8 Ways to Add More Color to a Kitchen Without Having to Pick Up a Paint Brush
If you’re all about color, moving into a home with a neutral or just blah-looking kitchen can be one big shrug emoji. However, there are tons of ways to add a bit of pep to your cooking space without doing a total overhaul. Below, check out some inspiring tips.
Purchase colorful appliances and kitchenware
Make utilitarian items like a toaster, pots, and pans a bit more fun by opting for happy shades. Introduce another touch of cheer with colorful plates and glassware. This is also an easy solution for a rental because nothing is attached to the wall or too difficult to transport down the line.
Apply temporary wallpaper to your backsplash
The homeowners in this Seattle space adhered dotted wallpaper to their kitchen to cover up some no-good ’90s wallpaper, and we’re totally digging the spunk. Books, photos, and abstract art further increase the personality level in this nook.
Or make a major wallpaper splash
Covering an entire wall with a bold print will definitely and completely transform a plain kitchen—just look at this banana leaf prettiness in the Brooklyn home shown above. Choose a print that will bring you joy and make you want to spend more time in your space. If our kitchen looked anything like this one, we’re pretty sure we’d never leave!
Go green with plants
Plants and flowers are one of the easiest, most swappable ways to add a little bit of color to a kitchen. This area in an otherwise super maximalist Austin, Texas, home is serene and welcoming, with pops of green that give literal life to the space.
Design a DIY gallery wall
No need to purchase anything fancy—simply hang up favorite magazine clippings, recipes, postcards from friends, you name it, and arrange everything in an artful pattern, as seen in this Bronx rental. Stacks of colorful cookbooks are extra fun!
Install funky tiles
For a bigger and more permanent change besides painting, go for tiles. Even if the kitchen in this Australian home didn’t have bright green cabinets, the colorful backsplash would certainly stand out. We love that it creates plenty of pizzazz without making the area look too busy. That’s key, because you’ll want to be able to display items on your countertops or make use of open shelving without things looking chaotic.
Roll down a rug
A gorgeous red rug provides a ton of character in the kitchen of this California home. Long, chic options like the one shown command attention in a space, pulling eyes away from all of the white.
Introduce interesting fixtures
Little objects can still make a big impact—as is the case with the light fixture and wall clock featured in this Australian home. Whether you pick up something cool on your travels or stumble upon a treasure in a local antique store, consider how it could be worked into your kitchen.