Cooking With Color: When to Use Blue in the Kitchen
Keep your cool. We show you when to nosh around navy or try a taste of turquoise so you can stay relaxed while finishing your kitchen
Houzz contributor and designer at the Austin-based architecture and interior design firm, Loop Design (http://www.houzz.com/pro/loopdesign/loop-design).
Loop Design specializes in modern residential new construction and renovations. We are passionate about sustainable building practices and enjoy it when our clients bring those same interests to their project.
Houzz contributor and designer at the Austin-based architecture and interior... More »
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If your idea of bliss is a weekend spent relaxing seaside or poolside in a warm, sunny place, consider bringing that tranquil vibe into your kitchen with blue. Whether you opt for a fun watery turquoise or a more formal deep and dark navy, there are many ways you can incorporate a little or a lot of this cool, stress-reducing color.
One caveat about using blue in the kitchen: We humans have evolved to see blue as an appetite suppressant, due to how few of our natural food sources are blue and the many toxic things that sport the hue. Depending on just how much you overindulged during the last holiday season, this may or may not be a good thing for you! But if you're still fond of this calming hue for your kitchen, check out these blue paint suggestions and ideas on how to incorporate the color into your own kitchen.
One caveat about using blue in the kitchen: We humans have evolved to see blue as an appetite suppressant, due to how few of our natural food sources are blue and the many toxic things that sport the hue. Depending on just how much you overindulged during the last holiday season, this may or may not be a good thing for you! But if you're still fond of this calming hue for your kitchen, check out these blue paint suggestions and ideas on how to incorporate the color into your own kitchen.
by Jennifer Ott
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I love working with blue, because there are so many beautiful shades available — from pale, icy blues to deep indigos. You can add some green to it to get Caribbean Sea–inspired blues, or purple or gray for cooler, more sophisticated shades.
Blue paint picks for kitchens (clockwise from top left):
1. Sea Sparkle 5003-7B, from Valspar
2. Bali Blue KM3795-1, from Kelly-Moore
3. Blue Willow 570F-4, from Behr
4. Sonata 351-3, from Pittsburgh Paints
5. Indigo SW6531, from Sherwin-Williams
6. Symphony Blue 2325, from Pratt & Lambert
7. Blue Dusk 1644, from Benjamin Moore
8. Turquoise Tear Drops 042-5, from Mythic Paint
Blue paint picks for kitchens (clockwise from top left):
1. Sea Sparkle 5003-7B, from Valspar
2. Bali Blue KM3795-1, from Kelly-Moore
3. Blue Willow 570F-4, from Behr
4. Sonata 351-3, from Pittsburgh Paints
5. Indigo SW6531, from Sherwin-Williams
6. Symphony Blue 2325, from Pratt & Lambert
7. Blue Dusk 1644, from Benjamin Moore
8. Turquoise Tear Drops 042-5, from Mythic Paint
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Anyone who has selected kitchen finish materials knows how overwhelming it can be to decide on and coordinate all the various selections. Make it easier on yourself by focusing on one element to begin with, such as your backsplash. Find something you absolutely love and then use it to drive the remainder of your decisions.
For instance, these indigo backsplash tiles from Ann Sacks are this kitchen's showpiece. All of the other materials work with the tiles. The color of the cabinets and drum shades are pulled from them, while the countertops and flooring were kept more subdued so that they complement rather than compete with the stunning backsplash.
For instance, these indigo backsplash tiles from Ann Sacks are this kitchen's showpiece. All of the other materials work with the tiles. The color of the cabinets and drum shades are pulled from them, while the countertops and flooring were kept more subdued so that they complement rather than compete with the stunning backsplash.
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| If you've picked out a bold backsplash tile that you love but are concerned that it will appear too busy, consider using it as an accent band within a wall of white subway tiles. This can also help you stick to a budget. There is a lot of color in this kitchen, but because the blue is such a soothing hue, it doesn't feel like a stressful overload. |
by Ino Getiashvili
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I love the drama and elegance of black and white kitchens, but sometimes they can appear too stark and cold. By adding a third color — cobalt blue in this case — the kitchen will feel livelier and have more personality. Of course, this particular kitchen is big on charm with such a fun and creative backsplash.
