Timeless Paint Colors HGTV Stars Love Using In Kitchens

Kitchens are usually the most expensive room in the home to renovate, so it's important to choose a color scheme that will stand the test of time. Neutral shades are the obvious choice because these will be slower to fall out of fashion, but more dramatic shades can also work well when used in the right way. Whether you're looking for a color to update your kitchen walls, a unique shade for trim, or a new tone for cabinetry, the stars of HGTV have plenty of paint colors they recommend for a timeless appeal in the heart of the home.

Here we explore the top paint colors from the stars of HGTV, including cheerful yellow, refreshing gray, and stark white. Take inspiration from Vern Yip, who painted bold black and white stripes on the walls of his kitchen, or take a more relaxing route and follow in Hilary Farr's footsteps with a soothing blue cooking space. Luckily, these seasoned design stars have lots of great paint color ideas to create the kitchen vibe you're striving for.

HGTV interior designer Vern Yip is no stranger to bold colors and dramatic designs. He went with a stunning striped motif in his Atlanta home, creating chunky black and white contrasting horizontal stripes on the walls with paint. He used prints and patterns to play off the stripes, like a zebra-print tablecloth and a black-and-white striped light fixture. Speaking via HGTV.com, Yip says, "I don't think you'll see another kitchen like it." Yip also made the unusual decision to paint his kitchen ceiling in a pale blue shade. Writing on his Instagram, he explains, "For me, black and white never goes out of style. And a pale blue ceiling always helps to visually beat the summertime heat!"

A starkly contrasting black and white color scheme is a classic that can work in many styles of kitchens. If you want to tone down the look, balance the bold hues with less intense colors. You can take a cue from Yip, and paint the ceiling a pretty hue like Dolphin's Cove by Benjamin Moore. Or, sprinkle in accents in pastel shades like KitchenAid's Stand Mixer in Matte Dried Rose or Pistachio to add a bit of softness to the space.

Orlando Soria, the host of HGTV's "Build Me Up," knows how much impact the right paint color can have on a space. In his own kitchen, Soria opted for pale gray walls and white cabinetry to achieve a fresh feel. The cool and bright tones ensure the room feels light and airy, while the wooden accents create warmth for a balanced look. In an Instagram post, Soria comments, "My LA kitchen brings me so much joy. And it's a testament to the power of paint. Adding the soft-hued wall color and a painted crown molding really made it feel like a different room." Soria confirms the wall paint color he used was Chill by Clare, which features green undertones for a calming energy.

Gray is a popular paint color for kitchens, but with so many variants of gray available, it can be easy to get it wrong. In fact, painting your kitchen gray may be a huge mistake if you're not confident in choosing paint shades. Dark gray on kitchen walls can make the space feel drab, especially if your space lacks natural light, and pale gray can look washed out if it doesn't have the right undertones. Opt for a light gray with blue or green undertones for a fresh and airy feel, or choose gray paint with beige undertones for a warmer result.

Yellow might not be the first color that comes to mind when you think of stylish kitchens, but Jenny Marrs from HGTV's "Fixer to Fabulous" swears by this sunny shade for the heart of the home, especially if you want to create country vibes. In a cottage project, Marrs painted the wall paneling in a buttery yellow color to match the kitchen cabinetry and achieve a quaint English style. In Season 5, Episode 1 of "Fixer to Fabulous" on HGTV, Marrs explains, "In the kitchen, I want to have more of like a bright, cheery, happy, cottage kitchen with yellow. But, yellow is very tough because yellow can be a little bit bright and childish. But, I knew from the very beginning I wanted to do a yellow kitchen because it feels very countryside, and yellow is back."

HGTV's Jenny Marrs says this cheerful paint color is making a major comeback, but she admits that finding the right shade is essential. She explains in her blog, "The yellow paint for the kitchen had to be just right; I tried several shades before landing on the one that worked." Take inspiration from Marrs and don't be afraid to try multiple paint colors to find the one that feels perfect. Dayroom Yellow by Farrow and Ball is a creamy yet subtle shade of yellow that would be beautiful on kitchen wall paneling in a traditional home. Or, try Stuart Gold by Benjamin Moore for a modern take on yellow that will lend itself to a sophisticated kitchen.

Blue is the timeless paint color HGTV's Hilary Farr swears by for a welcoming kitchen. In her own home, Farr opted for deep indigo blue kitchen cabinets. She explains in an episode of "Tough Love with Hilary Farr" via Realtor, "I adore blue in a kitchen. It's very chic, it's very French. It is very calming. I just think it's forever and ever and ever. It's classic." In Farr's kitchen, she paired her blue cabinetry with white and gray marble countertops and walls, enabling the indigo paint to take center stage and really make a visual impact. She used gold accessories and wooden accents which added warmth to the cool color scheme, resulting in a comfortable and welcoming cooking space.

