Blue kitchens are such a classic choice – bolder than grey but, still very liveable, it's no surprise it's one of the top choices for many renters and homeowners.
As a kitchen color idea, it's also super versatile, and there are so many shades to choose from that will all create a totally different look. So whether you want to go for a smart and elegant navy kitchen, cornflower blue for a more country vibe or perhaps a playful pastel – there will be an idea here to get you inspired.
On cabinets, walls, or in your kitchen decor, we cover plenty of ways you can bring this bang on trend hue into your space. We'll also talk you through what colors go with blue so you can get your color combos spot on, and as always, there are plenty of budget-friendly ideas too.
Blue kitchens for a burst of inspiration
'From coastal blue and white kitchens to midnight hues combined with stainless steel, blue kitchen walls are timeless,' says Marianne Shillingford, creative director, Dulux.
'For a contemporary design, dark blue and grey kitchens contrast with cream woodwork for a beautiful, balanced look. Classic shades of blue act as a neutral, working well with a variety of palettes.'
1. Create a casual nautical vibe
Some of the most effective kitchen ideas are open-plan, so if your food prep space spills out onto a dining area, this is look you can get on board with. Paint the entry to your kitchen in blue and then introduce some coastal elements into your sit-down scheme.
This isn't formal or fancy, so think casual wooden benches (with cushions and throws to make seating more comfy) and some lightweight rattan seating. Keep your floor clean and your feet warm with a washable rug underfoot.
This way, if there are any spillages, you can simply chuck it in the laundry and reduce juice or wine from getting everywhere.
2. Smarten up a small kitchen with navy
If you've recent homeowner who has bought a new-build home, the chances are that you'll be able to see your kitchen from your living space. But, instead of seeing this as a disadvantage, use this as an opportunity to really make the most of a small kitchen.
To ensure you can distinguish your kitchenette from your lounge, zone this space with a some smart, shaker-style, navy blue cabinetry and wall paint. To provide a little seamlessness, you can carry on the color blocking into the sitting room, but everything else should stay distinct.
3. Create depth in a galley kitchen
As a color often associated with natural open space, blue paint can create the illusion of depth in a narrow kitchen.
Color is an essential part of design, and Shillingford sits in the school of thought that says you shouldn't be afraid to maximize on color even in a galley kitchen. She says, 'Bold tones will keep your room modern, just make sure to balance the dominant color with a soothing neutral paint.'
The best white paint on walls, with white worktops will keep this scheme by @ohara_interiors looking fresh for a lifetime. As well as the aesthetic benefits of a clean look, longevity will ensure that you save money in the long-run as it'll look brand new for some time.
4. Give a blue kitchen an industrial vibe
By default, we think blue kitchens are pretty cool anyway, but if you really want create a really on trend scheme – incorporate some industrial touches to give it an edge.
There's something to be said about the power of three and the concrete grey kitchen island, terrazzo effect floor and cluster of not one or two, but ten Edison-style hanging ceiling lights work together perfectly.
There's no half measures taken in this blue kitchen and you can really tell. We really like the two different types of blue used on the walls and curtains to give it a cool fashionable vibe.
5. Color match open-plan living room furniture
Seamlessness between your living room and kitchen space can be both a good and bad thing. After all, there are many pros and cons of open-plan living. But if you're someone that sees the glass half full – work this layout to your advantage. In this arrangement by Tom Howley, the Hartford shaker-style fitted kitchen is in close proximity to the lounge space.
So, to make this scheme work, the designers have gone for a grey and blue theme which compliments the colorway of the adjacent sitting room space. Grey cabinets match with grey flooring and the blue island centerpiece is the perfect suitor for the blue sofa. Palette perfection if you ask us.
'I love the size, shape and sheer simplicity of the statement island. To enhance the finish of all of our kitchens, we offer bespoke paint shades that can be combined to create an end-result that’s truly unique.' says Tom Howley, creative design director, Tom Howley.
