Usually seen as an easy neutral option for bedroom walls and soft furnishings, grey has quickly become one of the most on-trend colours for the kitchen. No longer considered just the ‘safe’ choice, renovators and home builders alike have started to appreciate the flexibility of grey tones and the visual impact they can create.
While traditionally associated with minimalist and industrial styles, the cleanness of grey can add a contemporary edge to almost any home. Despite being a cooler colour, it’s the perfect complement to everything from the deepest blue to the most vibrant yellow. And with a wide variety of shades available, there’s a grey tone to suit every taste.
The psychology of grey
To fully appreciate why grey works so well in a kitchen, you first need to understand how people perceive the colour.
Despite the association with ill health, bad weather, and uncertainty, the overriding feeling a grey décor creates is one of calm. As a true neutral, it does not pull focus or clash with other colours and, when used correctly, can help focus attention on statement pieces.
Grey also represents refinement and sophistication. Sitting somewhere between the starkness of white and the moodiness of black, grey shades are seen as softer and more balanced. As a result, they are often used by big brands to convey a sense of quality and credibility.
The benefits of going grey
More than simply a style statement, there are several important practical reasons grey is a great choice for your kitchen.
Most significantly, grey tends to be a lot more forgiving when it comes to wear and tear. Not only does it hide dirt better than white, but marks are usually less obvious, and it is less susceptible to fading. Most shades also have a sense of timelessness, minimising the risk of the space looking dated in a couple of years.
Grey is also a flexible colour that works with most palettes and textures. This means that if you decide to update the look of your kitchen in the future, you may be able to change your benchtops or put in a new splashback without needing to replace your grey fixtures and surfaces.
The best ways to use grey in your kitchen
Generally speaking, grey is an easy colour to integrate into any design; however, there are a couple of simple tricks to getting a grey kitchen just right.
First, you need to select your shade. Grey is one of the most broadly defined colours, with a wide variety or darknesses, depths, and tints (do you want a blue-grey, green-grey, or beige-grey?) available. Choosing the perfect one for your kitchen will depend on the space’s size, location, and natural light, any other colours and materials you’re planning to incorporate, and the overall feel you’re trying to achieve.
Once you’ve worked out which grey you want, it’s all a matter of balance. Use too much grey, and the space will look cold and clinical. Don’t use enough and you will lose the contrast and relief the grey provides. One of the easiest ways to overcome this is to choose one major surface – like your cabinetry – to go grey.
Finally, you need to work out the overall look and feel you’d like. At Zesta Kitchens, we’ve noticed that grey is a particularly popular colour choice for our Hampton range, which has a relaxed yet luxurious feel. Thankfully, most greys work with most styles, so you’re sure to find a match that suits your tastes.
If you’re considering renovating your kitchen and going grey and need some inspiration and advice, give Zesta Kitchens a call to speak to one of our expert design team or book a consultation today.