Neutral kitchens are endlessly enduring, transitioning seamlessly as developments come and go. But in case your house is starting to really feel bland and uninspiring, it could be time so as to add a contrasting colour to your scheme.
Now, we aren’t saying you must fully change your impartial kitchen to one thing extra vibrant – merely bringing in a refined distinction to a component of your design is sufficient to reintroduce a way of curiosity and magnificence.
But what colour is finest to convey a impartial kitchen again to life? Here, we ask consultants for his or her take – and one colour palette has taken the crown!
What’s the perfect colour so as to add to a impartial kitchen in 2025?
(Image credit score: Ellei Home)
Even when you desire impartial schemes, you possibly can nonetheless add colour to a kitchen with out altering the aesthetic of the house. No one is suggesting including vivid pink and yellow to your kitchen, however introducing a nuanced colour will add curiosity and refined distinction whereas stopping the scheme from feeling bland.
‘In a kitchen, the place numerous surfaces like cupboards, islands, and partitions present a number of alternatives for colour software, you possibly can select to make use of as little or as a lot colour as you need,’ says Hannah Yeo, senior supervisor of colour advertising and marketing at Benjamin Moore.
If you continue to need your kitchen to really feel impartial, the perfect colours so as to add to your scheme are wealthy, darkish tones – particularly browns. With so many shade variations to select from – together with pure wooden tones – you possibly can create nearly any kitchen aesthetic you need, with out introducing an excessive amount of vibrancy.
(Image credit score: Farrow & Ball)
‘Brown provides depth and refinement to an in any other case impartial kitchen. In an open flooring plan, think about accenting the eating space partitions with a wealthy, chocolaty hue. This visually defines the house with out breaking the impartial colour scheme,’ suggests Hannah.
In some ways, brown acts as a impartial, but it surely’s additionally a wealthy, timeless hue. Imagine a heat white kitchen centered by a darkish brown island – it will not take away out of your impartial colour palette, however it’s going to add a extra visually fascinating end to your house. It’s only a case of selecting the best shade in your kitchen.
‘Whether it’s on partitions, cupboards, or immersing your self in a color-drenched kitchen, deep browns add depth and temper. An earthy brown creates a heat, welcoming vibe that feels cozy and intimate, [or] to lighten the impact, use a mid-tone brown because the backdrop and accent with vibrant pops of colour for distinction,’ she provides.
(Image credit score: deVOL)
However, brown may not be to everybody’s tastes. There are loads of alternate options to brown that add simply as a lot fashion and flexibility, with out altering the aesthetic of your scheme too dramatically.
‘A twist on earthy tones, deep olive hues infuse the house with character whereas sustaining a impartial colour scheme. Colors like Tate Olive HC-112 provide a classy and timeless really feel with a contact of modernity,’ says Hannah.
‘Warm grays are an incredible different to browns. With impartial undertones, colours like Chelsea Gray HC-168 can pair properly with a variety of hues, making them versatile and straightforward to work with. Use them on the island or decrease cupboards to anchor the kitchen and steadiness the house with light-colored counter tops and backsplashes.’
3 refined methods to introduce colour to your impartial kitchen
Whether you embrace brown hues or go for a softer tone like olive inexperienced, listed here are a couple of methods you possibly can add colour to your impartial kitchen to offer it a brand new lease of life for the yr forward.
1. Make an announcement together with your kitchen island
(Image credit score: Marie Flanigan Interiors/Julie Soefer)
Your kitchen island is the right place so as to add a refined pop of colour whereas sustaining a impartial kitchen design. Introducing a deeper hue right here offers your scheme extra depth and curiosity when paired with impartial hues elsewhere.
‘A kitchen island is the right place to introduce a daring shift in colour or texture, creating a surprising point of interest. Consider staining the island a wealthy, darkish brown to distinction with mild, impartial environment, anchoring the house with heat and depth,’ suggests inside designer Marie Flanigan.
‘This surprising pop of colour feels intentional but timeless, including character with out overwhelming the room. By specializing in the island, you possibly can herald a brand new palette whereas sustaining the general concord of the kitchen design.’
2. Bring in new hues by way of decor
(Image credit score: Paloma Contreras)
For a very easy method to including colour, embracing decor in your chosen colour – be it brown, deep inexperienced, or heat grey – will immediately elevate the general feel and appear of your design.
This kitchen is an ideal instance – the all-white kitchen is crammed with very related tones, which might really feel flat and bland. By introducing picket ornamental parts just like the bar chairs, vase, and fruit bowl, the design immediately feels elevated and visually fascinating.
This woven vase provides a great deal of texture to a impartial kitchen. Display it on high of an island crammed with seasonal blooms or branches.
If you favor kitchen decor that serves a goal, this pastry cloche is trendy and practical. Fill with candy treats or fruit for straightforward entry.
This bar stool completely encompasses that blend of brown and impartial in a kitchen. The picket body is made comfortable with a impartial seat cushion.
3. Focus on the cupboards
(Image credit score: Roost Interiors / Mike Van Tassell)
If you are keen to go extra daring with colour, portray your cupboards (even simply a few of them) is a timeless approach to create a extra dynamic design, particularly paired with mild kitchen counter tops.
‘Rich, nutty brown hues paying homage to walnut or mahogany can immediately elevate your kitchen’s aesthetic. Pairing these with impartial wall colours or counter tops provides a contact of conventional attraction,’ says Hannah.
‘Consider portray solely the decrease cupboards with a deeper hue. This visually grounds the house whereas sustaining an ethereal and balanced really feel. Options like Whitall Brown HC-69, Classic Brown 2109-10, or Indian River 985 could be nice decisions in your cupboards.’
Deeper, richer tones like brown add distinction, curiosity, and a extra trendy end to your impartial kitchen. Adding colour will not disrupt the pared-back palette you have created – it’s going to merely elevate it.
