Looking for some gorgeous cream kitchen ideas? Cream and beige seem to have got a bit of a bad rap over the last few years – we blame Magnolia paint! But it's no longer just associated with soulless rentals and blah hotel rooms, it's now the color everyone is loving in 2021.
It's probably a sign of the times, but 2020 saw a rise in making our homes more... homey. Gone were the minimalist interiors, the monochrome scheme, even Mid-century modern furniture took a hit. We were all about making our spaces, cozy, welcoming and well an escape from the madness that last year brought.
And cream is the perfect color for doing just that. Soft, inviting, still a neutral but just slightly warmer than white, it's a versatile hue that's perfect for creating a classic kitchen. Listen to us trying to get all deep about a color, but just take a look at these kitchens and you'll see exactly what we mean...
'We’re seeing warmer greiges and beiges increase in popularity. While we were noticing a shift toward warmer colors before COVID-19, with everyone spending so much time at home, we expect this trend to continue. These warm, earthy tones create a sense of calm and cultivate the feeling of wellness in the home, which is exactly what homeowners need right now.' explains Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams.
Convinced a cream kitchen color scheme is for you? We've pulled together all of our fave looks to suit all styles and all budgets. Whether you are totally redesigning you kitchen from scratch or just looking for ways to bring cream hues into your current space, we have you covered.
- For plenty more kitchen ideas head over to our gallery
1. Pick grey toned creams for a fresh look
Before we get started, let us first say cream doesn't always have to equal a yellow-toned white. Yes, it's a warmer neutral, but there are also so many tones and shades that still feel fresh and modern.
Just look at this cream kitchen. The cream has slightly cooler, more grey undertones which gives it less of a country kitchen feel, and a more elegant classic vibe. Try Farrow & Ball's Skimming Stone for a perfect stony off white, and combine these more greigey colors with a lighter cream or white for a fresh contrast.
'There’s a reason why cream kitchens are a perennial favourite among homeowners. Cream is a versatile color that works in all styles and schemes, from traditional farmhouse to modern and minimalistic. Trends come and go, but cream is a neutral color that will stand the test of time, and can be easily adapted and updated with different accessories and colour combinations over time - it’s perfect for a kitchen that is designed for longevity.' explains Melissa Klink, Head of Design at Harvey Jones.
2. Mix creams with light wooden accents
If you are looking to bring a rustic feel into an all cream kitchen, you can't go wrong with introducing to wooden accents. We would recommend sticking with lighter, cooler-toned woods to tone down the warmer cream tones if you are after a more contemporary, almost Scandi look. Of course, if you want to bring in even more warmth, you can pick warmer woods – these work perfectly in a cream country kitchen.
3. Keep a cream kitchen simple
Cream kitchens don't always have to be more traditional, check out this very chic, simple cabinetry. Paired with a grey worktop and matching cream splashback it would suit anyone wanting the warmth of a cream kitchen but still wants to keep the space minimalist and contemporary.
You could always contrast the sleek cabinets with rustic decor as seen in this modern kitchen if you want to mix the two styles – it's a very on trend combo and creates that modern country look that everyone is after at the moment.
4. Paint your kitchen cabinetry cream
Creating a cream kitchen doesn't always have to mean pulling out your existing one and starting from scratch. If you want a budget-friendly way to update your kitchen, painting your cabinets is a straightforward DIY job you can do in a couple of weekends.
Be sure to order paint swatches first though so you can see how different creams look in your space – don't be fooled, they might all look the same but the undertones will all look different in the light of your kitchen. Check out our guide to how to paint kitchen cabinets for everything you need to know.
5. Add in cooler tones to a cream kitchen
If you are looking for colors to bring into a cream kitchen, cooler tones like greys and dark blues work wonderfully. Be sure to pick a cream that doesn't have too much of a yellow undertone if you want to introduce these more steely tones. Stick to more of a warm off white that feels quite fresh and crisp – check out Lick's White 04 for one of our faves.
