Colour-Blocking in the Kitchen
Master the art of colour-blocking in your cooking zone by following these foolproof design tricks
Colour-blocking is a popular fashion trend that has been a firm favourite with designers and fashion lovers over the past several years. Although it’s taken a little longer for the high-impact look to filter down into the interiors world, the technique is now being embraced by many design professionals and home decorators, too, especially in the kitchen, as a way to liven up a neutral scheme and help your space stand out. Take a look at the colour-blocking cheat sheet that we’ve compiled for you below.
Opt for a dramatic dark base colour
For an ultra-modern look that oozes edginess with a playful twist, opt for a dark base colour and then introduce block look-at-me brights to cut through the moody scheme. As you can see in this luxe black kitchen, the striking contrast between dark and high-energy shades amplifies the colour-blocking effect, resulting in a dynamic scheme that offers a double dose of drama and stop-and-stare appeal.
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For an ultra-modern look that oozes edginess with a playful twist, opt for a dark base colour and then introduce block look-at-me brights to cut through the moody scheme. As you can see in this luxe black kitchen, the striking contrast between dark and high-energy shades amplifies the colour-blocking effect, resulting in a dynamic scheme that offers a double dose of drama and stop-and-stare appeal.
See more of this kitchen
Paint a brightly toned accent wall
A simple way to colour-block in an all-white or neutral kitchen is to paint a feature wall in your favourite colour. Choosing the same colour for your accents will help tie the scheme together, while highlighting other stand-out features that deserve to shine.
How to Add Colour to an All-White Kitchen
A simple way to colour-block in an all-white or neutral kitchen is to paint a feature wall in your favourite colour. Choosing the same colour for your accents will help tie the scheme together, while highlighting other stand-out features that deserve to shine.
How to Add Colour to an All-White Kitchen
Can’t commit to one colour? Paint a geometric colour-blocked motif on one or all of your walls instead. As you can see here, the result is a kitchen that packs a visual punch and is high on colour and life.
Select shades from the same colour family
If you’re not confident choosing hues that will work together or would prefer a scheme that isn’t too … well … colourful, a simple solution is to layer your space with tones from the same colour family, rather than shades that clash. To add extra visual interest to the scheme, introduce contrasting textures, including matt, gloss, metallic and tiled surfaces.
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If you’re not confident choosing hues that will work together or would prefer a scheme that isn’t too … well … colourful, a simple solution is to layer your space with tones from the same colour family, rather than shades that clash. To add extra visual interest to the scheme, introduce contrasting textures, including matt, gloss, metallic and tiled surfaces.
See more of this kitchen
Dress your cupboard doors in different colours
A fun way to experiment with colour-blocking in your kitchen is to paint your cupboard doors and drawer fronts in clashing colours. This DIY project can be completed over a weekend and will only set you back the cost of a few tins of paint, which means you can colour-block your way to a fresh, new cheery kitchen (on the cheap) in no time at all.
More ways to make over your kitchen cabinetry
A fun way to experiment with colour-blocking in your kitchen is to paint your cupboard doors and drawer fronts in clashing colours. This DIY project can be completed over a weekend and will only set you back the cost of a few tins of paint, which means you can colour-block your way to a fresh, new cheery kitchen (on the cheap) in no time at all.
More ways to make over your kitchen cabinetry
If the previous project is a little too ‘out there’ for your tastes, take a leaf out of this colourful yet restrained kitchen’s playbook and limit your palette to three contrasting shades, along with hints of black and white. Applying the different hues to block sections of your cabinets, rather than in a jigsaw-like pattern, will also help harness the colourful scheme and ensure it doesn’t appear overly kooky or chaotic.
Colour-block with moody tones
For a sophisticated look, take design cues from this contemporary kitchen and team slightly dirty tones like dusty blue, khaki and brown together. Consider adding a bright accent wall to energise the scheme or highlight an interesting design feature, like the electric purple art niche that stands against the right side of this island.
For a sophisticated look, take design cues from this contemporary kitchen and team slightly dirty tones like dusty blue, khaki and brown together. Consider adding a bright accent wall to energise the scheme or highlight an interesting design feature, like the electric purple art niche that stands against the right side of this island.
Introduce a coloured splashback or island
Could you work a splashback or island in a eye-popping shade into your kitchen? Maybe you could make like this kitchen and work in both. Dress them in coordinating tones to create a uniform look, or select clashing colours to add another layer of visual interest and contrast to the scheme.
