Is Your Kitchen in Need of a Zesty Refresh?
Here are 8 interesting ways to use super citrus colours to juice up your kitchen
During the chilly season, a common theme for home cooks is to start to zest up our food with the zing of winter citrus flavours. So why not make this the time you zest up your decor palette – it could be the just the right moment to get brave and ditch that all-white kitchen. We’re seeing a lot more of these colours in the living room, so it makes sense to continue the theme by adding a shot of bright colour to our cooking spaces too. Be it orange, lemon, lime or bright berry, getting your five a day is easy in these fruit-coloured kitchens.
A lime green island is stunning in this architectural space, teamed with warm timber cabinets and flooring.
Even bright yellow can be sophisticated in a retro scheme – check out this yellow onyx benchtop paired with dark timber and crisp white.
2. Think proportions
Orange and yellow look particularly good with colours that occupy the extremes of the neutral range – crisp whites and dark charcoals. Try them with cabinets in black and white. Resene ‘Spotlight’ (yellow) is used on the island bench in this kitchen.
Orange and yellow look particularly good with colours that occupy the extremes of the neutral range – crisp whites and dark charcoals. Try them with cabinets in black and white. Resene ‘Spotlight’ (yellow) is used on the island bench in this kitchen.
Getting the balance right is key when using strong colour. This colour-blocked effect works with its ratio of 50/50 lime green and white.
3. Ramp up red
Keeping the colour balance right means that these Resene ‘Pohutukawa’ red cabinets aren’t overpowering, but tempered with pale timber floors and details.
Keeping the colour balance right means that these Resene ‘Pohutukawa’ red cabinets aren’t overpowering, but tempered with pale timber floors and details.
Accentuate the out-there quality of bright colours like this berry red by using them in a high-gloss paint finish for the cabinets.
4. Let splashbacks shine
If you’re using bright yellow or lime on a back-painted glass splashback, the glass will further accentuate the intensity of the colour, giving it an even more luminous, sunshiny quality.
If you’re using bright yellow or lime on a back-painted glass splashback, the glass will further accentuate the intensity of the colour, giving it an even more luminous, sunshiny quality.
If you like bright but don't want to commit to painting the whole kitchen yellow, use it as an accent on one wall or on a splashback area.
Or go for more than one juicy accent colour. This striking design uses Resene 'Spotlight' (yellow) and Resene 'Bullseye' (red) to pop against more demur Resene 'Ironsand' cabinets.
A hidden slice of orange (Resene 'Daredevil') is revealed when you open the pantry door of this otherwise monochromatic kitchen.
5. Start small
Future-proof your kitchen. Keep the cabinets and benchtops neutral in white and grey, but add a shot of colour on one part of the wall, like behind these shelves. Then when you tire of the colour, it’s easy to change using just one test pot of paint.
Future-proof your kitchen. Keep the cabinets and benchtops neutral in white and grey, but add a shot of colour on one part of the wall, like behind these shelves. Then when you tire of the colour, it’s easy to change using just one test pot of paint.
If you don't want to commit to the expense of orange cabinets, paint a nearby wall or architectural detail instead. Then it's easily changed in future.
6. Accentuate the positive
Look for accents in a near-complementary colour. The orange translucent chairs and flowers give warm punches of colour against the soft apple-green cabinets.
Look for accents in a near-complementary colour. The orange translucent chairs and flowers give warm punches of colour against the soft apple-green cabinets.
Super-subtle touches of yellow lift this otherwise neutral kitchen. A big bowl of lemons and limes might be all you need to add some zing to your room. Classic Bertoia chairs introduce just the right amount of tang to the breakfast area.
Don’t be afraid to mix your colours. You wouldn’t think that a sharp citrus green would go with an oceanic turquoise, but together they give a sophisticated arthouse feel with a fun retro twist.
8. Zing the appliances
An often overlooked opportunity to add colour, coloured appliances look spectacular and are on the up in terms of trends. They can be vintage, retro or sleekly modern. The classic French Cluny range from Lacanche comes in delicious citrus lemon, orange and lime shades. Or check out English Falcon or Aga cookers for more edible colours.
An often overlooked opportunity to add colour, coloured appliances look spectacular and are on the up in terms of trends. They can be vintage, retro or sleekly modern. The classic French Cluny range from Lacanche comes in delicious citrus lemon, orange and lime shades. Or check out English Falcon or Aga cookers for more edible colours.
You can’t help but see this fridge – drink anyone? It’s a true statement apple green in a sea of contemporary pale timber and concrete. Try the Smeg retro fridges to add zing to your statement piece.
YOUR SAY
Are you tempted to add a citrus zing to your kitchen? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
MORE
Citrus Squeeze: Juice Up Your Insides With Lime Green
How to Make Coloured Appliances Work in Your Kitchen
Colour-Blocking in the Kitchen
YOUR SAY
Are you tempted to add a citrus zing to your kitchen? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
MORE
Citrus Squeeze: Juice Up Your Insides With Lime Green
How to Make Coloured Appliances Work in Your Kitchen
Colour-Blocking in the Kitchen
To keep the look on-trend use clean, clear versions of citrus yellows and oranges. Don’t muddy them up too much or it will turn the room from sunny to dull. An exception is an orange that is a little ‘burnt’, like this Resene ‘Tangerine’ painted kitchen. Dark stained wood in Resene ‘Colorwood Walnut’ and black appliances steer the look away from fast food restaurants.