So, you’re looking to give your kitchen a little extra flair? A fresh coat of paint can do the trick, especially if you plan to use an accent color! Whether you love neutral colors or you love bold colors, adding just the right pop of color can really add new character to your kitchen. BUT, it’s important to make sure to choose the right one!
In this blog post we’ll give you the most awesome Sherwin Williams kitchen accent colors, but that’s not all. We’re not only showing you some pretty kitchen color ideas; we’re also going to help you figure out how to choose the perfect accent color for your kitchen by giving you all of the information that you need to know. Because, sure, looking at colors is great, but knowing how to pick the right one is even better, and that’s what we’re here for.
So, let’s get started.
Popular Kitchen Accent Colors from Sherwin Williams
Reds
Bravado Red (sw 6320)
Wild Currant (sw 7583)
Chinese Red (sw 0057)
Oranges
Chivalry Copper (sw 6353)
Baked Clay (sw 6340)
Spicy Hue (sw 6342)
Yellows
Naples Yellow (sw 9021)
Anjou Pear (sw 6381)
Vintage Gold (sw 9024)
Greens
Seawashed Glass (sw 9034)
Broccoflower (sw 9039)
Greenfield (sw 6439)
Blues
Respite (sw 6514)
Lakeshore (sw 6494)
Smoky Azurite (sw 9148)
Blacks
Black Magic (sw 6991)
Iron Ore (sw 7069)
Domino (sw 6989)
Grays
Morning Fog (sw 6255)
African Gray (sw 9162)
Peppercorn (sw 7674)
Checklist for Choosing the Perfect Kitchen Accent Color
Choosing the perfect accent color for your kitchen can be super exciting but also a bit tricky. So to help you out on this creative journey, we’ve put together a handy checklist. It’ll make sure that you pick a kitchen color that will work well with your kitchen and show off your style.
1.) Find Inspirations
Explore different color groups and styles that resonate with you. Check out design magazines, online platforms, or even nature for ideas that inspire your perfect kitchen aesthetic.
2.) Consider Your Kitchen’s Lighting
Take the time to check out both natural and artificial lighting in your kitchen at different times of the day. Understanding how the light will affect your kitchen color ideas, selecting colors that look good throughout the day.
3.) Consider Your Existing Color Scheme/Kitchen Decor
Look at what’s already present in your kitchen—cabinets, countertops, and flooring. Your chosen accent color should complement these elements, enhancing the overall design rather than clashing with it.
4.) Choose a Neutral Color
If you’re after longevity and versatility, go for a neutral accent color. This choice minimizes the need for frequent updates and allows you to easily accessorize with more bold colors in the future.
5.) Buy Paint Samples
Purchase samples of the colors you’re considering and paint or stick swatches on your wall. Observe how these colors interact with your kitchen’s lighting and décor throughout the day to ensure they will work well in the space.
How to Choose the Best Accent Color for Your Kitchen
Choosing the perfect accent color for your kitchen can feel like a bit of a maze, right? With so many options out there, it’s totally normal to feel a little lost on where to start. But don’t worry! There’s a super simple way to tackle this that hinges on just three key things: lighting, existing décor, and personal preference. These three factors will help you narrow down your choices and make picking the right kitchen color scheme accent a whole heck of a lot easier.
1.) Considering Kitchen Lighting
Lighting is the biggest game-changer when it comes to how any paint color looks, especially that fabulous kitchen paint color you’ve been dreaming about. So it’s SUPER important that before you dive into picking any accent colors, you need to take a moment to think about and consider the lighting that you already have in your kitchen.
Think about it this way:
Have you ever put on a pair of socks only to realize later, under different lighting, that they’re actually two totally different colors? Oh, the joys of something called illuminant metamerism! It’s a quirky little phenomenon that basically means colors can look completely different depending on the lighting that they’re in.
So how do you work with your kitchen’s lighting to choose the perfect accent color? Here are 2 things to consider.
