It's hard to go wrong with vibrant green kitchen ideas. Drawing the outside in, choosing green hues for your kitchen colour scheme will reinvigorate a down-to-earth aesthetic. Green is trending, but it's also a kitchen idea that will stand the test of time, thanks to the sheer abundance of shades.
'Green kitchen cabinetry is a key style,' says Hayley Simmons, Head of Merchandising for Magnet. 'Green can be equally dramatic and luxurious when used in the kitchen.'
2025 has seen a rise in earthy-toned shades of green. While emerald was trending in previous years, we're now seeing homeowners lean into moss and sage for an organic, laidback approach. However, there's a shade of green for every style and space.
1. Go for a bright mid-green
The beauty of using green in a cooking space is that there are so many shades to choose from. While earthy, subdued shades of sage and moss are particularly popular right now, as well as classic rich emerald hues, we like to go for something right in the middle.
A bright, mid-green is the perfect way to breathe life into a cooking area. It's fun and playful yet reflects the same tones of freshly cut grass, making it an easily accessible route into using colour.
2. Create a country kitchen
If you're looking to create a country kitchen idea, you can't go wrong with green cabinetry. A muted shade is an easy route into a cosy, timeless kitchen scheme and pairs perfectly with lots of wood for an organic touch.
Use in conjunction with other pastel shades, like trending butter yellow, for a traditional kitchen design that will stand the test of time.
3. Pick panelling
Green kitchen ideas lend themselves well to traditional features, like kitchen panelling. Using panelling as a splashback idea helps to protect the walls behind a hob from splashes and spills, while adding a stylish touch.
Paint in the same shade as your green cabinets for a continuous design that feels homely and cosy.
4. Create a two-tone look
If you're feeling uneasy about going for a bright green shade, opting for a two-tone kitchen cabinet idea will help to ease you in.
Pale pink will add a soft touch to green kitchen cabinets, while sticking to current kitchen colour trends. Opting for the lighter colour for your wall hung cabinets will add an open and airy feel to the top of the room, making it feel larger.
5. Brighten with white features
If you prefer a slightly more modern kitchen idea, bid adieu to wooden worktops and instead opt for bright white stone surfaces. Match white stone worktops with flooring in a similar tone to lift the design from all angles.
This adds a high-end look to a green kitchen idea without needing to break the bank - stone-effect surfaces will look just as chic.
6. Opt for simple slab doors
To truly let a green kitchen shine, opt for slab cupboard doors with minimal visual distraction.
Shaker kitchen ideas will add to a classic scheme, but if Scandi or Mid-Century interiors are more your bag then a simple door with integrated handles or a sleek metal handle will fit the bill.
7. Mix metallics with green
Deep green cabinetry is a natural foil to burnished brass, luxe gold or gleaming stainless steel fittings and appliances – or all of the above. Because with this forgiving hue, it’s possible to mix metallic finishes and still keep your scheme looking cohesive.
‘We’ve never had an issue with mixing metallics in kitchens – gold and silver have been paired together for centuries by many prestige jewellery brands as they sit very nicely side-by-side,' says Tom Howley, design director of his self-named kitchen brand.
'Green cabinetry has become so popular recently and it pairs beautifully with gold as a contrast.'
8. Pair green with wood panelling
For a modern farmhouse kitchen look, pair painted cabinet ideas in a mid-tone green with natural raw wood panels. You could even clad the ceiling with timber for a contemporary cabin core vibe.
‘We painted this kitchen in an olive green that blends nicely with the Cotswold countryside visible from the window, bringing the outside in,’ explains Louise Wicksteed, design director of interior design company, Sims Hilditch. ‘This, paired with the timber-panelled ceiling brings textures of nature to the design, making for an inviting country kitchen in keeping with the building’s surroundings.’
9. Add a maximalist touch with textured tiles
The maximalism trend is all about layering on texture, colour, pattern and contrast to create a rich, embellished scheme – so if that’s what you love, don’t let your kitchen miss out. In this kitchen, green-painted cabinets are elevated with a decorative fabric blind – but it's the embellished, checked kitchen tile ideas that are the star.
‘Green florals belong in the kitchen in 2023,’ say the makers of Craven Dunnill Jackfield tiles, which has collaborated with House of Hackney on a new collection including two green shades, Sage and Verde. ‘These decorative Victorian-style tiles bring romance and visual interest to the kitchen, and celebrate nature.’
10. Be clever with green in a small kitchen
You don’t have to give up your go-to green if you're working with small kitchen ideas, just use the colour wisely.
‘Keep dark green shades for floor units and choose a paler, neutral shade for wall cabinets,’ suggests interior designer Anne Haimes. ‘Or say no to overhead cabinets completely and opt for open shelving to create the illusion of more space and taller ceilings. Alternatively, isolate your greenery to your contrasting kitchen island for the ultimate wow factor against a neutral kitchen.’
11. Lighten the look with open shelving
A green kitchen can look a little oppressive when it’s lined with wall and floor cabinets. But switching up the style with glazed and open units can help brighten the space, without sacrificing valuable kitchen storage ideas.
‘The great thing about dark green kitchens is that they can take a lot when it comes to pops of colour, which you can add by styling up your kitchen shelving ideas,’ explains William Durrant, owner Herringbone Kitchens.
