Brown kitchens are on trend at last and I admire them! I have seen house owners avoid brown over the years because it is dated or dull. But I have something to tell you my dear- when they are executed properly, brown will give you the coziest, the most elegant kitchen interiors you have ever imagined.
Recently I assisted my sister in renovating her kitchen and it was all brown. The transformation? Absolutely stunning. She can not now stop boasting of how warm and decorative her four-walls is. So you are ready to see why brown is your kitchen best friend this year?
Rich Chocolate Cabinets: The Ultimate Statement Maker
Feel like halting somebody in his or her tracks every time he or she enters your kitchen? The solution is chocolate brown cabinets. I am speaking about the rich deep, but luxurious tones that will make everything in your kitchen stand out.
Chocolate cabinets are versatile and this is what makes them beautiful. They are fantastic to work with:
- Warm brass hardware for a vintage vibe
- Sleek black handles for modern sophistication
- Natural wood countertops for rustic charm
- White marble for classic contrast
The thing is this- chocolate cabinets require good lighting. Under-cabinet lights, or pendant lights, don t even think about skimping on these. Believe me, I know this first hand; when my friend had his fabulous cabinets appear like a black hole when lighted incorrectly.
Pro Tips for Chocolate Cabinet Success
Make your walls light otherwise the space will feel congested. Cream, light white or even a warm beige is magic. And FYI in case you want fingerprints to show, a matte finish is better than high gloss.
Warm Walnut Wood Tones: Nature’s Perfect Kitchen Companion
Have you ever asked yourself why walnut never gets out of fashion? It is a virtually ideal kitchen in wooden shape. The warm brown color with such amazing patterns of grains gives off immediate warmth that there is no paint color that can be that warm.
I have watched walnut transform both classic and modern-looking places. It is a matter of styling it:
Traditional Approach:
- Pair with cream subway tiles
- Add vintage-inspired fixtures
- Include open shelving to display dishware
Modern Approach:
- Combine with sleek white quartz counters
- Use minimalist hardware
- Keep accessories to a minimum
The best is? Walnut weathers very well. The small dents and scratches that you get with every day use actually give it character instead of taking away the appearance.
Coffee-Inspired Kitchen Islands: Your New Favorite Gathering Spot
There is nothing more welcoming than a coffee-colored kitchen island that says come hang out in my kitchen. I am even fanatical about the trend, since it produces such a perfect focal point in a room yet does not overwhelm the rest of the room.
Imagine the following: light gray or white cabinets all the way around the perimeter, and WHAM, this handsome brown island at the center of everything. This is the best of both worlds i.e. light and coziness in the same place.
| Island Style | Best Paired With |
|---|---|
| Dark Espresso | Light gray cabinets, white counters |
| Medium Brown | Cream cabinets, natural stone tops |
The functionality count is enormous also. The smart color to conceal day to day wear is brown islands, which is why they are ideal in busy families. And of course they are fabulous to photograph should you feel inclined to document your kitchen activities social media-wise 🙂
Earthy Brown Backsplashes: Texture That Actually Makes Sense
Bad applause comments backsplashes in a hot minute. It is so frustrating to look at white subway tiles everywhere! Brown backplashes add life and some layers that white just cannot provide.
My favorite brown backsplash materials include:
- Natural stone in warm browns
- Ceramic tiles with brown undertones
- Wood planks (properly sealed, obviously)
- Brown brick for industrial vibes
It is a matter of picking the proper shade. In case your cabinets have already been brown, make your backsplash lighter. Light cabinets? You are able to afford to go darker and more dramatic.
Maintenance Reality Check
Brown back splashes are surprisingly magnanimous. Cooking splatters, water spots mix in far better than on white. And here, speaking by experience, I find I am spending much less time cleaning my brown backsplash than I did, when it was white.
Caramel and Honey Tones: Sweet Sophistication
Brunette and honey brown are the equivalent of golden retriever of kitchen colours, soft, welcoming, and adored everywhere. The lighter browns are great in smaller kitchens, where darker browns may end up feeling too much.
Recently I visited a house, where there was all honey color cabinets in the kitchen with creamy white walls and brass accents. The result? Pure magic. The area was bigger, sunnier and immensely welcoming.
These tones pair beautifully with:
- Soft green accents (think sage or eucalyptus)
- Crisp white trim and ceilings
- Natural wood flooring
- Gold or brass metal finishes
The bonus? The honey and caramel-browns flatter nearly any skin tone, so you look great under your kitchen lights. Vanity counts folks!
Mixed Brown Elements: Creating Visual Interest Without Chaos
This is where the fun premise arrives- include various ranges of brown colors around your kitchen. I can hear you saying, I know what you are thinking, won t that look untidy? Not when you do it well!
The trick is to remain in the same undertone family. Warm browns are to remain with warm browns and cool browns with cool browns. Don not combine the two especially when you want your kitchen to become a design nightmares.
Try these combinations:
- Dark walnut floors with medium brown cabinets
- Light oak counters with espresso island
- Chocolate hardware on honey-toned cabinets
- Mixed wood open shelving in various brown shades
It is all about balance. When you hit with darkness in a part, brighten up in a part. It is as if you are visitor generating visual discourse within your space.
Getting the Balance Right
The big things (cabinets and flooring) first then the small details. This method will not allow you to suffocate the area with lots of brown in places where it should not be.
Brown Kitchen Accessories: The Finishing Touches That Matter
Don’t forget that a brown accessories can help tie the whole looks together. I am talking about the details that turn your kitchen from unfinished to finished and fully thought out.
Smart brown accessory choices include:
- Wooden cutting boards displayed on counters
- Brown leather bar stools (surprisingly easy to clean!)
- Copper or bronze light fixtures
- Natural woven baskets for storage
- Dark brown pottery and serving pieces
The advantage of accessories is that it can be changed seasonally, or when one feels bored. As compared to repainting cabinets, much easier. IMO, it is the ideal manner to see how the brown kitchen is to be tested driven before major changes are made.
Making Brown Work in Your Space
Brown kitchens are not suitable to everyone, so that is no problem at all. But in case you have been avoiding that because of the perception that brown is dull or old fashioned, then let me give you the reason to change your mind.
Successful brown kitchens rely on the correct lighting, good contrast and sensible materials. Hold back on any of these three and there indeed is a possibility of your kitchen coming out to be dated. But to get them right? You will end up with a room, which is classical and yet thoroughly modern.
Start small if you’re a little nervous – perhaps a brown island or some brown accents. Find out how you like the warmth and depth of brown in your space. I have a feeling you will before you know it have a full brown kitchen makeover on your hands.
Keep in mind, that your kitchen must be a reflection of your personality, rather than every trend. However, when warm, inviting, and sophisticated are what you are after, brown may be your best color this year 🙂