Bold and Sparkling Jewel-Toned Kitchens Are Trending

A classic, white kitchen is timeless, but cookspaces with more color are on the rise. Jewel tones are becoming top choices for cabinets, islands, backsplash tiles and other kitchen furnishings. "There has been a noticeable shift in client preferences, with many more now leaning towards more color for their kitchens," says designer Linda Hayslett of LH.Designs. "They are asking for bold yet sophisticated colors to create a sense of luxury and vibrancy."

Read on to get inspired by these sparkling spaces, and get tips from designers about how to incorporate jewel tones into your kitchen.

As the name implies, jewel tone colors are inspired by the dazzling hues of gemstones — like sapphire, citrine, amethyst and emerald. "Jewel tones evoke a sense of warmth, comfort and elegance," Linda says. To explain the recent shift towards these opulent hues, she says "the desire is often to add a touch of drama while maintaining a sense of elegance and timelessness."

The increase in remote and hybrid work situations plays a part as well. "As people spend more time at home, they seek ways to create spaces that feel both luxurious and inviting. These rich, vibrant colors add personality and depth to a room without being overly loud."

Jewel tones are extremely versatile. "They can add an air of opulence or act as a grounding element in a room," says Linda. "Jewel tones can be warm or cool, and they pair beautifully with both modern and traditional styles."

And that's not all. "The intensity of these colors works well in all lighting conditions, enhancing natural light and making a kitchen feel inviting," she says. "They’re also incredibly flattering against various materials like marble, gold, black and brass, which elevates the entire design."

If you want to use a gemstone shade for kitchen cabinets, how do you decide which one is right for your room? "It’s important to keep the overall feel and size of your space in mind," says Linda. "Rich hues like emerald green, sapphire blue, amethyst purple or ruby red can bring drama and warmth to the kitchen, but balance is key." Her recommendation: "For smaller kitchens, go with deeper, more muted jewel tones. In larger kitchens, you can experiment with bolder shades."