8 Easy Ways to Add Color to Your Kitchen Without Using Paint

Blue and white kitchen with blue tiled backsplash, built-in alcoves with open shelves of china, aubergine painted island and bar stools upholstered in blue floral fabric

(Image credit: Anna Routh Barzin)

Jump to category:

1. Furniture
2. Ceramics
3. Rugs
4. Appliances
5. Artwork
6. Fresh Greenery
7. Tiles
8. Lighting

There’s always going to be a place for a classic, neutral kitchen, but in 2026, there’s no denying we’re leaning more colorful in our cookspaces. That doesn’t mean you need to don overalls and spend the whole weekend painting walls or cabinets to inject playful shades. There are plenty of easy, low-lift ways to add color to your kitchen without picking up a paintbrush.

From adding new artwork and switching out window treatments to throwing down a rug, there are plenty of impactful ways to bring color into a kitchen fast. We spoke with top interior designers to get their tips on how they inject kitchen color trends into their projects without the need for paint.

1. Furniture

Kitchen with marble backsplash and countertops and black cabinetry with a breakfast table at the centre with purple dining chairs around it — Berry-toned dining chairs sit underneath a breakfast table, providing a bold dose of color that contrasts with the neutral scheme.

Vibrant walls or a tiled backsplash might be the first to come to mind when you envision a colorful kitchen, but furniture has just as much power as more permanent features.

Jen Baxter, Founder of Baxter Hill Interiors, explains, 'Furniture is another great way to add color (a table, a cabinet, bar stools) but it can be a little trickier to achieve the balance depending on your kitchen layout.'

Able to elevate a one-dimensional space in seconds, a painted breakfast table placed under a window or a set of colorful bar stools tucked under an island can instantly improve a cooking space lacking in homeliness. Designer Darlene Molnar who designed the kitchen pictured above, explains, 'Furniture is another avenue for incorporating color into a kitchen. For example, the Bordeaux Pantone chairs in this black and white kitchen bring a sculptural, moody slant to the space.'

2. Ceramics

Dining room with blue and white laid table looking into kitchen with shelves of china and ceramics — Blue and white ceramics give this kitchen plenty of character. An easy but impactful flourish, it proves introducing color into your scheme needn't be complicated.

Smaller touches can make a surprising impact in a kitchen, too. Perfect for filling empty kitchen shelves, tableware, and decorative ceramics can invite color to neglected corners or walls, particularly when displayed in a collection.

Jen explains, 'We all know a pop of color can go a long way, so if you have open shelves or glass cabinet doors, your Staub pots or Anthropologie bowls can set your palette. Equally, statement vases and decorative bowls can do the trick if you're working with your kitchen countertop.'

Whether you're decorating with vintage ceramics or simply adding a colorful fruitbowl to your island, a small flourish of color can uplift a neutral surface into a curated moment. As interior designer Jennifer Davis, founder of Davis Interiors, explains, 'Kitchen linens and pottery further enhance this approach. Dish towels, runners, and everyday ceramics bring splashes of color into the space in a way that feels natural and lived-in, while adding texture and visual interest.'

3. Rugs

Modern farmhouse style kitchen with white cabinetry, gold handles, white island with black pendant lights above, and shelves with colourful pottery and tableware — A striped runner brings contrast against the white walls and cabinetry in this country-style kitchen.

A kitchen rug is such an easy way to add color to a kitchen without paint. A way to tick both the color and texture boxes, rugs are an easy fix that transform cold floors into inviting passageways, providing comfort whilst you cook.

The beauty of rugs is their versatility; they can be switched out as trends and seasons change. Autumn might welcome a dark plum Persian rug, but by summer, a textured jute rug might be more fitting. Jennifer Davis says, 'Pops of color are best reserved for the softer, more flexible layers of the kitchen. Window treatments, counter stool upholstery, and vintage runners offer an opportunity to introduce color, pattern, and personality without long-term commitment.'

Interior designer Corine Maggio agrees that these smaller, softer details can make all the difference to a kitchen. 'There are a lot of ways to include color in a kitchen without painting the cabinets. Two of my favorites are with art and rugs. But you can also do it with stools and lighting. Even easier than all of that would be decorative objects like pottery and, of course, florals.'

4. Appliances

small pale green kitchen with corner shelves with kitchen plants and green KitchenAid mixer — The KitchenAid® Artisan Stand Mixer in Matcha stands proud on this kitchen countertop, providing a good old dose of vibrancy against the white surface.

Appliances are an easy, practical way to add some color to your kitchen countertops. Why choose white or stainless steel when you can use your appliances to lean into some of 2026's biggest color trends?

