Have you come across the tri-color kitchen strategy? Designers point out that it's a certain approach to develop a more visually engaging layout.
Trend Alert: Tri-Color Kitchens - Say Goodbye to Bland and Hello to Character
This year, it's time to ditch the boring, run-of-the-mill kitchens and embrace more eye-catching designs. Whether you're a fan of bold colors or muted hues, the designer-approved trend is starting conversations with tri-color kitchens.
We've heard plenty about two-tone kitchens, but the three-color approach brings your kitchen color ideas to a whole new level, transforming your space from ordinary to fascinating. And you might be surprised just how achievable it is!
To help you nail this trendy, yet timeless look, we've tapped into the minds of top designers to find out their secrets for executing a successful tri-color kitchen. Plus, we've got some examples that'll convince you to jump on the three-color train.
What is a Tri-Color Kitchen?
So, you're familiar with two-tone kitchens, but what about tri-color designs? This technique involves weaving three different colors throughout your kitchen, adding dimension, contrast, and intrigue.
'Incorporating several colors into a single kitchen scheme gives the space a chance to breathe and creates a sense of thoughtful balance,' explains kitchen designer, Tom Howley.
And this isn't just a trend that caters to colorful kitchens - three pared-back hues or earthy tones work just as well for a neutral kitchen. It's not about crafting a showy design, but rather a more dynamic, personality-filled one.
'We continue to see people craving unique and personalized spaces that suit their individual style and preferences. This can be accomplished through the use of bolder colors or more unexpected color combinations,' says Arianna Barone, color marketing manager at Benjamin Moore.
'A tri-color kitchen harmoniously blends three distinct colors to create a visually appealing space. Monochromatic looks will always be popular, but tri-color schemes offer a fresh alternative for those seeking more contrast and depth,' she explains.
5 Tri-Color Kitchen Ideas for Every Style
The secret to a triumphant tri-color kitchen lies in choosing the right palette and planning its application strategically. There are plenty of different elements of the kitchen to consider, so have fun with the colors and applications!
'Kitchens have a myriad of surfaces, making them ideal candidates for a tri-color scheme. Countertops, backsplash, flooring, cabinets, walls, and ceiling all deserve careful consideration to create a kitchen with visual interest without becoming overwhelming,' says Arianna.
1. Go for Dark Cabinetry, Light Walls, and Wood Accents
The colors you choose will often depend on your kitchen style and the hues that speak to you. But for Arianna, applying your darker shade to the kitchen cabinets and the lighter shades to the walls is a classic approach.
'I adore a dark kitchen cabinet. Using something like Mysterious AF-565, shown here, is a terrific way to anchor a space and infuse depth into it. Keeping the walls light and bright with Steam AF-1 creates the ideal backdrop for open shelving and complements the white kitchen countertops,' she explains.
And for the third color in this kitchen, natural wood has been selected to contribute an organic, textured element that harmonizes with the home's architecture. 'A weathered wood ceiling and beams add warmth and character to the space, preventing it from feeling too stark or oppressive.'
2. Embrace Unconventional Color Combinations
Classic color palettes, like blue, white, and wood, are a great starting point for tri-color kitchens, but don't be afraid to branch out for a statement look. With the right shades, you can create a space brimming with contrast and personality.
'Kitchens are excellent spaces for a playful color combination. These rooms are often the heart of the home and can significantly benefit from more saturated hues to bring vibrancy and energy to a home's color palette,' explains Arianna.
This small green deVOL kitchen is a shining example of that idea, with dark green cabinets providing the base for this design, while light walls keep things cheery and uplifting. To add a pop of color unexpectedly, blue open shelving has been thrown into the mix - it adds a subtle punch of color without overwhelming the space.
3. Introduce a Statement Furniture Piece
If you've already got a two-tone kitchen, or if you want to bring in a strong color that feels less permanent, incorporating one bold piece of freestanding kitchen furniture to add a splash of color against more neutral hues can have a significant impact.
'For those venturing into color, a feature dresser, chimney breast, or even a selection of pastel-toned backboards can be a beautiful, understated way to bring inVisual interest,' suggests Tom.
'Mediating three complementary or contrasting tones helps define various zones in the kitchen - from statement islands to soft cabinetry and subtle backdrops - adding depth, character, and a curated feel.'
4. Add a Trending Color to a Neutral Kitchen
This kitchen shows off a stunning example of a tri-color kitchen. The white walls and wooden island have a classic, timeless feel, but to add a more vibrant hue, the cabinets and shelving have been painted butter yellow.
But this kitchen proves it doesn't have to be complicated. By ensuring the color story covers the walls, cabinets, and island, you can create a visually interesting kitchen that doesn't overwhelm.
Using wood as one of your colors, especially in a richer, darker tone like this island, is a fantastic approach, as it pairs well with almost any color - perfect if you're someone who enjoys updating the statement colors in your space.
5. Bring in All Three Colors through Your Kitchen Cabinets
If you're ready to fully commit to the tri-color kitchen method, why not bring them all in through your kitchen cabinet ideas? It's an instant way to elevate your space's visual appeal while also breaking up solid runs.
This kitchen is a perfect demonstration of how to design with three kitchen cabinet colors without overwhelming the scheme. A stylish yet unique color combination of blue, wood, and taupe offers the ideal balance of color and neutrality.
The kitchen island and lower cabinets boast a bold shade of blue, while wooden upper cabinets add a natural element, and the taupe full-length cabinets are more subtle, melding into the background and helping the kitchen seem larger and brighter. It's an ideal way to create a harmonious blend of the bolder hues.
Tri-color kitchens continue to prove an effortless way to introduce style, character, and interest to designs. Opt for a kitchen color combination that speaks to your interior design style, and don't shy away from experimenting with unconventional or overlooked kitchen colors. Sometimes, taking a daring approach is the best way to create something unique.
Incorporating the tri-color kitchen concept into interior design extends beyond kitchens as it can also be applied to lifestyle, fashion, and home decor. This approach creates livelier and more engaging spaces, reflecting the current trend of personalized, unique, and eye-catching designs.
To elevate a neutral interior design, for instance, a tri-color scheme in the tones of fashion-and-beauty (like butter yellow) can bring a lively and energetic vibe to a room, harmonizing with existing elements of home-and-garden, such as wooden furniture, to create a balanced yet dynamic atmosphere.
