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For a long-term room such as the kitchen, this type of layering can be more adaptable than building the entire design around one defining colour.
“ Colour is most interesting when it is considered as part of the whole composition. A shade can look completely different depending on the wood, stone, surface texture
or neighbouring colour it is paired with. At next125, we look for colours that have their own identity but can also be combined in different ways. That flexibility is particularly important in a kitchen, where the design needs to feel individual today and still relevant for years to come,” says Thomas Pfister, Product Designer, next125.
TEXTURE ADDS DIMENSION
Colour is only part of what the eye sees.
The same shade can look markedly different depending on whether it is applied to a matt surface, gloss lacquer, visible woodgrain, textured laminate or ceramic finish. As a result, texture is becoming increasingly important to how colour is used.
Some of the most interesting 2027 developments deliberately combine the two.
Schüller’ s new Sora front has a three-dimensional texture that is both visible and tactile, offered in caramel, almond beige and seashell white. Here, restrained colour makes the relief of the surface more apparent rather than competing with it.
Natural textures are evolving too. The new five-part Prato Shakerstyle front is offered in sand oak relief pore effect and the warmer Toscana walnut relief pore effect, bringing visible grain and tactility into both contemporary country and more minimalist schemes.
It is a useful principle for kitchen design too.
A monochromatic room does not have to feel flat if the surfaces respond differently to touch and light. Smooth matt cabinetry can be paired with strongly grained timber, fluted or reeded glass, stone with visible movement and tactile wall finishes while remaining within a relatively restricted colour palette.