The Kitchen Trend That's Adding A Playful Pop Of Color Where You'd Least Expect It

There are a lot of good reasons to use muted colors in your kitchen. Neutrals are the kitchen colors that agents say home buyers are looking for, and some believe that painting your kitchen walls dark charcoal gray will result in a higher return on investment. Basic kitchen materials like classic subway tiles or butcher block countertops are often less expensive and more accessible than colorful options like Zellige tiles or granite. But as design trends move toward eclectic maximalism, you may find yourself feeling a little bored whipping up meals in a basic kitchen. Fortunately, you don't need to look further than your food pantry to spice things up, since it's the perfect place to add a playful pop of color where you might least expect it.

Kitchen cabinets are a popular spot where homeowners can experiment with a little color, but painting your kitchen cabinets can be very time-consuming. Because color trends and personal preferences can change often, choosing the wrong finish for your cabinets can quickly make your kitchen look dated. Adding a pop of color by installing an expensive new backsplash or flooring can be even more costly to change a few years down the road. Instead, whether you have a freestanding storage cabinet, a small reach-in pantry, a large walk-in, or a butler's pantry, it's easy and inexpensive to use a little paint or wallpaper in these spaces to get an eye-catching look in your kitchen that's on-trend for 2025.

Whether you decide to color drench your entire pantry or just paint the doors a brighter hue, there are a few things to keep in mind before getting started. First, consider the overall color palette of your kitchen, from existing wall shade and appliance colors to the undertones in your countertop material and flooring. In a crisp white kitchen, a pastel rose will work just as well as a hot pink or deep magenta. If your kitchen cabinets are a warm wood tone, you may want to choose a rich paint color that has a similar warmth, like Benjamin Moore's 2025 Color of the Year, "Cinnamon Slate." For a bolder look, try hanging wallpaper inside your pantry instead of using paint. Keep it hidden behind black doors to make the reveal truly special. In a dark or cooler kitchen, opt for a higher saturation color, like a sunny yellow, to create a fun moment of contrast.

If you decide to create a pop of color but your pantry doesn't have any natural light, pick a paint shade with a higher light reflectance value. You should also choose a higher gloss level instead of opting for a matte finish. This will bounce ambient light around and brighten the overall look. Storing your food in clear glass jars instead of opaque boxes is another way you can keep your pantry organized while ensuring light can reflect around the space.