Fresh and bold: Kitchen color trends for 2023

BY LUCY PROBERT

When it comes to color trends for kitchens this year, it would be a stretch to think that white will go by the wayside, but mixing in other shades can go a long way toward adding personality to a room most believe to be the heart of any home.

“Adding color can be so fun when designing spaces,” says Nicole Martel, owner and principal designer of Three Sparrows Interior Design in Warren. “Integrating pops of a color like blue brings in a wow factor and also fits well with the coastal style that many in the Ocean State appreciate.”

Color can also not only impact a room’s appearance, but with this year’s popular shades, greens evoking nature and blues bringing in either the calm of the ocean or a bold statement, they can be refreshing as well.

More on color

For those looking to have a soft and transitional feel to their space, creams and beiges are a good way to go, says Martel. Agreeable Gray from Sherwin-Williams or Revere Pewter from Benjamin Moore add slight color and a touch of warmth to the space and pair well with walnut (either in cabinets or as an accent like countertops or wood shelves).

A blue island splash

“If adding color to cabinets is too much of a leap, an island accent color can have the same effect without the full commitment,” says Martel. “The blue island here serves the purpose of breaking up the allwhite cabinets with a color that feels casual, while also pulling your eye to the center of the room. The shade, Downpour by Benjamin Moore, really makes a statement in this kitchen filled with whites, blacks and wood tones,” she says. The countertops are a leathered quartz, and on the island is a checkerboard butcher block, both of which contrast against the corresponding cabinet shade. Swapping out hardware, lighting or even adding a runner can also bring in new colors and textures.

Going green in Portsmouth

“The owners of this home renovated their kitchen five years ago but later felt it was missing something, so they reached out to us to help,” Martel says. The lower cabinets were painted Rosemary by Sherwin-Williams, a neutral base that grounds the space. “The lighter elements, like the upper cabinets, quartz counters and subway tile backsplash, keep it bright and airy.”

Lastly, the brass and wood elements, like the floating shelves, draw warmth to the design; both balanced and tranquil is how the space now feels, she says. “Green pairs well with brass tones that are now starting to replace nickel fixtures and hardware that have been popular in the past. Choosing cabinets in the green family, from sage to forest, is a great complement to the golden toned oak floors we are seeing a lot of in kitchen renovations.”

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Bold charcoal on the East Side

“Incorporating dark and moody elements is a hot style trend but also feels classic at the same time if done right,” says Martel. “For a sophisticated and chic aesthetic, consider charcoal over stark black. We love using this color in a matte finish in a space that is light and bright. The space can be smaller but good natural light is a must.” She suggests pairing the darker cabinets with lighter walls and tile and adding wood elements to warm the space.

More on wood elements

“While wood is not a color, it can transform a room as much as paint can,” says Martel. “With endless stain applications and different wood species and grains, the sky is the limit. Adding these accents to any color can elevate the look and bring colors to life in a new way.”