How to Style a Navy Kitchen: Worktops, Cabinets & Finishing Touches
Navy is a versatile and sophisticated colour that has long become a popular choice for kitchen designs. It offers depth and richness that can make a kitchen feel both cosy and elegant. As a deep blue shade, navy strikes the perfect balance between bold and neutral, making it suitable for both traditional and contemporary kitchens. Here, the Kitchen Experts explore the appeal of navy kitchens and how to make this popular style work within your home.
Why Choose a Navy Kitchen?
One of navy’s key properties is its adaptability—it pairs well with a variety of colours and materials, allowing homeowners to create either a striking contrast or a harmonious, layered look. Its ability to complement natural light makes it an excellent choice for open-plan kitchens, while in smaller spaces, it can be balanced with lighter shades to prevent the your kitchen from feeling enclosed. Additionally, navy kitchens offers a timeless appeal, ensuring that your kitchen design remains stylish for years to come.
Selecting Cabinet Styles for a Navy Blue Kitchen
Navy kitchen cabinetry can be adapted to suit a variety of kitchen styles, from traditional country kitchens to sleek, modern spaces. The choice of cabinet style will define the kitchen’s overall look and character:
- Shaker Cabinets for a Timeless Appeal
Shaker kitchen cabinets feature a classic five-piece door design with a recessed centre panel. Their clean lines work well in both traditional and contemporary kitchens. Pairing navy shaker cabinets with brushed brass or antique bronze handles enhances their timeless charm.
- Flat-Front Cabinets for a Contemporary Finish
Flat-front cabinets, sometimes called slab kitchen doors, create a sleek and minimalist look. A matt navy finish gives a softer, more understated effect, while a gloss finish reflects light for a modern touch. Handleless kitchen designs, such as push-to-open mechanisms, enhance the streamlined appearance.
- Glass-Front Kitchen Cabinets for Depth and Interest
Glass-fronted cabinets introduce a sense of lightness to navy blue kitchens. They provide an opportunity to display stylish crockery, glassware, or decorative pieces. Frosted or fluted glass can add texture and subtle privacy while still keeping the kitchen open.
- In-Frame Cabinets for a Bespoke Look
In-frame cabinetry offers a more refined, handcrafted appearance. The frame around each door and drawer adds durability and a premium feel. In frame kitchen doors work well in both modern and traditional navy kitchen designs.
Choosing the Right Worktops for a Navy Kitchen
The worktop is a central element in any kitchen, so selecting the right material and colour to complement navy cabinetry is essential. Consider the following options:
- White Quartz for a Crisp Contrast
This style creates a striking contrast, giving your kitchen a fresh and timeless feel. White quartz reflects light, keeping the space bright and airy, whilst it is also durable, non-porous, and easy to maintain.
- Marble for a Luxurious Touch
Marble kitchen worktops add a truly elegant quality to navy kitchens, especially in white or grey-veined marble finishes. Marble worktops offer high-end appeal but it’s important to note they require sealing prior to use to prevent any staining.
- Wood for Warmth and Character
Wood worktops introduce warmth to the space, balancing cool navy tones; options include oak, walnut, and ash. Wood worksurfaces can be high maintenance, with regular oiling and sealing recommended for longevity.
- Dark or Black Granite for a Sophisticated Look
Granite creates a seamless, dramatic look and is a stunning material which enhances the richness of navy tones. It is also a very robust and hard-wearing surface.
Selecting the Best Kitchen Fittings and Fixtures
Small details such as kitchen handles, taps, and fittings make a significant impact on how your finished kitchen looks. Choosing the right fittings ensures that the navy kitchen cabinets and worktops work in harmony:
- Brass or Gold Handles for Warmth
Brass and gold kitchen handles introduce a touch of warmth and elegance, which works well with both modern and traditional kitchens.
- Chrome or Stainless Steel for a Contemporary Finish
For a clean and sleek choice chrome or stainless steel are perfect for complementing industrial or minimalist designs.
- Matt Black Kitchen Accent for a Bold Statement
Matt black kitchen accents and appliances create a striking contrast against navy cabinets, ideal for enhancing modern and industrial kitchen styles.
Choosing the Right Kitchen Wall Colours and Splashbacks
Walls and splashbacks are crucial elements in tying a navy kitchen together. The right choice of colour and material can enhance the richness of navy cabinetry, brighten the space, and introduce character to the design. When selecting a wall colour, it’s important to consider how much natural light the kitchen receives, the size of the room, and whether you prefer a high-contrast or a more blended effect.
Splashbacks serve both a functional and decorative purpose. They protect walls from splashes and spills while adding an extra layer of design to the kitchen. Materials such as tiles, glass, and stone can create either a modern, minimalist look or a striking focal point. Textured splashbacks can introduce depth and movement, whereas sleek, high-gloss options can reflect light and open up the space. Consider these options:
- Crisp White Walls for a Bright and Fresh Look
This fresh colour palette will keep the space light and airy, and works well in kitchens with limited natural light.
- Soft Greys for a Subtle Contrast
Gret tones pair beautifully with navy cabinetry, creating a modern and sophisticated kitchen aesthetic.
- Patterned or Textured Splashbacks for Visual Interest
Metro tiles, herringbone designs, or patterned ceramics add personality, whilst helping break up solid navy tones.
Choosing the Perfect Flooring for a Navy Kitchen
Flooring choices should balance the navy cabinetry while adding durability and style:
- Light Wood Flooring for Warmth and Contrast
Pale oak or light herringbone wood softens bold navy tones, whilst making the kitchen feel inviting and spacious.
- Dark Tiles for a Cohesive and Moody Look
Slate or charcoal tiles create a seamless, sophisticated style, ideal for a sleek and contemporary aesthetic.
Adding the Finishing Touches
The final details bring everything together, adding personality and comfort:
- Statement Lighting for Function and Style
Pendant lights above a kitchen island or breakfast bar enhance design. Brass, glass, or matt black options suit navy blue kitchens.
- Bar Stools to Complement the Colour Scheme
Ideal for a breakfast bar or island, choose stools in leather, velvet, or metal finishes that match the fittings.
- Open Shelving for a Relaxed Feel
Open shelving allows for the display of decorative items or plants. Wooden or metal shelving adds extra storage and texture.
Final Thoughts
A navy kitchen offers endless styling possibilities, whether you prefer a contemporary, classic, or industrial design. By selecting complementary worktops, cabinets, and finishing touches, you can achieve a balanced and stylish space. The key is to create contrast and texture while maintaining cohesion, ensuring that every element works together harmoniously. Visit your local kitchen showrooms to talk to an expert designer, and with the right choices, your navy kitchen can feel both sophisticated and inviting, making it a standout feature in any home.
To find out more, download our brochure, or visit your local kitchen showrooms, and consult with Kitchen Experts to explore the possibilities.
