I understand, I do. When someone says: brown kitchen, you get a mental image of your grandmother, who has gone through her 1970;s nightmares in the state of wood paneling. However, there is one thing brown kitchens were seriously improved and when done properly, they look bae-a-tiful. I have been fixating on these earthy, warm designs these days, and to be quite honest? They are making me have massive kitchen envy.
Brown no longer is a color but a vibe. Chocolate cupboards, terracotta floors, these inspirations will allow your kitchen to become a warm homey place in your house. Want to fall in love with brown over again?
Rich Chocolate Brown Cabinets
Dark chocolate cabinets have come to their time, and quite honestly, it is about time. Recently I was in the kitchen of a friend where these dark brown beauties are, and I could not keep my hands off the smooth fitting covering. The amount of depth that they bring to a room is insane.
These cabinets are magic both in small and large kitchen. In larger spaces they also make the smaller areas intimate and intimate areas free of the feeling of being in an airplane hanger. In case of smaller kitchens, they cause sophistications without dominating the room.
Here’s what makes chocolate brown cabinets special:
- They hide fingerprints and daily wear better than lighter colors
- Pair beautifully with brass or gold hardware for a luxe feel
- Create a stunning backdrop for colorful dishware and accessories
- Work with both modern and traditional design styles
The secret is the sauce? Oppose them to more light countertops and a lot of daylight. Here is one fact that you will not want your kitchen to look and feel like a cave, however glamorous 🙂
Warm Walnut Wood Elements
There is no comparison to walnut beauty of wood in kitchen. I mean those stripes of grain to make every piece different and beautiful. Walnut is warm and unconstraining and ages well like wine.
You do not have to do complete walnut across the board. It is used strategically by smart designers- perhaps floating shelves, a base of a kitchen island, or an impressive range hood. My trick includes the combination of walnut and white/ cream cabinets which will get you that contrast you need.
| Element | Impact |
|---|---|
| Walnut Island | Creates focal point, adds warmth |
| Open Shelving | Displays dishes beautifully, breaks up solid colors |
What makes walnut so beautiful is that it is versatile. It goes along with stainless steel ranges, marble counters and backsplashes as well as the more daring backsplashes. Have you ever wanted to know the reason why top-notch kitchens seem always to have this board? This is because walnut brings everything that surrounds it to a higher level.
Mushroom Gray-Brown Paint
Mushroom colors are chameleons of brown family. They alternate between gray and brown with the light, thereby, forming this mind-blowing depth and keeping your kitchen interesting all day long. Last year, I also painted my own kitchen island this color, and the guests keep asking about it.
This color works incredibly well for:
- Lower cabinets paired with white uppers
- Accent walls behind open shelving
- Kitchen islands that need to feel grounded
- Creating a modern farmhouse aesthetic
Lighting is the trick with mushroom brown. It slants brown and comfortable under dewty lights. There is cool lighting, under which it turns gray and modern. It is a case of having two kitchens at the cost of one.
Terracotta and Clay Accents
The terracotta tiles and clay accessories add the warmth of the Mediterranean that you can not help but want to feed a family a massive meal. Currently I am in love with terracotta back splashes – that provides warmth and can be textured but not too dramatic.
These earthy elements work beautifully as:
- Subway-style backsplash tiles
- Decorative bowls and serving pieces
- Floor tiles in rustic or modern patterns
- Accent walls that create visual interest
FYI terracotta goes so well with sage green and cream hues. The blend is modern and classic at the same time and you feel that you have walked into a wonderful villa in Italy kitchen.
Coffee Bean Inspired Hardware
Your kitchen accessories may not immediately come to mind but it is like the jewelry of your kitchen. Bronze Coffee bean-hued bronze and oil-rubbed bronze will instantly make any homey brown kitchen package polished.
I replaced my old brushed nickel handles with oil rubbed bronze a year ago and it was quite the impact. These dark finishes:
- Hide water spots and fingerprints better than shiny metals
- Create cohesion with brown color schemes
- Add vintage charm to modern spaces
- Work with both traditional and contemporary styles
The trick is in consistency; have one finish across your entire kitchen to provide uniformity.
Caramel-Toned Natural Stone
Brown kitchen cabinets are warmed by caramel-colored stone countertops. Consider beautiful quartzite with golden veins or warm granite with amber, and cream flecks. These surfaces have a story and establishing a bond with nature.
What I love about caramel stone:
- Each slab has unique patterns and colors
- Ages beautifully with proper care
- Complements both light and dark brown elements
- Adds significant value to your home
Natural stone must also be maintained more than manmade and the reward is certainly in the beauty and personality. Anyone who has run his or her hands over a lovely grain granite top will tell you!
Cognac Leather Bar Stools
Brown kitchen designs are comfortable and luxury with the addition of rich cognac leather seats. These warm hues are made of leather which forms a lovely patina over a longer period of time and make them more beautiful as they age and wear.
Cognac leather works because:
- It’s practically indestructible with proper care
- Develops character through daily use
- Pairs beautifully with wood and metal elements
- Adds sophistication to casual breakfast bars
I have three year old cognac leather bar stools which are growing more beautiful. The micro differences in color and the texture always contributes to the feeling that every meal is special.
Burnt Sienna Tile Features
Standard browns are incapable of instilling the aspect of depth and richness that burnt sienna tiles manage to do. This reddish-brown shade will look in the backsplash, accent wall, or even on the floor in the appropriate area.
These tiles shine when used for:
- Geometric backsplash patterns that create visual interest
- Accent walls behind cooking areas
- Border details that define kitchen zones
- Flooring that connects to adjacent living spaces
The key is use burnt sienna rather than it as the major. Let it warms up and gives it some personality without looking like no one owns it.
Espresso-Stained Ceiling Beams
Architectural interest Infuse your kitchen with extra architectural interest by adding dark espresso beams that direct the eye upwards, giving your kitchen the effect of being larger and dramatic. These make-up (real or artificial) instantly form character.’
Espresso beams work magic by:
- Adding visual weight that grounds the design
- Creating cozy, intimate spaces within larger rooms
- Providing contrast against lighter ceilings
- Supporting both rustic and modern aesthetics
There are still the structural beams that you can add even when they are not a part of your home. I have witnessed incredible makeovers in which, in the space of a day, the plain wooden beam transformed the character of a kitchen.
Creating Your Brown Kitchen Palette
The trick is in the way your gather several shades of brown together. Just imagine the brown the same way you would do blue there are so many tones out there and they are all so versatile once you know the undertones.
My foolproof formula:
- Choose one dominant brown (cabinets or major elements)
- Add a complementary brown in a different tone (warm vs. cool)
- Include natural materials like wood or stone
- Balance with lighter neutrals and strategic pops of color
In my opinion, the most practical brown kitchens portray more on an overlay of textiles and hues as compared to using a single color. The differentiation generates the visual interest thus avoiding the monotony in space or sameness.
Bear in mind that lighting can be used in an enormous way in the appearance of browns. Warm undertones are enhanced by natural lighting with artificial lighting having the ability to warm them up. Before you get seriously involved, put your colors in various lights.
Not only are brown kitchens fashionable, they have a timeless quality. Their spaces are friendly, chic and well lived-in. Brown fillies look all-out chocolate-dream or just quietly chic mushroom, but the warmth they give never goes out of fashion.
Are you then wanting to be on the brown kitchen revolution? Starting your day with the morning coffee is going to be even more enjoyable as you are going to enjoy it in such a beautiful and well-designed space. Believe me, once you have turned brown, you are going to think why you never took the leap earlier.