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Color Love: Neutral Kitchens

Aug 01, 2010

There's a real movement toward neutral color palettes right now. After years of hearing TV designers talk over and over about making things "pop," perhaps we're craving a little calm. Inspired by the first image below, I went hunting for more gorgeous examples of kitchens that pull off a warm, interesting look without using intense color to do it.

Be inspired, then read my tips for keeping a neutral kitchen interesting. —Diane

This kitchen may not have juicy color, but it has tons of texture: the stone wall, corrugated metal ceiling (love!), thick butcher block, wicker chairs, and polished concrete floors. Photo: Better Homes & Gardens.

Look at the beautiful proportion here. Tall ceilings are done right with custom to-the-ceiling cabinets, extra-tall doorways, slim fixtures and furniture. Several neutrals plus green accents and a mixture of metal finishes create a layered and interesting color story. Photo: Canadian House & Home.

This is a look anyone with a modest budget could pull off. Dark floors, white cabinetry, black and chrome accents. Simple stock cabinetry is given a custom look with serious mouldings to the ceiling. Industrial accents add interest, and a large, unadorned window gives the impression of spaciousness in a smallish kitchen. Photo: Canadian House & Home.

Gray and white get warmed up with a pale but taosty neutral on the walls. This looks a lot like the color on my kitchen walls: Sherwin-Williams Ramie. Photo: Canadian House & Home.

Rustic elements shine amid a mostly white kitchen: brick floors and a pine harvest table. The black door adds a nice bit of "punctuation." Photo: Lonny Magazine.

Tips for Working with a Neutral Color Scheme in the Kitchen

• Choose several neutrals. Don't forget that elements like appliances and fixtures have color, too.
• Play up texture. Without it, the room will look boring. Add it with rough tile, cork flooring, slubby fabrics, a butcher-block top, or a tin ceiling.
• Add an element of interest or two, but don't overdo it. Easy places to express your style: light fixtures, quirky barstools, cabinet hardware, accessories.
• Invest in lighting. Neutral or not, any color scheme can fail if its not lit in an effective and appealing way.
• Keep surrounding spaces neutral, as well. Now that open kitchens have become the standard, it's important to integrate the look of your kitchen with its surrounding spaces.
• Cook! Nothing makes a kitchen more interesting than what's created within it. Let your colorful food take center stage.

Need help making your kitchen look better without a total overhaul? My "Spiff It Up" eDecor Plan gives you a complete plan for a cosmetic redo of a kitchen or bath for $400… and during the month of August, take $50 off any eDecor Plan at Dwelement! For $350 you get a color plan, 3D Views of your finished kitchen or bath, an Inspiration Board that shows all the materials, fixtures, furniture, and accessories with live links to buy them with a click, a To-Do List that guides you through the project, and 14 days of unlimited email consultation after delivery. You can take your time finishing things as your budget allows, and I won't try to sell you anything. Questions? There's never an obligation (or an onslaught of spam) when you email me. —Diane

TAGS: kitchen neutral color scheme palette palate pallet rustic industrial modern beige gray grey white off-white cream tan how to make neutrals interesting edecor edecorating e-decorating

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