White, Out: 13 Ways to Use Colour in the Kitchen
From full colour schemes to touches of tones – here's how to have a knockout kitchen that doesn't rely on white
Erica Barlow
3 June 2018
Houzz Australia Contributor. I'm a freelance writer who is passionate about interiors, exteriors and pretty much anything in between. This becomes very interesting when furnishing somewhere with my two toddlers in the mix! They have taught me a lot about what you can do with limited space, time and/ or money.
Houzz Australia Contributor. I'm a freelance writer who is passionate about interiors,... More
When fitting a new kitchen, white is often the safe bet; it remains Australia’s most popular choice for good reason. But many people are looking to try something different, perhaps because kids and white don’t always mix, or because they are keen for a shade that’s easier to keep clean. Or those after a new look may have noticed Scandi designers veering towards a more varied palette of late. Whatever the motivation, there are endless possibilities out there for bringing colour into this space. Here are just a few of them to mull over.
1. Dive into darkness
For those who are keen to wash their hands of white, indulgence in the dark side could be just the place to start. Inky shades have found their footing recently, bringing a particularly handsome look to the kitchen. A moody, deep grey as seen here looks rich and classic in this Victorian home, complementing the butler’s sink and Shaker-style doors.
Browse more inspiring kitchen images
For those who are keen to wash their hands of white, indulgence in the dark side could be just the place to start. Inky shades have found their footing recently, bringing a particularly handsome look to the kitchen. A moody, deep grey as seen here looks rich and classic in this Victorian home, complementing the butler’s sink and Shaker-style doors.
Browse more inspiring kitchen images
Black would work well here too, but for contemporary kitchens, go for a satin or matt finish; anything glossy will show up fingerprints worse than white would.
If you prefer an airier aesthetic, you can still get the traditional touch by mixing grey units with white walls and moulding (which also help bring light into the space).
Contemporary kitchens look just as smart in this colour, and work particularly well when it’s contrasted with pops of bright colour, such as this green.
To keep a kitchen looking current, there’s no reason this year’s best-loved pale pink and grey combination can’t work beyond the living room or bedroom. The beauty of this pairing lies in its ability to look up-to-the-minute while elegant in any period-style space.
2. Indulge in indigo
Another way to embrace brass tones is to pair them with indigo: this beautiful blue is contemporary and earthy and it contrasts wonderfully with the golden glow of brass. You can see here how it also enhances the rich browns of the leather seen on the stools and bookshelves.
Another way to embrace brass tones is to pair them with indigo: this beautiful blue is contemporary and earthy and it contrasts wonderfully with the golden glow of brass. You can see here how it also enhances the rich browns of the leather seen on the stools and bookshelves.
Indigo works wonders when warmed up by wood. When a little white is added to the scheme you get a nautical feel.
10 Kitchen Colour Schemes That Will Stand the Test of Time
10 Kitchen Colour Schemes That Will Stand the Test of Time
3. Green is for go
Green has become a popular designers’ choice, but if the bright 2017 favourite Pantone ‘Greenery’ is not for you, a rich bottle green can do the trick. This London home pays homage to its history with deep-green surrounds crisply offset with white marble.
Green has become a popular designers’ choice, but if the bright 2017 favourite Pantone ‘Greenery’ is not for you, a rich bottle green can do the trick. This London home pays homage to its history with deep-green surrounds crisply offset with white marble.
For those wanting a more modern take on this colour, dark green looks chic when sharpened up with bright blues, modern brass light fittings and hexagonal tiles.
4. Duck into dusty blue
For anyone thinking duck-egg blue has had its moment, it is still worth considering for the instant old-world charm it brings to any vintage or rustic-style kitchen. Retro tapware and appliances look wonderful with this aesthetic too.
For anyone thinking duck-egg blue has had its moment, it is still worth considering for the instant old-world charm it brings to any vintage or rustic-style kitchen. Retro tapware and appliances look wonderful with this aesthetic too.
And for wow factor, a barn conversion looks nothing short of spectacular in a related colour, duck-egg green, with blond wood flooring, rafters and details that bounce light around the space and add texture and warmth at the same time.
5. Be bold with brights
Know that citrus orange is lovely and sassy, especially when paired with white.
Know that citrus orange is lovely and sassy, especially when paired with white.
6. Or play with primaries, Mondrian-style
For a bolder choice, a mid-century feel can be achieved by taking inspiration from Dutch artist Mondrian, famous for his employment of primary-coloured blocks juxtaposed with black and white.
For a bolder choice, a mid-century feel can be achieved by taking inspiration from Dutch artist Mondrian, famous for his employment of primary-coloured blocks juxtaposed with black and white.
