Life, Styled

Unconventional Colors In Kitchens That We Love

Considering a kitchen remodel but feeling uninspired by the usual neutrals? While classic stained wood tones and the ever-popular white and gray palette have their place, they’re not the only options available. For those looking to make a bold, personal statement with color, exploring less conventional combinations can bring fresh energy to the space.

To help spark ideas, we’ve curated a selection of unique color pairings that go beyond the standard choices. Browse these inspiring combinations before finalizing your palette—they may help you discover the perfect balance of personality and style for your new kitchen.

This kitchen showcases a beautifully stained wood perimeter paired with a uniquely toned island in a subtle blend of gray, blue, and green hues. The island is finished in Rialto, accented with a delicate chocolate brown glaze, creating a soft, inviting look that stands apart from more traditional palettes.

What makes this color choice especially versatile is its range of undertones, which can be enhanced depending on the materials it’s paired with. Countertops, tile, flooring, and hardware all contribute to drawing out the warmer or cooler aspects of the finish, allowing the space to feel both cohesive and cozy. This type of color flexibility makes it an excellent option for those looking to incorporate personality without overwhelming the overall design.

This transitional mountain kitchen showcases a painted perimeter in a non-traditional color, yet the color is still neutral enough to blend with the darker stained island.  The paint color used here is Feather Gray with a thin silver glaze.  We also incorporated a dry brushing technique over the base color, adding depth to the door and drawer front molding.  This taupe hue is becoming one of our popular colors since it can be paired with other natural tones, or even a stand out louder tone if needed.

There’s nothing subtle about the striking blue island featured in this inviting kitchen. The client, in collaboration with the designer, chose Colonial Blue 1677 by Benjamin Moore—a bold yet timeless hue. Our team matched the color in-house using the exact formula to ensure a seamless finish.

Complemented by softer blue accents and grounded by carefully selected neutral finishes, the overall palette brings both personality and balance to the space. While the island color makes a confident statement, it harmonizes beautifully with the surrounding elements, adding charm without overpowering. The result is a vibrant yet welcoming kitchen that feels right at home in this cozy Carolina setting.

This elegant, traditional home in South Charlotte features many timeless design elements commonly found in stately kitchens: raised panel doors and drawer fronts, inset cabinetry, integrated appliance panels, seeded glass accents, and intricate moldings. These details contribute to a sophisticated and cohesive aesthetic.

What truly sets this space apart is the unexpected yet stunning use of color. The clients and their designer selected Chappell Green from the Farrow & Ball palette, applied with a matte topcoat for a soft, understated finish. This distinctive hue is paired with one of our signature stained finishes—Cinnamon on Select Cherry—which adds depth and warmth to the overall design.

To maintain the focus on the cabinetry, neutral tones were selected for the backsplash and countertops, resulting in a balanced and visually appealing composition. The combination of muted green and rich cherry wood offers a refined yet distinctive look, giving this classic kitchen a fresh and memorable personality.

If you’re seeing red in this kitchen, it’s no illusion. The homeowners selected Red Velvet—a bold, fiery hue—to anchor the space by featuring it prominently on the central island. This striking color choice is echoed in the adjacent dining room, where it brings warmth and continuity to the overall design. The clean lines and transitional style of the kitchen allow the vibrant tones to shine without overwhelming the space.

Beyond aesthetics, functionality was a top priority for this couple. The island not only makes a visual statement, but also delivers high-performance storage solutions. Spice pullouts on either side of the cooktop provide easy access for the home chef, while custom utensil dividers help streamline food prep and baking tasks.

At Walker Woodworking, we love incorporating rich colors into our cabinetry—not just in kitchens, but also in bathrooms, laundry rooms, and other standout spaces throughout the home. Many of these projects can be viewed in our online portfolio, where you’ll see how thoughtfully selected colors can transform a room into something truly personal.

One of the many ways we set ourselves apart from other cabinet manufacturers is through our ability to custom-mix all of our paints and stains in-house. Whether it’s matching a signature color like Colonial Blue for a historic farmhouse renovation or exploring a palette of over 1,050 shades from our ML Campbell color fan deck, the possibilities are nearly endless. We also work with color formulas from top brands, such as Benjamin Moore and Farrow & Ball, to give clients full creative freedom. For more inspiration, even HGTV offers helpful ideas on how to add bold colors to the kitchen.

If you have questions about any of the projects featured on our website, we welcome the opportunity to speak with you. During your design consultation, our team will walk you through all the options, offer expert guidance, and help you find the right balance of style and function for your space.

This was just a sampling of our colors and styles, so remember to view our photo gallery for more color ideas. If you’d like to see samples in person, you can call our showroom at 980.404.9600 to set up an appointment. You can also visit our Design Services page to learn more about our process.

Greenbrook Design, a kitchen and bath home center, is conveniently located in Uptown Shelby—just 25 minutes from the Tryon Equestrian Center and only an hour from Asheville, Charlotte, Hickory, and Greenville, SC. If you’re in the area, we invite you to stop by for a personal tour of our showroom. While you’re here, take time to enjoy the charm of Uptown Shelby, with its welcoming shops, restaurants, and entertainment options.

We look forward to helping you bring color and character into the heart of your home.

Leave a comment, let us know what you think!

When space is limited, it is valuable and greater thought is invested in creating a design that maximizes square footage to provide a functional space for the homeowner. Both manufacturers and designers alike are continuously thinking of new ways to give their clients the things they need, but using less space. One such item is the Murphy bed, yes, the one used in multiple comedy routines, but it has evolved into a stylish piece, yet remains as functional as ever. It is also comparable in price point to a traditional bed. Could the Murphy bed be the solution to your limited space problem? Let’s unpack exactly what it is and how it can help give you additional room in your home.

What to do when you don’t have the luxury of square footage? How can you create storage when there is not a lot of room, to begin with? Can you make small spaces work for you? These are good questions that we have helped our clients answer numerous times. While it may present more challenges than a larger home, it is possible to have the necessary storage for you to keep everything you need on hand. Small is not bad; in fact, it comes with multiple benefits, and a good design can help you maximize the space you do have to build a home that is exactly right for you. Let’s talk about some creative storage solutions for small spaces.

We always say details matter, and that goes beyond a project. Your home is filled with details that tell your guests who you are and what matters to you. Artwork, pottery pieces, and furniture are just a few things that give homeowners a chance to show off their style. Another area is hosting, and tablescapes have become a beautiful, fun way to share your own unique design choices with family and friends. Whether it is for a small gathering to enjoy time with those you love or to celebrate a special occasion, there are many ways to create the perfect look. By combining different colors, patterns, or materials, you can create a tablescape that will dazzle your guests, whether you prefer an elaborate or simple design.

Window treatments have made an interesting journey through the years in interior design. From floor to ceiling and mere window length, they have travelled the full circle of style. Today, window treatments can come in a variety of forms and options, plus they do more than just block out the sun; they can finish the look of a room and add the necessary touch that brings out the homeowner’s personality. Windows are our connection to nature and are an essential part of the home, which means they deserve proper consideration and care. They are also an area of the room that naturally draws the eye of the homeowner and guest alike. Most of the time, however, windows tend to be overlooked.

There’s nothing quite like the warm weather and smell of blooming flowers that come with springtime. While you may have grown used to cozying up indoors during the colder months, now you can start spending more time tending to your garden, playing with your kids in the yard, and kicking back on the patio while enjoying the sun.

But in order to fully enjoy your time outside (and potentially save yourself from having to pay for expensive home repairs in the future), you will need to perform some basic home maintenance. To help you get started, here are some key areas to tackle this spring, brought to you by Greenbrook Design.