If your kitchen feels lackluster and you’re not ready for a major renovation, a simple update like painting your cabinets can breathe new life into the space. Forget the dilemma of choosing between classic white or trendy colors—ELLE DECOR A-List designers recommend the timeless and versatile choice of blue. Unlike fleeting trends, blue has earned its status as a kitchen cabinet color favorite and offers a range of tints and shades that can be tailored to your personal style.
The enduring appeal of blue transcends passing fads, making it a reliable choice for transforming your kitchen. In fact, several paint companies, including industry leaders Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore, have selected various shades of blue as their 2024 Color of the Year. Beyond its aesthetic charm, blue has the added benefit of acting as an appetite suppressant, making it a practical choice for kitchen spaces.
Sam Sacks, a Toronto-based designer, notes that the cooler undertones of blue provide an ideal complement to the various metals present in a kitchen, from pots and pans to appliances. Whether paired with brass, copper, or stainless steel, blue seamlessly integrates with a variety of materials, adding to its timeless appeal.
Jessica Davis, founder of Atelier Davis, emphasizes that blue can function as a neutral, akin to a pair of jeans. In a recent project involving the restoration of a classic Joseph Eichler house in California, Farrow & Ball’s steely Hague Blue was chosen for the kitchen, showcasing the versatility of this color.
Before selecting a blue hue for your kitchen cabinets, consider the unique lighting conditions of your space. Whether opting for a subtle periwinkle or a vibrant Yves Klein–inspired blue, align the choice with your home’s architecture and kitchen style. Sacks advises that traditional seaside homes pair well with robin’s egg blue, while modern environments can make a striking statement with electric blue flat-front cabinetry.
For a cohesive look, extend the blue theme to other kitchen elements. Davis suggests incorporating blue into surfaces such as terrazzo flooring or marble countertops. To balance the coolness of blue, contrast it with warmer colors, such as a yellow oven or the richness of walnut. Explore the following 30 bold blue kitchen ideas for inspiration that strikes like a bolt from the blue.
- HIGH-SHINE BLUE ELLE DECOR
readers adore the high-gloss galley kitchen in the California home of design insiders Joe Lucas and David Heikka. The cheerful blue paint job transformed the space from its previous all-white cabinets. According to Lucas, who follows the golden rule of avoiding an all-white kitchen, the cabinets were immediately painted to bring vibrancy to the kitchen. - ELECTRIC BLUE UPPER AND LOWER CABINETS
In this Toronto home with tall ceilings and historic details, designer Sam Sacks aimed to create a livable and cool environment. Yves Klein Blue upper and lower kitchen cabinets stand out against a white exposed-brick wall, adding an electrifying touch. Black countertops and bare plywood cabinet doors provide a hint of De Stijl flair to the design. - FRENCH SEASIDE BLUE KITCHEN
Designer Jean-Louis Deniot infused the whimsy of Tintin into his vacation home off the coast of France. The kitchen features custom blue cabinets with cream trim to highlight the windows and an old-timey checkerboard floor, adding charm to the space. - PRIMARY BLUE
Landscape designer Jenny Graham, despite favoring orange, opted for a bold custom cobalt on the kitchen cabinets in her minimal Argentinian kitchen. The primary blue cabinets create a striking contrast with her beloved tangerine. - GRAY-BLUE
In this kitchen designed by Thom Filicia in a Connecticut house, a gray-tinged blue behaves as a lovely neutral in a more traditional decor scheme. The cabinets are painted in Benjamin Moore’s Brewster Grey, and nickel hardware accentuates the cool palette. - PALE BLUE EVERYTHING
Designer Emily Todhunter chose a pale blue for the entire kitchen in this light-filled Manhattan home, painted in Benjamin Moore’s Van Courtland Blue. The choice reflects Todhunter’s aim to create a space that feels “nearer to the sky” in this sky-high residence. - BLUE ISLAND
In the California home redesigned by Jessica Davis and architect Gustave Carlson, originally by Joseph Eichler in the 1970s, a vibrant blue island steals the spotlight in the kitchen. The island, along with the surrounding blue cabinets, injects a playful burst of color into the space. The walnut slab countertop adds warmth to the overall design. - DEEP BLUE-GREEN
Perifio, a budding design firm, decided to combine blue and green tones in their own kitchen cabinets. The deep teal shade from C2 Paint draws inspiration from both blue and green, creating a unique and rich color palette that complements the green surroundings of the Hudson Valley. - BLUE WITH INDUSTRIAL ACCENTS
Architect Blaze Makoid and interior designer Joe Nahem collaborated on a sleek vacation home where blue cabinets are paired with industrial accents. The steel blue floor cabinets with a terrazzo counter harmonize with dark wood cabinets featuring a steel counter. The combination of materials and colors adds depth and character to the kitchen. - CLASSIC DUCK EGG
Designer Zoe Feldman chose Farrow & Ball’s Card Room Green, a classic duck-egg blue shade inspired by Victorian homes, for the cabinetry in a Washington, D.C., residence. The elegant choice of color contributes to a timeless and sophisticated kitchen design. - SPLASHES OF AZURE
In this Portuguese cooking space designed by Jacques Grange, blue is introduced in smaller doses. Rather than having entirely blue cabinets, Grange opted for splashes of azure on the outer edges, creating a lively and dynamic kitchen with a touch of the Mediterranean. - SKY BLUE IN THE SKY
Designed by Richard Mishaan in Herzog & de Meuron’s 56 Leonard skyscraper in New York City, this apartment features floor-to-ceiling blue cabinetry in a sky-blue shade. The color choice reflects the blue of the sky and the Hudson River visible from the apartment, creating a harmonious connection with the surrounding environment. - A WHISPER OF BLUE
Designer Alison Palevsky chose a pale blue with gray undertones for this kitchen, creating a whisper of blue that complements stainless steel appliances. The subtle color choice contrasts with the Viking stove and hanging pot rack in this California home, offering a serene and sophisticated atmosphere. - TRUE BLUE CABINETS
While not a traditional kitchen, this bar area in a Hamptons home designed by Poonam Khanna showcases vibrant floor-to-ceiling blue cabinets in Philipsburg Blue by Benjamin Moore. The Crayola brightness of the cabinets is enhanced by a set of sunny yellow chairs, creating a lively and playful space. - BRIGHT AND LIGHT CABINETS
Designer Daun Curry chose a faint sky blue for the cabinets in this Hamptons kitchen, deviating from an all-white palette. Paired with soft, pale gray marble for the island and backsplashes, the kitchen feels fresh and airy, demonstrating that color can be introduced without sacrificing brightness. - THE DEEPEST, GLOSSIEST BLUE
In this galley kitchen designed by David Netto, navy high-gloss cabinets take center stage. The deep, glossy blue is complemented by a poppy orange tile, creating a kitchen that exudes drama and sophistication. - BLUE PAINT, BLACK TILE
A Canadian lake house features a kitchen painted in Benjamin Moore’s Van Deusen Blue. The dark blue paint serves as a rich backdrop for the black Saltillo Tile backsplash and Caesarstone countertops in London Grey. The combination creates a striking and timeless aesthetic. - BLUE VINTAGE RANGE KITCHEN
Designer Brian J. McCarthy’s New York City apartment showcases an all-white kitchen with blue elements, including a La Cornue stove and hood. The wide swaths of pale blue stripes on the floor add a vintage touch to the kitchen, creating a charming and eclectic space.
