Kitchen Design Tips: The Gunmetal Trend

So why are we all still so in thrall to fifty shades of grey? First and foremost, it’s outrageously versatile. The grey shade spectrum varies from dark, dramatic charcoal to the palest subtle silver. Secondly, it complements such a vast range of other colours. Grey works well with other neutrals, such as white,

 cream, beige and taupe. It complements pretty pastels and bright pops of colour. It even works as an accent colour in its own right. In kitchens specifically, however, one particular shade of grey is proving especially popular – gunmetal. So we asked our Assistant product manager Ashley Allen to assess its enduring appeal:

I think this is the ideal shade if you’re keen to create an elegant, cohesive look in the kitchen. And coordinating your appliances with other elements, such as sinks and taps makes a huge difference to the finished look. As with so much in life, it’s often the little things that make a big impact, in terms of creating a pleasing aesthetic. I find, if you match coloured wastes and overflows to your taps for example, this can be truly transformative.

Luckily, we offer a huge array of options in on-trend gunmetal grey, including ovens, sinks, taps, hobs, microwaves, refrigeration and wine cabinets. So you can rest assured that you can pick a carefully coordinated selection for a more upmarket finish.

I recently asked leading London interior designer and colour psychology specialist Cinzia Moretti why gunmetal is such a popular shade. The Creative Director at Moretti Interior Design explains: “Gunmetal is so popular in kitchens because it’s a practical choice. But, at the same time, it’s really elegant, and will create a timeless look to suit each individual design.” As you’d expect from an interior designer, Cinzia is an advocate of attention to detail. “It’s so important to create a cohesive finish with appliances in a kitchen design,” she underlines.

 “People do have a tendency to forget that it’s not just the units that matter. It’s absolutely the details, which make everything work, in terms of the style and colour scheme. These include the appliances, sinks and taps, flooring, wall colour and lighting.” Cinzia continues: “In other words, there are a lot of elements that have to work together seamlessly. Choosing the same gunmetal finish for all your appliances makes the colour scheme so much neater. I think it showcases a carefully planned design. Flawless finishes in the same colour tones are just so pleasing to the eye.”

Modern microwaves have come a long way since the first freestanding models made their debut. A built-in design will not only add a seamless flow to your kitchen, but it will immediately provide you with more cooking options. Thanks to our gunmetal model, you can easily match this with a variety of appliances in the same finish to create a bank.

It’s important that your worktops, as well as your walls, from part of a cohesive colour scheme. So, a coordinating hob really does elevate the look of any gunmetal kitchen design. I’m a big fan of our frameless C864iGM induction hob, which can be flush-mounted. I think it’s the perfect choice to enhance any gunmetal kitchen aesthetic. And thanks to its advanced functionality – which includes features such as slider touch controls, a 99-minute minute and boosters on every zone – it cooks as good as it looks.

There are many different ways to decorate with grey. Perhaps your kitchen colour scheme is anchored around one single shade. Or you prefer to layer different shades of grey for a chromatic approach. You may choose to focus on kitchen products in this shade alone and contrast this colour with the cabinetry, worktops, floor and walls. Happily, gunmetal appliances work perfectly with all of these options.

One of my favourites is our Wi3125GM under-counter single-zone wine cabinet as this model could suit you if space is at a premium in your kitchen. And investing in a dedicated wine cabinet really will make a difference to the flavour and longevity of your favourite tipple!

Aside from appliances, the other key element of any kitchen installation is the furniture. There’s never been a greater variety of colours to choose from, whether your tastes veer more towards the classic or the contemporary. Happily, gunmetal works equally well with both, whether your goal is to add interest with contrast, or to match a specific furniture shade.

“Gunmetal is fast becoming a very popular choice for kitchens and furniture finishes,” notes Cinzia. “And it’s not hard to understand why – it looks good with every colour. Gunmetal comprises a very deep shade of grey mixed with blue. However, this explains why it works so well with modern blue/navy kitchens and can still look sophisticated with traditional styles.”