Green is one of the most versatile and timeless color choices for kitchen design. In color psychology, green reminds us of nature and is often grounding and calming. Historically, green was used in Victorian-era (1880–1910) cabinetry and botanical prints. In the Arts & Crafts era (1890–1930), earthy greens were found in trim and tiles. Modernist era (1950–1980) kitchens brought teal, mint, and avocado greens with an embrace of bright, deep color. In modern day interiors we’re seeing more neutral and muted greens used to create playful earthy kitchens that pair with neutral interior design trends. We also see moody color drenching with darker greens layered in multiple sheens and textures. Below, we review how our interior design team uses green in Airy Kitchens designs.
Green Kitchen Cabinetry
Green cabinetry defines this space with color-blocking. In this Lower Merion kitchen, earthy sage green cabinets create structure in an open-concept kitchen. Paired with warm quartzite counters and oak-paneled walls, grey-green cabinetry adds blocks of classic and neutral storage. The Shaker inset cabinets are from our custom line of cabinetry and painted in Benjamin Moore's Cushing Green.
Green Two-Tone Cabinets
Two-tone typically refers to different colors on upper and lower cabinets. This approach allows homeowners to maintain balance and experiment with bolder color choices. In our Philadelphia showroom, we feature an appliance garage and Shaker Inset cabinetry in a custom green paint color. Stained cherry lower cabinets anchor the space, while the green cabinetry draws the eye upward.
Homeowners in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania wanted their kitchen to reflect their lush green garden. They used Sherwin-Williams’ Talipot Palm to create bold features of cabinetry and millwork. Now, upper cabinets brighten their L-shaped kitchen and the cheerful grass-green is repeated on a banquette window seat with storage.
Green Hutch Cabinet
To conceal the clutter in this project, we designed an appliance garage in our signature color “Copper Green.” An appliance garage is a special type of hutch that conceals bulky appliances while keeping them accessible for daily use. Airy Kitchens project managers oversaw the construction of this project in the Fairmount neighborhood of Philadelphia. As interior designers in Philadelphia, we understand the importance of inventive storage in city homes.
In this 1925 home, the cabinetry is painted in Airy Kitchens' signature "Oyster Green," a muted green that anchors the entire kitchen's bold color story. Fitted with pocket doors, this appliance garage proves that functional spaces can be beautiful features. Oyster Green is integrated into a cohesive palette that feels contemporary yet historically appropriate for the 1925 home.
Green Kitchen Accents
Homeowners who are hesitant to commit to large amounts of color can use green as an accent. Organic tones like natural wood, stone, and brass can create the perfect background for green accents. In this project, we used green sparingly but strategically with Craftsman-era wallpaper, handmade art tile, and our clients’ green pottery collection.
Historic Green Kitchen Wallpaper
Green wallpaper adds a removable accent for homeowners who are considering resale value or like to update their space often. Here, we added a William Morris wallpaper with multiple shades of green. This nods to the home's vintage era without feeling stuffy or dated. The white subway tile backsplash and exposed brick offer mixed textures against the ornate wallpaper. In a kitchen, it’s important to keep wallpaper away from the splash zone at the sink and range.
Green Tile Backsplash
Green backsplash tile adds color and interest to this classic white kitchen. Green backsplashes can add an earthy touch to a kitchen without overpowering other colors. In this Chestnut Hill home, green subway tile and a marble checkerboard floor are colorful and fun, while our Crisp White cabinetry and soapstone counters are classic and conservative. A perfect mix for homeowners who want to create a kitchen with personality while staying mindful of resale value.
In this Craftsman-style home in Wallingford, PA, we mixed our Spanish Olive cabinetry color with a handmade green tile backsplash. Variation in tile color adds multiple greens and browns to match all of the elements throughout this layered green kitchen.
Green Cushions and Accessories
An even more conservative method for homeowners looking to add restrained and removable green accents is green furnishings and lighting. Here, deep teal cushions on a seating banquette create a palette of jewel tones against a pink chair and walls painted Sherwin Williams Sea Salt. Our team designed custom millwork, sourced an emerald green pendant light, and added Roman window shades to layer greens and add character to this historic home in Wyndmoor, a Philadelphia suburb in Montgomery County, PA.
Layering Greens in a Kitchen
See more of this Mount Airy kitchen remodel in HGTV magazine.
If you want to add all of these green elements in your kitchen, you can! Layering varying tones of green in a kitchen can create a color palette that adds depth and creates cohesive layers. In this Mount Airy Victorian kitchen, greens with yellow tones appear in cabinetry and moldings. Slate floors and soapstone counters anchor the room with blue-green hues. Dishes and accessories add teal, avocado, and grassy greens, too. Try mixing red, teal or yellow with a layered green palette to create an exciting feature like this charming hutch.
Love the mix of custom drapery and furnishings? Learn more about Project Management.
Looking for a woodsy forrest interior, our clients envisioned a ‘Frog and Toad’ style kitchen. We mixed bright green walls (Sherwin Williams Willow Tree) with moody painted cabinets in Airy Kitchens’ Spanish Olive. Here, layered browns compliment the playful mix of green surfaces and fabrics.
Our Favorite Green Kitchen Ideas
We'd love to hear about your vision for bringing green into your kitchen space. Share your ideas with our design team, or visit our Philadelphia showroom to explore green finishes and materials. In summary, here are our favorite ways to add green to a kitchen.
● Custom green cabinetry
○ Color block for structure
○ Green two-tone cabinetry
○ Green appliance hutch
● Green accents
○ Green wallpaper
○ Green handmade backsplash
○ Green furnishings
● Layering green in a kitchen
○ Green color combinations
○ Green flooring
○ Green accessories
Would you incorporate green in your kitchen? Tell us how!