White kitchens are crisp, clean and bright, but if you’re looking for a break from all that sameness, blue kitchens – or at least kitchens with pops of blue – deserve a second look.
They were on proud display at last year’s housing design awards in Ottawa, cropping up in renovations, custom builds and production homes. A little time with Google tells you it’s not just an Ottawa thing: blue is big pretty much everywhere.
And little wonder – blue kitchens feel calming, create a feeling of spaciousness (think of a big blue sky or a tranquil sea), and accord with virtually any kitchen design, from traditional to modern. The color is also available in everything from rich, royal blues to lighter shades that help to visually open up smaller spaces.
However, despite what some websites claim, there’s no credible evidence that blue will lower your blood pressure.
This country kitchen renovation by ARTium Design Build and Deslaurier Custom Cabinets uses blues, including the ones that infuse the backsplash, to help balances a bright space. The blue island contrasts with the warm wood floor and echoes tones in the rest of the home.
Blue, when it’s used judiciously throughout the kitchen, can help tie an entire design together. Blue cabinetry and islands have become especially popular and allow you to simply change the wall colour when the space needs a freshen-up.
The navy blue cabinets by Richcraft Homes and Potvin Kitchens are the centrepiece of this urban industrial/traditional kitchen in Richcraft’s Baldwin single-family home. The rich blue, stylish gold hardware and transitional Shaker cabinet doors blend European flair with traditional warmth.
Adding blue to your kitchen can be as simple as shopping for a few blue cushions, some bar stools and a place setting. Do you have an empty wall in the kitchen? Track down a big, blue art poster for a sudden splash of sophisticated colour.
Blue accents dot this white kitchen renovation by Amsted Design-Build, proving that, when it comes to colour, you can be on trend in many ways. If you don’t want to bother repainting your kitchen in blue, you could also opt for blue table settings; a royal blue adds a classic touch, while a light blue can bring a cool, coastal feel.
Use blue to make a statement or help anchor your kitchen. The colour can be as bold or as subtle as you choose, and it works handsomely in virtually any design.
The custom-blue island anchors this kitchen by Deslaurier Custom Cabinets. Like the rest of the two-tone space, the island is all about clean lines and functionality. The grey granite countertop works especially well with the blue of the island and is an example of how other colours, from white to yellow, can complement blue.
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