Purple kitchens were hot in the 90s but In the world of interior design, they are having a revival. When it comes to color psychology, purple represents royalty, grandeur, wealth and luxury, and can also mean wisdom and spiritually. So choosing this color for the kitchen is a good move. This color makes a good allrounder really and is one that comes in many shades to suit all styles. From barely there lilac, heather, plum, amethyst, iris and periwinkle, to plum, mulberry, eggplant and more.
Purple kitchen ideas can range from using it as an accent color in the form of accessories like a food mixer, toaster and tea towels for example, or a swathe of a lavender colored backsplash. Alternatively, if it’s a color that you adore, then go all out with painted cabinetry and a different shade on the walls. We love colorful kitchen schemes on all accounts, and purple works so surprisingly well with lots of other colors too.
Purple kitchen decor that adds personality
As much as lighter shades work, so do deep tones like dark berry, raisin and plum. You can mix and match both together for a modern look or use a single shade that’s easy on the eye. A purple kitchen color palette opens up so many design opportunities.
‘Pale lilac in a kitchen makes for a restful, stress-free cooking environment. Lilacs are gently dynamic so they don’t overpower a room and work beautifully with natural elements like wood and houseplants,’ says Marianne Shillingford, creative director at Dulux.
1. Create a focal point by painting your island and tiling your backsplash
‘Although still extremely popular, we are seeing more people moving away from the blue kitchen trend of the last few years. Purple has become a fashionable alternative for kitchens – like blue, it is rich, bold, and characterful, and brings a sense of warmth to the kitchen. It’s a fantastically versatile colour; there are so many shades to choose from, many of which pair extremely well with other colours,’ explains Richard Moore, design director at Martin Moore.
2. Or go all in with a dark aubergine shade
This stunning shade really grounds this kitchen space and creates a warm and welcoming feel. The white walls and ceiling create balance and stop the color from overpowering the kitchen and the use of wood creates a further dimension. We love the pop of zesty yellow that gives it a cool contemporary look.
3. Consider marble with a hint of purple
When we think of adding any kind of color to our kitchens we automatically think of cabinetry right? But you could have a beautiful all white kitchen scheme that you love and still add a hint of lavender or darker tones like amethyst by choosing marble with that color veining. It’s so eye-catching and elegant yet still gives a clean fresh look.
4. Use mauve as a neutral color
Purple is so versatile as you can see here, this beautiful shade of mauve is working as both an accent and a neutral. The tone perfectly matches the stone of the kitchen island and walls so the overall feel is calming and restful. Add in a quartz countertop for some pattern and keep the rest of the scheme pale.
5. Pair a light and mid-tone together
Mix it up by using two shades together that meet in the middle rather than being two complete opposites. The island and cooker hood painted in a lovely warming color brings this large kitchen space together and it anchors the middle section. The paler shade on the cabinetry uplifts the sides and prevents the kitchen from feeling too expansive.
6. Experiment by starting small with your new color
If you’re not sure how far you want to go with a new color then start small. This aubergine colored freestanding kitchen island is enough to introduce the shade without it overpowering the kitchen if you don’t like it. Or, you will love it and want to use it elsewhere of course! Use accessories to thread the color through, a small jug and bowl on the countertops are enough to do this with.
7. Go dark on your cabinets
These two shades by color expert Annie Sloan work so well together. The cabinets are painted in a premix of Aubusson Blue and Emperor's Silk and on the wall is Antoinette chalk paint.
The tones are similar even though one is lighter and the other dark, that’s why they work so well together. Keep the rest of the scheme soft, use brass fixtures and add in white to create balance.
8. Introduce extra colors that will contrast yet complement
Introducing a darker shade will create a contemporary feel but how do you make it work? Shillingford shared her top tip:
‘Try teaming lilac with a touch of soft earthy clay like Brave Ground and a slug of gutsy ink blue like Cobalt Night for dramatic contrast.’
9. Pick a deep purple backsplash
If you’re not after an all encompassing ‘purple’ experience then consider using it for your backsplash instead. It can still be vibrant and eye-catching, whilst not being the focal point, unless you want it to be! Here, we love this bold aubergine color against the oh-so-pale pinky lilac of the cabinetry, it gives this kitchen a bold and energetic finish.
10. Mix many shades together
If purple is your dream color then go for it! It can work from top to toe if you balance it well. There needs to be a good mix of light and dark to make it work, and if you can pop in a section of white – sink and countertop, that will give your eyes a breather. What we love about this space is the deep plum on the walls and the contrast between that and the kitchen tiles and cabinetry.
Is purple a good color for a kitchen?
'Purple is not a traditional kitchen color, which is why I encourage you to give it a try. Purple is an unconventional hue for a kitchen, but it evokes feelings of dreaminess and sophistication and always makes a subtle fashion statement. When combined with the appropriate surfaces and accessories, purple may significantly personalize and draw attention to a kitchen,’ advises Stacy Lewis, interior designer at Eternity Modern.
Can lavender work in a kitchen?
Lavender is calming and has a clean appearance that is suitable for the room. And, it's also a good color to mix with purple. Many homeowners prefer to use lavender in the kitchen, as it is also a pastel color used for a relaxing space. But it has to be the right lavender. Too bright, and it can be overwhelming, but a softer lavender can be really pretty in a kitchen,’ says David Mason, owner of The Knobx Company
What other colors work well with shades of purple?
'If you're looking for a color to pair with a purple kitchen, it's best to use a neutral color,’ adds Mason.
‘There are several shades of grey that will work well with the brighter tint of lavender, or you could use a creamy white to keep the look soft and to invite. These colors also give off a calming effect and can help create a cozy atmosphere in the kitchen.’