9 Kitchen Islands That Look Gorgeous in Green
We recently profiled 8 kitchen islands that look beautiful in blue. Now let’s see what going green can mean. Green is a popular color for kitchens because we associate it with freshness — in vegetables, fruits, herbs and more. But just as there are many different green-colored ingredients to cook with and eat, there are many shades of green paint to choose from when considering an island accent.
Monochromatic white kitchens have been extremely popular over the last few years, but one of the challenges of decorating in a single color is that you need to use elements other than color — such as texture, sheen and pattern — to visually break up the space and make it interesting.
That’s fine in most rooms, but in a kitchen you need to consider durability and how easy the surfaces are to maintain. This limits the materials you can use — a finish with a pronounced texture, for example, can be difficult to clean.
Color, then, can be your friend in the kitchen because it’s a simple way to add some zing. And an accent paint color on the island is relatively easy to change out later if you want to.
This kitchen by IS Architecture is mostly white, but the touches of vegetal green, most notably on the island, give the space life and, in my view, make it more visually interesting than it would be if it was clad all in white.
That’s fine in most rooms, but in a kitchen you need to consider durability and how easy the surfaces are to maintain. This limits the materials you can use — a finish with a pronounced texture, for example, can be difficult to clean.
Color, then, can be your friend in the kitchen because it’s a simple way to add some zing. And an accent paint color on the island is relatively easy to change out later if you want to.
This kitchen by IS Architecture is mostly white, but the touches of vegetal green, most notably on the island, give the space life and, in my view, make it more visually interesting than it would be if it was clad all in white.
Tip: According to the project architect, the island featured above is painted in Benjamin Moore’s Split Pea. When I look at a paint swatch of Split Pea, however, it looks quite different from the color I see on the island on my computer monitor. This is why it’s crucial that you always sample actual paint colors rather than selecting them based solely on a photo viewed online. Your architect or designer can guide you toward the right color choice for your project.
Find a design professional near you
Find a design professional near you
Here’s another mostly white kitchen that features a beautiful herbaceous green island as the focal point. It’s a fairly bold color, but because it’s partnered with a lot of white, it looks crisp without being too visually busy.
A similar color to try is Sage Garden from Behr. This particular color works nicely, as demonstrated above, when paired with warm elements such as hardwood floors and gold- or bronze-tone metallic finishes.
Tip: In a mostly monochromatic space, anything painted in a different color is going to stand out. That’s why it’s important to make sure the item is worthy of the attention. In this case, the island is truly the hub of the kitchen and is therefore the right focal element.
Tip: In a mostly monochromatic space, anything painted in a different color is going to stand out. That’s why it’s important to make sure the item is worthy of the attention. In this case, the island is truly the hub of the kitchen and is therefore the right focal element.
This color admittedly isn’t for everyone. It’s about as bold as you can go with green. But I give it a huge thumbs-up because it’s unusual and also used in a smart way. Because this is a clean and fairly minimalist space with no other bold colors or elements, the green is striking rather than garish.
I strongly recommend working with a design professional who specializes in color if you want to go this bold. A pro can help determine if and how you can make a saturated color such as Mediterranean Green from PPG Pittsburgh Paints work in your kitchen.
Tip: When selecting paint, there’s more to consider than color alone. Sheen is very important, especially on an island, which sees lots of wear and tear. A higher-gloss paint is going to be more durable and easier to clean, but the downside is that it more easily shows surface imperfections. Again, a designeror paint professional can help select the appropriate finish.
Pick the Right Paint Finish to Fit Your Style
Tip: When selecting paint, there’s more to consider than color alone. Sheen is very important, especially on an island, which sees lots of wear and tear. A higher-gloss paint is going to be more durable and easier to clean, but the downside is that it more easily shows surface imperfections. Again, a designeror paint professional can help select the appropriate finish.
Pick the Right Paint Finish to Fit Your Style
If the previous color example was a firm “nope” for you, then perhaps a soft silvery green like this is more palatable.
The key to picking a winning shade in this family is to find a color that has plenty of gray in it, which helps it steer clear of looking too sweetly pastel. Chervil from Pratt & Lambert is a similar light gray-green color to sample.
