Accentuate Your Kitchen Design with Navy Blue Cabinets
Navy blue kitchen cabinets are taking the world of interior design by storm. Known for their sophisticated and versatile aesthetic, navy cabinets can inject a kitchen with a mood-boosting, eye-catching style unlike any other.
But successfully incorporating this trend into your own kitchen takes thoughtfulness and care. By choosing complementary elements and arranging your space to highlight those dashing navy cabinets, you can craft a kitchen that feels cohesive, spacious and uniquely you.
Why Choose Navy Blue Kitchen Cabinets
So what's behind the surging popularity of navy blue cabinets? They offer a surprising number of benefits:
- Sophisticated Look - Navy evokes feelings of sleekness and elegance, perfect for contemporary kitchen designs.
- Versatile Color - Navy blue plays well with warm metals, crisp whites, charcoal, wood and even touches of complementary colors.
- Mood-Boosting Effect - The rich hue provides a soothing yet still vibrant ambiance.
Tired of the expected white and wood cabinetry seen in many kitchens, designers and homeowners alike are turning to navy blue to give this high-traffic space an elevated, polished aesthetic that feels anything but boring.
Determining If Navy Blue Is Right For Your Kitchen
Want to feature navy blue cabinets but wondering if they'll work in your home? Here are a few key considerations:
Take Note of Your Kitchen's Size and Layout
Navy blue cabinets shine bright in single-wall galley kitchens, large open floor plans and smaller kitchens with an adjoining dining area. The rich color helps delineate kitchen boundaries without closing off the space. For very small kitchens, go for navy blue accents instead of full cabinets.
Factor In Your Overall Design Style
Navy kitchen cabinets suit contemporary, modern, industrial and even traditional kitchen arrangements. Their versatility allows creative combinations with stainless steel appliances, vintage pendant lighting, butcher block islands and more. Determine the mood you want for your kitchen and select complementary elements.
Consider How Much Blue You Want to Use
While navy kitchen cabinets look stunning alone, you can reinforce the color through accents. Add navy bar stools, blue-grey mosaic backsplash tile and touches of brass for a harmonious, nautical kitchen theme. Or pair your navy cabinets with crisp whites and natural wood tones for contrast.
Complementary Colors For Navy Blue Kitchen Cabinets
Certain shades effortlessly accentuate the dreamy sophistication of navy kitchen cabinets. From the expected to the daringly unusual, get inspired by these winning color combinations:
Crisp White and Natural Wood Tones
For a flexible foundational color scheme, fresh white quartz countertops, shiplap backsplashes, and light hardwood floors beautifully offset navy's richness. Warm wood shelving, islands and tabletops also complement the relaxed coastal vibe of many navy kitchens.
Soothing Gray Shades
Matching cool-toned cabinetry andwalls can feel monotonous, so inject dimension with contrasting greys. Try a smoky charcoal quartz countertop, nickel or iron fixtures, and weathered wood open shelving against pristine matte navy cabinets.
Warm Metallics Like Brass, Copper and Gold
Metallics add a luxe accent and pick up navy's golden undertones. Aged brass pendants suspend over a navy kitchen island countertop in butcher block, while round brass knobs stand out beautifully against glossy navy cabinet fronts. Or opt for a glistening brass, blue and white color scheme evocative of beach glass.
| Color Combination Idea | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Navy blue, white and brass | Nautical, elegant and endlessly versatile |
| Navy cabinets, charcoal counters, chrome | Sleek and modern with dimension |
Cabinet and Hardware Options
While navy blue stained wood remains a cabinet option, many designers opt for factory-painted cabinetry instead. The controlled process delivers a smooth, consistent and durable finish in lovely matte or high-gloss sheens. Secondary cabinets, built-in shelving and kitchen islands also commonly receive the navy treatment for a cohesive look.
Matching vs Contrasting Hardware
Should your cabinet hardware picks match or make a statement? The choice comes down to personal preference and the look you wish to achieve.
Matching brass or nickel handles maintain focus on your bold navy cabinets, especially if going for a nautical vibe. On the other hand, an aged bronze pull against modern matte navy fronts makes quite the style statement.
Two-Tone Cabinet Ideas
Two-tone kitchen cabinetry remains on-trend, blending materials and finishes for dimension. Some stunning navy combinations include:
- Navy lower cabinets, white uppers and wood open shelving
- Glossy navy cabinets, matte navy island and brass accents
- Navy perimeter cabinets and butcher block & white island
Countertops That Accent Navy Blue Cabinets
Countertops cover real estate in every kitchen, meaning they significantly impact the overall aesthetic. These top-rated countertop ideas beautifully complement your showstopping navy cabinets.
White Marble or Quartz
Crisp white countertops contrast divinely against rich navy cabinets. White Carrara marble remains the gold standard, oozing elegant sophistication. Or select white quartz counters with subtle grey veining for a durable alternative.
Butcher Block
The natural warmth of acacia or oak butcher block counters balances navy's cool tones. Opt for a lighter wood stain that picks up on the golden undertones within navy. The textural material also suits casual kitchen aesthetics.
Dramatic Colors Like Black, Charcoal or Forest Green
For serious drama, pair navy cabinets with darker countertop colors. Pitch black quartz or granite counters and backsplashes create a moody but captivating ensemble. Or inject traces of color with deep green Quartz containing azure and golden flecks that coordinate beautifully with navy kitchen cabinets.
