Blue is not a particularly common color for kitchen cabinets. Blue cabinets, and blue kitchens in general for that matter, are not a common kitchen design. You can, however, be adventurous with your cabinetry, and instead of going with a white kitchen, you consider blue kitchen cabinets. The use of blue for that space makes them stand out. Modern kitchen and interior design can reward the creative, from a small kitchen to a large space, or marble countertops to a farmhouse kitchen, blue cabinets and blue kitchens can cover from retro to contemporary kitchen design and give you the secret ingredient to your kitchen remodel. Kitchen cabinet painting can make a huge impact in your home’s look and feel!
Blue cabinets also lend themselves well to stainless steel appliances, or rustic kitchen decor or brass hardware – nearly any style kitchen can be pulled off beautifully with blue cabinets, which can also tie in nicely with a blue island and barstools, if your space allows. Using a white wall or tile backsplash to add contrast to a blue cabinet color, or even using subway tile and blue cabinetry – the kitchen design ideas that blue cabinets can offer are plentiful indeed. We’ve also seen pendant lights provide a splash of contemporary, or the right butcher block.
Blue is not a neutral color, but it’s still one that complements a lot of other hues. If you’re looking for a singular color palette for your kitchen, consider starting with a shade of blue and trying one of the following blue kitchen cabinet ideas.
French Blue and Pastel Yellow
While blue in general is an unusual color for kitchen cabinetry, the exception is French blue. French country is a popular décor style for kitchens, and the heart of the palette is a pastel blue-gray. For being a cool tone, pale blue, French blue carries a surprisingly welcoming feel. While it’s traditional for the French country style, the color could work as the foundation for any homey kitchen.
For a true French country kitchen, you should expect to use warm pastels to complement the blue cabinets. A pastel yellow would be beautiful for the walls and even ceiling to complement the blue paint of the upper cabinets. The gentle warmth of the color would brighten up the kitchen without serving as a true opposite of the blue. For the cabinets themselves, consider adding a dark glaze to show the rich details of the trim in this light blue kitchen.
Yale Blue and Black
Yale blue has been mixed with black to give gray undertones. Yale blue looks a little like a light Prussian blue. As the name suggests, Yale blue carries a definite sophisticated vibe that works well in modern décor. It’s an unusual shade that’s about at a mid-tone.
Because of the sophisticated air of Yale blue, it matches well with black. That said, Yale blue’s gray undertones already make it feel heavy, like a deep blue. So, use a restrained hand with the black. Use black, say, for a chic tiled backsplash. White features in Yale blue’s undertones, too, so use white countertops or white ceilings, marble countertops and backsplash.
Azure Blue and Wood
Azure is a remarkable color for kitchen cabinets, and interior designers love this kitchen color. It feels like a true blue, but just a little lighter. Nonetheless, azure cabinets carry a depth of color you don’t usually get with a lighter hue. It works well in a modern space, but it’s especially fetching for any style of eclectic kitchen. Though a cool tone, azure blends well with warm tones and shaker styles.
To that end, consider matching azure cabinets with warm wood tones. Orange is opposite blue on the color wheel, which makes them true complements. Naturally stained hardwood features subtle orange undertones. Use it for your countertop, chairs, floor, or shelving. You could use shades of much lighter blue for the walls, but the ceiling should be white to keep the room from being too dark.
Cobalt Island and White
If you’re not ready to commit fully to all your cabinets’ being blue, you can use the color just for the kitchen island’s cabinetry. In this scenario, consider using a bold blue color, something like a cobalt. This dark, electric blue carries a surprisingly formal ambience that nonetheless works well in a number of décor styles.
Rich wood finishes are a beautiful complement to cobalt blue. However, such wood also looks dark. So, you’ll want to use it sparingly, say for the island topper or for chairs pulled up to the island. Otherwise, the rest of your palette should be light. Indeed, white is a stunning complement for cobalt blue. Additionally, gravitate more toward light hardware, such as silver.
Navy Blue and Gray
Navy blue is another deep color, but it’s one you could consider using for all your cabinetry. This color works well for an open-plan kitchen. If you don’t want to commit all your cabinets to the color, choose a percentage of the kitchen space that can support such a dark color. Hague Blue is one such striking shade of navy blue cabinets, with its darker cousin midnight blue.
White is an obvious complement for navy blue, too. However, navy is such a sophisticated color that it can support an equally sophisticated complement – gray. You could use a light gray for the cabinets’ two-tone you don’t paint navy blue, or for open shelving. It will also work for walls, the backsplash, and the countertop, and don’t forget finding the right kind of light fixtures to provide interesting visual cues for your dark blue/navy blue kitchen.
Ultimately, when it comes to choosing the right color scheme for your kitchen, the details matter. Home decor and style, design trends and the classics; the professionals at Elite Painting have experience in all of the above and can make your kitchen a style all your own!
Call today and setup your project estimate and start your journey to a new kitchen!