6. Choose multifunctional kitchen storage
Now, more than ever, kitchen spaces have become the heart of the home the place to entertain friends and family. So when you're investing in this space, it's good to look at furniture and kitchen storage that has serves more than one purpose.
Take, for example, this island which is an idyllic island-cum-wine-storage-space for those of you who are looking to add a little interest to your blue kitchen social space. Plus, if you haven't got space for a separate wine rack, it's the perfect slotted space to leave your liquor.
Pair this periwinkle blue setup will a dark wooden floor for a stand-out space.
7. Match your walls to your cabinets
If you are blessed with a kitchen that gets plenty of natural light like this gorgeous one, why not go all over blue? Match your cabinets to your kitchen wall decor to create a dramatic but still really cozy and inviting space.
We'd go with a soft muted blue over a stark navy for this look and keep the woodwork and ceilings light with either white or cream for contrast. You could go lighter with the floor too, to lift the look even more.
Can we also take a moment to appreciate those battered copper worktops? They bring in a touch of glamour but in a rustic way that totally works in this deVOL kitchen.
8. Pair blue with white for a crisp classic look
If you are into classic, elegant more traditional kitchens but love the trend for blue cabinetry, be sure to go for a clean crisp white backdrop. You can add in the warmth and balance the contrast with wooden flooring and brass hardware. Plus dotting a few houseplants around will add in texture.
We like how in this kitchen the cabinets have space to breathe – by that we mean the walls aren't crammed with units. Breaking them up with shelving keeps the space light, airy and more relaxed.
9. Choose light flooring for a lofty finish
Another way to make blue kitchen decor stand out is to pair it with a light kitchen flooring idea. Yes – debris and dirt does show up more than if you'd chosen something dark, but if you're clever with your choice of floor, you need not worry. For example, something like LVT or laminate is a lot more forgiving in a busy, modern family home – and is purse-friendly too.
Along with the walls being painted in Benjamin Moore's gorgeous White Heron, and the sunshine pouring in above, this pale wooden-effect floor will help an already large kitchen space look even bigger.
10. Add in some yellow for a lovely contrast
Two-toned kitchens are bang on trend and blue works with so many colors so you can really take your pick. And don't be afraid to pick a contrasting color, too. This yellow and blue combo strikes the perfect balance between bold and subtle – contrasting soft and muted tones – so that the overall effect isn't too loud at all.
You could totally recreate this look yourself too by painting your backsplash rather than replacing your tiles completely. Just check out our fail-safe guide to how to paint tiles.
11. Add in some textured surfaces
Another way to tackle the yellow and blue decor is to add some tactile surfaces to your kitchen walls and work surfaces. Here, marble does its thing to add instant luxury to an island and worktop and, for a modern farmhouse twist a tinge of yellow is added to shiplap walls.
Though the paint idea is nice and easy, if your budget doesn't stretch to a real marble surface, look out for marble-effect decals which can be applied to your hard surfaces – and easily peeled off if you decide to change your kitchen again.
12. Add pattern with tiles
Speaking of tiles, they are a really easy way to bring pattern into a blue kitchen. Tile the floors, tile a backsplash or, like in this kitchen tile the sides of your breakfast bar or kitchen island.
If you want to create this look in a weekend, you could stencil on a tile pattern. We've seen loads of really gorgeous results over on Instagram and all you need is paint and some patience.
13. Be bold with a vivid blue
Now this is a look. It's bold, yes, but there's something about the simple design of the cabinetry, the pale grey walls and the light wooden worktops that stop it from becoming too in your face. The pops of pink are fabulous too, and again work to tone down that vivid cobalt blue.
You could test out this look by painting your kitchen cabinets. It's a weekend job that needs a bit of prep but so worth it to completely change the look of your kitchen. Plus it means you can test out bold colors like this without the commitment.
14. Tile a blue backsplash
Bring in some aquamarine hues with a backsplash. This a great way to add some blue without committing to something as permanent as blue cabinetry. Pick some stylish dark blue subway tiles for a contemporary look, or copy this look and pair soft pale blue tiles with subtly patterned darker ones.
