In a world of infinite choice what colour would you paint your kitchen units?

[SollaSollew]

Luxury problem to have I realise but we've recently moved into a Victorian house with a relatively new shaker kitchen in the standard side return extension. We need to make a few adjustments and fortunately the sellers gave us the number of the joiners that built it. The whole house is grey and I mentioned how institutional and cold I was finding it so they said that as the adjustments mean re-spraying a good few of the doors anyway it will only cost slightly more to re-spray the whole kitchen.

They can colour match to literally any colour and it's got two runs with a largish island in the middle so two different colours is also an option.

I feel a bit overwhelmed by the options/aspirational images/kitchen trend articles. So would love some real world opinions on what colour/s you'd choose for a kitchen if you were doing yours now?

That is a hefty island to walk around every time you need to put a knife in the sink, even without considering the safety issues of where the hob and sink are situated!! I'd want to change that layout. Amazing storage though!

It's a big chunk of paint in one colour. If the island is being replaced I might think about having it in solid oak or teak. Some different materials that will age beautifully so it's not all paint.

Could it be two smaller islands with a wide walkway to the oven? A food prep side and a seating/wine drinking side would be good.

And replace some of the doors with open shelves maybe with lights in? For plants/books/art.

Anyway, that doesn't help with your colours, but I'd want to perfect the layout and materials first. And then I'd change the fiddly little lights for something much better.

Colourwise I reckon I'd go for something light and bright, so one of the neutrals you like plus a bright yellow and an absinthe with green plants and colourful paintings.

I came on to say white but you already have white worktops. A warmer light grey/stone colour? I'd still stay neutral and put colour in the room with art and accessories.

As you agree the layout is bad, I would consider taking that center island out and either getting rid completely or making it smaller. I suspect that no amount if paint is going to make you like it.

Personally I love sage green, with Shaker style units and wood rather than quartz/marble. I don't like shiny kitchens.

Have a scroll through Pinterest and save any kitchens that grab you. Then look back through what you've saved and find any common elements.

I think pale colours would work in your kitchen because it's quite dark, and warmer colours. Maybe creams, and introduce gold or brass for warmth with new knobs? I would definitely change those black lights above the island for something cosier. I do love your floor though, it's so pretty.

I agree it would depend on how long I was staying and how much I wanted to follow/avoid trends. Imo the only colour that stands the test of time and trends is white. You can change less fixed things when you fancy a change.

Currently the trend is dark or saturated colour. Eventually imo this will end up looking dated, like the fake pine of the 80s.

if I didn’t care about that, I’d probably do navy on the bottom and white at the top. Two tone will also date.

Not sure if your pic of the swatches is showing the colours as they really are or if they are a bit distorted? To my eyes they don't look any better than what you have, essentially black, white and a kind of grey. I think you need to be bolder.
What do you want your kitchen to feel like?

Yours could be a bit like this but actually better because your floor is much nicer.

I love F&B hay and yellow is the new colour of the year for dulux.
Card room green is also lovely.

Navy is so over.

If I wanted something timeless I'd have sage green.

My current kitchen is pink, because I painted it pink!

I'm pining after a sunny yellow kitchen!

For a long time I’ve been a ‘lived in’ white kind of person think f&b school house white with lots of wood and brass finishes. However the house we are in the process of buying has a lovely large bright kitchen (we’ve always had tiny kitchens!) so I’ll be going for trinity blue by devol.

@Gotosleep91 right there with you. I’ve seen some AMAZING yellow kitchens recently, how happy would you feel whenever you enter the room. :)

Place marking as we have similar cupboards and they are a very light grey almost white and I've always wished we'd gone for a darker colour as they show up the dirt so badly !

Several years ago I went with duck egg blue. Rather pleased to realise that I considered your question and it is still my first answer. Love a bit of duck egg.

@Gotosleep91

My friends Mum has a 1960's kitchen in a bright egg yolk colour, looks brand new still. I couldn't live with it myself but it is stunning!

I don't agree with worrying about following trends but sage green is definitely not timeless. Every colour will come and go in terms of trends.

Farrow Ball "Joas White"