Modern Kitchen Color Palettes – Italian Style
One thing a modern Italian color palette is: timeless. One thing it is not: the Pantone color of the year (or another fast-fading trend). Modern kitchen colors are selected with a sophisticated eye and with the intent to pass the test of time. The best color schemes for a modern Italian kitchen take a cue from nature. In the forest, for example, we often have only one or two colors (brown or green). Why overcomplicate things?! And, why choose kitchen colors that will go out of style faster than the canned goods in your pantry? Here are some of our tips for mastering the modern kitchen palette – Italian style.
Creating Your Perfect Modern Kitchen Color Scheme
Before you can pick your perfect kitchen colors, first you have to reflect on the overall design concept. How do you want to feel in the space? Do you want to feel peaceful and serene? Or inspired and dazzled? Cozy and comfortable? Luxurious and extravagant?
If you want to feel serene, or cozy – softer color schemes are a solid choice. If you want to feel inspired, or luxurious – starkly contrasting colors are appropriate.
In either case, for a modern Italian kitchen, the goal is to take a minimalistic approach by reducing the number of visual elements. For your kitchen colors, this might mean using a monochromatic or duo-chromatic palette. Less is more!
To hone in on your color scheme, start by selecting the materials for the visually important elements of your kitchen: cabinets, countertops, and flooring. Once those decisions are made, you can build from there.
Selecting Kitchen Cabinet Colors
One of the most, if not the most, important design decisions for your kitchen is the cabinets. Kitchen cabinets set the tone (pun intended) in a modern kitchen. To select cabinet colors that will stand the test of time and set you up for la dolce vita:
- Consider your kitchen lighting – especially how to make the most of natural lighting.
- Pick an overall direction – namely light or dark. Lighter colors open up the space. Darker, contrasting colors are a dramatic, modern choice.
- Choose your cabinet colors before other color decisions (like wall colors).
Tonal gray (ie hinting to a specific color) kitchen cabinets are a popular choice in modern kitchens because of their versatility. If your kitchen will be more light and airy – a light gray, shades of tonal whites, could be perfect! If your kitchen will be dramatic – a darker gray could be the ideal anchor for your design.
The trick here is to select the cabinet color that ‘gels’ best with flooring and countertop. Is it a good match with the countertop background or picking up the color of a detail? Ditto flooring – is it a balanced contrast of color and texture? Avoid light wood cabinets on light wood floors – better on darker tiles, or the opposite.
The #1 Way to Master Modern Colors in Your Kitchen
The best way to completely nail a modern kitchen color palette is to consider the entire context. Plan for continuity throughout the space, and keep in mind the bigger picture. Tie every decision back to how you want to feel in your kitchen!
These elements are all part of the bigger context and should be part of the decision-making process for your kitchen color choices:
- Cabinets
- Countertops
- Flooring
- Lighting fixtures
- Natural lighting – windows, doors, skylights
- Walls
- Appliances
- Furniture
Modern Kitchen Colors in Action
These are a few of our favorite modern kitchen palettes in living color.
Modern Italian Kitchen Refresh in Eden Park
It’s probably dramatic to say the duo-chromatic design in this kitchen refresh is to die for – but that’s how we feel. The contrast between the natural wood and sleek white is stunning, to say the least.
A Modern Kitchen Makeover in Mt. Adams
Remember what we said about tonal grays? Feast your eyes on the striking kitchen cabinets in this modern makeover. This is a prime example of a softer duo-chromatic color palette that is timeless.
A Monolithic Masterpiece
This monochromatic design is bold and not for the faint of heart. We love it. From the waterfall countertops to the seamless cabinets to the integrated appliances, this kitchen illustrates what is possible when you consider the entire context when selecting your perfect palette.
