by wide plank flooring and crowned with a tongue-and-groove vaulted ceiling. Elements, such as the sink and table, add to the farmhouse appeal, while marble countertops and professional-quality appliances make it a true chef's haven.

From: Kelly and Co. Design

Blue: Timelessly Tasteful

There's never a misstep with classic blue and white. Clean white countertops combine with navy-blue cabinets in this kitchen that highlights traditional features with a modern twist. Brass framing gives the range hood an Old-World look and the pendant lights usher in a note of patina. The gray marble backsplash is laid in a timeless herringbone pattern, bringing graphic pattern and texture to the room.

From: Marie Flanigan Interiors

Blue: Look-at-Me Hue

In this kitchen from designer Sarah Richardson, the traditional floral wallpaper is a jumping-off point for the space's vibrant cabinets and dining chairs. Vintage-inspired brass accents, from the light fixtures and hardware to the integrated dining table legs, establish a classic aesthetic, while Calacatta marble countertops bring in a layer of sophistication.

From: Sarah Richardson

Blue: Softly Sophisticated

Often considered one of the most comforting shades, blue is not only an ideal hue for the bedroom, it's also a popular choice for kitchens. Who doesn't need a calming backdrop when you burn dinner? Powder blue cabinets and oil-rubbed bronze hardware create an elegant foundation for this cozy kitchen. The subway tile backsplash with mural inset lends charm while white countertops with a cove ogee edge add to the historic appeal.

Indigo: Saturated Shade

Darker than most blues with notes of red, indigo sits between blue and purple in the rainbow and evokes a deep, saturated aesthetic. In this kitchen, buffalo check flooring adds style underfoot while indigo cabinets pair with gold hardware and white countertops for a fresh-yet-classic vibe.

From: Jenn Feldman Designs

Indigo: Cool Contrast

The high contrast color scheme of this kitchen takes the classic white kitchen design up a notch. The prominent indigo lower cabinets act as a literal and visual base, then everything from the countertops up to the ceiling is a chic white to create a striking juxtaposition and give the entire kitchen an airy, open quality.

From: Judith Balis

Indigo: Jewel-Like Tone

This cozy kitchen evokes instant warmth with its pairing of indigo cabinets and rich woods. The custom-built oak island triples as a prep area, buffet and dining table. Floor-to-ceiling cabinetry is divided by white quartz countertops and a basket-weave tile backsplash to add pattern and texture to the room.

Violet: The Royal Treatment

A crystal chandelier, curvy furniture and purple fabrics, this kitchen fully embraces its feminine wiles. Pale woods combine with white cabinets to create a soft, neutral background, while counter-to-ceiling subway tile in a glossy finish elevates the classic choice. Violet-upholstered dining chairs and barstools add the rainbow's final hue to the space, making it fit for a queen.

From: Julie Dodson

Violet: Drama in the Unexpected

The striking shade of violet throughout this open-concept space seems at complete odds with the industrial-inspired brick walls, concrete pillars and exposed ductwork. Yet, along with the contemporary-meets-luxury furnishings, the color works as a stunning juxtaposition. As with other vivid colors, white plays the perfect foil to give the space a pulled-together, clean look.

Violet: Lively and Luxe

Colorful yet seamless, the purple island in this modern kitchen adds a rich hue that perfectly matches the tones of the blacks and browns used throughout the space. White cabinets, countertops and walls create a clear-cut contrast, and the room finds further balance by mixing rustic elements, like the exposed wood beams, with modern moments, like the accents of glam gold and sleek pendant lights.

From: Terracotta Design Build