1. MODERNISE TRADITIONAL UNITS
A traditional kitchen idea can be completely transformed with the right colors and if done correctly can be show-stopping in its combination of classic silhouette and contemporary duo-tone. These tall traditional cabinets by Tom Howley look even grander by painting the top units in a crisp white bright and base cabinets in olive green bringing out the detail in the traditional paneling and design.
2. GO MONOCHROME IN SMALL SPACES
Opting for a two tone palette doesn't have to equate to a color bomb of hues – a carefully considered black and white palette can pack a punch and be in keeping with a modern decorating scheme and works well not to overwhelm a small kitchen like this apartment.
3. COMBINE COLOR AND TEXTURE
If you like the creativity that a two tone kitchen allows but also want to retain character and texture in your surroundings then combining painted units with raw textures might be the way to go. This generously sized modern Shaker kitchen features mint blue painted upper cabinets with brass details and beautifully crafted lower cabinets in unpainted rustic wood.
4. CREATE A TIDELINE AROUND THE KITCHEN
Many kitchen cabinets like those by British Standard are delivered ready-made in an-off white color, ready for installation and painting. The beauty of this is that the cupboards can be painted in any number of colors – offering a simple way to add interest.
5. PAINT CABINETS IN TONAL HUES
In a small space, you may want to incorporate a kitchen that doesn't necessarily look like a kitchen and blends in with the furniture around it to keep everything streamlined and minimal. This elegantly hued duo tone kitchen looks like storage that could be found in any room, using minimal fronts and painted in blush tones to achieve this chic pared-back look.
6. UPLIFT AND ENERGISE WITH BOLD PAIRINGS
Kitchens are a great space to experiment with color and color combinations. You should consider the entire space and the overall atmosphere that you’re trying to create, whether it’s fun and energetic with pops of color, paired back and elegant, or perhaps moody and sophisticated. Take this blue kitchen idea, the blue is a very grounding safe choice, that's always going to work on kitchen cabinetry, but then you add the contrast zing of lemon yellow of on the backsplash and all of sudden the blue feels fresh and new.
7. ENHANCE HISTORICAL ELEMENTS
When it comes to more traditional kitchens, often the go-to colors are more demure, more classic, to suit the shapes and styles of the cabinetry. But we love it when we see that clash of classic kitchen and bold hue, like this stunning deep red deVOL kitchen painted in Refectory Red against a plaster pink wall.
8. COLOUR BLOCK
Color blocking can be used as a functional treatment for kitchen cupboards as well as a dramatic design choice. This modern kitchen by Gundry & Ducker Architecture uses Little Green's 'Puck' with a brilliant white wall color, which actually makes that bold zingy green feel far more liveable, it tones it down so it doesn't overwhelm the space.