A guide to neutrals

Having gained a reputation for being boring or safe in the past, neutrals are now being increasingly embraced in our kitchens.

Seen as an earthier version of grey, neutrals are highly versatile and can help create a wide variety of aesthetics. In this guide, we share some of the best ways to incorporate neutrals into your kitchen.

An introduction to neutrals

Neutrals are warming and nurturing, creating a cosy, welcoming atmosphere. With many of us now spending more time at home, neutrals are the perfect colour scheme for transforming a room into a haven of calm.

The popularity of neutrals is rooted in our human need to connect with the natural world. Colour palettes that draw inspiration from natural materials, like stone, are undeniably beautiful and soothing for the soul.

Neutrals in the kitchen

There are many ways to introduce neutrals into your home if you are seeking to restore the balance in your kitchen. Our Hoxton Pebble kitchen takes a contemporary approach to neutrals, with a smooth slab door that has a sleek, clean look.

Pairing this door with brass handles and brassware décor elements instantly adds a subtle wow factor that will stand the test of time.

Adding in a pop of colour and texture here and there, like with darker woodwork colours, can create design features in the room and add extra interest to the space overall. Olive greens and soft pinks pair really well with more neutral colours like Pebble & Truffle Oil.

Alternatively, for more traditional styling, Winchester Sage is a great way to introduce a very subtle green tone to your cabinetry. Adding dark metal handles keeps the kitchen feeling fresh and modern, whilst still retaining that traditional look.

Rustic looking floors and lots of greenery helps us to go back to nature and allows the neutral hues to really shine in the whole scheme.

Arched shapes are another great décor feature to try out within the neutral trend. Alcoves and doorways are crying out to be transformed into soft curved shapes and complement the linear feel of a kitchen.

Introducing texture is key with neutrals and it’s all about layering. Tactile surfaces which make you want to reach out and touch are perfect for this trend.

Think stoneware and linens for kitchen accessories, choosing handmade items over mass-produced plastics accessories. Wooden kitchen utensils, ceramic containers in more earthy tones and linen tea towels can all introduce additional notes of colour and texture into your space.

Gloss tiles are a great choice as a feature splashback or upstand in your neutral kitchen. They subtly reflect light, with their beautiful imperfections becoming visible at different angles, so there’ll always be something to attract the eye.

To maintain the calm and balanced feeling of the neutral trend, keep worktops clean and simple – a white worktop will always be a classic that woks with virtually any aesthetic.

Continuing the neutral theme through the rest of your home is really simple if you are drawn to this trend. Think about adding in a colour thread in every room – this will coordinate each room and draw them all together.

Details like a neutral sofa in the living room, or linen curtains in a similar colour in the bedroom, will make for a cohesive and harmonious home.