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Cream and wooden kitchens


13 cream kitchen ideas that prove beige is back

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Looking for some gorgeous cream kitchen ideas? Cream and beige seem to have got a bit of a bad rap over the last few years – we blame Magnolia paint! But it's no longer just associated with soulless rentals and blah hotel rooms, it's now the color everyone is loving in 2021. 

It's probably a sign of the times, but 2020 saw a rise in making our homes more... homey. Gone were the minimalist interiors, the monochrome scheme, even Mid-century modern furniture took a hit. We were all about making our spaces, cozy, welcoming and well an escape from the madness that last year brought.  

And cream is the perfect color for doing just that. Soft, inviting, still a neutral but just slightly warmer than white, it's a versatile hue that's perfect for creating a classic kitchen. Listen to us trying to get all deep about a color, but just take a look at these kitchens and you'll see exactly what we mean...

(Image credit: Neptune)

'We’re seeing warmer greiges and beiges increase in popularity. While we were noticing a shift toward warmer colors before COVID-19, with everyone spending so much time at home, we expect this trend to continue. These warm, earthy tones create a sense of calm and cultivate the feeling of wellness in the home, which is exactly what homeowners need right now.' explains Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams .

Convinced a cream kitchen color scheme is for you? We've pulled together all of our fave looks to suit all styles and all budgets. Whether you are totally redesigning you kitchen from scratch or just looking for ways to bring cream hues into your current space, we have you covered.

1. Pick grey toned creams for a fresh look 

(Image credit: deVOL)

Before we get started, let us first say cream doesn't always have to equal a yellow-toned white. Yes, it's a warmer neutral, but there are also so many tones and shades that still feel fresh and modern. 

Just look at this cream kitchen. The cream has slightly cooler, more grey undertones which gives it less of a country kitchen feel, and a more elegant classic vibe. Try Farrow & Ball's Skimming Stone for a perfect stony off white, and combine these more greigey colors with a lighter cream or white for a fresh contrast.

'There’s a reason why cream kitchens are a perennial favourite among homeowners. Cream is a versatile color that works in all styles and schemes, from traditional farmhouse to modern and minimalistic. Trends come and go, but cream is a neutral color that will stand the test of time, and can be easily adapted and updated with different accessories and colour combinations over time - it’s perfect for a kitchen that is designed for longevity. ' explains Melissa Klink, Head of Design at Harvey Jones .

2. Mix creams with light wooden accents

(Image credit: Neptune)

If you are looking to bring a rustic feel into an all cream kitchen, you can't go wrong with introducing to wooden accents. We would recommend sticking with lighter, cooler-toned woods to tone down the warmer cream tones if you are after a more contemporary, almost Scandi look. Of course, if you want to bring in even more warmth, you can pick warmer woods – these work perfectly in a cream country kitchen. 

3. Keep a cream kitchen simple

(Image credit: Little Greene)

Cream kitchens don't always have to be more traditional, check out this very chic, simple cabinetry. Paired with a grey worktop and matching cream splashback it would suit anyone wanting the warmth of a cream kitchen but still wants to keep the space minimalist and contemporary. 

You could always contrast the sleek cabinets with rustic decor as seen in this modern kitchen if you want to mix the two styles – it's a very on trend combo and creates that modern country look that everyone is after at the moment.  

4. Paint your kitchen cabinetry cream

Creating a cream kitchen doesn't always have to mean pulling out your existing one and starting from scratch. If you want a budget-friendly way to update your kitchen, painting your cabinets is a straightforward DIY job you can do in a couple of weekends. 

Be sure to order paint swatches first though so you can see how different creams look in your space – don't be fooled, they might all look the same but the undertones will all look different in the light of your kitchen. Check out our guide to how to paint kitchen cabinets for everything you need to know. 

5. Add in cooler tones to a cream kitchen 

(Image credit: Katie Lee)

If you are looking for colors to bring into a cream kitchen, cooler tones like greys and dark blues work wonderfully. Be sure to pick a cream that doesn't have too much of a yellow undertone if you want to introduce these more steely tones. Stick to more of a warm off white that feels quite fresh and crisp –  check out Lick's White 04 for one of our faves.

6. Warm up your kitchen walls 

(Image credit: Future)

Another simple way to get a dose of cream into our current kitchen is to paint the walls. Layering up all the neutrals is such an on trend look so if you have a grey or white kitchen, you can easily warm it up with a beige wall. Bring the look together and add more of those layers with some wooden accents and textures. A very laid back look that you can switch up with decor whenever takes your fancy.

