A kitchen island is ubiquitous in most modern kitchens, and often, it gets the same color treatment as the rest of the space. But the kitchen island is a great place to add color to your kitchen color scheme. Whether you paint it to match the cabinets or choose a contrasting shade, the right kitchen island color can bring interest and depth to your kitchen’s overall design.
When selecting a kitchen island color, think about colors that will complement the rest of your kitchen, and keep in mind that a darker kitchen island can help your space feel more grounded. This collection features kitchen island color ideas for modern and traditional kitchens alike, so you can find the right inspiration for your space.
Soothing Kitchen Island Colors
John Granen
This island and cabinet color combination look as if they were plucked from the same family of soothing beach tones. Since they are both gray-ish mid-tone colors, the look is more harmonious than contrasting, perfect for the easy vibes of a beach house.
Navy Kitchen Island Color
Dane Tashima
This dark, tone-on-tone kitchen color scheme has a seriousness and sophistication. Pairing a navy blue kitchen island with black cabinets offers a subtle variation that adds depth and luxury to the kitchen.
Matching Island and Cabinet Color
Jay Wilde
If your style is transitional or minimalist, consider matching your island to your cabinets. This neutral look complements both of these design styles, and allows you to play more with material and texture variations.
Blue and White Kitchen Island Colors
Jay Wilde
This spin on a classic blue and white kitchen uses a warm-toned blue on the cabinets and the island paired with gold and brass accents dotting the top half of the kitchen. The inviting color combination is both classic and inviting. Brass hardware on the cabinets brings the metal accents to the lower half of the kitchen.
Neutral Island Color Ideas
Anchoring the heart of this open kitchen, the stone-color island, although muted, stands out against the white walls and perimeter cabinets. The island’s warm gray paint color is finished with a black glaze that adds timeworn texture. Industrial elements like metal stools, lantern pendant fixtures, and open shelving mingle with the room’s traditional design.
Dark Blue Kitchen Island
A dark blue island adds a note of drama to this farmhouse kitchen, where it offers contrast to the white upper cabinets and subway tile backsplash. The deep blue paint color repeats on a tall pantry cabinet to balance the look, while wood and leather accents introduce warmth and texture.
Modern Kitchen Island Colors
A vibrant purple island lends drama to this modern kitchen design. The island’s high-gloss paint finish and gold accents reflect light to brighten the room. On the range wall, open shelves provide pretty display space against a wallpapered backsplash.
Green Kitchen Island Color
Ann VanderWiel Wilde
Paired with a live edge wood countertop, this green kitchen island nods to the nature that’s just outside the kitchen door. The yellow-based green color on the island complements the warm wood tones of the countertop and floor and generally softens the look of this otherwise all-white kitchen.
Tiled Kitchen Island Colors
Meghan Beierle-O’Brien
In this sophisticated but practical kitchen, gray-blue subway tile is a timeless addition to the kitchen island that brings in color as well as texture. Using tile as an island base will help protect it from scuffs and scratches, especially in a seating area.
Island Focal Point
With its custom woodwork and butcher-block top, this green-blue kitchen island provides an eye-catching focal point. Other than a few other pops of color, the rest of the kitchen is white, allowing the island to take center stage. For seating, a set of thrifted stools received a fresh coat of yellow enamel paint. Rubber protectors on each leg prevent scratches on the wood flooring.
Gray Kitchen Ideas
Combined with white subway tile and barely-there gray cabinetry, this charcoal gray island provides a bold accent. A butcher-block countertop further sets it apart from marble-topped perimeter cabinets. Continuing the palette of grays, stainless-steel appliances and polished metal accessories add an industrial look.
Contrasting Island Color
For a no-fail kitchen island color idea, use contrasting shades within the same color family. In this kitchen, the island, the cabinetry, and decor all sport shades of gray. The softer color on the island countertop visually lightens the look and ensures the large island doesn’t feel too heavy.
Jewel-Tone Kitchen
White perimeter cabinets and countertops set a clean stage for an emerald green island in this kitchen. Open shelving on one end of the island offers plenty of space for bright cookbooks and large display items. Sapphire blue wallpaper with pretty florals adds another layer of jewel tones, creating a color scheme that’s rich yet playful.
Contrasting Countertop and Kitchen Island Colors
Nathan Schroder
One way to differentiate the island from the rest of the kitchen is to use a different countertop on the island. This can be an opportunity to splurge on a flashier stone, or to save by opting for a practical worktop like butcher block. This butcher block countertop breaks up the all-blue kitchen and adds warmth.
