Say goodbye to bland kitchens.

Colorado homeowners are moving away from neutrals and revamping their kitchens with vibrant colors, bold statement lights, and practical yet stylish islands.

“The standard gray, white, or beige is finished, it’s burned out,” said Melanie Madden with 8z. “Instead, we’re seeing bolder color choices.”

But there will always be some demand for neutrals.

“Some buyers like color, but others don’t. Neutral is safe,” said Kassi Pelley, co-owner of Wolff House, a Denver-based development and design firm that builds luxury turnkey spec homes that feel like custom homes. Wolff House recently developed two $2 million homes on a former duplex lot in Lo-Hi.

One of the two homes features a neutral, mostly white kitchen, while the other has a kitchen with green cabinetry.

The home with the green kitchen sold first.

Color makes a comeback in Coloradokitchens

Forget about plain white cabinets and neutral tones. More homeowners are adding personality and vibrancy to their kitchen spaces.

Liz Richards with LIV Sotheby’s International Realty said the shift to adding color started when people spent more time at home during the pandemic.

“They wanted to make their spaces more personal and specific and not so interchangeable,” she said.

Madden said she’s also seeing more vibrant kitchens, particularly blues and greens. “Blue is a consistent color. You’re seeing it in the cabinetry, the paint and the backsplash.”

Pairing bold hues with contrasting accents like metallic hardware or natural wood finishes creates a visually stunningeffect.

Richards said she’s seeing a return to natural materials, including maple and birch cabinets and stone slab countertops with pinks and purples.

Statement light fixtures sparkle

Options for statement light fixtures in the kitchen include unique pendant lights, chandeliers, sconces, and incorporating natural light into the space.

When choosing a statement light fixture, consider factors such as the kitchen’s size and layout, the overall design aesthetic, and the budget.

Mixing and matching different statement lights can create an eclectic look in the kitchen.

Madden said homeowners are moving from standard pendant lights to chandeliers or statement pieces.

“If you still have a monochrome kitchen, you can mix it up by getting unique, lively light fixtures,” she said. “And it’s not overly expensive.”

Homeowners are entertaining again and want their spaces to be bold.

“They don’t want to look like every other house on the block.”

Functional islands: More than prep space

Functional islands have become more than just a surface for food preparation.

Functional islands provide additional storage space, offer features such as sinks, dishwashers, and warming trays, serve as additional dining spaces, and have become statement pieces.

Islands with seating provide a spot for kids to do homework or for families to eat a casual meal.

“If you have a kitchen without bar seating or a cozy built-in, it can look like there’s a void there,” Madden said. “If you have the space for a breakfast nook, then you want to take advantage of that space.”

The news and editorial staffs of The Denver Post had no role in this post’s preparation.