Independent homes
Kitchen Colour Palette for Independent homes
Choose colour against the surfaces that will stay. Test it on a large sample at the room's brightest and darkest points.
Explore the ideas
Compare the options
- Set the brief
- Collect samples of permanent finishes, upholstery and hardware before picking a paint or laminate.
- Compare
- Assign a background colour, one wayfinding or feature colour, and contrast where people need to distinguish edges.
- Before buying
- Check painted or laminated samples vertically beside the same light source the finished room will use.
Worked example
A windowless kitchen has pale cabinets but the existing floor and countertop are warm and visually busy.
Sample cabinet and wall colours beside both fixed finishes under the installed light; reserve contrast for handles and work edges.
How to test it
Compare the samples in daylight and artificial light, and check that handles and door edges remain easy to distinguish.
Apply it to this space
- Layout
- Separate hot cooking, wet cleanup and pantry access; keep the yard route clear of the work zone.
- Detail
- Use robust counter surfaces, task lighting and a ventilated pantry for dry goods.
- Trade-off
- An open kitchen improves connection but carries cooking noise and smells into living space.
- Trace grocery and waste routes
- Check daylight and exhaust outlet location
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