7 Winning Color Palettes From Spring 2020’s Top Kitchens
Looking for the right mix of paint and materials? Consider these combos from popular recent kitchen photos on Houzz
This Trending Now story features the most-saved kitchen photos uploaded to Houzz in spring 2020.
A lot goes into the design of a kitchen. But a counterintuitive tip for achieving a stylish space is to not overthink it. One way kitchen designers do that is by sticking to a color palette or theme. Pick three or four tones for the main components such as cabinets, flooring and metal finishes and everything else should fall into place relatively quickly. Of course, deciding on that main palette is a challenge in itself. For a starting point, consider the following refreshing kitchen color palettes from some of the most popular kitchen photos uploaded to Houzz in spring 2020.
A lot goes into the design of a kitchen. But a counterintuitive tip for achieving a stylish space is to not overthink it. One way kitchen designers do that is by sticking to a color palette or theme. Pick three or four tones for the main components such as cabinets, flooring and metal finishes and everything else should fall into place relatively quickly. Of course, deciding on that main palette is a challenge in itself. For a starting point, consider the following refreshing kitchen color palettes from some of the most popular kitchen photos uploaded to Houzz in spring 2020.
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2. Creams, Grays, Light Wood and Brass
If you prefer neutral palettes, you can’t go wrong with an range of whites and grays. In this kitchen in Maine, creamy perimeter cabinets and a dark gray island base coordinate with similar tones found in the sliding Calacatta Bluette marble backsplash. A gray range hood, white quartz countertops, white accent tile and white pendant shades bolster the palette.
Meanwhile, a refrigerator and pantry unit paneled in lightly finished walnut works with engineered European oak flooring, along with unlacquered brass hardware and brass light fixtures, faucets and other accents, to bring warmth to the cool palette.
Paint colors: Ballet White (perimeter cabinets), Moonshine (walls), White Dove (trim), French Beret (island base), Benjamin Moore
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If you prefer neutral palettes, you can’t go wrong with an range of whites and grays. In this kitchen in Maine, creamy perimeter cabinets and a dark gray island base coordinate with similar tones found in the sliding Calacatta Bluette marble backsplash. A gray range hood, white quartz countertops, white accent tile and white pendant shades bolster the palette.
Meanwhile, a refrigerator and pantry unit paneled in lightly finished walnut works with engineered European oak flooring, along with unlacquered brass hardware and brass light fixtures, faucets and other accents, to bring warmth to the cool palette.
Paint colors: Ballet White (perimeter cabinets), Moonshine (walls), White Dove (trim), French Beret (island base), Benjamin Moore
Read more about this kitchen
3. Light Wood, Grays and Mixed Metals
If someone suggested you go with all light-wood cabinets and flooring, you might struggle to imagine how that wouldn’t be too much of a good thing. But this kitchen by designer Julie Rootes will no doubt make you see the, ahem, light.
Rootes balanced the light wood floors and rift-sawn French white oak cabinets beautifully with soft gray tones found in the generous portions of Taj Mahal quartzite countertops and hexagonal Calacatta marble backsplash tile.
A mix of metals then coordinates subtly but significantly. Polished nickel faucets and a silvery metal chandelier in the breakfast nook complement the gray tones. Burnished brass hardware, brass peninsula pendants and brass accents on the counter stool bases harmonize with the wood tones.
Finally, black metal light fixtures over the island and the dark patinated metal table base in the breakfast nook complete the stylish mixed-metal package.
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If someone suggested you go with all light-wood cabinets and flooring, you might struggle to imagine how that wouldn’t be too much of a good thing. But this kitchen by designer Julie Rootes will no doubt make you see the, ahem, light.
Rootes balanced the light wood floors and rift-sawn French white oak cabinets beautifully with soft gray tones found in the generous portions of Taj Mahal quartzite countertops and hexagonal Calacatta marble backsplash tile.
A mix of metals then coordinates subtly but significantly. Polished nickel faucets and a silvery metal chandelier in the breakfast nook complement the gray tones. Burnished brass hardware, brass peninsula pendants and brass accents on the counter stool bases harmonize with the wood tones.
Finally, black metal light fixtures over the island and the dark patinated metal table base in the breakfast nook complete the stylish mixed-metal package.
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4. Off-White, Medium Wood, Light Wood and Brass
This palette is hard to mess up. There are endless variations available from mixing and matching off-whites, medium and light wood tones and brass accents — and many combinations produce rich, stylish results.
Designer Katie Kath of Jkath Design Build + Reinvent makes it look easy in this Minnesota kitchen. Soothing off-white cabinets with gray and beige undertones support soft white walls and trim. Kath cleverly brings cohesiveness to this open plan through the use of light wood found in the flooring, range hood accent, dining table, stair treads, handrail and newel post.
Warm tones team up wonderfully with the walnut island base, brown barstool seat backs and brass knobs, pulls, light fixtures and faucet. Black window mullions, bannisters, stool bases, dining chairs and dining chandelier add a final design touch.
