It’s been four years since the April issue of Architectural Digest made history in the world of interior design by presenting Dakota Johnson’s cottage-core house. Viewers were going wild over her unique and sophisticated home, tired of places like Kim Kardashian’s.
The aesthetic of the house was definitely cottage-inspired. The dominant colours were brown and green, with other earthy tones complementing them. Everything from the living room to the kitchen seems carefully designed for fairies and other forest creatures, where Persian rugs and wood panels rule the house.
Still, the kitchen was the highlight of the video, as the unique design successfully covered the small size of the room and made everyone focus on the shiny marble from the splashback. The cabinets with green dotted designs changed the way we view kitchen design forever.
The design had such a massive impact that green kitchens are trending again. So, what’s the deal with them?
What’s so special about green kitchens?
In the past, interior design was made to be nothing like our surroundings, meaning we’d place a barrier between nature and our interior spaces. However, it has been lately observed that people often want to introduce natural elements in their homes due to relaxation and calm benefits.
That’s why green kitchen units are trending again ―because they bring serenity inside the place where people spend most of their time together. Green is the colour of comfort, and the pea tones from Dakota’s home showed how different shades and techniques can beautifully blend to create a natural effect. Besides green, we could also see cyan and yellow tones scattered around (but with purpose).
So, here we are in 2024 when green kitchens are trending and demanded by homeowners. Their cosmopolitan look is a game-changer for a simple kitchen where you mostly cook, eat, or chat with family and friends.
What green tones are best for your kitchen?
Not every green kitchen is trending, especially not with lime or goose-turd green shades. The dark green aesthetic is what primes in 2024, so we’re looking for more mysterious tones for cabinetry or walls, such as the following:
- Dark Leafy green is a great accent colour for a vintage-inspired kitchen;
- Emerald green is a versatile option for the kitchen and goes well with creamy tones;
- Soft-blue green is the perfect shade for those who prefer lighter colours;
- Soft sage is a subtle but impactful tone for modern but earthy kitchens;
The earthy green colour scheme that includes shades of burnt orange, black, or weathered browns is one of the most appreciated for bringing balance to a kitchen. Still, many other schemes include green, such as the following:
- Jade green and sapphire;
- Dusty green and yellow;
- Green, muted blue and pink;
How to decorate green kitchens to avoid kitsch
Although decorating a green kitchen seems simple, introducing too many different colours, shapes, and sizes can make it look messy or kitsch. The best way to make your kitchen look like Dakota Johnson’s is to limit the number of objects and keep it clean at all times.
Depending on which part you want green, whether in the wall or furniture, balance it with lighter tones to create contracts and not make the kitchen too sombre. This way, you’re achieving a modern and effortless look.
Another great tip is to add natural textures in the house, considering the colour’s effect of bringing the outside inside. Warm and organic textures are easily achieved with handmade ceramic, line towels or wood cutlery.
On the other hand, if you want to make out the most of the colour green, you could pair it with contrasting tones. Remember not to overdo it by introducing more than two tones, as the green won’t pop out much.
Go for the cottage-kitchen look
If you’re not finding simple green kitchens appealing, you might want to adopt the cottage-style kitchen, which is easier to build around a colour. The design revolves around flagstone floors and rustic ceiling fans, so they don’t need that much polishing.
You can embrace cottage kitchens by adopting the following elements:
- Different wood finishes with unique textures;
- Natural fibres for flooring, such as seagrass or sisal;
- Floor-to-ceiling cupboards that maximise storage and space;
- Shaker-style cabinetries;
- Vintage finds as decorations;
The evolution of the cottage core aesthetic started on the TikTok platform, where people would dress, eat, and spend their time as a way to spend their lives with intention. The aesthetic was also a trend for sustainability enthusiasts because it uses eco-friendly products and brings nature closer to us. That’s why the interior design for a kitchen is friendly and appropriate for anyone who spends a lot of time with their families.
But what if I get bored of the aesthetic?
The problem with these trends is that they pass so fast. Social media is going from one core to another. We’ve even reached the “core core”, or the aesthetic of dreamy and surreal experiences and belongings.
Considering how fast we’re moving from one ideal lifestyle to another, it’s possible to become indifferent to the design that makes you feel good. That’s why it’s important to know why you’re adopting it before doing so because this is how you can make the most of it for longer.
Green kitchens may be part of the cottage core aesthetic, but they’re also a form of oasis, which could be a place of retreat after a stressful work day. Seeing the true value in a room, especially the kitchen, is what will help it be valued for longer, past trends.
What do you think about green kitchens?
Green kitchens are trending again, a while after Dakota Johnson’s house tour. Everyone was impressed by her green and small kitchen, especially dreamy people, as the design was truly ethereal. Since then, green kitchens have become in demand because they make people feel closer to nature and relaxed, especially if they pair them with earthy tones like brown, mustard yellow, and subtle grey.