Navy Kitchen Ideas: How to Design a Timeless Kitchen

Navy blue is one of the most classic shades on the colour wheel. Elegant, timeless, and dark without being oppressive, it’s no wonder interior designers turn to it again and again. Navy kitchens have had a ‘moment’ in recent years, but the good news is that they’re completely timeless, too.

Below, we show why navy kitchens are still – and will always be – in style, the best ideas for styling a navy kitchen, how you can use the colour in small and large spaces, and different ways you can style navy kitchen cabinets to inspire your next project.

Choosing a colour for your kitchen is no easy task. After all, a kitchen is a big investment, and it’s where a lot of us spend most of our time, so we want it to be an enjoyable space and have longevity.

That’s where a navy kitchen comes in. Navy blue is a modern classic that won’t date quickly, and it’s a shade that goes with everything: white, cream, grey, brown, and even natural materials such as wood and brass. Choosing a navy kitchen will open up lots of options for styling, allowing you to put your own stamp on this classic shade. Style aside, navy is also practical; the darker hue minimises the appearance of marks – a must for a high-use space.

No two navy blues are the same, which can make it harder to choose the right one. You might also wonder about size, and whether dark navy kitchens are suitable for small spaces. But you’re in luck. Navy works for kitchens of all shapes and sizes, you just need to consider a few things first:

• Light - kitchens that are flooded with natural light have the most choice, and can even handle the darkest of navy blue. If your kitchen has low light, warmer navy blue works best as it won’t look so cold.

• Room size - kitchen on the small side? Consider using navy as an accent colour so it doesn’t appear too dark. A navy kitchen island, dresser, or one row of cabinets are a good place to bring a touch of the colour into the space.

• Colour undertones - every colour has an undertone, and navy blue can range from cool to warm. A true navy is classic, and suits other materials very well. Green-leaning blues have a rich, organic feel, while a dark navy blue that’s closer to black will appear more dramatic.

Navy shaker kitchen cabinets

Shaker kitchen cabinets? Rich navy? It doesn’t get more classic than this kitchen designed by HW Interiors. Pairing the navy cabinets with a contrasting light wood and polished brass handles brings a fresh, clean feel to the whole kitchen.

Modern navy kitchen cabinets

This home has floor-to-ceiling windows, so designer Christina Simon was able to play with dark colours and materials in the navy kitchen, without it appearing too oppressive. For a modern feel, the navy kitchen cabinets were topped with dark natural stone, and our slick Loop Cabinet Handle in aged brass (BEL) finish were chosen for the finishing touch.

Create a focal point with a navy kitchen island

This navy kitchen designed by Rachael Somerville Interiors shows that you don’t need wall-to-wall navy cabinets to make an impact. Instead, she’s used a dark navy kitchen island to stand out against the white surroundings, using brass accents for a classic look.

Think of navy as a neutral – it’s a colour that goes with everything, so you can get creative and choose a pairing that suits your home and taste. Navy and white kitchens are a classic combination, and work particularly well in small spaces, as the white will brighten up the space. Brass makes an excellent accent colour in a navy kitchen, as its warmth balances out the (often) coolness of navy, and brings more luxury into the room.

For a fresh, organic look, navy and wood kitchens, such as dark or light oak, are a great option and will never go out of style. Or for a contemporary spin on a navy kitchen, consider adding touches of pink, which will warm up the space. Pinks with blue undertones work best.

This depends on your colour scheme, your preferences, and as we mentioned earlier on, the light and size of your kitchen. But the good news is that there are lots of worktops that go with navy kitchens.

White and light marble countertops are a classic choice that will freshen up a navy kitchen, while if you want a similar effect but slightly more subdued, light grey – like concrete – is also a good option. Wood worktops will bring a more rustic or farmhouse element to your kitchen, or you could choose dark colours and materials, such as a complementary navy, grey or black.

Navy kitchen cabinets with brass and bronze hardware are a timeless choice. These materials add warmth and richness to the cool navy, as well as contrast. Choose aged brass for a timeless look that will age beautifully, or polished brass for a sleek look. If you want to build on the cool-toned look, nickel is a good choice, and for a modern, understated style, opt for matt black.

Add character with open shelving

Kitchens don’t stop at the pantry, and this project shows that navy can make a bold statement in even the most functional of spaces. In this farmhouse-style walk-in pantry, open shelving is used to have everything on show, within easy reach. Dark navy on the cabinets, walls and shelving create a cosy feel, accentuated by the walnut countertop, ladder, and brass cabinet pulls and knobs from our Cotswold collection.

Use a statement natural stone

This luxury navy kitchen is paired with rich, natural materials to create a space of pure decadence. The natural stone used on the worktops, dining table and backsplash echo the dark navy kitchen cabinets, creating an effect that’s rich and full of detail. Brass tapware and hardware adds an extra dose of luxury.

Introduce light colours

Navy blue, by its very nature, is a dark hue, so if you want to brighten the space up, introduce lighter colours into the kitchen. The statement navy kitchen island is the focal point here, with a marble countertop and our Cotswold Cup Pull in our aged brass (BEL) finish on the drawers. To keep the room light and airy, Laura Butler-Madden used light timber flooring, white cabinetry, and glass pendant lighting. Sometimes, just one large dose of navy makes enough of a statement.

Pair deep navy cabinetry with warm brass

Navy kitchen cabinets and solid brass hardware are always a good match. The brass adds warmth to the cool tones of the navy cupboards and drawers, while also providing contrast. In this space, Victoria Forehan used our Kingsheath Cabinet Handle and T-Bar Handle in our aged brass (BEL) finish to create a warm and timeless look.

Combine navy and natural timber

Natural timber adds a soft, organic feel to a navy kitchen, and is a good way to add light without always resorting to white finishes. In this space, deep navy cupboards and drawers sit alongside natural timber display cabinets, flooring, and a butcher’s block, creating a space that is both serene and rich in personality.

Go bold with floor-to-ceiling navy

In this walk-in pantry, floor-to-ceiling navy makes a bold statement; a dark and cosy transitional space between the lighter main kitchen and dining room. Using the same colour navy on the walls and cabinets creates cohesion, while our Merrick Cabinet Knob in our satin antique satin lacquered (SAS) finish adds a classic touch to the bold space.

Do navy kitchen cabinets make a room look smaller?

Navy kitchen cabinets can make a room look smaller if the space lacks natural light. To create a navy kitchen that doesn’t shrink a room, you could use the colour as an accent rather than the main event. Pairing a navy kitchen island with white or cream cabinets and walls, or using light countertops on navy kitchen cabinets, will brighten up the space.

What colour walls go with a navy kitchen?

White and cream walls are a classic choice to pair with navy kitchens. You could colour drench with navy walls for a dramatic look, or for something fresh yet contemporary, try pairing your navy kitchen with blush pink.

What flooring goes with navy kitchen cabinets?

Light or medium natural oak flooring brings warmth to a navy kitchen, and won’t date. Natural stone, meanwhile, will bring an organic feel to the room. You could also add texture, colour and warmth to the kitchen with large patterned rugs.

How do you brighten a dark navy kitchen?

Light countertops, backsplashes, walls and flooring will help brighten dark navy kitchens. Under cabinet lighting, wall sconces or pendant lighting will also help brighten up the space.

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