From colour palette to style to textures, learn all about kitchen design. Discover which interior designs and styles match your home with our top kitchen design ideas.

Define Your Kitchen Design with a Colour Palette 

Choosing Your Colour Palette 

When choosing the design of your kitchen, there are three popular types of colour themes you can select from:   

Traditional Style

The traditional look draws from classic English and European design. Symmetry is an important an important element this design. Classic elements such as columns, arches, decorative trims, and patterns are all part of the look.

Traditional Colour Palette

Colours in traditional palettes usually include rich shades that blend harmoniously, rather than stark colour statements. Rich wood finishes combined with neutral colours are what make traditional kitchens calm, warm, and welcoming.

Traditional Textures

Textures and finishes tend to be smooth with highly-polished surfaces and tightly-woven, patterned fabrics. Cabinetry and furniture are usually embellished with carved details. Traditional finishes include dark or light classically-sculpted metals such as polished brass, antique bronze, and satin nickel.

Contemporary Style 

Clean, unbroken lines. Sleek surfaces with very little ornamentation. Think colour instead of patterns in the contemporary kitchen. It’s all about simplicity and functionality. Here, less is most definitely more. Smooth finishes and soft colours with touches of bold tones make a contemporary kitchen feel fresh, while clean and sleek lines add interest to the design. 

Contemporary Colour Palette 

Colours that work best in contemporary rooms are usually monochromatic schemes. Sometimes a bold accent of a more intense colour can be powerful. For example, white walls make an interesting backdrop for optic-yellow barstools. 

Contemporary Textures  

Textures and finishes are smooth and simple in contemporary designs, whether they are polished, brushed, high-gloss, or matte-finished. Angular or curved shapes can be incorporated. Fine-grained natural wood and glass work well.

Casual Style 

Natural and uncomplicated, the casual style kitchen welcomes family and friends to come in and relax. Warm wood tones, natural colours, and interesting textures work with each other to create a comfortable feeling of home. It has a  lived-in look that is always comfortable and inviting.  

Casual Colour Palette 

Colours in a casual style of kitchen are usually analogous mixes, ranging from soft pastels to warm, robust tones inspired by nature. The casual palette gives a sense of security, tranquility, and comfort. 

Casual Textures  

Textures and finishes are not fancy or fussy. Cabinet and hardware finishes that appear worn or aged add to the look of a casual kitchen. Materials inspired by nature, like wicker, cotton, and wood, always work perfectly in a casual setting. Alder and slate make great partners in this style of kitchen.

Eclectic Style 

In an eclectic kitchen, a variety of styles can be combined to create an individual look. This "freestyle approach" is often tied together with colour, texture, or shape. Light and dark finishes create exciting contrast. Repeating this contrast throughout the kitchen brings balance, and adds a sophisticated, soothing feeling to the room. 

Eclectic Colour Palette 

Colours are complementary, spirited, and visually stimulating. The unexpected variety is pulled together through the simple use of key colours. Use coloured appliances to make a bold statement. 

Eclectic Textures 

Textures and finishes may vary dramatically throughout the kitchen, but they balance each other. Consider mixing appliances of different finishes to complement split finishes in the cabinetry, or even have two different types of countertop.