‘With closed units, the surprise is hidden behind the doors, but an open display gives you the opportunity to add personality and colour to your space. Add your favourite cookbooks, vases or art to the shelves and you won’t regret it. Colour can be added or taken away whenever you’re ready for a change, so it’s a fun and easy way to play around with interiors and add lighter colours to your dark kitchen.’
12. Break the red and green colour rule
Red and green should definitely be seen, according to the design pros. ‘One surprising colour combination that has been gaining popularity is adding pops of red to green kitchens,’ agrees interior designer Anne Haimes. ‘At opposite ends of the colour wheel, you’ll need to be careful when mixing red and green as too much contrast can quickly turn gaudy, or even risk looking too festive.
‘The trick is to add small pops of red subtly and consistently throughout your kitchen. Kendall Jenner’s dark green kitchen is a masterclass in how to achieve the look – from the red knobs on her cooker to the red patterned vase on her windowsill and even her thoughtful selection of pink and red flowers dotted around her kitchen.
'If red isn’t your thing, look to bursts of other warm colours such as yellow, pink and purple, taking care to steer your green kitchen away from cooler shades for a more welcoming space.’
13. Welcome a playful approach to colour
This kitchen is a fine example of how to have fun with colour, with jade green cabinets and colourful fragments within the island worktop. Another design highlight is the unusual fan-shaped kitchen tile idea on the wall. ‘We had a vision for the kitchen,’ explains this homeowner, a design consultant @futureicons_ nonetheless.
‘Dark green is a favourite and terracotta tiles suit the age of our house. We knew we wanted a kitchen island, but not high-level units. The island top has green marble in it – a traditional material, but used in a contemporary way.’
14. Style with sage
Sage is the shade of green to be seen in kitchens for 2021. Add a fresh, organic feel to your kitchen by teaming a muted sage green with an off-white hue that is reminiscent of nature.
The white walls and worktops in this beautiful U-shaped kitchen idea help to keep the overall look fresh and clean. Ideal if you prefer a toned-down look, to offer an air of sophisticated Scandinavian design.
15. Make an impact with matching walls
Create a stronger statement with a striking shade of forest green by using it liberally throughout the kitchen space. If you're looking for smart painted kitchen ideas, match the same green hue on cabinets, low and wall-mounted, to the wall colour, as shown above.
When it comes to styling with furniture and accessories, introducing soft pastels and metallics can help to add a softness and beautiful contrast.
16. Introduce pattern
The kitchen area in this kitchen-diner is easily identified by the stylish patterned tiles from Topps Tiles. Choose a pattern that has colours or tones from both your cabinets and your worktops so that nothing jars. Think about the shapes too.
In this modern kitchen, the geometric style of the table legs fits well with the geometric pattern on the tiles.
17. Choose contrasting colours
Dark emerald green is vying with cashmere kitchens to be the hottest colour of the moment. Subtle pink kitchen ideas, such as the pink-painted walls shown above, give a fresh, pretty and modern contrast to the deep green, traditional-style Shaker cabinets.
Make the most of your chosen green colour scheme by looking out for smart kitchen lighting ideas that can enhance the look, like these ornate set of three pendant lights.
18. Create contrast with worktops
Take the look from light to dark with the addition of black worktops. Continue the dark choices throughout with black door handles and stylish sockets to match, giving a contemporary edge to a classic shade of country apple green.
19. Invite the outdoors in with subtle green
Painted wood panelling on a breakfast bar matching the built-in kitchen cabinets helps to ensure this kitchen is immersed in this latest colour trend. The soft shade of apple green is subtle but effective enough to inject a touch of nature into this otherwise white kitchen. The use of house plants helps to add further greenery, welcoming a real touch of the outdoors inside.
FAQs
What colour goes with green in a kitchen?
This will depend on the shade in question. Deep and opulent shades are best matched with gold and brass accents and marble worktops for a modern and luxurious look. Soothing lighter shades of green are perfectly suited to rich shades of wood and warming neutrals, such as cream and linen, all enhancing the subtle warm undertones of green.
How do you decorate a green kitchen?
How you choose to decorate a green kitchen will be decided by the style choice; traditional or modern, country or contemporary. To fully immerse your space choose green painted cabinets and add a splash of paint on the walls.
For a softer approach choose green cabinets but decorate the room with a neutral wall colour. To dip your toe into decorating your kitchen with green, leave the cabinets in a neutral shade and paint the walls green instead.
A general rule when using a bold colour in the kitchen is to strike a balance. Therefore the darker the tone of green on the cabinets the lighter the colour should be on the floors to create a sense of balance. And vice versa with light green shades.
For those looking to introduce calming green tones into their kitchen design try lighter shades of sage green and eau-de-nil-coloured cabinetry and furniture.
The subtly stylish shades will incorporate a pop of pastel into your home, bringing a light, fresh feel to the kitchen. To decorate a traditional setting, pair these soothing shades with natural wood worktops and stone flooring. To make the lighter shades feel more contemporary, pair with touches of black marble and black ironwork.
A great tip for picking the right shade is to be inspired by the shades of green found in the natural world and in the kitchen, too! Think of a lime, an asparagus spear, a slice of cucumber, the skin of a cooking apple, or a fragrant bunch of sage.
Will you be working a green colour scheme in your kitchen with these green kitchen ideas?
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