This horizontal layout is great for adding height to your kitchen too, so a small kitchen tile idea is perfect for creating the illusion of a taller space.
15. Or add contrast with a red backsplash
If you've always fancied adding red kitchen decor to your existing blue kitchen ideas – take note from none other than Annie Sloan, who is color expert extraordinaire. Here, she's combined her chalk paint in a Mediterranean-inspired Greek Blue, using a darker Napoleonic Blue as an accent color on her dining set.
But what gives this kitchen its wow-factor (other than the white floorboards with striking line motif) is the tiled kitchen backsplash.
16. Upcycle furniture with blue paint
Mixing vintage pieces and antiques in your kitchen is a great way to bring in some personality and make the space feel more unique. So scour eBay and shop your own home for pieces that could be repurposed in your kitchen. A side table, a chest of drawers or, as you can see here, a gorgeous dresser.
Don't be put off if the shade of wood isn't perfect or is been through a shoddy paint job, paint it a gorgeous blue shade and make it a permanent part of your space.
If you need a guide to how to paint furniture, our step by step is super easy.
17. Or contrast blue furniture with an orange upcycle
Now this might sound like a very specific choice but listen up – because you're in for a bit of color theory. All hues sit on a color wheel and blue happens to be on the opposite spectrum to this zesty orange which makes it stand out more.
So by pairing an Oxford Blue armoire with the chairs that have been decorated with Barcelona Orange paint, you can be sure that you're making a considered and design-led statement in your kitchen and add a zing without committing to an entirely orange kitchen. Kudos if you go for a statement floor design like this one too.
And if you've enjoyed that little educational lesson and want to do the practical work, the best kitchen paints come fully recommended by us.
18. Bring in burst of blue
Neutral lovers, this one is for you. Even if you don't want to stray too far from an all white kitchen, adding in pops of blue can bring in some color and yet still keep the space looking light and airy.
Pick out a statement light with blue tones, and add some blue accessories like vases and crockery to disperse the color throughout the room. We love the yellow and green in this kitchen too – it's making us yearn for spring – but you could always switch up the color scheme with the seasons, keeping blue as the core hue.
19. Accent a blue kitchen with black
While blue and black aren't a combo you often see in interiors, add a few dark hues to an all-blue kitchen can create a really chic and expensive vibe.
Despite being such similar colors in this kitchen, the black in the lighting and the barstools actually contrast the blue and grounds it too, making it feel more contemporary.
Alternatively, if you're feeling brave, flip this idea on its head. A black kitchen with navy blue touches will add a dramatic atmosphere and a real theatre element to your eating and entertaining space.
20. Pick a blue and green color scheme
Blue and green should never be seen? Well, just take a look at this kitchen and try and justify that. Dark blue cabinetry, mint green walls, a marble backsplash, and gold accents all add up to the dream kitchen.
It's colorful yes, but at the same time feels really classic and liveable. The colors are fresh and vibrant but still don't overwhelm the space. Basically, this green kitchen proves you can have fun with color and still create a space that's elegant and timeless.
21. Give a blue kitchen an industrial vibe
This cool, contemporary kitchen by Naked Kitchens only further proves how many different styles blue can work with. The cabinets are really simple, so you have your modern feel there, but the vibrant colors make it a playful space and that flooring.
It's actually reclaimed boards from a school gymnasium so you just get the odd pops of color from the markings – genius.
However, if you can't get your hands on something unique like this, there are many different types of flooring to consider that will look just as great in blue kitchens.
22. Zone your kitchen with color
Using color in your kitchen is a great way to create 'zones' in your space. You can define and break up larger or open plan kitchens by using different colors in different areas.
See how in this kitchen there's a neutral backdrop, and there's a mix of white and blue cabinetry. Having the blue island in the middle separates it from the cabinetry around the edges of the room, making it the focal point of the kitchen. Plus, the dark green tiles distinguish the area around the hob too, again making it feel like another 'zone'.
