Dark Blue Kitchen – How to Improve Your Kitchen With a Lick of Paint

Our house was always a doer-upper. We bought it as a renovation project as I always prefer to put my stamp on a property and not pay through the nose for a house that has already been renovated, but not always to my taste.

One of the first properties we looked at was exactly that, they had renovated throughout, and the house was on the market at the top end of our budget.

The problem was that they had installed black quartz kitchen worktops with black units and painted the rest of the kitchen yellow. I knew that if we were to live there, I would want to rip out the kitchen but by doing so, not really add any value to the property.

This is why our current house was absolutely perfect as the kitchen desperately needed ripping out and updating! However, having a dark blue kitchen was never really on my radar to begin with.

Choosing a Popular Kitchen Style

Our builders recommended Howdens for our kitchen units. When I visited the showroom for the initial appointment, the designer recommended that we go for one of their most popular styles if we were looking at selling our property in the future, which made perfect sense!

We went for the Burford white (no longer available but the Chelford is very similar) with curved units (great when you’ve got small kids!) and I decided to keep the rest of the kitchen décor neutral.

But as time went by, I knew I needed to inject a little color into the kitchen as it was all a bit sterile and white! The more time I spent on Instagram looking at all the amazing kitchen projects and renovations that were going on, the more I wanted to paint the room. It was just trying to find that perfect color and style. 

I’ve always loved dark blue units in the kitchen, some of my favorites being @hornsby_style and @renovating_ethelwolf. I knew I wanted a dark blue kitchen but I was aware of how trends change and that some people might be put off by the dark units when we came to sell.

I’d also seen how many people had painted their kitchen walls dark and decided to go down this route. It was easier to repaint the kitchen walls than the many units we had. It was quite a brave shout as I wanted the kitchen diner to be all one color.

I’d painted my kitchen walls 5 different colors and wallpapered it in the short year since having it renovated and was never entirely happy with it! Thank goodness I have a laid back Husband :)

We’ve had white, grey, turquoise (what was I thinking!!!) and sage green. In the end, I decided to go with the extremely popular Farrow and Ball Hague Blue paint.

Our Dark Blue Kitchen

I sent Mr B out with the children one wet Sunday morning and set about painting the huge space that is our kitchen diner. I’ll have it done by the end of the day, I optimistically thought and by 6 pm that evening (and the whole family moaning that they were hungry) I admitted defeat after only completing one coat and half the kitchen walls.

In fact, the painting actually took me nearly 4 weeks to complete due to it being such a huge space and painting such a dark color onto white. My initial thoughts after I had completed the first coat were, hmmmmmm, it’s quite dark!! But the actual kitchen part of the room is in the middle of the house and relies on light from the bi-fold doors, large windows, and skylight at the other end of the room.

What I have come to realize after the many hours (and days, and weeks) of choosing paint and decorating the house, is that dark colors don’t (in my opinion) make a room any darker. In fact, I think it’s best to stick to dark colors in a dark room because if you use a light color, like white, to try and brighten up the room, I think it actually highlights what a dark room it is. And likewise for bright rooms!

So, my work here is done! I needed to re-wallpaper under the island as the previous wallpaper was a green botanical print and it no longer went with the dark blue kitchen. I chose a brown brick wallpaper print from Dunelm which completed the rustic look that I was after.

I also needed to change the grey lampshades that were hanging above the sofa and chose some good-quality copper light fittings. Finally, I added some monochrome artwork and plants to cozy up the space.

I am finally very happy with my kitchen makeover and color and could quite happily never pick up a paintbrush in this room ever again! The dark blue walls are extremely dramatic and have brought the whole kitchen scheme together!

Dark Blue Kitchen Wall Ideas

Dark blue walls in the kitchen can evoke feelings of sophistication, depth, and comfort. A monochromatic dark blue palette acts as a versatile base. Whether you want to introduce metallic accents, natural wood tones, or pops of vibrant colors, dark blue walls can complement many design choices.

Darker colors naturally bring a dramatic flair to any space. A dark blue kitchen can feel cozy, intimate, and distinct, setting it apart from other rooms in the home.

Here are several ideas on how to utilize and accentuate dark blue walls in your kitchen:

Cabinets

First of all, start with the cabinet color. If you already have dark blue kitchen cabinets, painting your walls in a similar color can provide a cohesive and streamlined look and is quite a bold statement! This can make the space feel larger and more open, despite using a dark color.

If you decide to go with this look, opt for white countertops such as marble, quartz, or another white countertop material. The clean white surface can offset the depth of the dark blue walls.

If you are just starting to design your kitchen, think about pairing the dark blue walls with light-colored cabinetry such as white or light gray. This creates a striking contrast that feels both modern and timeless.

Kitchen Hardware

Incorporate gold or brass fixtures and hardware. The warmth of gold contrasts beautifully with the cool tones of dark blue, giving your kitchen a luxurious feel. Open wood shelving also provides a wonderful contrast to the dark blue walls and is the perfect place to display dishes, plants, or decorative items. 

Patterned Backsplash

As we did in our kitchen update, a patterned backsplash with colors like white, light grey or even hints of gold can help break up the expanse of the dark blue walls and help to add a bit of texture and interest. 

Natural Wood Elements

Introduce bar stools, a kitchen island, or even wooden beams in natural wood tones. This adds warmth to the color scheme. Think about adding wooden flooring that provides a nice contrast and can help lift the overall design. 

Rustic elements such as a farmhouse sink, vintage decor, or a dining room table in reclaimed wood can help add a touch of coziness to the room. 

Lighting

When using dark colors in a space, especially a kitchen, good lighting is crucial. Ensure that the kitchen is well-lit, either with natural light or multiple light sources, to prevent it from feeling too dark or closed in.

Choose pendant lights, chandeliers, or other lighting fixtures in metallic finishes or vibrant colors that pop against the dark blue. We went for copper light fittings in the living area of the kitchen and glass with copper accents in the kitchen itself, which helped maximize the available light. 

Do you think you could go dark blue in the kitchen? Let me know in the comments!

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