Aimee Phillips, a DJ and creative director known for her work with Scissor Sisters and Purple PR, sought to break away from conventional kitchen design in her Piers Gough-designed Hackney apartment by embracing bold colors rather than the standard white cupboards and neutral tiles typically found in new-build developments. Interior designer George Morgan proposed an unconventional scheme inspired by a chartreuse suit worn by Kate Moss during Prada’s 1996 runway show, paired with deep red floor tiles. Morgan described the approach as “Prada’s ugly chic,” transforming an unusual color choice into a refined domestic setting by combining it with complementary materials.

This use of color blocking in kitchens follows a fashion-driven tradition, where contrasting primary colors create visual interest akin to the works of Piet Mondrian. Morgan emphasized that such bold design choices can energize and inspire a space that is central to the home.

Advancements in modular kitchen design have made experimenting with color more accessible. For example, Danish brand Reform, collaborating with Muller Van Severen, offers the Match collection, which allows consumers to mix kitchen units in six vibrant colors. Additionally, companies such as Prospray London provide services to color-match doors of existing cabinets, broadening customization options.

At the recent Shoreditch Design Week, Holte, a studio specializing in color-block kitchens, introduced a tile range in partnership with Dutch ceramics brand Palet. Palet’s products can be custom-ordered in almost any color or pattern. Fiona Ginnett, Holte’s co-founder, highlighted a recent project known as Sitting Pink in collaboration with District Architects, where cabinetry and exterior spaces were unified through continuous blocks of pink, contrasted with blues, yellows, and timber tones. She described the result as playful yet cohesive, with each color serving a deliberate role in the design.

Interior designer Sam Buckley also advocates for color blocking, viewing home interiors as a series of connected artworks, with the kitchen often serving as the starting point. His recent London Docklands project featured cobalt blue kitchen units against yellow walls, delivering strong impact despite budget constraints. Buckley noted the challenges of finding matching hardware and often prefers stainless steel as a neutral base, using color to highlight the space. He acknowledged that custom finishes can incur long lead times, but growing availability of color-coordinated hardware and accessories is easing this hurdle.

Beyond cabinetry and tiles, appliance makers are expanding color options to support vibrant kitchen palettes. Le Creuset has extended its lineup with ombré finishes in shades such as Bleu Riviera and Azure. Alessi’s new Vite espresso maker, designed by Philippe Malouin, is available in muted greens, greys, and browns, drawing inspiration from industrial design elements at the company’s Omegna factory. Malouin emphasized the importance of accents in a kitchen where artwork may be impractical.

Smeg, known for its distinctive retro Americana refrigerators, recently introduced Portofino cookers in colors inspired by the Italian Riviera, including olive, blue, red, and yellow. Although the red FAB fridge remains the most popular non-neutral option, yellow appliances provide striking contrast within color-block schemes. Other luxury brands such as La Cornue and Lacanche also offer range cookers in unconventional hues like orange and pink.

Reflecting on her own kitchen, Phillips said that embracing chartreuse had become her “version of neutral,” a base layer that injects energy and joy into the space. The result is a vivid environment aligned with her desire for something “bananas,” breaking the mold of typical kitchen design.