Painting cabinets is a relatively cheap and easy way to give your kitchen a refresh, especially if you don't want to invest in a whole kitchen remodel. Choose a calming blue shade like Farr, such as Loyal Blue by Sherwin-Williams or Stone Blue by Farrow and Ball. Be sure to properly prep your kitchen cabinets before painting to ensure a professional and flawless finish. You'll need an assortment of different sandpaper grit levels to create a smooth, workable surface, so a multipack like 3M Aluminum Oxide Sandpaper in Assorted Grits is helpful.

Jasmine Roth is a fan of neutral off-white paint in the kitchen, using it on walls to achieve a laid-back, casual, coastal vibe that won't go out of style. She explains via her blog, "As seen in Season 3, Episode 3 of 'Help! I Wrecked My House,' I incorporated Behr Silky White throughout the living room and kitchen walls. This off-white color helped keep the space bright and beachy while still being warm and welcoming." This particular paint color used by Roth has neutral greige undertones that help to ensure the space doesn't come off as cold or unwelcoming while still retaining a modern feel. Off-white walls can work in any kitchen for a room that feels bright and clean.

Using paint swatches is essential to help you pick the right white paint for your space. Apply test swatches to your kitchen walls and observe how the colors look at different times of day, as the level of natural light will impact how the shades are perceived. In a room with plenty of natural light, you have the freedom to use white paints with a cool undertone, such as White Ice by Benjamin Moore. In kitchens that have north-facing windows, white paint with warm or neutral undertones can help to make the space feel cozy and comfortable. Consider Pointing by Farrow and Ball, which has a red base.

Jenny Marrs spoke to Delish about her favorite kitchen paint color, confirming her top choice as Farrow & Ball's Drop Cloth. Marrs has used the shade as a cabinetry color for multiple "Fixer to Fabulous" projects. She explains, "It's just a very neutral, beautiful, soft color that really is nice for kitchens." This beige shade benefits from gray undertones, ensuring it doesn't look yellowy or feel dated. The presence of gray in beige paints adds a cool energy and creates a more modern look, so if you're on the hunt for a beige paint, take note of the undertones. The colors you use alongside beige will also help to determine how it appears. To play off the warm tones in beige, use warm-colored metal accessories such as Aimadi's Brushed Gold Kitchen Faucet or brass hardware on cabinets.

Marrs' favorite paint shade is incredibly versatile. Use it on kitchen walls, to transform cabinetry, or apply it to trim for a contemporary take on traditional white woodwork. To achieve a classic country style, pair it with white in a kitchen. For example, use beige paint on the walls and opt for white cabinets or a white tile backsplash. You can also use beige paint to achieve a dramatic style. Pair beige walls with a black granite countertop or charcoal cabinetry to make it feel more modern.

The simple and classic appeal of white is one of the many reasons why white kitchens will always be in style, and Christina Hall from HGTV's "Christina on the Coast" agrees. She uses white paint on kitchen walls as a clean and neutral background, allowing her to make more interesting decisions for the other design elements in the space, such as colorful cabinetry and flooring. She comments via Instagram, "Love how the warm tones of this flooring worked with the Extra White (HGSW7006) walls of the kitchen!" Opting for warm finishes like hardwood flooring or a wooden countertop helps a white kitchen feel bright and airy without seeming clinical. Hall chose pale blue paint for the kitchen base cabinets to bring a beachy vibe to the space.

Colored kitchen cabinets are all the rage, bringing personality and life into the kitchen. But, it can be tricky to find a wall color to use alongside painted cabinetry that won't feel overwhelming. White paint represents an easy option that can work well with kitchen cabinets in any shade, from dusky blue to emerald green or sunny yellow. A true white will be your safest bet if you aren't confident matching undertones. Try Super White by Benjamin Moore, and be sure to keep a tester pot handy to quickly touch up any scuffs, since white walls will show stains or marks easily.

Erin Napier from HGTV's "Home Town" decorated her kitchen in a creamy golden paint shade to emulate the style of traditional English country houses. The color inspiration Napier drew from Downton Abbey's charming kitchen resulted in the designer painting her cabinets, walls, and trim in Netsuke by Sherwin-Williams. She explains via Instagram, " I was so inspired by Ms. Patmore's kitchen...and tried to match that buttery worn golden cream color of the cabinets." This creamy color is in the yellow family but has distinct beige tones that helped Napier achieve the worn look she was going for.

Napier's decision to use one paint color for walls, trim, and cabinetry is fairly unusual since most people tend to opt for contrasting shades to make different elements pop. However, this method, known as color-drenching, is a painting trend that can boost the tranquility of your room. By keeping multiple elements the same color, you will feel enveloped by that shade, which promotes feelings of comfort, calm, and safety. Color-drench your kitchen in creamy gold, like Napier, for a cooking space that feels warm, welcoming, and wholesome.