By thoughtfully selecting countertop materials that accent your navy blue cabinets, you help craft a polished, holistic kitchen design.
Backsplashes: Creative Ways to Showcase Navy Cabinets
Too often backsplashes get treated as an afterthought. But these hardworking areas deserve attention for their visibility and ability to enhance overall kitchen design.
Incorporate Navy Blue
Bringing navy color into your backsplash ties the entire kitchen together in harmony. Try a statement glossy navy blue subway tile backsplash against beautiful weathered white oak open shelving and matte navy Shaker cabinets.
Play with Shape
Mosaic glass, marble, and ceramic tile in soothing shapes like circles, scalloped edges and octagons present lovely blue and white motifs when illuminated. Or create dimension with 3D cube, fishscale and penny round tile patterns.
Go for the Gold (or Silver) with Metallic Finishes
Metallic backsplashes uniquely catch and reflect light, illuminating surrounding surfaces like your handsome navy cabinets. Old Hollywood glam defines a brushed brass, mirror-like backsplash, while an oil-rubbed bronze brings a more rugged, earthy feel.
Flooring Concepts With Navy Kitchen Cabinets
With so much attention on eye-level design elements like cabinetry and backsplashes, the ground below often gets overlooked. But kitchen flooring should complement your navy blue aesthetic too.
Stained Hardwood Floors
Interested in hardwood floors? Opt for wider planks with a natural, weathered appearance in a grey wash or stains featuring blue undertones. The soft texture and coordinating colors blend beautifully with navy kitchen cabinetry.
Natural Stone and Classic Tile Looks
Marble, travertine and slate floor tiles in soft greys and blues make fine matches for navy kitchen cabinets, as do encaustic cement tiles in Mediterranean-inspired patterns. Just ensure grout colors coordinate so as not to distract.
Affordable Vinyl Flooring
Budget-friendly vinyl plank flooring mimics pricier hardwood remarkably well. Select a colorwash, distressed or whitewashed oak-look vinyl floor with coastal charm ideal for a navy kitchen makeover.
Kitchen Island and Lighting Considerations
Kitchen islands serve many purposes, from additional cabinet storage and countertops to casual dining spots. Strategic lighting also spotlights a kitchen's finest features. Here's how to make them work for your navy blue aesthetic.
Kitchen Island Design Ideas
Use your kitchen island to reinforce your navy blue color scheme or as a canvass for contrasting colors. Navy perimeter cabinets with a crisp white and oak island creates an inviting visual balance. Or opt for navy cabinetry throughout for a high-impact, cohesive look.
Lighting to Complement Navy Kitchen Cabinets
Task, ambient and accent lighting all play pivotal roles when illuminating a kitchen. For navy designs, warm metallic finishes like aged brass and oil-rubbed bronze enhance the sophisticated moodiness. Navy glass pendants pop against white uppers, while recessed lighting prevents shadowy corners.
Designing Around Navy Blue Cabinets
With your foundational navy kitchen cabinets selected, now comes the fun part - designing and decorating the rest of the space! Use these tips to highlight your navy cabinets:
Strategic Layout and Design
Arrange appliances along walls painted a complementing color that matches your hardware. Curved corners, elevated stove hoods and glass-front cabinet accents prevent rigid uniformity. Built-in banquette breakfast nooks or ravishing wine fridges turn dead space into functional focal points.
Texture and Materials
Vary textures and materials throughout your kitchen design to prevent a flat appearance. Try a reclaimed wood vent hood over the stove, hammered metal pot racks and custom open shelving in wood, marble or brass metal against those sleek navy cabinets.
Maximize Storage Potential
Deep lower drawers with dividers organize cooking wares like baking sheets and cutting boards. Upper cabinets with glass fronts provide visibility while protecting your cherished china. Consider including a pantry with custom built-ins, extra drawers and specialty racks for spices, pans and small appliances.
Taking full advantage of every square inch heightens functionality so you can actually cook and gather in your beautiful new navy blue kitchen!
Maintaining Your Navy Blue Kitchen Cabinets
To keep your navy kitchen cabinets looking like a dream for years to come, incorporate these care recommendations into your cleaning routine:
- Gently wipe painted cabinet surfaces using a soft microfiber cloth, mild soap and warm water to remove dust and cooking residue.
- Immediately clean up food splatters, spills and water droplets to prevent staining.
- Avoid abrasive cleaners, bleach solutions or magic erasers that strip paint and finish.
- For deeper cleaning, use a specialty cabinet cleaner and reseal surfaces every few years per manufacturer recommendations.
While durable, navy blue kitchen cabinets remain vulnerable to scratching, moisture damage and UV light fading. Handle them with care so they retain their coveted rich blue hue.
Green Tones Build Interest
Green beautifully complements navy blue, energizing the soothing azure shade. Incorporate green accents like glassware, shrubbery or appliances into your navy kitchen. If you prefer continuity, consider deep green quartz counters with golden touches inspired by peacock feathers against your navy cabinets.
Full navy kitchen cabinets pack serious style punch. But if that feels too bold, apply navy blue in smaller accent doses instead. Paint an accent wall or island navy, display navy dining chairs or install an eye-catching navy backsplash only covering a section behind the stove.