Refresh Your Kitchen With These Soothing Neutral Color Schemes

Neutral colors like white, beige, gray, and taupe have become increasingly popular in kitchen designs over the recent years. The versatility of neutrals allows them to fit seamlessly into almost any style of kitchen decor. From modern and contemporary to traditional and transitional, neutral color schemes can help create a soothing, inviting kitchen space.

There are many benefits to using neutral colors in your kitchen:

• They create a calming, stress-free atmosphere
• Allow bolder accent colors to stand out
• Give an elegant and sophisticated look
• Provide a blank, adaptable base for changing up colors down the road

When thinking about refreshing your kitchen with neutral colors, there are a few key factors to consider that can impact how the shades appear.

Choose the Right Neutrals for Your Kitchen Size, Layout and Lighting

While neutral paints, cabinets, counters and backsplashes may seem simple, the many undertones and shades available means carefully selecting the right hues for your unique kitchen is key.

Take Into Account the Size and Layout

The size and layout of your kitchen should significantly influence your choice of neutral colors. Darker neutrals like charcoal, chocolate or graphite may make a small kitchen feel closed in and cramped. Opt instead for lighter toned neutrals such as almond, pearl gray or airy light beige that give the illusion of more space.

In a large, airy kitchen, you have more flexibility with bolder deeper neutrals shades. Rich tones like espresso can add a sense of coziness to an expansive kitchen.

Mind the Natural and Artificial Lighting

The lighting in your kitchen often impacts how you perceive shades of white or beige on the wall. Golden afternoon sunlight may give an alabaster white a warmer, yellowed look over time. Whereas cool northern light would retain the crisp white tones. Consider when you use your kitchen most to choose a durable neutral.

For spaces with little natural light, factor how artificial lighting interacts with paint samples during evening meal preps. The wrong tone can read drab and lifeless.

Coordinate With Your Existing Palette

If keeping existing cabinetry or countertops in good shape, select a serene neutral wall color that complements rather than competes with them. For example, if you have reddish-brown cherry wood cabinets opting for an earthy neutral like sandstone or taupe on walls would allow both elements to shine.

Finding the Most Soothing Neutral Color Options for Kitchens

From soft whites to warm taupes, here is an overview of popular paint colors that can help form the foundation of a relaxing, neutral kitchen scheme:

Versatile Whites and Creams

Crisp white is a perennial favorite neutral shade for kitchens, as it promotes brightness and gives off an airy ambiance. Look to options like Swiss Coffee, Snowbound or White Heron. Creamy off-whites like Chantilly Lace also give a touch of elegance.

Timeless Beiges and Tans

For a slightly warmer yet equally versatile base, beiges ranging from light biscuit tones to deep umbers work beautifully. Some mellow beige examples include Sandy Ridge, Accessible Beige or Collonade Gray. Bring depth with richer camel hues like Roasted Chestnut.

On-Trend Grays

Gray kitchens may be having a style moment but their adaptability gives them serious staying power. Go for an airy vibe with soft cloud grays or choose stony shades with blue undertones. Examples run the gamut from coastal Gray Owl to sturdy Galveston Gray.

Understated Taupes

Blending gray and brown produces the incredibly flexible taupe family that serves as a soothing neutral when decorating kitchens. Look at options ranging from the pale warmth of Doeskin or modern, rocky shades such as Kilim Beige or Gray Cotton.

When evaluating different neutral samples, be sure to paint large swatches and view throughout daylight hours. Compare with existing cabinetry and surfaces.

Ways to Craft Depth, Contrast and Interest in Neutral Kitchen Color Schemes

The versatility of neutral kitchen walls and cabinetry provides the ideal springboard for adding pops of color, varied textures and beautiful visual contrast by way of:

Mixing Neutral Tones and Textures

Work with multiple neutral colors in one kitchen by varying textures and sheens. For example, pair creamy matte subway tile backsplash with high-gloss wood cabinets. Or match light French gray lower cabinets with heavily textured ash gray uppers.

Natural Materials Like Wood, Brick and Stone

Incorporate organic textures and surfaces such as exposed brick, finished concrete, butcher block islands or wood plank flooring. This adds lovely depth and dimension to otherwise flat neutrals.

Punctuating With Moments of Color

Allow neutrals to recede into the background by adding pops of colors in appliances, bar stools, accent walls/islands or decor elements. Vibrant turquoise, sunny yellow or deep ruby work nicely.

Mixing and Matching Metal Finishes

Alternate between stainless steel appliances, copper or bronze light fixtures and cool nickel or warm pewter hardware for metallic interest.

Painting or Staining Cabinets

For a custom, high-end look without replacing existing cabinetry opt to paint or stain them in a lighter or darker neutral that complements your feature wall shade.

Inspirational Examples of Soothing Neutral Color Schemes for Kitchens

Still searching for the perfect neutral kitchen color combination? Here are a few exquisite examples blending neutrals in creative ways:

Warm Beige Cabinets Against Cool Gray Walls

This handsome scheme features weathered wood cabinets in a worn black finish combined with hazy gray lower walls, white subway tile and concrete-look quartz counters. Pops of azure provide vibrancy against the grounded neutrals.

Crisp White Perfected With Pale Oak Cabinets

The bright white used on upper and lower cabinets allows beautiful natural wood counters, open shelves and an accent wall in weathered oak to take centerstage. Chartreuse bar stools add zesty contrast.

Moody Dark Cabinetry Anchoring Ethereal Grays

Deep espresso stained cabinetry grounds an island kitchen alongside floating ash gray upper cabinets and serene gray lower walls. Penny tile backsplash in black and white prevents heaviness.

When thoughtfully selected and creatively accentuated, soothing neutral color schemes offer an adaptable, low-stress foundation for kitchen spaces requiring an elegant yet laidback atmosphere. By mixing natural textures, metallic sheens and moments of vibrancy, neutrals transform into a bespoke work of art.

We hope this overview has sparked inspiration on the many routes you can take when updating your kitchen with calming neutrals. Remember to consider the lighting, existing elements and overall functional needs of your space when selecting your custom color combination.