Red Kitchen Paint Ideas

If you want a bold color in your kitchen, red is the way to go. An intense hue that stimulates the appetite, there are many red shades that would work well, from warm cayenne to bright scarlet—and many other options in between.

Many people pick reds that are reminiscent of their favorite lipstick or nail polish color, but these colors tend to feel overbearing on walls. To find the right shade of red paint for your kitchen, it's important to consider what's already in the room as well as any new items you plan to put in it. Take note of your countertops, backsplash, appliances and accessories, and select a red paint color that works well with them.

For example, if you're hoping to have a sophisticated country kitchen, look for a more muted barn red and pair it with wood accents. If you're only changing the color of your walls or cabinets, make sure the color you choose complements the other items in the room. When painting with red, it's also important to make sure the color doesn't darken the room too much, and make sure to pick a shade that pairs well with the colors in your adjoining rooms.

If your kitchen is very large, red paint can help it feel more intimate; and red can really jazz up a smaller space. But beware: Red paint can be tough to cover up. Make sure you really love the shade you've chosen before you start painting. If you end up hating it, you'll need at least two new coats of paint to cover it up.

If painting your whole kitchen red feels too dramatic, try painting just your kitchen cabinets instead. Glossy red cabinets and white countertops would work well in a minimalist and ultra modern home; a more subdued red with white subway tiles and marble countertops would look fresh and cheerful. If you have black countertops, a striking red could look sophisticated and chic.

Before you decide to paint your cabinets red, make sure to introduce a lot of lighter colors throughout the space to help keep your kitchen feeling light and airy. Or just focus on one wall, your kitchen island, inside your cabinets, a pantry door, or on chairs or stools. Red floors can also be really fun in kitchens, and they're a creative place to use this lush color. If you go this route, keep the other accents in the room fairly neutral to let the floor really stand out.

Some popular red paints that would look good in a kitchen include Benjamin Moore's Chili Pepper, Moroccan Red, Redstone, Tucson Red and Warm Sienna. Other options include Ralph Lauren Paint's Dressage Red and Habanero Chile by Sherwin-Williams.