Winter is all about hunkering down and spending time at home, and while this chilly season can be perfectly cozy and relaxing, it can also be a difficult time to get inspired due to the dreary weather and generally slower feel.
If you’re looking to revamp your kitchen in order to feel more creative during the season ahead—and beyond—look no further than the six designer-approved kitchen paint colors below. There’s something for everyone, whether your aesthetic leans neutral, bold, or somewhere in between.
Crisp Winter White
If you’re someone who is partial to the concept of a bright white kitchen, then we have great news—crisp winter white can be a wonderful pick that will leave you feeling inspired all year long.
“While white isn’t the boldest paint choice, it can actually be quite energizing in winter,” says Margie Kaercher, the founder of Hearth & Honey Homes. “It reflects every bit of available light and gives the kitchen a gallery-like backdrop for colorful decor and tableware.”
Nureed Saeed, the founder of NU Interiors, shares similar feelings about the color white, citing it as a “like having a blank canvas to work with.” She says, “The possibilities and creativity are endless with the combinations.”
Pine Green
A rich pine green is another great kitchen paint color that Kaercher notes will help to boost your creativity.
This shade, she says, “brings the invigorating energy of evergreen forests indoors, keeping the kitchen feeling lively and creative even during the grayest winter days.”
Pine green looks gorgeous when paired alongside classic kitchen shades including wood and brass.
Chocolate Brown
There’s no reason to be afraid of bringing a luxe brown into the kitchen. Kaercher recommends trying a deep chocolate, which she says will “make the space feel cozy and inviting while energizing it with a grounded, sophisticated presence.” It’s also a great way to bring in a touch of nature.
Black
If you’re looking to take things a step further, why not try a deep black?
“Black evokes luxurious feelings, depth of thoughts, as well as power and confidence,” Saeed says. “Those depth of thoughts really bring forth inspiration and trusting your creative process happens when you are confident.”
Of course, black is best used in a kitchen that receives ample natural light so that your cooking space doesn’t feel too cave-like or closed off.
Yellow
Sunny and sweet, yellow makes for a fantastic kitchen paint color choice for a range of reasons, according to Christine Costa-Zippert, the founder of Christine Costa Interiors.
“Yellow represents optimism and is associated with sunshine, positive energy,” she says. “When the weather is gloomy, I think it helps you feel lighter and psychologically helps make you more open to ideas.”
But yellow offers other benefits, Saeed explains.
“Yellow and gold are known to boost happiness and joy but also help with mental concentration and the stimulation of ideas,” she says.
Pink
For a touch of the unexpected, try pink in the kitchen. By no means is the color solely for little girls’ rooms or feminine closets. Costa-Zippert likes bringing it into a cooking space because she sees it as an instant mood booster.
“Pink creates this beautiful glow on everyone,” she says. “When you’re down, it’s hard to feel open to new ideas or starting a new project, but when you feel good about yourself and grounded, creativity comes more easily.”
Whether you choose a lighter pink or something bright and bold is entirely up to you.