Pastels are popular when it comes to kitchen design, offering a light, airy, and uplifting vibe. From soft pinks to airy blues, pastel kitchens feel soothing and serene. Choosing a pastel palette for your kitchen is an easy way to create a space that feels calm, joyful, and inspirational. With so many beautiful pastel colors to choose from, there are endless possibilities for pastel kitchen designs. Let’s explore some delightful and motivational pastel color schemes and ideas to inspire the kitchen of your dreams!
Why Choose Pastels for Your Kitchen?
Pastels offer numerous benefits for kitchen design. Here are some key reasons to consider using pastels:
- Joyful and Positive Vibe – Pastels inherently evoke positivity, cheer, and joy. The soft, whimsical nature of pastel hues creates an upbeat vibe perfect for the heart of the home.
- Calming and Relaxing – Pastels are gentle on the eyes, providing a soothing, relaxing ambiance. Their soft, muted nature helps reduce stress.
- Light and Airy – Pastels make spaces feel more open, airy and illuminated with natural light. They prevent kitchens from feeling too dark or enclosed.
- Adaptable and Versatile – Pastels are extremely versatile and work well with nearly any kitchen layout, cabinetry style and decor. You can easily mix and match pastel shades.
- Classic and Timeless – While on-trend, pastels offer a classic, timeless look. Their inherent softness means they won’t appear dated over time like bolder color choices might.
Pastels make kitchens feel more joyful, calm, bright and timeless – perfect for a heartwarming space to gather and connect. Let’s look at inspiring ways to implement pastels in your kitchen’s color palette!
Delightful Pastel Color Combinations
One of the great things about pastels is that they naturally coordinate well together. Mixing and matching soft pastel hues creates a cohesive, beautiful look. Here are some charming pastel color combinations to inspire your kitchen redo:
Soft Pink, Mint Green and Pale Blue
This blend of blush pink, summery mint green and sky blue evokes springtime delight. The colors beautifully play off each other to create a fresh, clean and feminine kitchen. Paint the walls and kitchen island a very soft pink and use mint green on the lower cabinets. Tie in sky blue accents via bar stools, lighting fixtures or decorative tile backsplash.
Lavender, Buttercream and Sage Green
Create a warm and inviting farmhouse or cottage-style kitchen with lavender walls, buttery yellow cabinets and touches of fresh sage green. This blend can be dressed up with white cabinetry and black countertops or customized to be more casual. The colors sing together for vintage charm and modern appeal.
Pale Yellow, Robin’s Egg Blue and Peach
For a bright and sunny kitchen, try pairing pale lemon yellow with robin’s egg blue cabinetry and accents of coral peach via a tile backsplash or pendant lighting. The colors are reminiscent of sunshine and blue skies, bringing vibrance and energy into the kitchen.
Ice Blue, Blush Pink and Pistachio
Cool ice blue offers the perfect backdrop for blush pink cabinetry or an island, along with hits of lively pistachio green. The mix of these soft yet saturated pastels creates visual interest while still feeling peaceful. Metallic accents in bronze, rose gold or slate gray nicely tie the colors together.
Lilac, Pale Green and Antique White
Soften a traditional kitchen by painting the walls a very light lilac, the cabinets an airy pale green and keeping the countertops/island antique white. For contrast, opt for dark hardware and slate-gray granite countertops. Touches of gold elevate the vintage charm.
The options are truly endless for combining pastel paint colors, cabinetry, tile, decor accents and more. Have fun and get creative with mixing and matching to design a joyful, inspiring pastel kitchen palette!
Uplifting Paint Colors for Pastel Kitchens
Paint is a wonderful way to infuse pastels into your kitchen’s design. Consider using pastel paint colors on the walls, trim, ceiling and even the backside of kitchen cabinetry for bright pops of color. Here are some delightful pastel paint colors to energize your space:
1. Benjamin Moore Tea Rose
This nearly-neon pink packs vibrance and creates a cheerful backdrop. It’s ideal for small kitchens where you want an energizing color punch. Pair with contrasting navy blue lower cabinets and brass accents.