7. Keep it mellow
If you’d rather stick to a single primary colour, yellow brings a year-round touch of summer to any scheme.
If you’d rather stick to a single primary colour, yellow brings a year-round touch of summer to any scheme.
And if you’re a less-is-more person, a few key yellow pieces look fantastic against a kitchen in dusky grey-green (commonly known as French grey).
8. Nurture a new-Nordic look
While leading Nordic designers have by no means abandoned their beloved white on wood and walls, the look is now updated with flashes of colour, as seen here. Danish company &shufl has stressed how much the movement away from white kitchens is key to the ‘new Nordic’ look.
Where is Danish Design Headed?
While leading Nordic designers have by no means abandoned their beloved white on wood and walls, the look is now updated with flashes of colour, as seen here. Danish company &shufl has stressed how much the movement away from white kitchens is key to the ‘new Nordic’ look.
Where is Danish Design Headed?
For those who love the pared-back look of Scandi schemes, pale walls and untreated wood are as stylish as ever; to update, black doors add contrast while also lending a rustic-industrial feel.
9. White walls can still be wonderful
A peaceful atmosphere often involves white, but the key is using it only for the surrounds. This kitchen attains a cosy sense of character with the stripped wood surfaces and tan tones of the dining bench and leather-topped stools.
A peaceful atmosphere often involves white, but the key is using it only for the surrounds. This kitchen attains a cosy sense of character with the stripped wood surfaces and tan tones of the dining bench and leather-topped stools.
Untreated timber is great when paired with concrete and stainless steel. There is something beautifully humble about using these hardwearing materials in a kitchen built to last.
10. Strive for stainless steel
For a committed industrial look, don’t look past brushed stainless-steel cabinetry. The leading choice in professional kitchens thanks to its durable and hygienic properties, this material becomes elegant when worked in alongside utilitarian detailing in classic black.
For a committed industrial look, don’t look past brushed stainless-steel cabinetry. The leading choice in professional kitchens thanks to its durable and hygienic properties, this material becomes elegant when worked in alongside utilitarian detailing in classic black.
11. Move towards mid-century
A great way to incorporate a little white for those still keen is teaming it with ply or walnut-laminate cabinetry. This scheme is note-perfect when you add a statement light, leather dining chairs and a mid-century setting.
A great way to incorporate a little white for those still keen is teaming it with ply or walnut-laminate cabinetry. This scheme is note-perfect when you add a statement light, leather dining chairs and a mid-century setting.
12. I can’t let go of white!
If you really don’t feel ready to wish white away just yet, you’re in luck. Whether budget or desire means that white units need to stay, injecting a stripe of colour makes for a bold statement that is reversible: it is far cheaper to replace a couple of door and drawer fronts than a whole set.
If you really don’t feel ready to wish white away just yet, you’re in luck. Whether budget or desire means that white units need to stay, injecting a stripe of colour makes for a bold statement that is reversible: it is far cheaper to replace a couple of door and drawer fronts than a whole set.
13. Accessorise, accessorise…
If you’re renting or simply don’t wish to make permanent changes, introducing colourful accessories is the easiest option of all. Brightly coloured glass adds instant interest, as do the stylists’ favourites, a well-placed tea towel, canister or bowl of fruit.
If you’re renting or simply don’t wish to make permanent changes, introducing colourful accessories is the easiest option of all. Brightly coloured glass adds instant interest, as do the stylists’ favourites, a well-placed tea towel, canister or bowl of fruit.
Tell us
Do you have your own non-white kitchen solution to share? Add your thoughts and images in the Comments section below, and join the conversation.
More
Find a kitchen designer on Houzz
Do you have your own non-white kitchen solution to share? Add your thoughts and images in the Comments section below, and join the conversation.
More
Find a kitchen designer on Houzz
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Colour in the kitchen is making a huge comeback. I'm loving how my clients are being brave and taking that move to do something other than a white kitchen.
I loved the yellow stripe. So economical. I have a tiny kitchen, mostly white but with a golden yellow tiled floor. The same tiles are on top of the standalone dishwasher. This is where we work, gazing out to sea... its a sunny kitchen even on dark days. I also liked the Mondrian kitchen, a concept I tried to sell to my client instead of boring offwhite. A white kitchen has so many possibilities!
Green is for go; Mondrian style and striving for stainless steel are still my go to favourites for different reasons. The first is moody, calm and me, the second is fun and airy and still me. I can see myself dancing up a storm here. In the 3rd there is an appeal to my groundedness with a solid Bauhaus feel to it that I cannot resist and must admire. Still if I were to choose the 1 & 2 are more ME! :)