5 Earthy Colors to Refresh Your Mid-Century Modern Kitchen

Clean lines, warm wood, minimal hardware, and flat-front cabinets — a mid-century modern kitchen ranks high on style and functionality. For most homeowners looking to remodel their kitchen space, the color option takes center stage. In fact, it's the little touches that do the trick—for example, switching heavy whites and cold greys with earthy tones to instantly add warmth to the space. 

In this blog, you’ll learn why earthy colours are a perfect fit for mid-century modern kitchens and the top five earthy tones to work with. 

Why Choose Earthy For Mid-Century Modern Kitchens?

Mid-century modern design has its roots in nature with big windows, spacious layouts, and ample use of wood and stone. Earthy colors fit the frame right for all good reasons:

• They readily highlight wooden cabinetry and furnishings
• They impart a soft touch to metal and terrazzo
• They age well, and therefore, your kitchen doesn't look outdated easily 

Which Earthy Colors Look Best In A Mid-Century Modern Kitchen?

Like any other space in the house, the choice of colors for your kitchen is relative. However, there are some tried and tested earthy hues that work seamlessly for mid-century modern kitchens, like soft earthy greens, caramel wood, warm neutrals, rich honey, and deep walnut. These hues complement the natural structure and finish of mid-century modern kitchens, leaving behind a simple and grounded appearance. 

Here’s a closer look at 5 earthy colors and how to use it right for mid-century modern kitchens. 

1. Soft Sage/Olive

Earthy greens are clearly a top-of-the-line pick for anyone who wants a fresh and calm feel for their kitchen. Shades like muted olive, eucalyptus, and sage impart an organic touch and echo a bright garden vibe. Earthy green hues work great with oak, walnut, and teak cabinets and add interest to the space.

How to use earthy greens for mid-century modern kitchens:

• Paint your lower cabinets in sage and uppers in white/cream.
• For warm wood cabinets, use olive green tiles.
• For walls, use sage, and for cabinets, use warm neutral wood.

2. Honey/Caramel Oak

Neutral woods and mid-century style kitchens are almost made for each other. A rich, mid-tone wood like honey or caramel or golden oak is the right option for anyone who wants to add instant warmth to the kitchen indoors. Rich wood hits the right note as it's lighter than dark espresso but richer than pale white oak.

How to use rich wood tone for mid-century modern kitchens:

• Keep the slab-front doors in honey oak, preferably in a clear matte finish.
• Pair your rich wood cabinets with a simple white/cream backsplash.
• Keep the walls soft and neutral for the wood to act as the main color.

3. Mushroom/Greige/Stone

Do you prefer a calm look for your kitchen space, but don’t want to go with greens? Fret not! Warm neutrals are all you need, especially the hues of mushroom and greige. These are soft and flattering tones that work seamlessly with metal and wood. This allows mixing different woods without clashing themes. Besides, it keeps the kitchen naturally bright and grounded.

How to use warm neutrals for mid-century modern kitchens:

• Paint the cabinets in a mushroom tone for a clean look.
• Use greige tones on the walls to balance the strong vibes of walnut and teak.
• Use a stone-colored backsplash that blends effortlessly with wood cabinets and counters.

4. Walnut/Espresso

Deep wood colors work great for any kitchen that receives natural sunlight. Hues like walnut, chestnut, and even soft espresso complement open-plan spaces, especially when the kitchen flows right into the living room. To make things stand out, pair the deep wood earthy tones with brass, black, or smoked glass accents.

How to use deep wood tones for mid-century modern kitchens:

• Say yes to full-height walnut cabinets with minimal ornamentation for handles.
• Prefer deep wood tones for the kitchen island and lighter wood around the perimeter.
• Consider adding a vertical grain for a retro touch.

5. Forest/Teal

If you're someone who likes to keep the mood of the kitchen a little punchy, deep green hues do perfect justice. It strikes a contrast against honey wood and warm neutrals and draws attention to the key features effortlessly. 

How to use deep green tones for mid-century modern kitchens:

• Paint your kitchen island in forest green and use wood/mushroom hues for main cabinets.
• Use deep green tiles right behind the open shelves.
• To create a single statement zone, introduce a matching range hood or a dedicated bar area.

Pro tips to stylize your mid-century modern kitchen:

Once you’ve picked your favourite earthy color, use the following tips to make your mid-century modern kitchen shine:

• Use one main color, one supporting color, and one accent.
• Work with a simple front with flat-front cabinets and slim pulls.
• Consciously repeat materials. For example, if the pendants use brass, use it again in handles or pot rails.
• Add soft layers using a combination of plants, linen, and rugs.
• Set the lighting right with globe pendants, opal glass, and cone shades to flatter warm tones.

Final Thoughts

Styling your mid-century modern kitchen doesn't have to be difficult or expensive. All you need to do is pick an appropriate earthy tone and pair it with supporting design materials for maximum impact. Alongside, pay attention to key elements like backsplash, lighting, and decor to balance the flow across your culinary space.