While dark-painted kitchens are still popular, another trend has been slowly but steadily emerging in the photos uploaded recently – that of the warm neutral-coloured kitchen. A quiet counterbalance to bolder designs, this particular shade, somewhere between a soft pink and a chalky plaster tone, is gentle and soothing.

Take a look at the kitchens below to see how designers have used this shade to beautiful effect.

Team it with pale wood

This family space to feel like a sanctuary in the heart of a busy home, and it does feel beautifully calm thanks to the gentle colour palette.

The soft plaster-coloured cabinets have been teamed with clean white worktops and pale oak tall cupboards and shelving for a scheme that’s cohesive, warm and light.

Thanks to this soothing base, plenty of character can still be introduced with artwork, plants and accessories without making the room feel cluttered.

Pair it with gold

This tiny kitchen pairs a deep plaster pink with white and antique brass for a crisp look that still feels warm and polished.

The owner was a little apprehensive about adding any colour at all and was keen to stick with white for the walls and worktops, which are quartz. Even the hob is white. However, the owner suggested choosing a deep plaster colour for the base units, which works beautifully to create warmth and interest without overwhelming the compact space.

Take it traditional with marble and brass

This beautiful kitchen shows just how flexible this shade can be. By pairing plaster-coloured floor cabinets with cooler tones, such as the black-and-white marble, pale grey walls and stainless-steel cooker, this kitchen feels much cooler and more traditional than the previous two.

The Shaker-style cupboards and brass cup handles also lend the kitchen a classic air.

Gently colour drench a room

This light and beautiful scheme shows just how subtle this shade can be. Here, the same colour has been used across all the cabinets, the shelving and the island, and has even been taken onto the wall behind the sink.

However, because the colour is so delicate and the room has so much natural light, the shade acts as a warm neutral that doesn’t jar or demand attention. The effect is very soft and subtle, as the colour helps the kitchen to recede, making the room feel bright and spacious.

Offset it with a contrasting colour

The designers of this kitchen have taken a much bolder approach by teaming a plaster pink kitchen island with pale blue wall and base cabinets.

How have they managed to mix colours so well? By choosing two shades on opposite sides of the colour wheel (blue and orange), the tones balance each other out rather than clashing. Light peach-coloured splashback tiles, peach bar stools and a soft cream paint colour on the walls and ceiling help to bring the scheme together.

Combine it with terracotta

Another way to add interest is to combine a pale plaster colour with a much darker shade of the same colour, as shown in this kitchen.

The base cabinets have been painted a light shade of plaster, while the central island and pantry cupboard have been drenched in a much deeper terracotta to create a contrast.

Keeping the rest of the room light with a simple coat of warm white on the walls and beamed ceiling ensures the room feels fresh rather than too rich.