The Case for Coloured Appliances
Your toaster, stove and even your fridge can do more than you think for your kitchen ... just add colour
White or stainless steel used to be the only choices we had for our fridges, stoves and small appliances but, thankfully, manufacturers are expanding their ranges to meet consumer demand for the bold and beautiful. Whether your kitchen needs a short-term spruce-up or you’re renovating from scratch, colourful appliances can be attention-getting features that deliver on your goals for this important room of the house, whether adding a cheery element, amping up its style cred, or showing off an appliance you love.
You’re all about neutrals but want to avoid white or stainless steel
You don’t have to love brights to introduce a little colour in your appliances. Grey, the colour without colour, can make more of cabinets that are in the same colour family, and add a little urban edge to your space.
You don’t have to love brights to introduce a little colour in your appliances. Grey, the colour without colour, can make more of cabinets that are in the same colour family, and add a little urban edge to your space.
You’re into colour blocking
Dutch artist Piet Mondrian inspired the pairing of solid blocks of colour from opposite ends of the colour wheel in the early 20th century, and the trend has taken flight in fashion and home interiors in recent years. A stove is large enough to provide a block of colour to break up your cabinets. Add a third colour if you dare – either contrasting or complementary.
Colour-blocking in the kitchen
Dutch artist Piet Mondrian inspired the pairing of solid blocks of colour from opposite ends of the colour wheel in the early 20th century, and the trend has taken flight in fashion and home interiors in recent years. A stove is large enough to provide a block of colour to break up your cabinets. Add a third colour if you dare – either contrasting or complementary.
Colour-blocking in the kitchen
Because you have an AGA
Some appliances have stood the test of time for both their function and form, and this is certainly true of the AGA. This iconic cooker was invented in 1922 by Swedish Nobel Prize-winner Gustaf Dalen. The physicist had lost his sight in both eyes 10 years before in an experiment gone wrong, but blindness did nothing to dampen his inventive nature. He set about creating the world’s first heat storage cooker for his wife, to make cooking more efficient.
The AGA has been manufactured in the UK since 1929 and graces the kitchens of lovers of cooking and style the world over. As for colour, it turns an appliance you love into the star attraction.
Some appliances have stood the test of time for both their function and form, and this is certainly true of the AGA. This iconic cooker was invented in 1922 by Swedish Nobel Prize-winner Gustaf Dalen. The physicist had lost his sight in both eyes 10 years before in an experiment gone wrong, but blindness did nothing to dampen his inventive nature. He set about creating the world’s first heat storage cooker for his wife, to make cooking more efficient.
The AGA has been manufactured in the UK since 1929 and graces the kitchens of lovers of cooking and style the world over. As for colour, it turns an appliance you love into the star attraction.
Your kitchen has gone too far with a particular theme
You may love a particular style of decorating, but too much is never a good thing. Stainless steel and concrete work like a dream in this industrial-style kitchen, but without the splashes of bright colour, it would risk looking cold and commercial.
Browse more industrial-style kitchens
You may love a particular style of decorating, but too much is never a good thing. Stainless steel and concrete work like a dream in this industrial-style kitchen, but without the splashes of bright colour, it would risk looking cold and commercial.
Browse more industrial-style kitchens
Your kitchen needs a pick-me-up
If you’ve bought a house and inherited a renovated kitchen, or if you’re renting, you’re likely going to have to live with what’s there until you either move out or it’s worn out enough that you can justify an overhaul. Appliances allow you to inject enough colour and character that it feels like your own.
If you’ve bought a house and inherited a renovated kitchen, or if you’re renting, you’re likely going to have to live with what’s there until you either move out or it’s worn out enough that you can justify an overhaul. Appliances allow you to inject enough colour and character that it feels like your own.
If your kitchen is ripe for renovation but needs a lift in the meantime, small appliances can do the job. And they will look just as good in the new kitchen as they do in the short term. If anyone questions you on the wisdom of such a purchase, tell them it’s an investment for your future.
A colour from yesteryear jogs happy memories
Some colours have such positive connotations that you can’t help but smile every time you see them. Retro green, for example, can conjure fond memories of eating freshly baked bread with butter and honey in Grandma’s kitchen, a spearmint milkshake in a tall frosty glass, or the colour of the sea at your favourite holiday spot. Whatever hue makes you feel warm and fuzzy could be the one to bring into your kitchen. Fortunately, colouring in your kitchen has never been easier – appliances are becoming available in every colour of the rainbow in response to customer appetites.
How to be truly confident with colour
Some colours have such positive connotations that you can’t help but smile every time you see them. Retro green, for example, can conjure fond memories of eating freshly baked bread with butter and honey in Grandma’s kitchen, a spearmint milkshake in a tall frosty glass, or the colour of the sea at your favourite holiday spot. Whatever hue makes you feel warm and fuzzy could be the one to bring into your kitchen. Fortunately, colouring in your kitchen has never been easier – appliances are becoming available in every colour of the rainbow in response to customer appetites.
How to be truly confident with colour
Your kitchen needs a nudge to take it upmarket
If you’ve renovated on a budget or your kitchen just looks a little underwhelming, introducing a star player could be the ticket. A shimmer of brass or copper is the equivalent of adding jewellery to your evening attire before going out – it’s the finishing touch that takes an outfit from drab to dazzling.
If you’ve renovated on a budget or your kitchen just looks a little underwhelming, introducing a star player could be the ticket. A shimmer of brass or copper is the equivalent of adding jewellery to your evening attire before going out – it’s the finishing touch that takes an outfit from drab to dazzling.
Your all-white kitchen is lacking a certain je ne sais quoi
White kitchens are popular for good reason – they look fresh, clean and contemporary and suit any style of home – and will no doubt stay looking current as fads continue to come and go. Unless you think of a white kitchen as a backdrop upon which you can layer texture and colour, however, it can easily enter the ‘nothing special’ zone – no matter how much money you spent on it. The answer is, of course, a bright appliance.
YOUR SAY
Tell us about your coloured appliances in the Comments below!
MORE
Read up on more kitchen ideas
White kitchens are popular for good reason – they look fresh, clean and contemporary and suit any style of home – and will no doubt stay looking current as fads continue to come and go. Unless you think of a white kitchen as a backdrop upon which you can layer texture and colour, however, it can easily enter the ‘nothing special’ zone – no matter how much money you spent on it. The answer is, of course, a bright appliance.
YOUR SAY
Tell us about your coloured appliances in the Comments below!
MORE
Read up on more kitchen ideas
A home is all the more harmonious if the rooms are tied together in some way. The use of particular materials is one way to unify your interiors, and featuring an accent colour or two in each room is another. This vibrant yellow can make an appearance in any number of ways – in feature walls, furniture, soft furnishings, or even your toothbrush. What better room than the kitchen to set the tone for the rest of the house?