Is red a kitchen superhero? A classic accent for kitchen décor, for such a powerful color, it is quite versatile. From high-gloss modernism to retro diner-style to country cottage, this bold hue is beyond being pigeonholed. It adds character and warmth to stark white spaces and creates interest when surrounded by neutrals, woods, and subdued shades. Check out how 10 kitchens use the hue in different ways.
TOP ROW:
1. Working red into kitchen appliances serves as a starting point for design inspiration. Beautiful Kitchens via House to Home
2. Glossy red against matte chalkboard paint creates contrast in not only color, but texture. Living Etc via House to Home
3. A cheery red accent wall in Hip Girl Kate Payne's Austin kitchen. From The Kitchn.
4. High gloss red cabinetry adds to the pop art aesthetic of Celeste & Nikolai's space. Apartment Therapy.
5. Like appliances, choosing a red backsplash is a commitment, but it pairs so well with bright white cabinets (and hides marinara splatters). via Quiet Home Paints
BOTTOM ROW:
6. Proof you don't need a ton of space to welcome red: this galley kitchen is anchored by red lower cabinets and keeps the space bright with white uppers. From Better Homes & Gardens.
7. A mostly white kitchen with rustic accents gets a jolt of color from some bright bar stools. Jessica Helgerson Design via Delight by Design.
8. In a kitchen open to the living area, James and Donna decided to create define the space by painting the walls red. From Apartment Therapy.
9. How charming is this vintage stove? Period Living via The Sweetest Occasion.
10. Nothing says "welcome home" like a cheery red door. From The Lettered Cottage.
(Images: as linked above)
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Red in kitchens seems to work best when surrounded with a LOT of white and a little bit of green, including pale green as in the first photo.
I'm afraid I'd get tired of the red pops after like two days... too red. But to each their own. I like less poppy pops of colour.
I like this. My favorite is #9. Love the lamps by the stove although not sure how practical.
My choice of color would be turquoise and I would not get bored or tired. Love any shade of blue.
Nice post
Pic #1 has too much red.
It's pretty as an accent but overwhelming as a main color ... like being in a McDonald's.
#7 is my favorite. Pop of red in a beautiful black & white kitchen.
Glossy red in a kitchen is great if it's a red the chef likes. I love certain reds, yet hate some others. Red can cheer a small, modern minimalist white, stainless steel, and black kitchen. Red can look wonderfully retro with greens/turquoise/aqua.
Just bought a gorgeous glossy red Cuisinart coffee maker. Against our pale apple green walls it looks fantastic. Plus, it makes really good coffee... Always a bonus!
Could that SMEG fridge look any cooler!!
Gah! This is so fun. The red really adds an extra touch of fun, especially in kitchens more-so than bedrooms and living areas.
Great post,
LOCZIdesign
We just downsized to a 940 sq ft. apartment from a house.Of course the whole place has WHITE walls. My husband did not want to paint until we decide if this is where we are going to stay. I bought an apartment sized retro black sofa and two red apartment sized recliners. They are very comfortable for my 6' husband. My kitchen is done with red towels; red pot and pans and a retro red clock. I have "pop"g red here and there with a bit of yellow and sage green.
Sounds weird but it all pulls together from room to room.
No such thing as too much red. In fact there is a little too much wood in the first one, but I can get behind it since all of my little kitchen appliances, i.e. toaster, blender, etc are red. Other than that, I love them all but especially the third one in the first row, and the fourth one in the second row.
I've always had bits of red in any kitchen I've done. As another person posted, it is well complemented by pale green -- in my case a pale celedon. In my opinion, you go for one big thing, like the stove in picture one, or the red cabinets in picture four...or a few smaller ones, such as red chairs. Too much red is tiring. Too many little color accents in the same shade look busy, and a little too cute.
I'm loving the red refrigerator.
I know too many people who went red in the kitchen. Then suddenly I had lots of red. Oi. Now my kitchen in black white and dark, bright blue with just a few red spots here and there and it's much better.
Oh oh oh!! And can I just say #9 is AWESOME! I Love that stove!!!!
I agree with the posters who say there's no such thing as too much red! Red is my favourite colour. Although I admire a neutral decor, I could never live in it. In the living room, we have 2 red leather tub chairs. (Our couch is Irish linen in a colour called 'oatmeal'.) In the TV room, we have 2 red Ekornes chairs (love that we got one in small, the other in medium). In the spare bedroom, we have a red couch that flips out to make a double bed. Our front door is red. We have other red accents throughout the house.
The red in this kitchen makeover is pretty awesome, too: http://circadee.com/2011/11/17/did-you-see/. Really tied the red accents in with the appliances without being too over the top.
I'd be interested to hear of coloured stove tops available in Australia. All the ones I have found for sale have been in America.
Love, love, love red in the kitchen and main living areas (never in the bedroom)! Lately, I've been sneaking in bits of pink as well. The red and pink give it a more homey and less graphic, artsy look.