7. Keep it simple with an off white scheme

(Image credit: Katie Lee)

Loving all the layers of cream going on in this kitchen. The beige cabinetry, the warm white tiles, the lighter cream on the walls, even the tile grouting is cream! And yet this space doesn't feel too... cream thanks to the pops of green from the houseplants and the simple addition of the black barn star that links with the monochrome rug. 

This is a top tip if you want to go for an all cream kitchen, make sure you add just a touch of decor in a deeper color to ground the look and give it a bit of a focus.  

8. Contrast a cream kitchen with a dark floor

(Image credit: deVOL)

Thought a cream kitchen couldn't bring those moody vibes? Think again. Keep it neutral with your cabinets but then go dramatic with your flooring. Painting floorboards in a dark charcoal or picking slate tiles won't interrupt that rustic feel of a cream kitchen, but it will provide a ton of depth and the perfect contrast to all those pale neutrals. 

9. Team cream with copper

(Image credit: Neptune)

Another gorgeous modern country kitchen; it seems cream lends itself so well to that trend. This cream has a more olive tone, which we love, perfect if you want to pair it with more obviously olive greens as you can see here for a really fresh but still very inviting look. 

It's the copper accents in this kitchen that draw the eye, they are the perfect metallic for this tone of cream. The copper brings out the warmth but also slightly contrasts those green tones too, giving the cream more dimension.  

10. Bring in a country feel with a cream Aga

(Image credit: Darren Chung)

Complete the country kitchen vibe with a cream Aga (or a cream oven would have a similar effect if the idea of an Aga daunts you). Pair with lighter, off white cabinets and walls, plus plenty of warm wooden furniture to enhance that farmhouse feel. Create contrast, and break up all those creamy colors using terracotta tiles, which still add to the warm color pallet but add a depth to the room. 

11. Create a focus with darker accents

(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)

Introducing a strong accent color into a neutral kitchen can totally lift the space, and give it a bit of a focus among all that cream. You could go for a classic feature wall but we think just adding a touch of color around a door frame or on the mantle as seen here, can have a very similar effect.  

12. Pick a stylish marble splashback

(Image credit: Neptune)

Want your cream kitchen to have a glamorous feel to it? Throw in some marble! Whether that be in a backsplash, your kitchen worktop, or just a couple of accessories.  

The grey tones of the marble will freshen up the warm tones, giving the space a lift and creating a cleaner, more contemporary look. Pair with brass or gold hardware and you've got the dream combo right there. 

13. Use cream to expand a small kitchen 

(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)

(Image credit: deVOL)

It's interior design 101 that lighter colors tend you work best in smaller spaces, making cream a perfect choice if you are work with a small kitchen. Depending on the natural light you get in your kitchen, a straight-up white can look a bit stark and clinical, so opt for cream for a softer look that will look lovely in all lights.

Note how in this kitchen, cream is used on the walls and cabinets, but the ceiling is painted white. This just lightens up the space and creates the allusion that there is more height to the room.

What colors go with a cream kitchen?

Cream is such a versatile color you can make it work with any color scheme. Since it's on the warmer side, it does lend itself best to warmer toned colors, but that doesn't necessarily mean you only have to stick to pinks and reds. 

Colors that traditionally have cooler tones like greys, blues and greens can all work too, you just have to pick the right ones – try out warmer deep blues and muted olive greens if you are looking to add some color. 

What worktops go with a cream kitchen?

Our top pick for worktops that go with a cream kitchen would be wood worktops. As you have probably worked out from the gorgeous kitchens above, cream does lend itself more to that classic, country kitchen kind of vibe and wooden worktops work best with that look.

Marble also looks lovely in a cream kitchen to give those more slubby tones a lift. This would be the perfect choice if you want to freshen up the space and create a more contemporary look.

Still looking for more neutral kitchen inspiration? We have a whole gallery of white kitchen ideas for you to peruse through next.  

Hebe joined the Real Homes team in early 2018 as Staff Writer before moving to the Livingetc team in 2021 where she took on a role as Digital Editor. She loves boho and 70's style and is a big fan of Instagram as a source of interiors inspiration. When she isn't writing about interiors, she is renovating her own spaces – be it wallpapering a hallway, painting kitchen cupboards or converting a van.

