Brown kitchens are experiencing a great comeback: no longer just an icon of classic style, today they are dressed in new material and chromatic suggestions.
Thanks to the different shades of wood and other materials used, ranging from sand to brown, the atmosphere created is welcoming and timeless.
Modern, traditional and even bohemian, this color fits well into any style. Are you looking for some suggestions for a small or large makeover?
Read our guide to find magical inspiration for your brown kitchen and discover the best combinations.
Brown: a warm and welcoming color
Thanks to its versatility, brown is a neutral color widely used in furnishings. There are different shades and each of them can evoke a different sensation or emotion:
ranging from the delicate (and colder) tones of sand to the warm intensity of mahogany, passing through the contemporary elegance of taupe and sepia.
That’s why it’s important to select the right shade, especially when it comes to a brown kitchen.
Since it is a vital part of your home, the environment in which you cook (and not only) must be functional and beautiful.
With wood, the main material used for brown kitchens, you can’t go wrong. First of all, decide on the intensity: Whether you choose to have light or dark brown kitchen cabinets, the options are endless.
Furthermore, there are many ways to introduce this timeless color into your restyling. For example, you can choose to:
- Buy all the furniture in wood, for a total brown look.
- Pair a wooden table and chair set with a kitchen in another neutral color.
- Opt for siding and backsplashes painted brown.
- Display olive wood accessories, such as containers, trays and cutting boards.
- Complete with brown linen or cotton textiles, such as tablecloths, curtains, tea towels and rugs.
How to decorate a brown kitchen
The first decision to make for your new brown kitchen concerns the type of material to prefer for the main furnishings.
The choice could fall on various types of solid wood, ideal for country and classic styles: they range from the cheaper and easier to work woods, such as pine and maple, to precious essences such as walnut, oak and cherry.
Among the materials obtained from wood and processed industrially there are laminate and MDF, finished with an external layer that allows you to obtain practically any aesthetic result; for a modern brown kitchen, for example, you could use the glossy or matte texture.
Let’s see in detail what you need to obtain the desired result.
#1: Mobile
The main structure of your brown kitchen will obviously depend on the space available. If you have decided to purchase a modular version, the different furniture and wall units may have an entirely wooden structure or just the doors.
Then consider whether to prefer a classic table with chairs or an island with stools to create your dining area.
Do you want a classic brown country style kitchen? Then also combine an oak sideboard with a display cabinet, shelves and rustic furnishing accessories, which will always make you feel like you are in the countryside.
Don’t forget to use light well to illuminate the darker shades of brown and prevent the room from looking too gloomy.
#2: Walls
Brown can also work well for other elements of the kitchen, especially the walls.
In addition to the backsplash, which can be made of stone, tiles or other technical materials, dare with a boiserie-style covering for a wall.
You will feel like you have recreated the intimate and inviting mood of a chalet in the mountains.
The best matches
To give its best, a brown kitchen needs the right color combinations. Opt for the combination with other neutral colors or dare with vibrant nuances:
here are some suggestions to inspire you to change your look.
Beige
Elegant and sober, the classic combination of brown and beige never goes out of style.
This masterful mix of earthy tones gives a sense of great warmth, creating an environment to be enjoyed day after day.
For an extra touch of elegance, complete with gold-colored finishes, while if you prefer something current, focus on glossy textures and minimal lines, combined with aluminum details.
White
Another great classic is also the brown and white kitchen. Especially in the case of small rooms, white can be used for floors, walls and ceilings, thus making everything brighter.
At the same time, the brown furniture introduces a natural and cozy dimension.
If the whole seems too neutral, add a few subtle touches of color: some plants on the floor or on wall shelves might be enough.
Blue
Blue is a multifaceted color that can fit well even in a brown kitchen. Paired with wooden cabinets and decor, it adds a soothing note to any space.
Whether you prefer navy blue, cobalt or electric blue, there are many shades to discover and fall in love with.
Go for a mix of furniture with raw wood panels and blue laminate to elevate the tone of your classic kitchen. Alternatively, paint the very wall behind the brown kitchen unit blue.
Green
Imagine a forest, with its fresh and enveloping shades like a warm embrace: a brown and green kitchen evokes the pleasant sensation of being in the middle of nature.
A simple way to achieve this color balance is through the walls, to be covered with leaf pattern wallpaper. Then complete with tone-on-tone placemats, runners and vases.
Grey
If you want something modern for your brown kitchen, go for grey. On a base in different shades of brown, such as cabinets, table and island, introduce some contrasting accents thanks to gray cabinets and appliances.
You can also select a gray stone floor, to create a pleasant contrast with the rest of the wooden furnishings.
Orange
Finally, a happier proposal couldn’t be missing. Did you know that brown and orange look great together?
Being such a vibrant color, orange can work well to enhance a very dark shade of brown.
Choose a few elements, but with a great aesthetic impact, such as a vintage-style orange fridge or a set of orange chairs: the result will leave you speechless.
