Gray Kitchen Love

My kitchen is safe, but it yours?  I have no reason to makeover my cabinets, but I'm in love with gray kitchens.  Gray is this year's "it" color. Gray furniture, fabrics, walls and my favorite, ktichens.  It's not really a new idea, but it's come back big time. If I had old, yucky 80's oak cabinets, I'd be painting them gray in a heartbeat.  I gathered a bunch of inspiration photos for you.

Probably my favorite gray kitchen re-do is Sally Wheat's kitchen featured over here at her blog:

You have to see her blog about the work she did on this kitchen.  She even lists the colors she used on her cabinets so you can get the same look.  I just adore the look and feel of this kitchen.

I also LOVE the DIY remodel that Layla and Kevin did over at the Lettered Cottage. Check out this kitchen:

See how they took ordinary cabinets and built up the tops, took off doors for open-shelving, and added those brackets under the cabinets. Ordinary turned custom! I love their thrifty, do-it-yourself attitude and their great sense of style. Follow their blog for so many great ideas.


Here are a whole bunch more gray kitchens in all shades, from light to dark. Sit back, relax and try not to drool!

Craig Spencer Kitchen

decor pad

House Beautiful

Lisa Epley

Southern Living

Urban Grace Interiors

Aren't they gorgeous?  They are sophisticated, yet warm. They give the clean, sleek look without being just "another white kitchen."

To make them work some general ideas to keep in mind seem to be to pair light with dark or give it contrast. If you go lighter gray for the cabinets, consider a darker tone or wood as your flooring. If you go darker gray, keep the floors light. The stainless steel appliances look AMAZING with the gray, but you don't have to have upgraded appliances to make it work.  White or Black could look just as nice. If you don't have the best lighting in your kitchen, consider the lighter grays or painting only the bottom cabinets. 

Most of the counter tops tend to be lighter and I have to admit, I really love the airy look that the whiter ones give.

These gray kitchens usually have a fun, shiny light.  I love the stainless steel fixtures, but the crystal chadelier sure adds a touch of glamour as well. Consider making the island a darker gray for a fun contrast. Add a built in or faux china cabinet and paint it in a contrasting gray for a custom kitchen look.

If you're painting exsisting cabinets, consider adding some crown moulding to the cabinet tops and add architectural interest to your island or bar.  These touches really make the kitchen look custom and professional and not just a DIY painted kitchen.  Spend a little extra time to dress up the cabinets.  Just as a nice outfit needs it's accessories, don't skimp on your cabinets. Build them up, add character, adjust shelving, add open shelving and consider your hardware.

Hope you were as inspired as I was. I may not be able to paint my cabinets, but I think I am going to repaint my kitchen walls in a gorgeous gray as soon as my basement finishing is done!  I HAVE to have some gray in my house now!

Have fun!