6. Warm up your kitchen walls
Another simple way to get a dose of cream into our current kitchen is to paint the walls. Layering up all the neutrals is such an on trend look so if you have a grey or white kitchen, you can easily warm it up with a beige wall. Bring the look together and add more of those layers with some wooden accents and textures. A very laid back look that you can switch up with decor whenever takes your fancy.
7. Keep it simple with an off white scheme
Loving all the layers of cream going on in this kitchen. The beige cabinetry, the warm white tiles, the lighter cream on the walls, even the tile grouting is cream! And yet this space doesn't feel too... cream thanks to the pops of green from the houseplants and the simple addition of the black barn star that links with the monochrome rug.
This is a top tip if you want to go for an all cream kitchen, make sure you add just a touch of decor in a deeper color to ground the look and give it a bit of a focus.
8. Contrast a cream kitchen with a dark floor
Thought a cream kitchen couldn't bring those moody vibes? Think again. Keep it neutral with your cabinets but then go dramatic with your flooring. Painting floorboards in a dark charcoal or picking slate tiles won't interrupt that rustic feel of a cream kitchen, but it will provide a ton of depth and the perfect contrast to all those pale neutrals.
9. Team cream with copper
Another gorgeous modern country kitchen; it seems cream lends itself so well to that trend. This cream has a more olive tone, which we love, perfect if you want to pair it with more obviously olive greens as you can see here for a really fresh but still very inviting look.
It's the copper accents in this kitchen that draw the eye, they are the perfect metallic for this tone of cream. The copper brings out the warmth but also slightly contrasts those green tones too, giving the cream more dimension.
10. Bring in a country feel with a cream Aga
Complete the country kitchen vibe with a cream Aga (or a cream oven would have a similar effect if the idea of an Aga daunts you). Pair with lighter, off white cabinets and walls, plus plenty of warm wooden furniture to enhance that farmhouse feel. Create contrast, and break up all those creamy colors using terracotta tiles, which still add to the warm color pallet but add a depth to the room.
11. Create a focus with darker accents
Introducing a strong accent color into a neutral kitchen can totally lift the space, and give it a bit of a focus among all that cream. You could go for a classic feature wall but we think just adding a touch of color around a door frame or on the mantle as seen here, can have a very similar effect.
12. Pick a stylish marble splashback
Want your cream kitchen to have a glamorous feel to it? Throw in some marble! Whether that be in a backsplash, your kitchen worktop, or just a couple of accessories.
The grey tones of the marble will freshen up the warm tones, giving the space a lift and creating a cleaner, more contemporary look. Pair with brass or gold hardware and you've got the dream combo right there.
13. Use cream to expand a small kitchen
It's interior design 101 that lighter colors tend you work best in smaller spaces, making cream a perfect choice if you are work with a small kitchen. Depending on the natural light you get in your kitchen, a straight-up white can look a bit stark and clinical, so opt for cream for a softer look that will look lovely in all lights.
Note how in this kitchen, cream is used on the walls and cabinets, but the ceiling is painted white. This just lightens up the space and creates the allusion that there is more height to the room.
What colors go with a cream kitchen?
Cream is such a versatile color you can make it work with any color scheme. Since it's on the warmer side, it does lend itself best to warmer toned colors, but that doesn't necessarily mean you only have to stick to pinks and reds.
Colors that traditionally have cooler tones like greys, blues and greens can all work too, you just have to pick the right ones – try out warmer deep blues and muted olive greens if you are looking to add some color.
What worktops go with a cream kitchen?
Our top pick for worktops that go with a cream kitchen would be wood worktops. As you have probably worked out from the gorgeous kitchens above, cream does lend itself more to that classic, country kitchen kind of vibe and wooden worktops work best with that look.
Marble also looks lovely in a cream kitchen to give those more slubby tones a lift. This would be the perfect choice if you want to freshen up the space and create a more contemporary look.
Still looking for more neutral kitchen inspiration? We have a whole gallery of white kitchen ideas for you to peruse through next.