Natural Lighting
When natural light streams in through your kitchen windows it can showcase your kitchen color scheme in their truest form—both the good and the not-so-great? That’s why the colors on your kitchen walls can look totally different from how they appeared under those fluorescent bulbs at the paint store.
It all comes down to the “temperature” of the daylight coming in. And just to clarify, this “temperature” isn’t about how hot the light is; it actually refers to the color/tone of the light that’s coming in.
So, when you’re picking out paint colors, don’t forget to think about the size and number of windows you have, and where they’re facing.
Do you have ceiling lights? Maybe a big dining room window or a huge sliding door? All these light sources can really change how a paint color looks in your kitchen. Natural light changes temperature at different times of the day. When the sun is higher in the sky, around noon, the light will be more white/bluish. But when the sun is lower in the sky, the evening time, the light will be more warm orange-ish/yellow.
So be sure to understand how your accent color will look at different times of the day.
Artificial Lighting
When light comes from a bulb instead of good ol’ sunlight, it can really change things up! First off, getting familiar with some light bulb lingo is super helpful. We touched on color temperature earlier, and just to dive a bit deeper (let’s keep it casual), it’s measured in Kelvins. This number gives us information about the tone of a color.
Household bulbs usually range from about 2,700K to 5,000K. K meaning Kelvins btw. Now, those lower temps (think 2,700K to 3,000K) give off those cozy, warm vibes you know and love from classic incandescent bulbs. You’ll find these in fancy restaurants or movie theaters, perfect for setting the mood!
On the flip side, higher temp bulbs have cooler light tones. White/bluish. A 5,000K bulb, That’s pretty much like having natural daylight in your home! So, keep this in mind when you’re picking out your best kitchen paint colors!
Check the color temperature of your bulbs to see how they might play with your kitchen accent colors. Bulbs with higher color temperatures can make dark colors pop and look brighter, while lighter colors might get a bit washed out. But don’t worry! If you stick with bulbs in that cozy medium kelvin range, your paint colors will show closer to their true selves.
Pro Tip: Use What You Know About Lighting and Buy Color Samples
Now that you have a better understanding of how lighting transforms a paint color, the next crucial step is to utilize color samples effectively. Color samples are your best friends when it comes to visualizing how that perfect accent color will really look in your kitchen!
So, get some samples—ideally the actual paint with the paint colors or a nice big swatch—and start placing them on your wall. Take your time with this; it’s important to see how they look with your kitchen’s lighting at different times of the day and night, especially under your kitchen’s artificial lights. The goal is to see how the accent colors come to life, or not, in your space!
Keep In Mind
A kitchen color scheme might look super appealing all on its own as swatches or on social media, but once you throw it in with your kitchen’s current décor or under your specific kitchen lighting, it can really change, – sometimes in a big way. So keep that in mind when making your color choices!
2.) Consider Your Existing Kitchen Décor
So, when you’re picking an accent color for your kitchen, it’s super important to choose one that fits nicely with your existing décor. After all, your kitchen is a mix of different design elements like hardwood floors, cabinet colors, countertops, and all those cute decorative pieces. They all come together to create the “look” or “feel” of your kitchen, and getting that accent color just right can really level up your kitchen’s aesthetic.
When you think about these features, you’ll get some great ideas on which accent colors will really pop or create a nice contrast, making your kitchen look even better instead of clashing. For example: a bright accent can really jazz up a kitchen that already has a neutral kitchen color scheme, while a neutral accent color can add that extra little POP to a kitchen that already has a more minimalist, muted color scheme.
Before you make that final call, take a sec to see how your chosen kitchen paint colors work with your current décor.
Pro Tip: Let Your Kitchen Lead the Way
When you think that you have the perfect kitchen color ideas, it’s super important to keep in mind that your current lighting and kitchen décor should really influence your choice. That’s because sometimes the color you had your heart set on might not work well with your kitchen.
