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There’s pretty much nothing more classic than an all-white kitchen. The design scheme has survived every design era, wooing generations of homeowners with its crisp and clean aesthetic and effortless sense of timeless appeal.
The plain palette began trending after the onset of the Spanish flu, predating cookie-cutter homes and the bold contrast that came to define Art Deco. But the 1900s are behind us, and in this new era of design, the moodier the palette, the better. Now a hub for trends, innovations, and creativity to thrive, kitchens have transformed from mere workspaces into a design focal point.
If you’re looking to repaint, revamp, or remodel your cookspace, you might want to leave stark white in the past and move towards a deeper palette, which will not only add more personality to your space but also boost your home’s value. Ahead, our expert lead guide on how to design a chic, moody kitchen alongside inspiration from our archives.
Look to Nature to Inform Your Palette
While deep navy, punchy plum, and rich maroon are typically hues associated with a moodier aesthetic, interior designer Taylor Hill believes that drawing from more earthy inspiration is the way to go when tapping into the trend.
“Moody designs are typically best served with earth-toned palettes in darker tones to create a grounding effect,” Hill says. Nature-inspired palettes are far less limiting than you might think. Ranging from mossy greens to chestnut browns and even rich terracottas, nature-inspired palettes are far less limiting than you might think and can suit nearly any style.
Start With Small Doses
Taking on a deeper color scheme can be intimidating. Before you take the plunge and completely color-drench your kitchen, Tiffany Skilling of the Indianapolis-based design firm Tiffany Skilling Interiors recommends dosing your space with small, confident splashes.
“Start with one confident move rather than changing everything at once,” Skilling says. “Painting the cabinetry, adding a deeper wall color, introducing antique brass hardware, or selecting a patterned runner can immediately shift the feeling of the room.”
Starting with a single element can also help inform your more high-stakes choices by allowing you to see how lighting, function, and movement interact with different tones and hues in your space.
Consider the Tiny Details
Comprised of many different moving parts, the moody aesthetic can be visually overwhelming, but it's about much more than just bold color choices. Nailing the trend really comes down to acing the fine details, and the one most often overlooked? The trim.
“What's one way to instantly kill the mood of a dark space? Leave the trim and ceiling white,” says Johanna Lyle, founder and principal designer at Jo Lyle & Co. To keep your space looking dynamic, vary the paint sheen between your wall and trimwork to help it stand out a bit.
Embrace Natural Texture
Paint isn’t the only way you can influence the feel of your space. Layering textures, finishes, and patterns can also help you build up that “moody” atmosphere and keep your designs from feeling dreary.
“Living in the West means, oftentimes, the mood is set by rich wood paneled or log walls. It can be fun and definitely cozy to lean further into a dark palette like hunter green and deep blues, but if it’s all dark, I’d play with the textures and include something unexpected like lacquer,” says interior designer Emily Janak. “Adding unexpected finishes or a touch of a bright color in a piece of art or upholstery will keep it from feeling depressing.”
Natural materials are also a go-to for Lyle when working on moodier spaces. “Natural materials tend to lend themselves to a moodier vibe. Consider natural stone or butcherblock countertops, ceramic or lavastone tile, and interesting light fixtures,” she adds.
Shed Some Light
When working with such rich and saturated hues, it's important to consider how lighting will impact not only the functionality but the feel of the space. While the detail might seem trivial to some, Skilling says it’s worth spending some time mulling over.
“You have to be thoughtful about undertones and lighting. A color can change dramatically throughout the day, so we always evaluate samples in the actual room and alongside the surrounding stone, flooring, metals, and natural light,” Skilling explains.
Aside from shadows and shades, interior designer Sarah Stacey warns that you should always mind your undertones. “Avoid any cool-toned lighting, nothing higher than 2700k, and layer your lighting,” Stacey says. “Don’t rely solely on a dark paint color to make your space moody, and always sample colors to make sure the undertones feel rich and don’t fall flat.”
