Happy Neutrals: These Kitchens Show How to Add a Bit More Spice
Prevent a white kitchen from feeling stark with subtle yet effective design detailing
Despite the benefits of neutral kitchens, such as enhanced natural light and an emboldened sense of cleanliness, many homeowners find neutral kitchens so boring. Never fear. With a few design tweaks, you can get all the advantages of neutral kitchens with a little added excitement. These six kitchens from the Houzz Kitchens of the Week in the US show you how to do just that.
In this kitchen in Mill Valley, California, designer Leigha Heydt brought in varying tones of grey to create a soothing feel. Lighter grey cabinets and walls (both Gray Owl by Benjamin Moore) join a darker grey island (Whale Gray by Benjamin Moore), each playing off grey tones in the Calacatta d’Oro marble backsplash tile and countertop.
This kitchen also incorporates elements that we’ll get to later: brass and wood accents.
Tolix Marais counter stools: Design Within Reach; Mr. Brown Galaxy chandelier: Chairish; Pro 48 refrigerator-freezer with glass door: Sub-Zero; Lugarno cabinet hardware: Restoration Hardware
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This kitchen also incorporates elements that we’ll get to later: brass and wood accents.
Tolix Marais counter stools: Design Within Reach; Mr. Brown Galaxy chandelier: Chairish; Pro 48 refrigerator-freezer with glass door: Sub-Zero; Lugarno cabinet hardware: Restoration Hardware
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2. Introduce black for contrast
Black is perhaps the best way to break up a white colour scheme. It provides contrast that helps the eye rest and lends a classic style.
Here, black window trim (Black Magic by Sherwin-Williams) and dark pendant lights seem to enhance the shadow reveal of the cabinetry — even the dark range top — creating a graphic element that exudes sophistication. One can imagine how this kitchen would almost disappear without these details.
Honed white Carrara marble island and perimeter countertops: Marva Marble & Granite; marble fabricator-installer: Absolute Stone Design; Vapor counter stools: CB2; floor: acacia in Cologne, Johnson Hardwood; wall ovens: Sub-Zero and Wolf
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Black is perhaps the best way to break up a white colour scheme. It provides contrast that helps the eye rest and lends a classic style.
Here, black window trim (Black Magic by Sherwin-Williams) and dark pendant lights seem to enhance the shadow reveal of the cabinetry — even the dark range top — creating a graphic element that exudes sophistication. One can imagine how this kitchen would almost disappear without these details.
Honed white Carrara marble island and perimeter countertops: Marva Marble & Granite; marble fabricator-installer: Absolute Stone Design; Vapor counter stools: CB2; floor: acacia in Cologne, Johnson Hardwood; wall ovens: Sub-Zero and Wolf
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3. Bring in gold and brass accents
After successfully saving the porcelain tile floor with gold florets in this 1920s cottage, designer Julie Bradshaw knew that gold and brass details would be just the thing to make the otherwise white kitchen shine.
Antiqued brass appears in the cabinet hardware, light fixtures, vent hood and woven-wire grills beneath the sink. The finish helps create sunny little dollops amid the stark space as natural light floods in.
Light fixtures: Circa Lighting; custom hood: Vent-A-Hood; sink: Rohl
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After successfully saving the porcelain tile floor with gold florets in this 1920s cottage, designer Julie Bradshaw knew that gold and brass details would be just the thing to make the otherwise white kitchen shine.
Antiqued brass appears in the cabinet hardware, light fixtures, vent hood and woven-wire grills beneath the sink. The finish helps create sunny little dollops amid the stark space as natural light floods in.
Light fixtures: Circa Lighting; custom hood: Vent-A-Hood; sink: Rohl
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4. Let wood add warmth
One of the most common complaints about neutral kitchens is that they appear too sterile. Some even say they feel like hospital rooms.
A simple solution is to bring in natural wood accents wherever you can. This Rhode Island kitchen benefits a great deal not just from the midtone wood floors, but also from a trio of midcentury modern-style bar stools. Even the wood cutting board, serving tray and knife block go a long way toward ridding the space of harshness.
Another photo, taken from a living space, shows how the concept extends into other rooms, with a natural wood dining table and chairs, and even a weighty wood side table in the foreground.
Wall paint: Manchester Tan HC-81 (eggshell), Benjamin Moore; trim paint: Creamy SW-7012 (satin), Sherwin-Williams; ceiling paint: Waterborne 508 (ultraflat), Benjamin Moore; custom cabinet fabrication: Ugol Woodworks; cabinet paint: Cocoon, C2 Paint; pendant lights: Cisco Home; John Vogel counter stools: West Elm; dining table and chairs: Restoration Hardware
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One of the most common complaints about neutral kitchens is that they appear too sterile. Some even say they feel like hospital rooms.
A simple solution is to bring in natural wood accents wherever you can. This Rhode Island kitchen benefits a great deal not just from the midtone wood floors, but also from a trio of midcentury modern-style bar stools. Even the wood cutting board, serving tray and knife block go a long way toward ridding the space of harshness.
Another photo, taken from a living space, shows how the concept extends into other rooms, with a natural wood dining table and chairs, and even a weighty wood side table in the foreground.
Wall paint: Manchester Tan HC-81 (eggshell), Benjamin Moore; trim paint: Creamy SW-7012 (satin), Sherwin-Williams; ceiling paint: Waterborne 508 (ultraflat), Benjamin Moore; custom cabinet fabrication: Ugol Woodworks; cabinet paint: Cocoon, C2 Paint; pendant lights: Cisco Home; John Vogel counter stools: West Elm; dining table and chairs: Restoration Hardware
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5. Focus on cabinet and millwork details
In such a grand space, these white cabinets could come off as imposing if it weren’t for the attention to detail in the millwork. Matching end panels, cathedral-style glass fronts, a coffered ceiling, crown moulding and a wood cooker hood with oversize corbels pack a lot of character.
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In such a grand space, these white cabinets could come off as imposing if it weren’t for the attention to detail in the millwork. Matching end panels, cathedral-style glass fronts, a coffered ceiling, crown moulding and a wood cooker hood with oversize corbels pack a lot of character.
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6. Play with the floor pattern
The soothing grey cabinet paint commands attention in this London kitchen, but it’s the herringbone-patterned floor that keeps the grey from overwhelming.
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TELL US
Do you prefer a neutral or colourful kitchen? Share a photo of your kitchen in the Comments!
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The soothing grey cabinet paint commands attention in this London kitchen, but it’s the herringbone-patterned floor that keeps the grey from overwhelming.
See more of this kitchen
TELL US
Do you prefer a neutral or colourful kitchen? Share a photo of your kitchen in the Comments!
MORE
Get inspired by Singapore kitchens
Check out local kitchen pros
Homeowners enthusiastic about an all-white kitchen sometimes are surprised by just how much white that really is. That’s why designers know to play with a richer mix of hues that offer a bit of interest to the eye while still maintaining neutrality.