We first heard here that light blue kitchen ideas are a color trend you need to pay attention to. Navy kitchens made waves a few years ago and have become mainstream in trend-driven and traditional design, but it's time for the latest shades of blue kitchen ideas to take center stage.
Light blue may traditionally feel like a classic, antique-looking shade, but with new and inspiring styling methods, it's an easy way to add a pop of colour whilst making your kitchen feel bright and airy. The kitchen is the heart of the home, so making it a fun, colourful space is the easiest way to attract family and friends and encourage them to enjoy the shared space.
Pale blues tend to be lighter, edging closer to neutral gray territory, while primary-like tones offer more impact. Whatever your kitchen color preference, light blue will satisfy your desire.
Light Blue Kitchen Ideas
Whether you have a small, north-facing kitchen and want to bring the blue sky inside, or you have a large kitchen and want to give it a more homey feel, light blue is a stylish, yet classic, kitchen color scheme.
“Light blue is also an incredibly calming and soothing colour. In the kitchen, which is the 'heart' of the home and a place where there's always a lot of activity, light blue can really help bring a sense of peace and serenity to the room,” adds Sofia Airton Grime, interior designer and founder of Studio Ruff.
We spoke to colour experts and kitchen enthusiasts to find out which shades of light blue work best, and how to style them to make the most of your space.
1. Brighten with white
(Image courtesy of Smile Kitchens)
If a traditional kitchen aesthetic is your end goal, light blue is an excellent choice: the pastel hue with an antique look exudes a sense of country living and makes your kitchen feel like the beating heart of your home.
“Pastel colors are the new neutrals, and this light blue kitchen is not only timeless, but also the perfect canvas to layer on brighter colors,” explains Richard Davonport, managing director of Davonport. Paired with classic Shaker cabinetry and brushed brass handles (opt for cup handles for an added vintage feel), this light blue kitchen shines.
To soften the palette even further, choose light oak flooring, white quartz worktops and white wall units to make your kitchen appear even brighter.
2. Keep it warm and traditional
(Image courtesy of Future PLC/Colin Poole)
In your home, the kitchen is likely to be more than a place to cook: acting as a social gathering place, a place to put your school bag, a place to eat and a place to do homework, an open-plan kitchen needs an appealing colour palette that complements the different roles the room plays.
A warm, inviting feel is the goal, so pair light blue cabinets with wooden worktops and unfinished open shelves. The more worn the better, so don't worry about imperfect wood grain or wobbly shelves. Add a personal touch by choosing second-hand accessories that are meaningful to your family.
3. Try a Mediterranean look
(Image courtesy of Future PLC / James French)
It's fair to say we don't get many opportunities to see blue skies in the UK, so if you can recreate them in the comfort of your own home, why wouldn't you?
Whether your kitchen has plenty of sunlight or a darker, north-facing space, this ocean-blue hue is sure to enrich your design. To achieve a truly Mediterranean look, this color requires attention to detail: Pair it with light wood and rattan accessories and you'll feel like you've been transported straight to the Mallorcan coastline.
4. Pair it with a dramatic dark red
(Image courtesy of Annie Sloan)
Light blue and deep red is one of the biggest trend color combinations for kitchens in 2024. The deep burgundy shade can be a true gem in kitchen design, and although it seems like an intimidating shade to use, the effect creates a dramatic and inviting atmosphere.
If light blue seems a little too sappy for your taste, a rich red shade will add a bit more edge and show guests that you've got kitchen colour savvy.
5. Luxurious with deep marble
(Image courtesy of Future)
Pastel hues, including light blues, look naturally luxurious when paired with beautiful veined stone surfaces. Pairing blue cabinets with dark, dramatic, deep-veined marble brings focus to the lighter color palette and adds a subtle luxury feel.
For an added wow factor, extend the work surface all the way to the backsplash and end it with a row of open shelves.
“Beautiful quartz is the perfect complement to a light blue kitchen. If you want to add even more warmth, try pale pinks or plaster combined with warm white tiles and splashbacks to accent the room. Accents of red in soft upholstered finishes or accessories such as cushions will create a beautiful finishing touch,” adds Sofia Airton Grime.
6. Choose simple cabinets
(Image courtesy of Future PLC)
Light blue works well with shaker kitchen ideas for a more classic aesthetic, but don't worry if this isn't your style – it would look just as great in contemporary and Scandinavian-inspired spaces.
Handle-less kitchen cabinets allow you to make colour the focal point of your design and minimise clutter. Minimise visual clutter with clean white worktops and instead add accents of other pastel colours with accessories.
7. Use blue as your primary color
(Image courtesy of Future PLC)
Still not sure about using blue throughout your kitchen design? Blue works just as well as a focal color.
Kitchen island ideas are the easiest way to try out more “unusual” shades without overwhelming the space by using neutral colors for the wall cabinets.
“We always encourage our clients to choose wood because it's neutral, durable, acoustically superior (over stone) and soft and warm underfoot,” adds Melissa Hatley, interior designer and co-founder of Hatley & Hamm. We recommend a trolley-style kitchen island with a wooden worktop and open shelves below.
Get the look
COAT Flat Matte Paint, Light Blue, Line, 2.5L
Brushed Brass Kitchen Cabinet Cup Handles
Sawtooth Wicker Round Pendant
Shaker Shelf Farrow & Ball – Stifkey Blue
FAQ
What is the best shade of blue for your kitchen?
Picking the perfect shade of blue can be a bit tricky. Different blue tones can make a big difference in whether they suit your space, so be sure to test your paint swatches in different areas of your kitchen. This will help you visualize how it will look at different times of the day. For example, cool blues work best in kitchens that have lots of natural light; otherwise, they can make the space look dark and gloomy.
Not sure which paint shade to choose? Let our interior experts give you their recommendations.
“Some of our favourites are F&B's 'Oval Room Blue', 'Cooks Blue' and 'Chinese Blue'. There are so many beautiful options out there at the moment,” she recommends. Melissa Hutley, interior designer and co-founder of Hutley & Humm;
“I love Little Green's Pearl Color 100,” adds Sophia Airton Grime, interior designer and founder of Studio Ruff.
Which shade of light blue is your favorite?