It can be a bit of a downer, but it’s super important to keep this in mind. Just let your kitchen lead the way for the perfect choice, and you’ll end up with a kitchen accent color that feels just right. It might be tough to let go of that initial kitchen color scheme that you love, but with an open mind and a little willingness to adapt, you’ll find a color that really matches your kitchen’s personality.
Choose Between Trendy and Timeless Colors
When selecting an accent color for your kitchen, it’s also pretty important to consider whether you want to follow current trends or go with a color that has stood the test of time. A trendy kitchen color scheme can bring a fresh and modern feel to your kitchen, but they may require updates in the future as styles evolve.
If you’re someone who loves to embrace new looks and stay in tune with design trends, going for a fashionable color can really refresh your kitchen and keep it feeling modern.
However, if you’re leaning toward more subtle, laid-back colors, sticking with timeless neutral color schemes can really keep things looking good for years to come. These types of colors are like the reliable friends of the design world—they always fit in and manage to stay charming, no matter what the latest trends are.
At the end of the day, whether you go for the trendy colors or the timeless colors it really depends on your personal style and how much you’re up for switching up your kitchen’s look as time goes on.
Future-Proofing Your Kitchen Colors
If you’re someone who likes to tackle home projects in one go and be done with it, picking a color scheme that’s future-proof is definitely the way to go. Choosing timeless, versatile color schemes can save you from the hassle of repainting or re-decorating more often than you’d want. A smart color palette can easily adapt to those ever-changing trends, letting your kitchen stay stylish without needing a constant refresh.
Why choose future proof colors?
When it comes to future-proofing your kitchen color scheme to stand the test of time, neutral colors are where it’s at—seriously, it’s all about those neutrals, neutrals, neutrals!! But let’s address the elephant in the room: neutral colors can sometimes feel a bit blah or lacking in flair. The truth is, though, neutrals really know how to shine with their versatility and staying power.
Unlike those bold or trendy colors that can fade out of style faster than you can say “remodel,” colors like whites, grays, beiges, and taupes create a timeless feel that just blends effortlessly with everything. So, if you want a kitchen accent color that feels fresh and inviting for years to come, neutrals are definitely your best friends.
There’s something special about the understated elegance of neutral color schemes. They really let you play around with all sorts of accent colors and decor styles without worrying about things clashing. This flexibility means your kitchen can stay stylish even as trends change, making it super easy to refresh the space with new accessories or accent pieces whenever you feel like it.
Basically, going with neutrals doesn’t mean you have to give up on style. In fact, it’s a smart move to create a chic, timeless look that won’t feel outdated in just a few years.
What are neutral colors?
So, what’s the deal with neutral colors? They’re like the ultimate team players in the paint world! Neutral paint colors are super versatile, acting as a solid base for all your interior design ideas. They make it super easy to mix and match with other colors and styles.
Traditionally, neutral colors are colors like shades like gray, beige, taupe, white, and off-white. These colors blend seamlessly with all kinds of furnishings and decor styles, making your space feel cozy and coordinated.
Color Families: Neutral color schemes can span various families, including:
Grays:
Can come with cool or warm undertones, giving you lots of options to play with.
Beiges and Taupes:
Are often warm and add that cozy vibe we all love.
Whites:
Are fantastic for brightening things up—pure whites and off-whites can really make a room pop and show off those beautiful architectural features.
Greiges:
Offer a modern, sophisticated backdrop that just feels right.
Final Thoughts
We really hope this blog post has helped you find the perfect kitchen accent color. With the tips and checklist we’ve shared, you’ll feel way more confident when making your choice. Just remember, the goal is to create a kitchen that feels right for you, and this whole process should be a fun adventure.
Take your time to explore different options and picture how each color will enhance your kitchen. We’d love to see your creative choices! Share your chosen kitchen color(s) and experiences on social media and inspire others in their own design journeys.