Cream Kitchen Cabinets Don’t Have to Feel Dated—Just Look at These 10

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White cupboards get all the attention. Sure, they’re great for creating a clean backdrop and brightening even the most cramped of rooms—but we’re ready for a little warmth. It’s time to consider cream kitchen cabinets. Every bit as calming and pared back as their counterparts but less stark, they’re a breath of fresh air with a touch of lived-in charm. 

That said, there’s no rule about having to make them rustic. The trick to having ivory paint feel fresh is a magic formula of the right shade and the appropriate accoutrements—you know, oversized hardware, counters in a natural material, and even styling. Whether you’re planning to buy or DIY new fronts, here are a few spaces at the top of our mood boards.

The English Cream: School House White by Farrow & Ball

To emulate the feeling of an antique country kitchen in her Brooklyn apartment, Mallory Fletchall opted for a soft off-white to coordinate with her vintage-style fridge. “I didn’t want it to look like a white modern box,” she says. “I really wanted there to be personality and coziness.”

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School House White, Farrow & Ball

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The Greige: Sandbar by Sherwin-Williams

Photography by Kat and Thomas Jamieson

Lifestyle blogger Kat Jamieson’s Connecticut home was “fine,” she says, but the white kitchen cabinets felt cold against equally snowy walls. To add some warmth, she painted the boxes a greige shade and kept the white to the new marble countertops.

Sandbar, Sherwin Williams

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The Sunny Shade: Harvest Moon by Backdrop

Photography by Elizabeth Carababas, Styling by Abby Pendergrast

French fashion influencer Jen Azoulay knows a thing or two about looking chic and effortless. So when it came time to choose colors for her Los Angeles home, she settled on brass hardware to purposefully bring out the yellow undertones of her newly painted cabinets. You’d never know they’re IKEA.

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Harvest Moon, Backdrop

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The Almost White: Shadow White by Farrow & Ball

Photography by Yuki Sugiura, Styling by Jennifer Kay

Judith Achumba-Wöllenstein couldn’t stand the glossy finish of her London kitchen cabinets. A fresh coat of paint would have solved the problem, but wrapping the cupboards in off-white vinyl was actually more affordable. Oversize wood pulls, a peachy zellige backsplash, and black scalloped shelves keep the sleek silhouettes from feeling so builder-grade.

Shadow White, Farrow & Ball

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The Classic: Swiss Coffee by Benjamin Moore

Studio McGee knows a thing or two about showstopping kitchens, and in this particular room, it all came down to a medley of cupboard types. There are short drawers and tall cabinets; glass panes and solid wood. It makes the simple color far more interesting—plus the blue-gray stove just out of view adds the right amount of contrast. 

Swiss Coffee, Benjamin Moore

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The Soft Clay: Downy by Sherwin-Williams

In this Naked Kitchens corner, oak shelving breaks up the clay hue. Choose a mix of open and closed storage to shake up the design; bonus points if you want to follow suit with some elegant molding. Keep the natural theme going with matching butcher block countertops, and you’ve got yourself a winning recipe.  

Downy, Sherwin-Williams

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The Cloudy Gray: White Wisp by Benjamin Moore

From a distance, the most striking thing about Erin Hiemstra’s room is the floor-to-ceiling built-ins. But look closer and you’ll notice a little quirk: Almost all the hardware is different. Some doors have two knobs, others have one, and the main pair has none at all—it features sleek pulls. Uniformity is overrated anyway. 

White Wisp, Benjamin Moore

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The Café au Lait: Wimborne White by Farrow & Ball

The trademark cabinet borders may be there, true, but this Space Exploration–designed loft is anything but cookie-cutter. Chalk it up to super thin brass handles and a particular tint of café au lait paint. Paired with a contemporary accordion sconce and matte black accents, the whole space feels current. 

Wimborne White, Farrow & Ball

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The Cool Neutral: Whipped by Clare

Checkerboard floors. Tiled counters. On paper, this combination shouldn’t work, but Madelynn Furlong made it happen. It’s all about picking a cooler cream hue for the walls and cupboards to counteract all the beige.

Whipped, Clare

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The Vintage Vibe: Antique White by Jolie Paint

Farmhouse isn’t for everyone, but when done right, like in Liza Reyes‘s sunny spot complete with wood countertops, leather pulls, and a skirted sink, it’s the design version of a big hug. If you’re going to go the old-school–charm route with your cream kitchen cabinets, you may as well lean in.

Antique White, Jolie Paint

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Cream kitchen - stylish design ideas

Contents

Cream kitchen is a combination of practicality and beauty. The noble color of a light shade creates the effect of impeccable purity. The furniture looks stylish and modern. The interior, made in cream colors of warm colors, beckons with comfort, creates tranquility.