Read more about this kitchen
This palette is hard to mess up. There are endless variations available from mixing and matching off-whites, medium and light wood tones and brass accents — and many combinations produce rich, stylish results.
Designer Katie Kath of Jkath Design Build + Reinvent makes it look easy in this Minnesota kitchen. Soothing off-white cabinets with gray and beige undertones support soft white walls and trim. Kath cleverly brings cohesiveness to this open plan through the use of light wood found in the flooring, range hood accent, dining table, stair treads, handrail and newel post.
Warm tones team up wonderfully with the walnut island base, brown barstool seat backs and brass knobs, pulls, light fixtures and faucet. Black window mullions, bannisters, stool bases, dining chairs and dining chandelier add a final design touch.
Read more about this kitchen
5. Distressed Blue, Wood, Patinated Metal and Creams
If you prefer a rich, rustic palette, take a cue from designer and builder Jody Marler of Fishcamp Custom. He created the captivating kitchen shown here in Livingston, Montana.
Marler developed a distressed blue color over walnut cabinets to complement various wood tones and patinated metals found in the range hood, island stools, cabinet hardware and support beam.
A clay tile backsplash features a blue floral pattern and creamy tones that coordinate with the lime plaster walls and ceiling. Wood floors, doors, window frames and log walls enhance the diverse arrangement.
Cabinet color: Island Hopping by Clark+Kensington in satin finish.
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If you prefer a rich, rustic palette, take a cue from designer and builder Jody Marler of Fishcamp Custom. He created the captivating kitchen shown here in Livingston, Montana.
Marler developed a distressed blue color over walnut cabinets to complement various wood tones and patinated metals found in the range hood, island stools, cabinet hardware and support beam.
A clay tile backsplash features a blue floral pattern and creamy tones that coordinate with the lime plaster walls and ceiling. Wood floors, doors, window frames and log walls enhance the diverse arrangement.
Cabinet color: Island Hopping by Clark+Kensington in satin finish.
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6. Navy Blue, Light Wood, Creams and Brass
Incorporating generous doses of blue is a surefire way to create a beautiful color palette. Blue is a complementary color to orange, which includes the shades found in wood and brass. Working within that range allowed designer Melanie Coddington of Coddington Design to create a cohesive color theme in this kitchen in Woodside, California.
Navy blue cabinets mix effortlessly with the brass knobs and faucet, the natural white oak flooring and floating shelves and light-wood saddle-style stools. Sandy tones in the handmade backsplash tile and polished white Macaubas quartzite countertops finish the thoughtful design approach.
Incorporating generous doses of blue is a surefire way to create a beautiful color palette. Blue is a complementary color to orange, which includes the shades found in wood and brass. Working within that range allowed designer Melanie Coddington of Coddington Design to create a cohesive color theme in this kitchen in Woodside, California.
Navy blue cabinets mix effortlessly with the brass knobs and faucet, the natural white oak flooring and floating shelves and light-wood saddle-style stools. Sandy tones in the handmade backsplash tile and polished white Macaubas quartzite countertops finish the thoughtful design approach.
7. Beige, Wood, White and Brass
Here’s another winning palette. This Georgia kitchen by designers Laurel Mullikin and Payton Rickter of Infinite Home appears complex, but if you look closely virtually none of the colors and tones deviate from beiges and off-white.
The cabinets are done in a faux finish that’s a mix of rich brown, Van Dyke brown and a hint of AquaGlaze from Faux Effects International. This effect works as a foundation for rich wood flooring, island stool bases and a raw wood ceiling beam. Brass light fixtures and cabinet hardware complement the woods and beiges, while off-white hues in the slab countertops and backsplash made of porcelain that mimics Calacatta marble work with white pendant shades and other whites to deliver a coordinated yet dynamic palette.
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Here’s another winning palette. This Georgia kitchen by designers Laurel Mullikin and Payton Rickter of Infinite Home appears complex, but if you look closely virtually none of the colors and tones deviate from beiges and off-white.
The cabinets are done in a faux finish that’s a mix of rich brown, Van Dyke brown and a hint of AquaGlaze from Faux Effects International. This effect works as a foundation for rich wood flooring, island stool bases and a raw wood ceiling beam. Brass light fixtures and cabinet hardware complement the woods and beiges, while off-white hues in the slab countertops and backsplash made of porcelain that mimics Calacatta marble work with white pendant shades and other whites to deliver a coordinated yet dynamic palette.
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This kitchen has a lot going for it, especially its shiplap cabinet fronts. But the well-executed palette by designer Lynn Kloythanomsup of Landed Interiors & Homes is what really makes the room a success.
Creamy white cabinets work harmoniously with the tones in the quartzite countertops. A vibrant yellow handmade backsplash complements the warm brass finishes. And a hunter green island base coordinates smoothly with the light wood tones of the floor and stool bases.