2. Sherwin Williams Tradewind
A breezy, tropical green reminiscent of palm fronds. Use this invigorating shade on walls or cabinetry to evoke the joy of the tropics. Beautiful paired with robin’s egg blue.
3. Behr Serene Green
This restful sage green has earthy undertones. It pairs well with cream cabinets, natural wood accents and terra cotta floor tiles for organic charm.
4. Benjamin Moore Flower Market
A vibrant blend of violet and pink that brings a playful, feminine spirit into kitchens. Use on an accent wall and pair with white cabinetry for contrast.
5. Behr Aquamarine Waters
This mix between sky blue and seafoam green creates the essence of cool coastal waters. Use as a soothing backdrop in any kitchen style.
6. Sherwin Williams Pale Patina
A subdued robin’s egg blue that beautifully plays up whites and natural woods. Use on walls or cabinets for a refined, vintage touch.
7. Behr Tequila Lime
A bright, uplifting yellow-green that’s playful yet sophisticated. Pair with white for a clean modern kitchen or with robin’s egg blue for retro diner appeal.
8. Benjamin Moore Melonade
This melon-toned yellow brings warmth and fruitful delight. It works in traditional, cottage, contemporary and eclectic spaces alike.
Explore paint chips at your local hardware store to discover the perfect pastel wall color to energize your kitchen! Then pull the color through via decor, textiles and accents for a cohesive look.
Pastel Kitchen Cabinet Ideas
Another way to implement pastels in your kitchen is through cabinetry. Painting cabinets or selecting pastel-colored cabinetry makes a statement while also ensuring the colors you love are part of the permanent kitchen design. Consider these lovely pastel kitchen cabinet ideas:
Painted Cabinets
The simplest way to get pastel cabinets is to paint your existing cabinetry. Opt for high-quality cabinet paint in your favorite tranquil or airy pastel shade. Robin’s egg blue, pistachio green, pale yellow and lilac painted cabinets make kitchens feel lighthearted and unique.
Two-Toned Cabinets
Sometimes it’s nice to break up all-white cabinetry with pops of pastel colors. Try lower cabinets in a bolder pastel like blush pink, mint green or pale violet. Then pair with softer white or cream upper cabinetry. The contrast is eye-catching and fun.
Ombre Effect
Create visual interest by using progressively lighter pastel shades on lower to upper cabinets. For example, try medium robin’s egg blue on bottom cabinets, a lighter robin’s egg shade in the middle, and nearly white on top. The ombre effect adds modern flair.
Pastel Islands
Incorporate pastels via a stand-out kitchen island in your favorite tranquil hue, like lavender or buttercream yellow. Contrast with bright white cabinets for a crisp, cheerful look.
Bold Painted Backsplashes
Make a pastel-colored backsplash the focal point by choosing a bold robin’s egg blue, mellow lemon yellow or calming lilac hue. Then paint your cabinetry clean white for a contrasting pop of color.
However you choose to implement pastel cabinetry – painted, two-toned, ombre or accent islands – this is an effective way to bring joy and personality into your everyday kitchen workflow.
Lovely Backsplash Ideas for Pastel Kitchens
The backsplash is the perfect place to infuse additional pastel colors, textures and patterns to enhance your kitchen’s design. Here are some charming backsplash ideas for pastel kitchen palettes:
Pastel Tile
Obvious yet beautiful, pastel tile backsplashes seamlessly tie in pastel wall and cabinet colors. Look for tiles in complementary soft hues like seafoam green, lavender, powder blue, and pale melon-yellow. Install in a herringbone pattern or geometric mosaic for maximum impact.
Metallic Tile
Metallic backsplashes in copper, silver, antique bronze and gold add a touch of glam and keep pastel kitchens from feeling too saccharine. Choose tile with art deco-inspired shapes for a bold accent wall.
