Neutral kitchens are out – this rich, luxurious hue is the new way to make your kitchen look more expensive

For so long, neutral kitchens have been the go-to color choice for a timeless, transitional design. But these pared-back schemes are losing their appeal, and a richer, more luxurious hue is taking its place – brown kitchens are rising in popularity, and we can't get enough of them.

It's by no means a new and emerging color, but brown has for too long been an overlooked choice in kitchen ideas. From deep chocolatey shades to paler, natural wooden finishes, brown feels right at home in a kitchen and offers the same enduring appeal as warm neutrals.

So, how can you bring this deep, elegant hue into your scheme? We've turned to interior designers and color experts to discover their favorite brown kitchen ideas, and their responses will surely convince you to embrace this versatile color.

5 brown kitchen ideas that will convince you to try this moody color

It's time to embrace brown when considering your kitchen color ideas. Rich, luxurious, and a timeless palette, it will instantly make your kitchen look more expensive, whether you color drench or add a subtle splash.

1. Pair brown cabinets with bold floor tiles

Embracing brown kitchen ideas doesn't mean you can't still add playful or colorful design elements. While it's a darker hue, brown acts as a neutral, so it pairs well with lots of bolder palettes.

In this kitchen, brown cabinets and wall panels have been paired with bright red and white chequerboard floor tiles, which instantly adds a dose of dopamine to the scheme.

Bringing in these more vibrant tones on the floor prevents them from feeling overwhelming while adding additional visual interest.

2. Color drench your kitchen with brown

Color drenching has proved an effective way to add drama and a stylish statement to rooms this year, so why not try it in the kitchen? Brown is the perfect color for this, offering a moody atmosphere but acting as almost neutral.

'Immerse yourself in warm, cozy browns, like Char Brown 2137-20, French Press AF-170, or Chocolate Velvet CSP-235. By painting all surfaces – walls, trim, ceiling, and cabinets – you can create a moody kitchen filled with drama,' says Hannah Yeo, Senior Manager of Color Marketing at Benjamin Moore.

'Adding metallic accents will further infuse a sense of luxury into the space,' she adds. In this scheme, chrome is the hardware color of choice, adding a shiny element and tying in with the lighter veining in the marble backsplash.

3. Introduce brown through stained wood

One of the most timeless and enduring materials you can ever think of introducing is perfect for brown kitchen ideas – wood. Natural and pairing well with every color palette and hardware finish, it's an easy way to bring a dose of brown to your scheme.

'We like to incorporate brown through wood tones and paint colors. In this kitchen, we selected an espresso brown stain for the island. It adds contrast to the design but plays true to the historical style of the home,' says Sarah Snouffer, founder and principal architect at Third Street Architecture.

This design proves that even a small amount of brown – in this case, just the kitchen island – is enough to add depth and interest to a space. 'Incorporating the color brown in a tasteful way allows room for character and a little of the unexpected to shine through the design.'

4. Decorate with various brown shades for a mid-century-inspired scheme

Brown interiors might give you flashbacks to bygone eras, but when reintroduced in the right way, they can feel on-trend and vintage-inspired. Opt for a blend of shades and textures to create a layered kitchen design and add much-needed warmth.

In this kitchen, dark brown walls have been paired with a lighter wood island and more orange-toned ceiling beams. Combined, they create a warm, tonal design that feels more sophisticated.

'Consider an earthy neutral brown, such as Wenge AF-180, Wood Grain Brown 2109-30, or Lodge AF-115. These shades provide a rich backdrop that creates a cozy and welcoming atmosphere, while instantly adding warmth and depth,' suggests Hannah.

'They coordinate beautifully with adjacent room hues and pair excellently with wood accents. If your kitchen features wood beams, cabinets, or flooring, these browns will enhance their natural beauty.'

5. Bring brown tones in a less expected way

When you think about adding brown to a kitchen, you probably look to obvious features like cabinets, walls, and countertops. However, brown is a hue that can be introduced in more unexpected ways that wouldn't work with other colors.

This kitchen is a great example, where brown has been infused via the flooring, extractor hood, and hardware on the range cooker, as well as the kitchen island. This approach has a unique appeal that suits anyone who doesn't want to commit to brown cabinets.

This also works particularly well thanks to the varied textures each brown element has. The island is the deepest hue, introducing a classic design feature, the flooring brings in varying brown wood tones, whereas the cooker and hood have a more rustic, metallic finish, offering a nod to vintage style.

Whether you drench your kitchen in rich brown tones or opt for classic wooden cabinets, these brown kitchen ideas prove this classic hue is back in a big way – and it's the new favorite way to create a luxury kitchen.