For several seasons, gray has held the leading position among the most popular color solutions for kitchen spaces. The designers’ love for various shades of this, perhaps, the most neutral color, is easily explained by its versatility. It is possible to create a kitchen design in gray tones with any choice of stylistic direction. Classic or modern, country or loft, hi-tech or Provence – any interior style will look harmonious, practical and attractive in a gray color palette, slightly diluted with other solutions of the spectrum. In this publication, we will consider various options for using shades of gray in finishing, furnishing and decorating the kitchen space, combining it with other color solutions and of course we will present you with an impressive selection of kitchen design projects designed for every taste and budget..
Advantages and disadvantages of gray in the interior of the kitchen
Before deciding to use a gray palette in the formation of a kitchen design, you need to find out at least a minimum of information about this light, its effect on the psychological state of a person, combinatorics with other color segments of the spectrum, the pros and cons in terms of use in such a multifunctional room like a kitchen.
The advantages of using gray shades in the design of the kitchen space include the following:
- gray color is neutral, it creates a favorable background for creating an interior, does not irritate the eye even with a very long stay in the room, it can have a calming effect on a person;
- shades of gray are versatile in terms of combining with other colors – every kitchen owner can create a bright accent on a gray background, without the help of a designer;
- almost all shades of gray are incredibly practical, and in a kitchen space that is exposed to a large number of different influences, the issue of cleaning and cleaning surfaces is always relevant;
- the gray palette is at the peak of popularity, having decorated the kitchen in the shades of this range, you can be sure of its relevance, modernity;
- gray color is able to bring notes of nobility, luxury and even chic to the interior – its silver shades always look respectable and at the same time modern;
- a gray palette can be used to decorate a kitchen of any size – for small rooms, choosing light shades, in a spacious room, not limited to color schemes;
- almost any style of interior will look organic and attractive if shades of gray are chosen as the main solutions.
There are few disadvantages of the gray tone, and most of them are easy to turn into advantages:
- a gray palette may seem boring and even gloomy, if not diluted with solutions from other spectral groups – white tone, bright accents;
- if your kitchen is modest in size, has poor natural light (one small window) and is located on the north side of the building, then choosing exclusively gray shades for its decoration can be difficult «cool» interior, but uncomfortable, uncomfortable for a long stay atmosphere of the room;
- cool shades of gray (and there are many of them) must be diluted with the warmth of the natural pattern of wood – the resulting projects always look organic and attractive.
Gray color in the decoration of the kitchen space
Gray has many shades:
- slate;
- lead;
- graphite;
- smoky;
- dusty;
- tin;
- silver;
- steel;
- color of wet asphalt;
- meringue;
- anthracite.
Any of these shades can be the basis for finishing the kitchen space. Experts recommend choosing light colors for wall decoration, and emphasizing certain interior elements with dark shades. For example, a snow-white ceiling, turning into a light silver wall decoration, meets with graphite-colored floor tiles, and for a kitchen backsplash, you can use metallized ceramic tiles or mosaics, giving the entire interior gloss and chic.
Finishing a kitchen apron in gray will not only be practical, but also accentuated if the rest of the design of vertical surfaces is only a background, for example, white. Matt or glossy ceramic surfaces, glossy metallized mosaics, classic tiles «Metro», but in gray – there are many options for the apron.
Dark gray for flooring is a good move in terms of combination with light walls to visually increase the volume of the room. But from a practical point of view, it is important not to be mistaken in the shade, otherwise even dried drops of water will be visible on the floor so clearly that you will have to do cleaning much more often than in alternative design options for coated floors «under the tree».
All shades of gray for kitchen furniture
Facades of the kitchen ensemble
The entire image of the room depends on the color of the finish and facades of the kitchen set. Considering that most of the kitchen area is occupied by furniture, it is the tone of the facades that will create the mood, atmosphere and character of the entire interior. The gray kitchen ensemble is incredibly practical. At the same time, it can be made both in an absolutely smooth, laconic version for a modern interior, as well as decorated with carvings, luxurious baroque-style fittings for a classic look..
In order to visually increase the height of the room, it is enough to use the light tone of the upper tier of the kitchen cabinets and a darker, deeper shade for the lower one. In this situation, various shades of white can act as a companion to gray, from boiling white to milky..
A gray sideboard in a kitchen space with a light furniture set will look original, but at the same time harmoniously. Gray is not so bright as to become an accent, but in a bright kitchen, even a slight deviation from white will allow the sideboard (or any other cabinet design) to become a focal point..