Moroccan Fish Scale Tile
The iridescent sheen of fish scale tiles creates dimension and catches the light beautifully. In soft pastel colors like blue, purple and seafoam green, they lend a playful Moroccan vibe.
Marble, Travertine or Limestone
Natural stone backsplashes in lightweight pastel hues like marble, travertine and limestone bring organic texture. Pair with bright white cabinets for a light and ethereal look.
Textured or 3D Tile
Choose tile with pressed patterns, dimensional surfaces and handpainted detailing for artistic appeal. Opt for subtle pastel colors that allow the tile’s ornamentation to take center stage.
Handmade Subway Tile
Add cottage-chic character with handmade subway tiles in buttery yellows, sky blues or spring greens. The imperfect surfaces and hand-glazed colors provide rustic charm.
Beadboard
For a breezy, beach house vibe, try a pale blue or seafoam green beadboard backsplash. The clean lines offer an airy counterpoint to ornate cabinetry. Finish by painting the grout bright white.
With so many materials and colors to play with, the backsplash is the perfect place to integrate pastels into your kitchen design in a unique, artful way.
Flooring Ideas for Pastel Kitchens
Don’t overlook the flooring when designing a dreamy pastel kitchen. Flooring can help pull the whole palette together or add compelling contrast. Here are some beautiful flooring ideas for pastel color schemes:
Linoleum in Coordinating Pastels
Modern linoleum floors come in lovely pastel hues like sky blue, lavender, pistachio and melon. Choose a color that coordinates with your cabinets or walls to tie the whole room together. Durable and budget-friendly!
Classic Black & White Tile
For dramatic contrast against pastel walls or cabinets, install classic black and white checkered tile or a harlequin mosaic floor. The high contrast looks chic and vintage.
Wide Plank White Oak
Natural wide plank white oak flooring provides an earthy and bright counterpoint to airy pastels. The subtle grain and variation creates natural visual interest to offset soft colors.
Bold Patterned Tile
Make a statement by laying graphic black and white tile or vibrant terra cotta tile on the floor. Bold patterns and colors stand up well against pastel walls and cabinetry.
Concrete Flooring
Modern polished concrete floors provide an industrial vibe in pastel spaces. For softened contrast, opt for concrete stained in pale gray, rose, blue or green hues. The variation creates depth.
Vinyl Plank Flooring
For budget-friendly durability, vinyl plank floors mimic higher-end materials like wood and concrete, while offering resilient stain resistance. Select a pale natural wood look or cool gray stone aesthetic.
The flooring sets the foundation for your pastel kitchen, so select materials that will either complement the soft colors or provide compelling contrast!
Perfect Pastel Kitchen Countertops
When selecting countertops for pastel palettes, aim for neutral hues and clean textures so the kitchen colors can take center stage. Here are some recommended countertop options for pastel kitchen designs:
White Quartz
A pristine white quartz countertop keeps pastel kitchens looking light and airy. White quartz offers the durability of natural stone with a brighter white color than marble.
Soapstone
Soapstone has a naturally soft, gentle gray hue with subtle mineral veining. This gentle neutral works well with powder blues, robin’s egg greens and mellow yellows.
White Marble
Elegant white marble countertops add timeless grace to any pastel kitchen. Opt for cooler toned white marble rather than warm whites to coordinate better with cool pastels.
Butcher Block Island
Add warmth with a butcher block-topped island in oak or maple. The light wood tones harmonize well with pale yellows, sage greens and sky blues.
Gray Concrete
For industrial edge, install matte concrete countertops in pale gray. The muted color and matte texture allow pastels to stand out.
Laminate
For an affordable neutral option, laminate countertops come in pristine whites, light grays and pale natural wood tones to blend with pastel palettes.
Aim for countertops in whites, light neutrals and unobtrusive natural wood tones to keep the focus on expressive pastel wall and cabinet colors.
