Kitchen Planning: 10 Ways to Work a Grey Scheme
Sales of grey kitchens are soaring. Here’s how to pull the look together with a bit of creative flair
Grey is such a wonderfully versatile colour that lends itself to so many different looks – especially in the kitchen. It’s all about how you bring together every element of your design, from the units, tiles, worktops and splashbacks down to the small details, such as handles, shelving and accessories. It’s a trend that looks set to continue for the foreseeable future, so take inspiration from these beautifully cohesive kitchen designs and make grey work for you.
Choose two hues
Use two different shades of grey to add variety. If light is an issue, the darker shade may be better in small doses, such as on the island where it won’t appear overpowering.
Discover ideas for bringing grey into other rooms
Use two different shades of grey to add variety. If light is an issue, the darker shade may be better in small doses, such as on the island where it won’t appear overpowering.
Discover ideas for bringing grey into other rooms
Make grey the accent
If your kitchen is open plan with your living space, grey accents can be a softer option to carry through to both spaces. A grey sofa, worktops and pendant lights combined with soft yellow touches all tie this space together as a coherent whole.
If your kitchen is open plan with your living space, grey accents can be a softer option to carry through to both spaces. A grey sofa, worktops and pendant lights combined with soft yellow touches all tie this space together as a coherent whole.
Create a farmhouse feel
Opt for Shaker-style units in a pale French grey shade to nail the farmhouse look. Give it that relaxed, mismatched feel by combining three contrasting worktop areas, such as white marble, a darker granite and wood via a farmhouse table. You can’t beat terracotta floor tiles or large reclaimed flagstones to pull everything together.
Opt for Shaker-style units in a pale French grey shade to nail the farmhouse look. Give it that relaxed, mismatched feel by combining three contrasting worktop areas, such as white marble, a darker granite and wood via a farmhouse table. You can’t beat terracotta floor tiles or large reclaimed flagstones to pull everything together.
Frame glass cabinets
Dark grey is a brilliant choice for glass-fronted wall cabinets as, much like a picture frame, they will draw the eye to your favourite kitchenalia. Tiling inside the units adds another dimension, but you could also use paint or wallpaper instead.
See neat ideas for kitchen storage
Dark grey is a brilliant choice for glass-fronted wall cabinets as, much like a picture frame, they will draw the eye to your favourite kitchenalia. Tiling inside the units adds another dimension, but you could also use paint or wallpaper instead.
See neat ideas for kitchen storage
Pick a contrasting colour
Grey is a brilliant backdrop against which to make those pops of colour really sing. Lime green or any bright citrus shade will work a treat – whether you introduce it by using bar stools, canisters, mugs or pictures – while natural elements, such as flowers, fruit and herb pots will really bring the scheme to life.
Grey is a brilliant backdrop against which to make those pops of colour really sing. Lime green or any bright citrus shade will work a treat – whether you introduce it by using bar stools, canisters, mugs or pictures – while natural elements, such as flowers, fruit and herb pots will really bring the scheme to life.
Combine with classic red
Pillar-box red and grey are a failsafe combination, especially if you want a bigger impact than accessories can bring. Opt for one relatively large standout red item – it could be a 1950s-style fridge, a painted dresser or perhaps a range cooker – for maximum impact.
Pillar-box red and grey are a failsafe combination, especially if you want a bigger impact than accessories can bring. Opt for one relatively large standout red item – it could be a 1950s-style fridge, a painted dresser or perhaps a range cooker – for maximum impact.
Go contemporary
If sleek and contemporary is more your thing, opt for darker gloss units in anthracite, charcoal or slate grey. Go handleless for an even slicker style. Adding a statement glass splashback will bring a much-needed dash of vibrant colour to break things up.
Check out more inspiring splashback ideas
If sleek and contemporary is more your thing, opt for darker gloss units in anthracite, charcoal or slate grey. Go handleless for an even slicker style. Adding a statement glass splashback will bring a much-needed dash of vibrant colour to break things up.
Check out more inspiring splashback ideas
Combine white with grey
If you’re worried about grey overpowering your kitchen, opt for a mixture of grey and white units. Use the expertise of kitchen designers to show you how different combinations would work together in your room through 3D CAD images until you settle on the right balance.
If you’re worried about grey overpowering your kitchen, opt for a mixture of grey and white units. Use the expertise of kitchen designers to show you how different combinations would work together in your room through 3D CAD images until you settle on the right balance.
Variety is key
Different textures, shapes and colours will all add interest to a grey kitchen. Incorporate curves, mix gloss, matt and zebrano finishes, opt for a feature wall and think about different height levels to create a feast for the eye. This kitchen proves grey is anything but boring!
TELL US…
Do you love grey kitchens or are they not for you? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Different textures, shapes and colours will all add interest to a grey kitchen. Incorporate curves, mix gloss, matt and zebrano finishes, opt for a feature wall and think about different height levels to create a feast for the eye. This kitchen proves grey is anything but boring!
TELL US…
Do you love grey kitchens or are they not for you? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Grey units are perfect if you’re a fan of industrial style. Combine with white metro tiles (consider using grey grout), distressed wood with a natural grain, painted or waxed floorboards and handles that evoke 1950s office furniture. You could also add a touch of wire mesh through seating, choose factory-style pendant lights or even leave pipework exposed.