Pantone Colour of the Year 2018: How to use Ultra Violet purple in your kitchen

It has been announced that the Pantone Colour of the Year 2018 is Ultra Violet, setting the design trend for the season to come. It’s a bold choice and a complete departure from last year’s colour, the refreshing and revitalising ‘Greenery’. Ultra Violet has a mysterious and almost mystical character; it’s a colour that symbolises originality, creativity and ingenuity.

This enigmatic shade of purple is bound to find its way into many interior decorating schemes this year, including kitchen designs. The great thing is that there are many quirky and cool ways to incorporate Ultra Violet into your kitchen design and decoration. Don’t forget that purple represents creativity, so be inspired, get creative and give your kitchen oodles of personality simply by injecting some Ultra Violet!

I consulted Halcyon Interiors, creators of beautiful kitchens since 1981, about the best way to use Ultra Violet on cabinets and furniture, appliances, walls and accessories. Here are 6 suggestions on how you can purplify your kitchen.

1. Kitchen appliances

Why have plain white goods or cold stainless steel boxes when you can inject a dose of vibrant colour with a boldly coloured appliance? It’s an easy way to add a playful dash of colour without overwhelming the senses or painting the entire kitchen purple!

SMEG are probably the first name that springs to mind when you think of colourful fridges and freezers, but there are many others. Take a look at this gorgeous American retro styled Big Chill fridge in purple, surely the perfect statement piece for any modern kitchen.

And why stop at fridges? If you’re looking for a range cooker, AGA’s gorgeous colour palette includes delightful shades of Aubergine and Heather. Gorenje, another major player in design led home appliances, go one step further with an entire kitchen – their Delta Kitchen comes in a choice of two shades of purple.

Taking of appliances, did you know that you can find kitchen appliance manuals online? They’re extremely useful if you accidentally lose your original manual.

2. Small appliances

If purple is not a colour option for a major kitchen appliance, you could use smaller appliances to deliver the desired colour accent. Russell Hobbs’ Purple Passion collection includes a range of purple kettles, coffee makers and toasters, and even a purple microwave oven.

Morphy Richards has a wide range of small appliances in plum and purple, extending to cookware, breadbins, kitchen scales and utensils, while KitchenAid’s tilt head stand mixer comes in a huge range of colour options including the gorgeous ‘grape’.

3. Kitchen Cabinets

Using a purple or violet shade on kitchen units is anything but a mainstream choice, but then self-expression and pushing the creative boundaries is what purple is all about! If you’re brave enough to embrace this colour, it can be used to provide your kitchen with just the right ambience. Depending on the exact shade you choose, you can create a soothing, tranquil environment or really invigorate the space.

Purple cabinets work exceedingly well in country style kitchens and coordinate beautifully with a shabby chic room theme, while pairing nicely with natural materials such as wood, stone and metallics. Contemporary purple kitchens make a beautiful, bold and dramatic statement that’s not for the faint hearted.

4. Kitchen furniture

In larger kitchens, there may be room for a separate breakfast or dining area that flows into other living spaces. Why not make the most of it and accessorise the area with a well chosen piece of colourful designer furniture or one-off funky pieces?

An upcycled vintage wooden dining table painted in Mambo by Little Greene or Dulux Purple Pout could be the standout feature in the room, adding bags of character. If you have an open plan kitchen diner, make a feature of informal purple ‘Keeler’ style kitchen chairs or smart upholstered dining chairs, or add a quirky painted dresser or sideboard.

5. Walls and tiles

When it comes to decorating with Ultra Violet, less is often more. Choose one purple feature item against a neutral background rather than overwhelm the kitchen/diner with a deluge of purple. Adding a violet feature wall can instantly envelop the room in tranquillity and calm, and this colour will pair well with blue, green, grey, black, white and metallic. For a pared down look, stick to simple crisp white kitchen units and striking chrome hardware for a unique and stylish look.

For a pop of colour that doesn’t overwhelm the kitchen but still makes an impact, install a purple splashback while keeping the rest of your kitchen neutral. Whether you choose a glass splashback panel, glass tiles or ceramic tiles, have fun playing with textures and patterns to create a highly individual result.

6. Accessories

Finally, what are your options if you’re not willing to wholeheartedly commit to Ultra Violet just yet but just want to give it a little try first? That’s where accessories really come into their own. Take china and cookware, for instance. These days, many of the top tier brands are highly responsive to colour trends. This includes the comprehensive range of cookware and stoneware by Le Creuset in Cassis, Denby’s ‘Heather’ collection of dinnerware and LSA’s beautiful Balloon stemware in Blueberry and Gold.

From delicate glassware to floral arrangements, window blinds to stunning wall art, there are limitless ways to introduce a splash of purple into your kitchen without the need to make any big changes.

Are you a fan of purple? And will you be decorating your home with Pantone’s Ultra Violet colour? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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