You may want a relatively neutral kitchen that will stand the test of time and that you won't grow tired of. But how do you make it attractive rather than bland? One thing to consider is to choose one dominant feature and ensure the other elements are subordinate. Here are some other ideas for creating visual interest in a neutrally toned kitchen.

Cabinetry Combinations

Plenty of cabinets provide a lot of storage, but they can look boring and repetitive. You can break up the monotony by adding glass doors to the higher cupboards. Glass gives an airy feeling, as you can see into the cupboards rather than the door forming a solid front.

Another way to add appeal is to remove the door altogether on selected cabinets. You can paint the sides, back and shelves a feature colour, turning the cupboards into a shelf unit.

You can also use colour alone to differentiate some cupboards from others with a duotone combination. For example, install deep blue lower cabinets and pale grey upper ones. Choose any colour mixture you like, though a dark colour works best on the floor cabinets to ground the room. A dark colour on top can appear too heavy.

Floor and Wall Patterns

Another way to add interest is with the subtle patterns created by splashback tiles or floor planks. A subway-tiled splashback makes a statement, especially when it runs from countertop to ceiling. For an unusual effect, you could set the pattern to run vertically, which will create the sense of a high ceiling. Alternatively, go for a lively herringbone design.

The floor is another surface that can feature patterns. You can lay timber or bamboo floor planks in a zigzag design instead of straight, even lines if you want something a bit different. Alternatively, lay the planks diagonally across the kitchen floor.

Natural Materials

Natural materials make a statement when they're spread over an extended area due to their intrinsic beauty. Substances like stone and timber also add organic patterns, and they give a kitchen a welcoming feel without covering the room not being covered in artificial surfaces. You could install a soapstone, granite, marble or travertine countertop in neutral shades like cream, brown and grey. The grains of timber benchtops provide a warmer aesthetic.

Pale Colours

White is a neutral colour that has an appealing freshness, but if you want more variety, you could use soft colours instead for your kitchen renovation. For example, use mint green, pale blue, grey or beige. Pale colours are light-reflective, so they visually expand the room. Or you could opt for a dark neutral like a charcoal floor and countertop with white cabinetry and walls to add a bold touch that's not over the top.

Reach out to a kitchen renovation service near you to learn more.