Stylish Storage Solutions for Pastel Kitchens
Don’t overlook the impact small details like cabinet hardware can make! Storage solutions with a hint of metallic shine, vintage inspiration or stand-out shapes elevate pastel kitchen designs. Consider these stylish storage ideas:
Gold Hardware
Warmly-hued gold hardware in satin, matte or polished finishes adds a subtle touch of glam against pastel cabinets and tile. Opt for cabinet pulls and knobs with decorative shapes, facets or engraved patterns.
Modern Cut-Out Handles
Cut-out hardware styles offer a modern, streamlined look in kitchens. Try handle-free cabinets with recessed finger-pulls or channels, or choose handles crafted from cut-out metal shapes in matte black, brass or chrome.
Vintage Glass Knobs
Add retro charm with cabinet knobs made from colored glass in pale hues like seafoam green, butterscotch yellow or robin’s egg blue. Bonus points for ones with embedded bubbles, swirls or imperfection for vintage character.
Bold Black Hardware
Make pastels pop with high-contrast matte black hardware. Black offers a crisp contrast to robin’s egg blue or mint green cabinets. Go for minimalist modern or industrial styles to keep the look cohesive.
Antiqued Bronze Pulls
For old-world kitchens, select cabinetry pulls in antiqued bronze for a lovely aged patina. The metallic catches the light beautifully against lavender, sky blue or sage green cabinets.
When selecting hardware, pulls and knobs, look for ones with metallic or high-contrast finishes to provide punctuation against soft pastel kitchen colors.
Lighting Concepts for Pastel Kitchens
From dazzling pendant lights to strips of LEDs, lighting choices offer yet another opportunity to integrate pastels into the kitchen. Here are some illuminating lighting ideas for pastel palettes:
Colored Glass Pendants
Infuse pastel hues through your lighting selections. Look for pendant lights crafted from colored glass in rosy pink, seafoam, pale melon and other translucent pastels. Group over islands or dining tables for vibrant pops.
Ribbon Chandeliers
Ribbon chandeliers crafted from cascading bands of frosted glass make a gorgeous statement over kitchen islands and peninsulas. Choose soft pastel ribbons for an elegant fixture that also ties into your color scheme.
Neon Signage
Make a modern design statement with custom neon light signs in joyful pastel shades. Curving neon in mint or lavender mounted on the wall or backsplash injects a fun retro-diner vibe.
Undercabinet Lighting
Illuminate workspaces beautifully with strips of undercabinet lighting. Choose LEDs adjustable to any color and set them to complement your cabinets – robin’s egg blue, buttercream yellow or soft lilac.
Skylights and Solartubes
Increase natural illumination with skylights and solartubes to make pastel walls shine. Abundant natural light prevents soft colors from feeling too subdued.
Sconces
Mount decorative sconces on side walls or upper cabinets to provide ambient lighting. Opt for curved midcentury shapes or modern concentric circles. Metallics in rose gold, brass and chrome pick up other metallic finishes in the kitchen.
Take light fixtures beyond basic necessity to whimsical decorative focal points tied into your pastel color scheme for a stylish, coordinated look.
Fabrics and Textiles for Pastel Kitchens
Don’t overlook the power of soft fabrics and textiles to lend warmth and texture to your pastel kitchen scheme. Here are some beautiful options:
Cafe Curtains
Cafe curtains in the upper portion of windows filter sunlight prettily while also letting you integrate fabric. Choose sheer netting or lightweight linen in coordinating pastels.
Window Seat Cushions
Plush cushions lined up in a window seat area create a cozy place to perch with a cup of coffee. Upholster cushions in cotton or linen prints in your kitchen’s soft hues.
Table Linens
Incorporate pastels through vintage-inspired floral table linens in soft hues of blue, peach, yellow and lavender. Layer linen runners over wood tables for contrast.
Rugs
An area rug with pastel hues brings warmth to cooking and dining areas. Try vintage-style kilims or Scandinavian shag rugs in muted pastel colors. Layer them on natural fiber rugs for comfort.
Chair Cushions
Reupholster or cover plain dining chairs in cushions using prints and patterns featuring your kitchen’s pastel palette. Choose durable, washable slipcovers or cushions.
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