How to choose the right colour for your kitchen – even if you’re not sure what you want.

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So you’ve decided to introduce some colour into your new kitchen, but you’re feeling stuck and overwhelmed?

Should you go with a warm colour or cool? Dark tones or light? What colours are on trend? And what kind of mood you want the space to have? Should it feel calm and relaxing? Bright and energetic? Bold and modern? It’s all so confusing!

It’s completely normal to feel this way. With so many options (and a lot of pressure to get it “just right”), colour can be one of the hardest choices to make during a kitchen renovation and the temptation to just go all neutral can be very strong.

Don’t give up on colour! We’ve helped plenty of clients move from confused to confident, and we’re here to guide you too.

In this post, we’ll walk you through a simple, practical process to help you understand how different colours can make you feel, how to discover what you’re naturally drawn to, and how to choose a palette that’s perfect for your kitchen and your lifestyle.

There’s even a checklist for you at the end! Jump to checklist >>

Kitchen with pink zellige tiles and polytec walnut cabinets — This Just in Place kitchen renovation in Bondi, uses colour to speak to the era of the building and create a fresh and sophisticated and even playful atmosphere.

1. Start with the mood, not the colour

Before you enter “blue kitchen ideas” into the Pinterest search bar, take some time to think about about how you want your kitchen to feel. Do you want it to be light and calming? Bold, fun or energising? Warm and welcoming? Cheerful or serene? Maybe ask the other members of your household how they’d like to feel in the kitchen.

Your kitchen’s mood should reflect your lifestyle and who you are. Whether it’s your morning coffee spot or the heart of family dinners, or the place you can live out your home organisation dreams, the right colour will enhance how you and your family live in the space.

2. Let your eyes (and heart) lead

Now’s the time to jump onto Pinterest and start saving images of kitchens you love — without overthinking. Once you have a little collection, you’ll likely notice certain colours or styles coming up over and over. What colours do you keep going back to?

Colours have a strong effect on our emotional experience of a space. For example, warm tones like dusty pinks and terracotta and create feelings of comfort and intimacy, perfect for gathering spaces while blues can evoke feelings of calm and greens can feel invigorating.

Pay attention to how each colour makes you feel. A soft sage green might make you breathe a little deeper. A deep navy might give you a feeling of sophistication. Bright white might give you a feeling of freshness and light that brings a smile to your face.

Renovated kitchen with retro feel in Bondi — Lower cabinets in Polytec Walnut Woodmatt contrast beautifully with the pink zellige tiles and white upper cabinets

3. Think about flow and connection

If your kitchen is part of an open-plan layout, or even visible from other rooms, think about how the colour connects with the rest of your home. Does it complement the tones in nearby spaces? Do you want the kitchen to pop or seamlessly blend in? This doesn’t mean everything has to match — but harmony across your home helps it feel cohesive and well thought-out.

4. Test colours in real life

The way colours look online or on a sample card or on a tile in a showroom is not always the way they’ll look at home. That’s why we always suggest:

Using large paint swatches or sample boards
Looking at colours in morning, afternoon and evening light, as well as in direct sunlight vs diffused light
Looking at them in daylight vs under your home’s lighting at night
Bringing some colours onto your home to “test drive” the mood they evoke and any emotional reactions you sense

It’s amazing how different a shade can look depending on lighting, cabinetry, and surrounding materials.

Terrazzo tiles ad pops of colour without being overwhelming

5. Still nervous? Start small!

If you’re not ready to commit to bold colour, try starting with smaller design elements like:

Splashbacks
Kitchen island panels
Open shelving
Tapware
Bar stools or pendant lighting

You can build confidence with these accent colours, then expand once you feel more certain.

Final thoughts

Choosing the right kitchen colour isn’t about trends or rules — it’s about finding what feels right for you. Trust your instincts, and don’t be afraid to take your time.

Need help bringing your vision to life? We’d love to chat. Reach out to the team at Just in Place – we specialise in custom kitchen designs that feel personal, purposeful, and perfectly suited to your space.

The stairwell of the Bondi apartment building uses bold colour, true to it’s art deco heritage

Characterful kitchen renovation in Bondi art deco building — The stairwell of the Bondi apartment building uses bold colour, true to it’s art deco heritage

Bondi kitchen renovation by Just in Place.

Checklist: Choosing the right colour for your kitchen design

Step 1: Define the mood

How do I want to feel in my kitchen? (e.g., calm, energised, cosy, grounded, connected to nature)
What’s the main purpose of this space? (e.g., cooking, entertaining, relaxing)

Step 2: Get inspired