Whether you want to keep your minimalist kitchen neutral but introduce one strong helping of color or you want to add some contrast among the hues you already have, it's worth knowing that kitchen appliance trends are ever-changing, with plenty of models available in a range of vivid hues.

Jennifer Davis explains, 'Appliances in shades like cream, muted green, deep blue, or classic black provide contrast while adding a sense of warmth and tradition without overpowering the space.'

5. Artwork

White kitchen with black pendant lights, marble island, white cabinetry with gold handles, wooden floor and stove with landscape painting above it — Layered with blues and warm yellows, this simple landscape brings some much-needed color to the backsplash in this all-white kitchen.

An easy way to cheer up a neglected nook, adding artwork to your kitchen is such a quick way to inject some color and character. Katie Kiser of Katie Kiser & Co says, 'Regardless of how neutral your kitchen’s foundation is, small changes can make it appear significantly more colorful. A great way to begin is by adding a new piece of artwork.'

You needn't go big either. A small frame with a thoughtful subject is all it takes to transform your shelves or stove into a moment for appreciation. Jennifer Davis adds, 'Artwork also plays an important role, thoughtfully chosen pieces add character and help warm the space through the use of color.'

6. Fresh Greenery

Kitchen with freestanding wooden island, wooden cabinetry, alcove with range oven and pot filler and vintage artwork — The foliage and bowl of artichokes provide some much-needed freshness in this richly layered kitchen.

Sage green kitchen cabinets will always be elegant, but that's not to say decorating with green has to be restricted to paint colors; in fact, there's a more literal take on 'greenery' that can be introduced to a kitchen in a matter of minutes.

Jennifer Davis explains, 'Greenery is an essential finishing layer. I always incorporate plants and fresh herbs, whether on a windowsill or styled within the space, to introduce a natural, grounding color that brings life and balance to the kitchen. When color is layered intentionally in this way, the result is a kitchen that feels timeless, considered, and deeply inviting.'

Katie agrees. 'Do not underestimate the power of fresh florals – they animate a kitchen so quickly and are easy to swap out for the season or mood.'

There's no denying that a fresh floral arrangement can quietly uplift a kitchen with freshness, but other natural produce will create a similarly homely effect that's fitting for all cooking spaces. Jen Baxter explains that in a past pantry idea, 'we used accessories like books and glass canisters filled with colorful foods (chilis, beans, dried mushrooms), as well as a centerpiece like a jamon that is both beautiful and useful.'

7. Tiles

Kitchen with pale blue tiled backsplash, open shelves with blue and white china, an aubergine painted island with a marble top and upholstered stools in a floral blue fabric — Creating an uplifting focal point, the pale blue tiles frame the center of the kitchen and inject it with a dose of calming serenity.

Selecting new kitchen tiles and installing them in your kitchen in theory sounds a little laborious, but you needn't commit to a tile-drenched design to enrich your space with color. Even a small pocket of colorful tiles above a stove or around a sink will receive attention and create a subtle contrast with neutral tones.

Referring to the project pictured above, interior designer Barrie Benson, explains, 'While we kept the cabinetry painted a creamy white, we layered in color through materials using a beautiful blue Zellige tile backsplash, a natural, warm textured wallpaper, and painted the cabinet bead and hardware a deep aubergine.'

Whether it's a scattering of patterned tiles amongst white or some vintage tiles collected over time, adding tiles to your kitchen is an enduring way to introduce color, not to mention, it can be played up or down depending on the look you're trying to achieve.

8. Lighting

neutral kitchen with raw plaster walls and statement scalloped lighting accessories — A pink pendant light provides glow and whimsy to this cream kitchen. The red lacquered table lamp also creates contrast, packing a punch against the neutral tones.

For a long time, kitchen lighting was limited to (at most) pendant lights above an island, but now, with the array of lighting trends to choose from, it's become a designer's tradition to layer all kinds of lamps, sconces, and pendants within a cooking space.

A way to fill a neutral corner with vibrancy, lighting is an easy way to introduce some contrast into your scheme. Elaine explains, 'Lastly, how about when you're looking for a softer accent of color? I'd say lighting is a great place for that and I don't mean cheap metal sconces. Instead, opt for a more luxe, wood wall or ceiling light stained in a faded denim blue, hunter green or oxblood.'

Mary Beth Sullivan of MB Sullivan Design agrees. 'We also love bringing in additional layers of lighting – think a petite task lamp with a pleated shade on the kitchen counter adds ambience, color and a layer of function.'

Adding color to a kitchen without using paint is easier than you might think. Whether it's a simple table lamp with a colorful shade or a faucet finished in a vivid lacquer, these seemingly simple touches can make all the difference to a cooking space in need of some whimsy.

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