See more of this kitchen
Could you work a splashback or island in a eye-popping shade into your kitchen? Maybe you could make like this kitchen and work in both. Dress them in coordinating tones to create a uniform look, or select clashing colours to add another layer of visual interest and contrast to the scheme.
See more of this kitchen
Pair different types of timber together
Another way to try this trend if you’re not a big fan of colour and want to decorate your kitchen in a natural palette is to construct your cabinetry using different coloured timbers. To ensure your timber-on-timber look doesn’t appear too busy, orient the panels so that the grains run in the same direction. If your kitchen is compact in size, consider using horizontal woodgrain panels (like the ones used in this space), as they create the illusion of spaciousness.
Work timber into your kitchen
Another way to try this trend if you’re not a big fan of colour and want to decorate your kitchen in a natural palette is to construct your cabinetry using different coloured timbers. To ensure your timber-on-timber look doesn’t appear too busy, orient the panels so that the grains run in the same direction. If your kitchen is compact in size, consider using horizontal woodgrain panels (like the ones used in this space), as they create the illusion of spaciousness.
Work timber into your kitchen
Play with hues on opposite sides of the colour wheel
When choosing colours to pair together in your kitchen, you can’t go wrong if you select contrasting hues that sit opposite each other on the colour wheel. My favourite pairings include turquoise and orange, purple and lemon, as well as dusky pink and teal, which is the key to this culinary area’s deliciously chic look.
When choosing colours to pair together in your kitchen, you can’t go wrong if you select contrasting hues that sit opposite each other on the colour wheel. My favourite pairings include turquoise and orange, purple and lemon, as well as dusky pink and teal, which is the key to this culinary area’s deliciously chic look.
Splash out on coloured appliances
If your appliances are ready for an upgrade, consider splurging on coloured appliances. Remember, appliances are big ticket items, so choose gadgets in a colour that you love and don’t see yourself getting sick of for a while. If you’re revamping your entire cooking zone, weigh up whether you wish to play it safe and dress the rest of your space in classic white or neutral tones; or go all out and introduce contrasting colours that complement and make your new appliances pop.
Cluny 1400G range cooker in Provence Yellow: Lacanche
Make coloured appliances work in the kitchen
If your appliances are ready for an upgrade, consider splurging on coloured appliances. Remember, appliances are big ticket items, so choose gadgets in a colour that you love and don’t see yourself getting sick of for a while. If you’re revamping your entire cooking zone, weigh up whether you wish to play it safe and dress the rest of your space in classic white or neutral tones; or go all out and introduce contrasting colours that complement and make your new appliances pop.
Cluny 1400G range cooker in Provence Yellow: Lacanche
Make coloured appliances work in the kitchen
Break some rules
Love lively colour? Then don’t be afraid to break or use all these colour-blocking rules. After all, your kitchen is the heart of the home and should reflect you, so if the thought of having a high-energy, rainbow-toned kitchen that’s full of colour and life gets your heart afluttering, go with it and colour-block ’til your heart’s content!
H2 bar stool in Orange: LumiSource
SHOW US
Do you have a show-stopping colour-block kitchen? We’d love to see it, so post photos of your colourful cooking zone in the Comments.
MORE
How to Be Truly Confident With Colour
How to Stop Procrastinating on Paint Colours
20 Gorgeous Kitchen Colour Pairings
Love lively colour? Then don’t be afraid to break or use all these colour-blocking rules. After all, your kitchen is the heart of the home and should reflect you, so if the thought of having a high-energy, rainbow-toned kitchen that’s full of colour and life gets your heart afluttering, go with it and colour-block ’til your heart’s content!
H2 bar stool in Orange: LumiSource
SHOW US
Do you have a show-stopping colour-block kitchen? We’d love to see it, so post photos of your colourful cooking zone in the Comments.
MORE
How to Be Truly Confident With Colour
How to Stop Procrastinating on Paint Colours
20 Gorgeous Kitchen Colour Pairings
If you desire a look that makes a statement but isn’t OTT or simply wish to dip your toe into this bold trend, take a light approach to colour-blocking and pepper your kitchen with bright furniture, benchtop appliances or kitchenware; they’re easier and more affordable to replace and switch up.
DSW dining chairs in White, Red and Yellow by Charles and Ray Eames: Herman Miller