Cream Kitchen Shades

Cream color is versatile. In furniture production, there are many of its shades. It can be saturated, pastel, light. It depends on the semitones that are included in its composition.

Cream kitchen can be in the following shades:

Cream kitchen set is a great alternative to white. It is rich in nuances and looks great indoors.

Benefits

  1. Cream is a neutral color. His eyes don't get tired.
  2. Easy to match with almost any color.
  3. Beautiful light set does not look too sterile;
  4. Cream overflows look more interesting than similar light colors, such as beige or ivory;
  5. Visually enlarges the space. Creates a stylish visual effect.
  6. A warm range, ideal for classic kitchens as well as modern style kitchens.

Classic cream kitchen

Shades of cream are perfect for creating classic interiors. Manufacturers offer many options for "Classic" facades made of solid wood and MDF.

For a classic cream kitchen, designers offer many beautiful elements:

To create a classic design, the walls are decorated in a classic style, and warm-colored curtains are hung on the windows.

Modern style cream kitchen

Kitchen design in modern style suggests functional furniture with smooth surfaces. They can be matte or glossy cream. Glass stained-glass windows are made in a frame or aluminum profile. Usually use frosted glass or "satin".

Minimalism in the kitchen

For lovers of a minimalist style, you should definitely choose a light cream set. It is performed without decorative elements. The surface is smooth. The handles of the cabinets are hidden behind the facade in an aluminum profile.

Cream color looks good with minimalist steel details. Therefore, household appliances can not be built in behind the doors, but left in plain sight.

Cream kitchen worktop

To prevent the cream-colored kitchen set from looking dull, designers suggest using a contrasting worktop. Burgundy and chocolate colors are perfect.

The table top can be made of inexpensive plain plastic or natural stone with a marble pattern or inclusions.

Cream furniture and wooden floors: a selection of trendy kitchen interiors in soft cream colors | Lifestyle

Interior design, where the kitchen will be decorated in cream color, is hard to overestimate. Firstly, it is an aesthetic pleasure, as you will admire pleasant delicate shades. Secondly, it is useful in terms of functionality. Experts have proven that it is these colors that promote proper digestion and increase appetite. In such a room it will always be light, warm and cozy.

Beauty is in simplicity

Anyone who is against minimalism in the interior, there are many arguments in favor of this design. Against the background of a delicate cream color, which goes well with white (as if creating shades and highlights), there are chairs in the color of natural wood. Also, there are some blue and gray accents on the table and on the island surface, as well as a metallic fridge.

This style will be convenient for those who value space and love cleanliness. If your kitchen is not very large in size, you can still create coziness and comfort in it. Closed cabinets and mezzanines will help you hide all kitchen utensils, so you will be guaranteed order at any time.

Classic elegance

The classic never goes out of style, and every professional designer knows it. For the usual version, the presence of not only white, but also the main cream color is allowed. The combination with gold will add elegance and solemnity to your interior. Therefore, you can safely complement some furniture details with golden decorative elements. A well-chosen set and high-quality repairs will make your kitchen one of the most beloved rooms in your house or apartment. You can not only gather in the evenings with the whole family, but also invite guests to your house. The guarantee that not a single person will remain indifferent to such beauty is provided to you.

Contemporary

If you're into contemporary style, you'll love this selection with contrasting accents. A cream-colored kitchen will look great with modern chairs next to the breakfast bar. Chandeliers, upholstery, window and other details or elements of furniture can be decorated in blue or gray.

The combination of cream and metallic looks great, so you can safely expose kitchen appliances made in this color to the surface. You can combine several styles: modern, hi-tech and loft. This will be a wonderful solution for those who follow fashion trends and try to be constantly in trend.

Scandinavian style

If you love the sun and dream of having it as a permanent guest in your home, choose Scandinavian interior design. Cream furniture and floors, white walls, and the presence of neat, subtle black decorative elements will allow you to make the kitchen light and cozy. In this design, it always looks elegant, because not only the color, but also the shape of the furniture gives the impression of smoothness, tenderness and completeness.

Even if it's cold outside, the light from your kitchen will warm the room and make everyone present feel comfortable. This design is suitable not only for a large kitchen, but also for a relatively small room. Light colors always visually increase the space, this should be remembered by all novice designers.

Fairy-tale beauty of rustic style

If you love fairy tales, this style is sure to please you.

Learn more