Tip: This kitchen is blessed with plenty of natural light, but if yours isn’t, you may want to keep the kitchen colors light. This whisper-soft green adds a little kick of color but the palette stays super soft and airy.
Tip: This kitchen is blessed with plenty of natural light, but if yours isn’t, you may want to keep the kitchen colors light. This whisper-soft green adds a little kick of color but the palette stays super soft and airy.
Here’s another subtle and soothing green, this one a bit warmer than the last option.
I would argue that this color can be used as a neutral, in that you can pair it with almost any other color. Benjamin Moore’s Levingston Green is a comparable choice that’s a nice alternative to white or off-white in a space.
Tip: If you live in a cold climate, think about bringing in visual warmth through color. Warm wood tones, such as used in this example, go a long way toward cozying up a kitchen. This green, being of the warmer variety, adds to the soothing vibe.
Tip: If you live in a cold climate, think about bringing in visual warmth through color. Warm wood tones, such as used in this example, go a long way toward cozying up a kitchen. This green, being of the warmer variety, adds to the soothing vibe.
Two-toned cabinet schemes are hot with homeowners right now, and this kitchen, with its elegant shades of green, is a good-looking example.
For the previous kitchen, designers at Davonport picked Farrow & Ball’s Green Smoke for the island and Mizzle for the perimeter cabinets. It’s a lovely, organic palette that gives a nod to the beautiful yard just steps away.
Tip: If you want a space with many different materials, colors and textures, think carefully about the color palette. This kitchen features a variety of materials, sheens and colors, but because the colors are all fairly subdued, the effect is harmonious rather than busy or clashing.
Tip: If you want a space with many different materials, colors and textures, think carefully about the color palette. This kitchen features a variety of materials, sheens and colors, but because the colors are all fairly subdued, the effect is harmonious rather than busy or clashing.
Here’s another dark green island, this one in a handsome rustic farmhouse-style kitchen by Field Day Studio. The generous use of dark and earthy colors provides the perfect contrast to the white wall tile.
I especially like that the island cabinetry was left open and that you get a nice peek of natural wood on the inside. Because the island is so large, it could look too monolithic and heavy if it was painted solid green.
I especially like that the island cabinetry was left open and that you get a nice peek of natural wood on the inside. Because the island is so large, it could look too monolithic and heavy if it was painted solid green.
Garden Grove from Sherwin-Williams is a similar warm, dark green paint color.
Tip: Don’t be too intimidated to decorate with dark colors. They can give a kitchen a homey and intimate vibe. Darker colors closer to the floor help visually ground a room. You can balance that out with a few dashes of dark elements up higher around the room. This helps move the eye around.
Tip: Don’t be too intimidated to decorate with dark colors. They can give a kitchen a homey and intimate vibe. Darker colors closer to the floor help visually ground a room. You can balance that out with a few dashes of dark elements up higher around the room. This helps move the eye around.
I just love this quirky kitchen. The Kelly green island color is bright and bold and therefore the perfect color in this playful space.
You can similarly go green with Go Green! from Kelly-Moore.
Tip: The finish on this island may very well be natural patina, but if you plan to have your island painted and then distressed, go for a slightly brighter shade than you might normally consider. It will stand up to the distressing treatment without becoming dull and dirty-looking.
Tip: The finish on this island may very well be natural patina, but if you plan to have your island painted and then distressed, go for a slightly brighter shade than you might normally consider. It will stand up to the distressing treatment without becoming dull and dirty-looking.
This may be the smallest island featured, but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in style. In fact, if your island is modestly sized, you can really have fun with color on it because it will be a relatively small dose in the kitchen.
8 Narrow Kitchen Islands With Function to Spare
8 Narrow Kitchen Islands With Function to Spare
Garden Patch from Dutch Boy is a comparable color that reminds me of fresh salad greens. It has a crisp, clean, hale-and-hearty vibe.
Tip: If your island includes a seating area, I strongly recommend painting the island in a medium-tone color, because it will hide wear and tear better than a super light or dark shade.
Tip: If your island includes a seating area, I strongly recommend painting the island in a medium-tone color, because it will hide wear and tear better than a super light or dark shade.