Colorful kitchen ideas – 12 design-led ways to brighten a kitchen

Originally published on Homes & Gardens

February 27, 2023, 12:32 PM

<p> Layers of color and texture can add depth and interest to a kitchen, as George Glasier, co-founder and designer of Pluck, explains. ‘Colors and material finishes all reflect and absorb light differently, so there isn’t a homogenous feel to the scheme,’ he says.  </p> <p> In this design, custom-colored, matt high-pressure laminate has been used to create contrasting cabinetry. The layering continues with the introduction of the glossy backsplash tile ideas, while a section of fluted glass cupboard doors is framed in richly colored timber.  </p> <p> ‘Objects on the worktop and shelves add more texture and color,’ says George, noting that organizing kitchen countertops can be an additional element in your overall design.  </p>

<p> Carrying an accent color across the floor can help a large open-plan kitchen feel cohesively connected from every angle.  </p> <p> ‘As this large spacious room has very high ceilings, it was important to create meaningful points of interest within,’ explains Blakes London’s lead designer Annie Ebenston. ‘Using warm red on the pantries that frame the fireplace lifts the whole elevation to be more than just a period fireplace.’ </p> <p> In isolation, the pantries could have overpowered but the custom-colored floor tiles play an anchoring role that unites them with the rest of the kitchen. ‘The matching tile color ties the room together beautifully,’ says Annie. </p>

<p> For a flexible approach that allows you to control the color in your kitchen to suit your mood, consider painting inside cabinets with solid doors.  </p> <p> ‘Applying bold accent colors in unexpected places, like this dresser interior, changes the initial impression of the room and instantly adds depth to the aesthetic,’ says Melissa Klink, creative director, Harvey Jones. ‘Strong colors are highly emotional but designing with them in a controlled manner ensures they liven up the overall feel of the room instead of overpowering it. Choose an uplifting shade that will put a smile on your face every time you open the doors. </p>

<p> ‘An accent color idea above eye level is a simple way to add strong contrast to a room, without overpowering. As it’s not immediately noticeable, the accent color will draw the eye up for a visual surprise,’ says George Miller, home designer, Neptune. ‘This can have particularly good results in rooms with taller ceilings or grand cornicing, accentuating either feature to great effect.’  </p> <p> Continuing the accent color across different surfaces and planes – for instance, the cooker hood here – has a blocking effect that feels modern and can help smooth out any awkward architectural junctures. </p>

<p> ‘When planning a kitchen paint scheme, we generally choose the dominant color first, to anchor the space and provide a sense of calmness. We then look at shades that will “pop”, to make it more dynamic,’ says Natalie Forbes of Forbes Rix. Here, that impact comes from Farrow & Ball’s India Yellow on a floor-to-ceiling cupboard. ‘We recommend a maximum of three colors to keep it from becoming too busy.’ </p>

<p> Worried your current colorful kitchen crush won’t last? ‘The beauty of a hand-painted kitchen is that in time, should fashions or your taste change, it’s simple to create a new look, especially if you restrict your bold choice to one unit, like a kitchen island or dresser,’ says Jasper Middleton, design director, Middleton Bespoke.  </p> <p> ‘When choosing bold shades it’s important to consider the architecture of the space as a whole in order to give the color room to breathe,’ he adds. ‘Here the bold pop of orange is balanced by the soaring ceiling and simple backdrop of polished concrete and blue-grey hues.’ </p>

<p> Our love affair with dramatic dark kitchen cabinet ideas is far from over but this year things are warming up. Move over blacks, deep blues and greens, because rich red kitchen ideas are radiating their way into the heart of the home. </p> <p> Pure primary reds are still a bit 1990s; instead, this trend steers us towards muddier tones with tints of nature-led orange and brown. 'Perhaps it's a yearning for the light and warmth of Southern climes that's behind the current demands for reds, burgundies and terracottas,' suggests Merlin Wright, design director at Plain English. 'Warm colors are positive and inspiring and complement other Mediterranean hues such as blues, greens and yellows. Experiment with different tones to suit the light and scale of your room.' </p> <p> 'Reds and burgundies are rich, traditional shades that lend character and coziness,' says Jasper Middleton, design director, Middleton. 'Soften strong tones on floor-to-ceiling cabinetry with glazed sections that reveal mellow, yellow interiors.' </p>

