5 Things To Know About Colour Blocking Your Kitchen

“Colour blocking isn’t about being loud for the sake of it,” says Smith & Smith designer, Laly. “It’s about guiding the eye, shaping the room and making the bold feel timeless.”

More than ever before, the latest Melbourne kitchen renovation trends are showing a bold use of colour. But many homeowners are afraid of taking the leap into kitchen colour trends for 2025/2026 because they’re afraid of getting it wrong.

Smith & Smith designers Laly, Catherine and Amber share their tips for how to colour block kitchen cabinetry with confidence.

1 | Pick a Single Hero

Start with one zone that wears the statement shade—full-height doors, an island or a feature wall. Everything else should step back.

“In APPLEBY the ‘Dinosaur’ green runs floor-to-ceiling but the overheads stay Natural White.

“That restraint keeps the green feeling intentional, not overwhelming.”

2 | Use Two-Tone to Hide Unsightly Elements

Bulkhead drops, stepped ceilings or nib walls? Split the palette.

“Painting the uppers to match the ceiling in APPLEBY made the compulsory bulkhead disappear; the lower cabinets carry the colour so the eye never notices the step.”


3 | Let Your Benchtop Whisper

Bold cabinetry + loud marble vein = visual tug-of-war. “(As in) BEDFORD, a quiet engineered stone in soft grey or white lets colour do the talking,” says Laly. “We used plain stone in APPLEBY so the green could shine.”

In ROCHESTER, Smith & Smith designer, Amber chose a light, low-contrast Dekton with a marble effect “that wasn’t overwhelming—we wanted the colours to be the hero.”

4 | Borrow from Your Surroundings

NESTON’s deep sage echoes the treetops outside; “If the colour already lives in your view or flooring, the scheme feels grounded—never gimmicky.” says Smith & Smith designer Catherine.

5 | Own the Shade (for at Least 10 Years)

Laly’s litmus test: “Will this colour still make you smile a decade from now?” Only then does she lock it in. Bold choices should feel like you, not a fleeting trend.

 

Takeaway

Master these five rules and colour blocking turns from “brave decision” into the smartest tool in your kitchen design kit—perfect whether you’re planning a small home kitchen renovations or a full new kitchen build in a large family home.

Ready for cabinetry that steals the scene? Chat with the leading cabinet makers MelbourneSmith & Smith Kitchens—and bring your dream palette to life today. To find out more, speak to a member of our team.

Kitchen Colour FAQs

Q: Can I choose any colour with fully customised cabinetry?

A: When choosing your customised cabinetry colour, laminate has dozens of available colours to choose from, however when it comes to Two Pack your colour choice is UNLIMITED. 

Q: I like the idea of a statement kitchen colour, but what if I don’t know which colour to choose?

A: Not to worry! Your Smith & Smith designer is with you every step of the design journey. To find out more, speak to a member of our team.

Q: Where can I see samples?

A: Visit our Melbourne kitchen showrooms in Doncaster and Rowville


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