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| Speaking of charm, check out this incredible kitchen island. Not only is it about the largest one I've seen, but it is also very clever to take a traditional piece of furniture and paint it such a fun and whimsical color. Classic, traditional kitchens need not be stuffy. Color is a terrific tool for adding personality. |
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| When using a bold color for your cabinetry, consider breaking it up by using white or another neutral for the cabinet frame, or mixing different colors or materials for the upper cabinets versus the base cabinets. This beautiful, serene palette of white, blue and gray is perfect for a cool kitchen in a hot climate. |
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by Loop Design
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| Not a fan of colorful kitchen cabinetry or backsplash tiles? This backsplash is made from back-painted sheet glass. It's a clean, simple, modern way to add a splash of color to your kitchen. If you are a savvy DIYer, you might even be able to create and install such a backsplash yourself, making it an affordable option too. |
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by Joel Fraley
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| This is a very pretty blue and one that works with a variety of kitchen styles. Because it has lots of gray in it, it tends to read as a neutral and works well for someone who wants kitchen color that doesn't feel over the top. |
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| This is such a smart way to use bold color in a space. An accent wall can be easily repainted in another fun hue or a more neutral color, depending on how your design tastes change. You could pick up one of the other colors from the backsplash tile or go in an entirely different palette direction altogether. The pretty robin's egg/sky blue used here is bold yet soothing. Tell us: Have you used blue in your kitchen? Post a photo and share details in the Comments section below! |
Ideabook published on Jan. 22, 2013.
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Enjoy the View from your Breathtaking Kitchen 1
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Here's a great example where they used blue for the wall color...
Craftsman Creation
Craftsman - Storage Detail
http://ahomefullofcolor.blogspot.com/2013/01/design-dilemma-styling-our-open-shelves.html?m=1
The blue is great: I say keep it :)
This also reminded me of a story my dad shared - when he was young one of their neighbors decided to surprise his wife, and painted their kitchen blue while she was out of town. Well evidently it was a very depressing shade of blue because for weeks afterwards he would come home from work to find her crying in the kitchen. :-/
I loved that kitchen, it was the best one I ever had.
Pose your question in design dilemmas - you will get more suggestions than you can handle. :^)
What's the exposure of your patio door? If it's southern or western, a nice grey-blue will work every time. If it's a northern or eastern exposure it will be much more tricky, but you would have to move more towards aqua or turquoise - something warmer.
Sonic Sky was actually my favorite but it didn't match my tile.
http://www.laceyreimann.com/2012/04/my-pinterest-kitchen-living-room-makeover-jasper-in-photographer/
If you are not quite satisfied with the way the blue came out you may want to look into plaster. you can make it much more luminescence, and even have the same color, or a layering of them. I want to do this to our bedroom in a Victorian, plus plaster is water proof and you can either learn to do it your self or have someone do it for you. check out this link.
http://www.vasariplaster.com/
My kitchen is in the planning stages, but I have decided on uncomplicated white slab door cabinets and a recycled cobalt blue glass countertop. Besides that fact that I am a fan of the Dresden blue and white ceramics, the kitchen's major natural light source is hot afternoon sun, so the blue will cool down some of the usual kitchen heat.
I'm also glad to hear that blue calms appetite. I love to cook, painted the kitchen in my first house a wonderful sunshine yellow and never realized that was a big factor in how much extra food we all ate.
I'm thinking of painting one or more rooms in my house a light blue. I'm very picky about tones, so it's hard to find just the right color for anything.
[houzz=Cloud Street Residence]
Or go darker - even navy. This one is even called "Hidden Sapphire"
[houzz=Hidden Sapphire Paint]
The samples you have given Jennifer and those of others who have posted their kitchens are gorgeous though. ☺
This small picture is the only part of my kitchen that is clean. ;-)
Just be careful selecting the tones of blue and cabinets. Ivory will read yellow next to a true navy. But if you go a bit greener - like BM champion cobalt 2061-20 - the ivory will be soft and pretty.
Thank you for the advice! I was thinking SW-7602 Indigo Batik as my accent walls behind the cabinets and a warm neutral for the other walls throughout the dining room/living room (open concept kitchen). I'm nervous about the bold color choice, but once I see my cabinets in person once they are delivered I will make the final decision. Navy is just my favorite color, and the kitchen is my favorite room in my house...why not combine the two? ;)