In a post-pandemic world, the quest for a refreshing and comforting home environment is reshaping kitchen design trends. Bold, striking kitchen colors like Barbie pink, once the hallmark of contemporary style, are making way for more timeless and relaxing hues. Designers today are focusing on creating spaces that resonate with calmness and timeless appeal, favoring colors that are elegant yet enduring, offering a sense of ease and adaptability that suits the changing moods and tastes over time.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Architect: Hannes Peer
Location: Paris
Color Specialist: Hannah Yeo
Material Handcrafted : Sherwin-Williams Van Dyke Brown
Trend Expert: Dayna Isom Johnson
This evolving trend takes its inspiration from various sources, from art exhibitions that highlight the power of subtle color combinations to the prevalent societal desire for serenity and sustainability. Today’s kitchens embrace comforting and versatile shades. Colors like Cinnamon Slate—a mix of plum and brown—emerge as subtle yet rich choices that add depth without overwhelming the senses. Similarly, in-between colors that defy easy categorization, observed frequently in the United Kingdom, pique interest with their understated charm and curiosity.
While there’s a surge towards muted tones and richer hues, the influence of nostalgic and retro aesthetic styles like disco décor remains strong, enlivening kitchen spaces with warm neutrals and earthy tones. Taupe, rust, and olive tones beautifully pair with metallic finishes, creating a modern, sophisticated, and slightly edgy atmosphere. This design direction also hints at the desire to revisit the seventies’ penchant for colorful experimentation but in a more refined and less overpowering form.
The trend of incorporating color in unexpected places within the kitchen space is gaining momentum. Elements like countertops, accent walls, and fixtures are becoming focal points for color application, offering fresh and innovative design opportunities. Open shelving, barstools, and tile backsplashes serve as canvases for these stylish color expressions, enhancing kitchens’ capacity to be both practical and aesthetically pleasing. This attention to detail reflects a nuanced approach to kitchen design, marrying form with function in inspiring ways.
Colors such as deep reds, earthy tones, and muted yellows are set to transform tomorrow’s kitchens. Oxblood red, with its understated elegance, offers warmth and a touch of luxury, differing from the bold, fire-engine reds previously favored. Similarly, earthy tones, particularly those resembling chocolate and caramel, promise to bring sophistication and a grounding presence into the home. Meanwhile, muted shades of yellow are poised to brighten spaces subtly, often appearing more as desaturated gold or chartreuse rather than bright, sunny hues.
Ultimately, this shift towards nuanced color palettes signifies a broader movement within design—a return to elements that unify aesthetics with comfort and tranquility. Deep greens, such as olive, continue to provide an oasis of calm, resonating deeply with those seeking serenity. Designers are drawn to these shades for their versatility and ability to create moody yet inviting atmospheres. This era in kitchen design is marked by an embrace of color in all its subtlety, promising spaces that reflect personal style without compromising on warmth or elegance.
