33 Gray Kitchen Designs That Prove Neutral is Anything But Boring
Sophisticated ideas for everything from paint colors to cabinets.
It’s official: Gray is here to stay. After several seasons of furniture introductions in all shades of gray, we’re seeing more and more of the neat neutral shade throughout the home. And yes… that applies to the kitchen too.
Everything from countertop surfaces to barstools to tilework is being shown in varying shades of gray, from light heathers to dark, rich, almost black charcoal hues. There are still gleaming all-white kitchens out there — especially if you love that Miami penthouse look — but gray kitchens are among of our favorite current trends.
And if you’re looking to introduce a pop of color into your spaces, a gray kitchen is an excellent foundation for the look. Select minimalist gray pieces and juxtapose them with bright or lighter colored items to let them truly shine. You can even use gray as a background for a bold flash of neon, as you’ll see in our gallery of gray kitchens.
These spaces can run the gamut from stately and traditional to uber-modern, sleek city apartments. Consider glossy gray cabinetry for a contemporary home, or lightly painted wood cabinets for a space that’s more country-inspired. A gray kitchen provides a canvas for creativity, regardless of your personal design style. Perhaps best of all, gray tones can highlight the materials you’re working with, much more visibly than a shade of white or black. If you’re selecting rough-hewn gray granite or another type of gray stone for your counters, you’ll be able to see the richness of materials much more visibly than with neutrals on either end of the color scale.
Browse some of our favorite gray kitchens below and get some major designer inspiration for the next time you decide to redo this essential space.
Pops of Color
Neutral, elegant gray cabinetry can provide a backdrop for well-designed pops of color, as with these vivid yellow bar stools, in this kitchen by Fergus Garber Architects.
Vary Your Shades
This contemporary kitchen by Tineke Triggs / Artistic Designs for Living features lighter gray paneling and appliances paired with high-gloss gray cabinets for a sleek, modern look.
Industrial Revolution
Embrace the industrial look as Andrea Michaelson Design did in this open city loft.
Go Light with Cabinetry
If you're worried about creating an overly dark space with gray, go with a light shade for your cabinetry, as in this kitchen by SUBU Design Architecture.
Modern Penthouse Style
Gray makes for a sleek contemporary color choice in this light-filled penthouse on Chicago's Michigan Avenue, designed by Greer Interior Design.
Geometric Designs
Mia Rao Design created unique geometric shapes in this contemporary kitchen, between the 13-foot island, the glossy white range, and the angular gray counter stools.
Gray & Gold
Gray and gold can make surprisingly colorful partners, as in this warm, modern kitchen designed by Jasmin Reese Interiors.
Tile to the Ceiling
To give your kitchen some extra height (and some extra oomph), tile to the ceiling, as the team at IDF Studio did in this kitchen. The subway tile matches the gray, black, and white shades in the floor tile.
Country Charm
Hendricks Churchill used a super-soft heather gray to create a charming country kitchen in the renovation of this 1929 Connecticut farmhouse.
Contemporary Colors
Contemporary kitchens don't have to be dark and soulless. For this gray kitchen in San Diego, CM Natural Designs used multiple shades of gray to create a warm, homey space.
Metallic Marvel
Shimmering gray shades dominate this modern bachelor pad kitchen by Cooper Pacific Kitchens.
Let the Sun Shine In
Gray can be a beautiful color for reflecting natural light, as in this sun-soaked kitchen designed by Kristina Crestin Design.
Contrasting Colors
Let a contrasting color make a design statement, as in this gray Los Angeles kitchen with a copper island, by Cooper Pacific Kitchens.
Gray Meets Blue
Go for a two-toned color story by mixing soft grays and blues as in this delightful kitchen in Alexandria, Virginia, by Zoe Feldman Design.
Matte Grays
A matte gray color adds a softness to this light-filled London kitchen with incredible views by Caz Myers.
Grays and Whites
Gray and white make for a crisp, clean look in the kitchen, as in this lovely kitchen devised by Elizabeth Krueger Design.
Nothing Beats the Blues
A vibrant blue backsplash and blue decor pieces dress up this modern gray kitchen by Boston-based JN Interior Spaces.
Shades of Gray
Studio Gild used differing shades of gray to a unifying effect in this sleek family kitchen in Lincoln Park, Chicago.
A Bold Backsplash
A geometric backsplash from Kelly Wearstler enlivens this modern kitchen designed by Tineke Triggs / Artistic Designs for Living.
Gray Gradens
For this garden home in the UK, designers Sims Hilditch used a gray color palette for the kitchen to keep the focus on the greenery and views of the property.
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