<p> Maximize the impact of your painted kitchen cabinets, as demonstrated in this stunning design by Huntsmore, with exquisite decorative room ideas and bold ceiling ideas. Using the ceiling, the 'fifth wall', as a  decorative surface can bring color and drama to a room, but it is also worth drawing attention to the finishing touches in a colorful kitchen. </p> <p> Here, the simple lines of the Shaker-inspired joinery are enhanced here with elegant brass handles that accentuate the tapered-edge door detailing as well as providing tactility. The metallic theme is followed through in the normally unnoticed brackets that support the two eye-level shelves, accentuating the richness of the solid walnut and the daring green of the ceiling color, courtesy of Little Greene’s Hopper. And tying it all together beautifully is the simply styled but all-important kitchen tap, in a brushed brass that gives it a practical and visual beauty. </p>

<p> Color can bring joy and individuality to any kitchen, whatever its size and shape, and there is no rule book that says everything must match. Ruth Andrews, co-director of Lowe & Bespoke, suggests how to start.  </p> <p> ‘We always work with the primary color element, whether that be an existing floor, our client’s favourite hue or a piece of furniture passed down through the generations,’ she says. ‘We then work outwards from there to develop a balance of colors that work well together.’  </p> <p> Ruth recommends using the color wheel to identify complementary (opposite) colours that make each other pop, like the off-pastel pink and green used here. </p>

<p> In smaller kitchens, it can be tempting to play it safe with neutral hues, but you may find it more successful to do the opposite, especially when you're devising a color scheme and decor for galley kitchen ideas.  </p> <p> ‘Bright and playful hues add personality and an instant uplift,’ advises British Standard by Plain English design manager Adrian Bergman. ‘Don’t be afraid to use a bold colour, as the beauty of hand-painted cupboards is that they can be changed over time should you wish.’  </p> <p> In this hardworking galley kitchen, sunny yellow cabinetry is offset by cool white walls, while accents of wood and a darker stone floor ground the look.  </p>

<p> For added impact, consider combining pattern with color, perhaps by teaming painted cupboards and shelves with a splashback of joyously patterned tiles, in shades that enhance the cabinetry. </p> <p> ‘While of course much depends on your personal taste, generally if you have a very colorful kitchen, it is good to opt for tiles that help to break up the scheme and provide other points of visual interest,’ comments Richard Moore, design director of Martin Moore.  </p> <p> The key is to create a sense of balance with your kitchen tile ideas. Similar strengths of color tend to work better together, rather than one that dominates. ‘It is important to choose tile patterns and colors that don’t overwhelm an already colorful kitchen,’ adds Richard.  </p>

11. Layer matt and shine in your color choices

Layers of color and texture can add depth and interest to a kitchen, as George Glasier, co-founder and designer of Pluck, explains. ‘Colors and material finishes all reflect and absorb light differently, so there isn’t a homogenous feel to the scheme,’ he says.

In this design, custom-colored, matt high-pressure laminate has been used to create contrasting cabinetry. The layering continues with the introduction of the glossy backsplash tile ideas, while a section of fluted glass cupboard doors is framed in richly colored timber.

‘Objects on the worktop and shelves add more texture and color,’ says George, noting that organizing kitchen countertops can be an additional element in your overall design.

Pluck

Get creative with the best colorful kitchen ideas from the designers. These color schemes will give your space a beautiful and bold update

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Colorful kitchen ideas – 12 design-led ways to brighten a kitchen

11. Layer matt and shine in your color choices

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