Taupe kitchen cabinets are a firm favorite when it comes to neutral kitchen design. They add warmth and interest to your design, which begs the question: Will taupe replace white and gray as the go-to neutral color?
When designing your kitchen plan, there are plenty of kitchen cabinet colors to choose from, even if you're simply opting for a neutral space. However, with the trend towards creating spaces that are warm, inviting and full of character, certain color palettes that were once favored kitchen cabinet ideas are becoming mainstream.
So, as taupe kitchen cabinets start to establish themselves as a go-to color for kitchen ideas, we asked designers and kitchen experts to find out if this warm hue is the best choice for you and how you can incorporate it into your kitchen plans.
Is taupe a good color for kitchen cabinets?
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Beige decor has been on the rise this year, with warmer neutrals dominating over the cooler hues that were popular in previous kitchen trends. And this push for warmer hues may be driving consideration of taupe for your kitchen cabinets, too.
“Taupe is a wonderfully elegant colour. It's a mix of grey and brown tones that can be warmer with more brown or cooler depending on how you mix it. Taupe makes a great neutral that can be used on its own or combined with different colours,” says Jane Everett, creative director at Naked Kitchens.
The appeal of taupe kitchen cabinets lies in their versatility and timelessness. They can be paired with a variety of colors and complement both contemporary and traditional kitchens, making taupe a timeless color. “Taupe is a timeless color that works well in any space, making it easy to choose a finish that complements it,” adds Laura Styles, resident style advisor at Yester Home.
“It's usually a neutral color between very light and dark, creates a cozy feel to a space, and is incredibly durable, resisting fingerprints and smudges even in high traffic areas,” she explains.
Is taupe the new go-to neutral color for kitchen cabinets?
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Taupe kitchen cabinets are considered a great choice for both aesthetic and practical reasons, so we can expect to see more kitchens in this warm hue in the future. But will taupe overtake other kitchen colors like white and gray as the go-to neutral?
“Taupe is a much softer colour than pure white or grey. Adding brown to shades of grey to create taupe really warms the colour up, making it a much more inviting, rich and earthy colour than pure white or grey, which can tend to be a bit stark,” explains Jain.
Over time, kitchens have become less practical spaces, and homeowners are finding new value in making their kitchens more homey and reflective of their own interior design style. Taupe adds the warmth and coziness that people want to create in their kitchens.
“As opposed to the cold feel of white or grey, the warm shades of taupe help to instantly create a more cozy atmosphere. Homeowners are looking to create kitchen spaces that feel more lived-in rather than as stark as they were in years past, and warm shades help to achieve this,” adds Emily Pickett, design consultant at Kitchens by Holloways.
For a neutral kitchen that feels warmer, more inviting and has more character, taupe kitchen cabinets are often preferred over more common colours like white, grey or even cream.
5 Ways to Design Your Kitchen with Taupe Cabinets
If the warmth of taupe kitchen cabinets intrigues you, you might be wondering how to style them with other colors and finishes. These ideas give you plenty of inspiring options for creating a scheme that suits your style.
1. Opt for distressed brass hardware for a traditional look
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The combination of cabinetry and hardware can determine the overall aesthetic of your kitchen. For a more timeless look, pair taupe kitchen cabinets with antique gold or aged brass hardware.
“We recommend opting for a high-contrast aesthetic by combining taupe with dark, distressed brass hardware. Brass is an alloy of zinc and copper that is highly resilient and has antibacterial properties, making it the perfect material to keep germs at bay,” suggests Laura.
To complete a more traditional, classic kitchen design, consider countertop materials that blend seamlessly with your taupe cabinets. “Choose wooden countertops in warm tones for a cozy, country kitchen feel,” she advises.
2. Combine blue and taupe kitchen cabinets to create a more colorful space
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Taupe kitchen cabinets can be used in more colorful color schemes. Two-tone kitchens are a popular choice because they create visual interest, especially in larger kitchens. A color that pairs especially well with taupe is blue.
“Warm brown-based taupe cabinetry pairs beautifully with soft light blues. In this kitchen, First Flight's Soft Blue is combined with our timeless taupe Baked Clay,” says Jane.
If you opt for a more colorful palette, Jane suggests introducing more natural, understated countertops: “We love pairing taupe with a natural wood finish such as oak. Though the two are very different combinations, both earthy tones work wonders to create an elegant, relaxing space.”
3. Bring in a Scandinavian touch with light wood accents
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Scandinavian kitchens offer truly enduring and stylish designs that incorporate natural materials and a more minimalist aesthetic. Taupe colored kitchen cabinets pair beautifully with the Scandinavian design style, offering pale hues and subtle deep tones.
This design pairs taupe kitchen cabinets with white walls and textured countertops. The overall feel is light and airy while still feeling warm and inviting.
It features Scandinavian interior design touches, such as wooden panelling on the walls and natural-hued wishbone chairs around the island.
4. Create contrast with the island
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A simple yet effective way to create contrast is to introduce a kitchen island in a different colour. If you've chosen taupe kitchen cabinets, why not try giving your island a darker tone, like in this scheme.
“Taupe kitchen cabinets make a great backdrop when paired with an island in a contrasting color,” Emily says, “You could also go for a simpler scheme and pair taupe with beautiful marble for a more elegant, sophisticated look,” she adds.
The warmth of the taupe combined with the dark green of the island creates a dramatic, yet classic kitchen scheme, and by adding a striking marble countertop to complement the white tones of the backsplash, the various elements of the design blend beautifully together.
5. Add interest with striking marble countertops
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Part of the appeal of taupe kitchen cabinets is how seamlessly they pair with just about anything. They work beautifully with minimalist, simple designs, but can also work wonders when paired with more dramatic countertop materials.
When it comes to timeless kitchen countertops, marble is a top choice. This timeless stone comes in a variety of colors and stripes that can create a striking design element to complement your taupe cabinets.
In this kitchen, black and white marble was chosen to achieve a striking look. Not only does it pair well with the simple taupe kitchen cabinets, but the taupe hue also feels warmer and more saturated than a stone with less cool tones.
Taupe kitchen cabinets are quickly becoming a popular warm, neutral color scheme. Whether paired with bright colors, neutral tones, or striking marble, this attractive hue works beautifully in a variety of spaces.