Black and White Kitchen Island Colors
Brie Williams
A black and white kitchen is a classic kitchen color scheme. Painting the island black and the rest of the cabinets white is an easy way to decide which color should go where. The black kitchen island complements the veining in the marble and the beams on the ceiling.
Cool Kitchen Color Scheme
Lisa Romerein
A sage green kitchen island works together with the matching cabinets to perfectly complement the gray-blue tile backsplash in this modern kitchen. Copper and wood accents provide a warm contrast to the cool color palette.
Choosing Hardware for Kitchen Islands
WERNER STRAUBE
When choosing your kitchen island color, hardware for the cabinets and drawers will also factor into your decision. Unlaquered brass knobs and pulls pop off this rich black kitchen island, and the warm tone is picked up again in the veining of the stone worktop.
Complementary Kitchen Island Colors
A complementary color scheme of blue and orange creates a lively atmosphere in this sunny kitchen. White cabinetry and a gray tile backsplash allow the soft blue kitchen island to shine. At the same time, bright orange accessories provide vibrant contrast. Try this look in your home to bring a sense of summer into the kitchen year-round.
Use the Kitchen Island to Display Decor
Stacy Zarin Goldberg
You might choose a kitchen island color based on what you plan to display on the island. This deep navy island provides a perfect backdrop for the bright cookware and cookbooks stored on the shelves.
Mixing Finishes in the Kitchen
Werner Straube
This island plays with different materials, with a wooden worktop on one end that complements the reclaimed beams above. Clear barstools allow passersby to better see the blue kitchen island color, which matches the rest of the cabinetry.
French Country Kitchen Island Colors
Jason Donnelly
A hefty, French Country-style kitchen island takes center stage in this large kitchen. The bright blue stands out against the neutrals in the rest of the space, and the distressed wood look enhances the rustic kitchen theme.
Kitchen Island Color Scheme
Blue and white is a classic color scheme, but a cobalt blue kitchen island puts a fresh twist on this well-established look. This kitchen island, outfitted with deep drawers and polished brass hardware, is pretty and practical. Framed artwork and bright accessories tie the color scheme together.
Mint Green Kitchen Island
A mint green island brings a cheery disposition to this kitchen. The colorful island paint color provides a bright spot amid sleek stainless-steel appliances and natural wood cabinetry. Remove all doors and shelves before sanding, priming, and painting the cabinet base for a DIY island paint job.
Red Kitchen Island Design
In this kitchen, the red island is the obvious star. It stands in dramatic contrast to the white cabinets and darkly stained wood floors. Recessed-panel drawer fronts and polished nickel hardware connect the island with the rest of the cabinetry for a cohesive look.
Bright Kitchen Island Colors
Citrus-inspired hues are bold, sassy, and full of energy. Try it as an accent if you love blazing orange but can’t commit your entire kitchen. Just don’t forget to prime! A separate, high-quality primer is essential when working with bright hues.
Bold Island Color Ideas
A slim industrial-style island is a perfect fit in this contemporary space. The bold blue kitchen island combines forces with a bright backsplash to create a vibrant place to cook. Simple metal stools provide seating for six when the island isn’t used for prep space.
Unexpected Kitchen Island Color
Liven up an all-white kitchen with an unexpected splash of color on the island. Here, a muted chartreuse island blends the sunny side of yellow with the vibrancy of lime green for a bright, springy look. In addition, the island is conveniently outfitted with a roll-out baking station, painted the same zingy hue.
Light Blue Kitchen Island
A large furniture-style island cloaked in soft, robin’s-egg blue welcomes family and guests into this kitchen. Crisp white cabinets and gleaming chrome accents pop against the blue island, providing a light and bright atmosphere. Consider painting the ceiling for a unique look that makes a subtle statement. While it may seem like a dizzying task, a stepladder, a roller, and high-quality paint will help you get the job done fast.
Warm Neutral Kitchen
A new island color can give your kitchen a fresh update, even if you choose a neutral over brighter tones. Here, a moody, gray-brown island helps ground this open kitchen, which otherwise features lots of white and wood tones. Distressed blue stools and a turquoise-painted door introduce small doses of color to break up the neutral palette.
Yellow Kitchen Island
A golden-yellow island gives this kitchen a peppy focal point. The island paint color matches the surrounding cabinets and trim, but a contrasting butcher-block countertop helps the prep space stand out. Black accents and dark soapstone surfaces introduce a modern edge to the soft yellow kitchen.
Calming Kitchen Colors
Give an all-white kitchen a lift with a refreshing blue kitchen island. The result is a classic, pleasing palette with a hint of color. In this kitchen, the island sports a soft blue-green shade that blends harmoniously with the glazed tile backsplash and warm white cabinetry.