How to warm up a gray and white kitchen with yellow and green
"What can I do about my gray and white kitchen? It feels so cold."
Here's a question, I get a lot, "What can I do about my gray and white kitchen? It feels so cold, almost institutional." Homeowners fall in love with pictures of gray and white kitchens, build their new kitchens around those pictures, and feel disappointed by the results. That's the bad news. The good news? It's easy to warm up a cold, gray kitchen.
If your gray and white kitchen looks cold, add color
If your kitchen has a distinctly "hospital look," try adding color. Any color or combination of colors will work with gray and white.
Look what happens when you add yellow and green to gray and white. The gray cabinets don't feel heavy against a glossy green backsplash. And, a modern floral fabric with hints of yellow ties the color scheme together.
Get the Look: Custom Gray Cabinets
I love this dark gray stain on maple by Lectus Cabinets. You see some of the natural wood grain, but it's subtle. If your kitchen works hard - you like to cook or have an active family - think about a gray stain instead of paint. Marks and small nicks really stand out on painted cabinets. They tend to blend in on stained cabinets.
Get the Look: Deep Green Backsplash Tile
This green subway tile with white grout feels fresh, and the glossy finish is a nice contrast to the matte finish on the cabinet doors.
(Tip: If you opt for white grout, choose an acrylic that repels stains because dingy grout is not fresh.)
Get the Look: Modern Floral Print Fabric
You might be saying, "Fabric? In the kitchen?" Kitchens are full of hard surfaces, and I like to soften those edges with fabric.
Think beyond dish towels. What about a tailored window treatment or fun seat cushions?
This stylized floral by Robert Allen is modern and crisp. The hint of yellow in the flowers is enough to brighten a whole room. A little yellow goes a long way; more on designing with yellow here.
Get the Look: Black Faucet
This gooseneck faucet by Brizo picks up the black in the fabric and provides contrast. When you're trying to create a clean, crisp look, you need contrast.
