Nature-Inspired Kitchen Design: Bringing the Outdoors In This Spring
Spring is coming! With its fresh air, longer days, and new green on the trees, it’s a season we all love. And with springtime comes a desire for lighter living—homes that feel fresh, bright, and calm, connecting us to the new world we see outside our windows.
While we often think of getting our homes ready for spring by switching out textiles, planting a garden, and cleaning top-to-bottom, we sometimes forget the heart of the home: the kitchen. A kitchen remodel is a great way to usher in spring. Bringing the outdoors in is about thoughtful, layered design decisions that you’ll love in springtime and all year long.
Natural Materials That Add Warmth and Texture
Homeowners in the Tacoma, Washington area love using natural materials in their kitchen remodels. But far from being a trend, these designs are timeless, bringing warmth and heart to the space. Natural materials look good, are easy to maintain, and add character and interest.
Wood Elements
The natural grains of wood add warmth, movement, and visual softness. Wood is durable and repairable, so it lasts a long time. And it contrasts beautifully with sleeker materials like marble or stone. Consider using wood elements in your kitchen remodel in the following ways:
Natural or lightly-stained wood cabinetry. For the first time in years, light wood cabinets (particularly white oak) are more popular in kitchens than white cabinets—and we’re here for this shift.
White oak islands. If you prefer white or colored cabinets, making the kitchen island from gorgeous white oak (or another beautiful wood) adds contrast and highlights it as a focal point in your space.
Wood ceiling beams. These bring a sense of drama, old-world charm, and architectural interest.
Floating or open shelves. While most people prefer some closed cabinetry so they don’t have to keep all their kitchenware on display, mingling cabinets with open or floating shelves breaks up the space visually, adds interest, and allows you to showcase beautiful wood shelving.
Butcher block countertops. Whether throughout the kitchen or just on the island, butcher block is a beautiful countertop option that performs really well.
Stone and Organic Surfaces
Using natural stone in the kitchen is an easy yes. It is durable, relatively easy to care for, and only gets better with age. It also increases the value of your home. Stone is great in these spaces:
Countertops. Consider quartzite, granite, or marble with its natural veining. You can even use soapstone, travertine, or slate for something a little different. Each type of stone has its own benefits and beauty, and each requires a different type of care. Talk to your designers or builders for help in deciding what’s best for your Pierce County kitchen remodel.
Flooring. Using natural stone tiles is a great way to bring nature-inspired elements into your kitchen. Granite and slate are durable, and marble looks luxurious.
Backsplashes. Whether you choose a smooth marble surface or textured tile inspired by handmade ceramics, your backsplash can become a beautiful attention-grabber in your space.
Another consideration for stone surfaces is whether you want the surface to be honed or high-polished. A honed surface is smooth matte or satin and non-reflective. It often appears more muted and has a silky feel. Honed surfaces often fit better into a casual or quiet luxury aesthetic. High-polished or high-gloss surfaces are reflective and mirrored. They can make a smaller space look larger, and they look elegant and modern.
Layering Materials
The best kitchen remodels include a variety of materials—wood, natural stone, plaster, tile, and more. Mixing and layering these elements gives your space interest and a curated look. And when you use a design-build firm for your Tacoma-area kitchen remodel, you get the benefit of choosing all your materials at the same time, with the guidance of a professional designer. This ensures cohesion in your space, instead of a piecemeal feel.
Natural materials are the foundation of your nature-inspired kitchen. But excellent lighting is what makes it come alive.
Let the Light In: Designing for Natural Brightness
Natural light transforms a space like nothing else. To make your nature-inspired kitchen remodel the best it can be this spring, consider how you can maximize the light it gets.
Enlarge windows. See if it’s possible to make existing windows bigger and more of a show-stopper in your space.
Add transom windows where possible, above doors to the outside, or even doorways to other well-lit rooms.
Consider sliding or folding glass doors that lead to your outside space.
Use skylights when you can to add interest and bright light, even if your kitchen doesn’t have a lot of windows.
Remember that even small architectural adjustments can dramatically shift how a kitchen feels. For example, removing some upper cabinets can allow more light to flow into the room. Use light-colored paint, and prioritize reflective but warm finishes on cabinets and countertops to bounce light around. And make sure the lights in the kitchen are layered to mimic natural daylight.
Nature-Inspired Color Palettes for Spring
Greens are very popular right now, encompassing everything from deep emerald to soft sage to muted olive. Painting your cabinets green is one way to bring some color into your space. Many people also like the idea of natural wood cabinets with a more colorful island taking center stage. And if green isn’t for you, there are other great natural options you might love:
Warm white instead of stark, bright white.
Earthy neutrals like clay, sand, or mushrooms.
Muted blues inspired by sky or water.
Dusty purples and deep navys.
Terra cottas and deep yellows.
In order to keep color timeless, rather than trendy, balance it with natural textures. Bringing natural colors into your kitchen makes it feel warm, inviting, and connected to the outdoors. Choose tones that speak to you and blend well with the rest of your home.
Create a Strong Indoor-Outdoor Connection
Make the most of your space by maximizing views and connection with your backyard. If you’re doing a full remodel, you may be able to change the orientation of your kitchen to align the layout with backyard views. Center the island with windows or doors so you can look outside while seated or working at the island. And make sure you have easy access to your back deck, patio, or outdoor kitchen. French doors or other wide door openings can make it feel like one large space.
If you have a covered outdoor dining space near the kitchen, make the flooring consistent across both spaces. This opens up the area and makes it feel like one big indoor/outdoor eating area. Consider installing a pass-through window to your outside living space to connect the two even more.
Designing a Kitchen that Feels Like a Breath of Fresh Air
Your Tacoma-area kitchen remodel should feel fresh, light, and welcoming. It should be a place where you can slow down and enjoy being with those you love. Prioritizing a connection with nature is a great way to make this happen, especially in the lush and beautiful PNW. Springtime means renewal in every area, including our homes. If you’re ready to get started on a springtime kitchen remodel, contact us today. Our team would love to help you make your kitchen your favorite place.