Gray countertops can be found in various segments of the materials used in this piece of furniture – from natural stone to slabs with PVC film. If you use a natural material for the performance of such an important and loaded element as a tabletop from the point of view of mechanical and thermal effects, then it makes sense to make every effort so that even gray color becomes an accent and attracts attention. To do this, it is enough to create a light background of the finish and execute the furniture ensemble in a contrasting version with the table top..
Gray palette for kitchen island
The kitchen island in any interior is not deprived of attention – a module standing apart always attracts the eye. If this element differs in color from the kitchen set, then the role «design stars» provided for him. Even in a neutral color such as gray, the uniqueness of the piece of furniture will be ensured.
Combination of gray shades with other colors
Gray, like other colors, has many shades. And yet, only great professionals can do the design of the kitchen space in exclusively gray tones. When combining shades of gray, you can achieve not only interesting, organic, but also modern solutions for the design of an important room for any home – the kitchen.
Gray and white are perfect companions
If you are taking the first steps in the design of living spaces, if the renovation of the kitchen is your debut, then the safest, but no less effective, can rightfully be considered a combination of gray with shades of white. The gray furniture set will look great against the background of snow-white walls. Perhaps you will not surprise anyone with such design solutions, but you will create a design that is relevant for many years, in which not only each of the household, but also a guest of your home will feel comfortable..
The combination of white and gray shades to create the decoration of the kitchen is no less successful solution. A snow-white ceiling, light gray walls with boiling white baseboards, perhaps moldings and even stucco moldings are an excellent basis for creating a classic interior. For a modern style, you just need to present a more laconic version without decor – such a finish will become a barely noticeable background for the main participant in the kitchen interior – the furniture ensemble.
We will bring a bright accent to the gray interior
Shades of gray are the perfect backdrop to create bold accents. You can safely use any color as an accent spot if the kitchen finishes and furnishings are made in different shades of gray. This incredible advantage of gray becomes a key selection criterion for those who are creating a kitchen space design for the first time on their own and are not sure of their ability to harmoniously combine colors..
A gray kitchen interior is a great opportunity to install a bright household appliance (most often made in a retro style). A bright refrigerator or stovetop, food processor or toaster and kettle will become «stars of the program» in a neutral, gray interior.
The easiest and cheapest way to bring brightness to a gray interior is to use textiles. Motley curtains or plain bright fabric blinds, an authentic tablecloth on the dining table or decorative pillows in the kitchen corner – any way of using fabrics and prints on them will do to create a color accent. No less effect can be achieved by bright upholstery of bar stools or elements of mini-chairs in the dining area.
Bringing brightness to the gray palette of a kitchen interior is not a difficult task. A bright bouquet of flowers or a bowl of fruit in the center of the dining table is enough. If your modest kitchen does not have a table for meals, then for sure there is a bar counter or a peninsula, a console as a countertop for short meals. Bright dishes will become not only a functional household item, but also an interior decoration if they are located in a color-neutral kitchen design.
Add wood to the gray kitchen palette
Most shades of gray create a cool room ambience. To add a warm touch, surfaces made of wood or its spectacular imitation are excellent. Depending on whether you want the wooden interior elements to become accents or to merge with the overall picture of the kitchen space, you can choose one or another version of the natural pattern – from light pine to dark wenge.
The gray color with the shine of chrome-plated parts of household appliances in the aggregate is able to create a rather cool and even somewhat repulsive image of the room. To soften «dullness» interior, the easiest way is to use wood as a floor covering, no less effect can be achieved when using wood for the execution of a dining group – a table and chairs or small armchairs. Whether it’s wood frame bar stools or even kitchen countertops – there are many options to bring natural warmth to gray kitchen design.
Wooden doors matched to the color of the flooring will help to dilute the gray tone in the decoration and furnishing of the kitchen space. In the event that your kitchen has more than one door (usually in private houses they make an exit from the kitchen space to the living rooms and to the backyard or into the pantry), the effect will intensify, bringing not just variety to the gray interior, but becoming a harmonious ensemble.
Any wood furnishings will help to diversify the color palette in gray design – from one of the tiers of kitchen cabinets to an island or a peninsula. Obviously, against the background of a gray interior, such elements instantly become accents, standing out, attracting attention.
Wicker interior elements, of course, cannot be called wooden, but the plant origin and the ability to bring natural warmth to the interior makes vines and rattan related to wood. Wicker armchairs or elements of chairs (bar stools), serving rugs and even lamp shades of lamps look luxurious against the gray background of the kitchen interior.
