Decorating a kitchen with mixed materials like wood, metal, glass, and stone can create a beautiful and unique look. However, choosing a wall color that ties everything together can be challenging. The wall color needs to complement, not compete with, the other materials. With some planning and experimentation, you can select the perfect wall color for your mixed-materials kitchen.

Evaluate the Undertones of the Materials

The first step is to look at the undertones of the predominant materials in your kitchen.

• Wood elements usually have warm undertones of brown, red, or yellow.
• Metals like stainless steel and chrome have cooler undertones of gray or blue.
• Stone countertops can range from warm beiges to cool grays.

Make a list of all the finishes and identify whether they are primarily warm or cool toned. The wall color will need to strike a balance between the two.

Select a Flexible Base Color

A light neutral base color is a good choice for walls in a mixed-materials room. Shades like off-white, pale gray, light tan, or soft greige work well. These muted backgrounds allow the other materials to take center stage, while still providing color.

greige
: A color between gray and beige, sometimes referred to as gris beige. Greige offers a soft, neutral base for mixing colors and materials.

Steer clear of stark whites or very dark colors. You want the wall color to tie the look together, not overwhelm it.

Test Paint Swatches

Once you’ve selected a neutral base color, get sample pots in a few shades. Paint large swatches on your wall and move them around to see how they look in different lightings at different times of day.

Pay attention to how the swatches interact with your existing materials. Does it make the countertops look dingy or the wood floors too yellow? Take your time testing out options before committing to a color.

Accent with Tints and Tones

Tinting your base color slightly can add needed variation while still keeping a cohesive look.

A tint is created by adding white to a color, making it lighter. This can help warm up a cool paint color.

A tone is produced by adding gray or by combining a color with its complement. This muting effect helps colors blend.

Try tinting a soft gray base up for the upper cabinets, and keep walls and lowers in a slightly deeper tone. This can add subtle interest while avoiding a chaotic color clash.

Add Contrast with Darker Colors

For drama, consider a darker neutral wall color. Deep greens, navy blues, charcoal grays, or chocolate browns provide striking contrast against light countertops and floors.

Use color placement to keep the look balanced. Paint an accent wall in a bold tone or use it on lower cabinets or an island. Anchor it with plenty of lighter neutrals.

Use Warm Metallics and Natural Hues

Incorporate wall colors inspired by the metal and wood elements for a harmonious look:

• Warm metallic sheens like copper, bronze, or pewter
• Natural woodsy hues like moss green, deep red, or rust orange
• Earthy tones like terracotta, adobe, or sand

These colors reference the other materials without looking out of place. Give cabinets or an accent wall a metallic paint finish or use a nature-inspired hue in a mixed-materials room for unity.

Consider Finish and Sheen

The sheen level of paint also affects how it interacts with different materials. A glossy shine can contrast too severely with matte finishes. For mixed textures, choose wall paints labeled flat, matte, or eggshell. These offer a soft diffused reflection that integrates well.

However, don’t be afraid to mix sheens. A semi-gloss paint on upper cabinets plays nicely against a matte quartz countertop. Just aim for balance of shine and avoid pairing glossy walls with satin metals for example.

Sample Material Combos

Some examples of wall colors that pair beautifully with mixed kitchen materials:

• Light gray walls with white quartz countertops and bronze hardware
• Sage green walls with butcher block counters and stainless steel appliances
• Cream walls with marble tile backsplash and dark wood cabinetry
• Navy blue walls with concrete countertops and black metal accents

Be creative and have fun with different combinations. The key is choosing a wall color that highlights, rather than fights with, your beautiful choice of materials.

How to Choose a Wall Color for a Mixed-Materials Kitchen – FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about selecting wall color for mixed material kitchens:

Should I just match the wall color to one of my materials?

It’s better not to match directly. This can make the wall recede and create a disjointed look. A close but slightly different hue is best.

What about just using white walls as a backdrop?

Stark white walls tend to compete with other materials instead of complementing. A warm off-white or soft gray is a better neutral option.

Can I use a bold patterned wallpaper?

Yes, but stick to subtle patterns like tone-on-tone geometrics. Avoid large prints or strong contrasts that could clash and overwhelm.

What wall color goes with stainless steel appliances?

Try a light cool gray, pale blue, or evergreen. These colors echo the silvery tones without matching directly.

What paint finish should I use?

Flat or matte paints integrate best with mixed materials by muting possible shine differences. Satin or semi-gloss on accent walls adds nice contrast.

How do I paint sample swatches on the wall?

Use a 4-6 inch square foam roller for large samples. Move them around to view in different lights before deciding.

Choosing a wall color for a kitchen with varied materials can seem daunting. Keep the focus on finding a shade that complements and balances the whole look. Experiment with tinted neutrals, nature-inspired hues, or metallic tones applied in different finishes. With some thoughtful testing, you’ll find the perfect unifying color.

Conclusion

The wall color you choose for a mixed-materials kitchen has an important job to do. It needs to work cohesively with the variety of finishes while adding warmth and visual interest. Evaluate the undertones of your existing materials first. Then explore muted neutrals, either warm or cool depending on what you need to balance out. Don’t be afraid to push deeper or more vibrant colors either. Just make sure to test out samples during different times of day. The right wall color can bring together your beautiful combination of materials into a stylish, harmonious kitchen design. With some thoughtful experimentation, you’ll find that perfect shade.