23. Add warmth with wooden accents
Depending on the tone of blue you choose, it can make a room feel quite cold. But you can easily warm up blue walls or cabinets with wooden accents. Don't worry if you aren't blessed with natural wooden beams and a gorgeous vaulted wooden ceiling – some wooden shelves and a display of chopping boards will have a similar effect.
All in all, we love the organic feel of this country kitchen. If you don't have a home in a rural space, you can fake this farmhouse feel with shiplap walls, wood-effect flooring and a cheap jute rug.
24. Make pink and blue your winning combination
We can't get enough of pinks and blue together. It's such a gorgeous combo if you pick the right tones. A dark navy blue kitchen with a few dusky pink kitchen ideas dotted about is always going to be a winner, and note how in this kitchen, the white tiles lift the muted hues to give the space some freshness.
Also note the painted ceiling! A look we are seeing more and more, and why not? The ceiling is just as worthy of color as a wall, right? Our helpful guide on how to paint a ceiling makes for essential reading if you want to to give it a go.
25. Create a relaxing space with pastels
Not all kitchens have to be high-pressure and hot environments – so use soft colors to create a pastel scheme that is #kitchengoals.
This muted millennial-friendly space uses baby pink on the kitchen island and curtains with blue kitchen appliances. These light colors are complimented by high-gloss reflective marble flooring which creates an incredibly bright and airy space. And, handleless furniture makes every look so fuss-free.
And the octagonal geometric pattern on the ceiling reminds us of a sky. So whether you want to prepare food in a relaxing space, or just need to take a minute for yourself – you're sure to be on cloud nine with a space that looks this divine.
26. Keep things light with teal
If you are looking for a softer look than all the navy kitchens that are floating around Pinterest, a muted teal hue would be perfect. You still get that pop color but it's almost just one up from a neutral and looks so lovely with creams and greys too so if your a bit of a colorphobe wanting to experience these are the hues to go for. Note how in this kitchen there's no wall cabinetry either so the room still feels very light and fresh.
Love love love the metallic gold detail in the hob area. It's an Art-Deco inspired touch which makes cooking seem less of a chore and more of a showy event – especially with the spot task lighting.
27. Create your own look with bespoke appliances
If you want your scheme to look like nothing like your next-door neighbors, your safest bet is to go bespoke with your furniture and blue kitchen ideas.
And with Samsung's BESPOKE Studio service you can mix and match from a choice of 14 different colored interchangeable panels and three unique finishes to create your own unique look for your fridge and freezer. There are so many different combinations to choose from but we love this lilac and blue kitchen layout.
How to choose paint for blue kitchens
Choosing the right dark paint can be tricky. But expert, Shillingford says that: 'With such daring shades of color, carefully select your paint finish so that the overall look isn’t overwhelming. Eggshell paint is a low-sheen finish that’s ideal to hide away imperfections whilst still serving that classic stylish look to your woodwork.'
Is blue a good color for kitchens?
We are going with a strong, yes, blue is a good color for kitchens. It's stylish and on-trend but also a classic so it's not going to date any time soon. It's super versatile, you'll definitely find a blue to suit your style and it works with loads of other colors too.
The color blue is the ideal opportunity to create a statement in a kitchen against a neutral color palette. Tom Howley, creative design director of Tom Howley explains: 'This gives the kitchen a more contemporary feel, without overpowering the whole space.'
Are blue kitchens still in style?
Yes, blue kitchens are still in style. There is a tendency that once something becomes super popular it has a shelf life, there will come a time it's out of style.
But for blue kitchens that's just not true, they are classic and timeless, and a very safe bet when it comes to choosing a kitchen color scheme.
What color walls go with blue cabinets?
The best wall colors to go with blue cabinets if you are going for longevity is a neutral – whites, greys, creams. Pick a color that's going to be a clean backdrop, and you can add in more colors with accessories and decor.
If you want to paint your walls and go for a bolder look, we love pink and blue together. Terracottas and plaster tones will warm up a blue kitchen and will create a more unique space. Remember you can always paint walls as your styles and trends change too so don't be afraid to experiment – just always test out your colors with swatches first.