The Coastal Chic Guide to Designing with Tan Kitchen Cabinets
Do you dream of preparing homemade crab cakes and key lime pie in a kitchen that transports you to a seaside cottage? The breezy, beachy vibe of coastal decor has become a wildly popular kitchen trend for good reason. Coastal kitchens conjure up feelings of calm and escape with elements inspired by weathered shore homes and nautical accessories.
Tan kitchen cabinets can help you achieve the perfect coastal kitchen aesthetic. With their warm, neutral tones, tan cabinets add a touch of cozy and casual elegance. The natural light wood tones complement coastal color schemes dominated by soothing blues, greens, and tans. Compared to stark white cabinetry, tan provides a more laidback look that won't show fingerprints or water spots as easily.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore how to incorporate tan kitchen cabinets into coastal chic design. Learn how to pick the ideal tan wood species, finishes, countertops, hardware, and decor to craft your dream seaside retreat right at home.
Choosing the Right Tan for Your Coastal Kitchen
The first step to designing your coastal kitchen is selecting the perfect tan cabinet color. Tan spans a wide range of brown and beige hues. Do you prefer rich coffee tones or driftwood neutrals? There are many factors that go into finding your ideal tan for a breezy, beachy look.
Wood Species for Coastal Tan Cabinets
Opting for real wood cabinets will help achieve an authentic nautical vibe. Certain wood species naturally lend themselves to coastal-ready tan tones.
Oak is a top choice for coastal cabinets thanks to its signature brownish tan colors ranging from fair blond to deeper java. Red oak tends to have a reddish tint while white oak leans grey-beige. Knotty, distressed oak has lots of cottage character.
Maple is another coastal favorite due to its light beige hue. Unlike oak, maple has a more uniform look with straight swirling grains. It stains well for a reliable tan in any shade.
Don't overlook pine for affordable coastal cabinets. Pine accepts stain beautifully, allowing a flexible range from pale driftwood to espresso. With visible wood grain, pine lends a casual, beach house vibe.
Stain vs Paint for Coastal Tan Finish
Will your coastal tan cabinets showcase natural wood or sport a custom color? Both stain and paint offer pros and cons for achieving your ideal look.
Stain allows the wood's inherent charm to shine through. It's also more budget-friendly than painting, and simpler for quick DIY projects. However, stain requires careful sealing to prevent damage from moisture and wear. Any knots, splits or imperfections in the raw wood will remain visible.
Paint provides a flawless, consistent tan finish. With proper prep and primer, painted cabinets are durable and easy to clean. But paint completely obscures the wood grain. And achieving an even color application takes skill and labor to sand and prime existing cabinets.
Customizing Your Tan Cabinet Color
When browsing tan paint swatches or stain samples at the hardware store, which shades say coastal chic? It's helpful to think in terms of light, medium and dark tan palettes.
On the light end, tan akin to weathered driftwood or seashells has an airy, beachy vibe. These pale beige tan colors include Swiss Coffee, Natural Gray, and Classic French Linen.
For a cozier coastal feel, look at mid-range tan cabinet colors like cinnamon, khaki, or coffee-with-cream. Timeless oak cabinets are a perfect example of this medium tan family.
Dark tan cabinets trend towards moody Cajun and tropical vibes, but a brown walnut or chestnut stain can also suit coastal designs. Distressed dark tan finishes prevent a gloomy look.
Greige - a blend of gray and beige - is an elegant neutral quickly gaining popularity for sophisticated kitchens. For coastal flair, pair greige cabinets with pops of ocean blue.
Countertops & Backsplashes for Tan Coastal Kitchens
Your cabinetry hue will inform what countertop and backsplash materials harmonize best. Since tan cabinets straddle cool and warm tones, you have lots of neutral countertop options for seamless coordination.
Coastal Countertop Materials
Natural stone countertops offer an unbeatable coastal look. Timeworn quartzite resembles weathered beach pebbles with tan, beige and grey swirls. The more affordable option of quartz also mimics natural patterns in a spill-proof material.
For a light and bright kitchen, nothing beats white marble's elegance. Soft grey marbles like Calacatta Nuvo provide subtle contrast next to tan cabinets. Soapstone is a dark horse - the rich blackish-green has a cozy cottage feel.
Tile Backsplash Ideas
Don't overlook the opportunity to infuse coastal personality through your tan kitchen backsplash. Mosaic shell tiles, weathered tin tiles, saturated teal and navy tiles or tumbled glass tiles in aqua and sea glass colors transition your countertops to the cabinets with a beachy vibe.
Wavy glass subway tiles, textured scallop tiles, or hand-painted tiles with under the sea scenes provide breezy backsplash options. For a 3D look, roll out a backsplash of rope woven around driftwood that appears to be straight from a sailor's knots.
Hardware & Decor to Complete the Look
It's in the details. The right hardware and decor take your coastal tan kitchen remodel from blah to beachy. Sources of inspiration include weathered piers, fishing nets, whitewashed boathouses and sun-bleached shore decor.
Cabinet Hardware for Coastal Style
Galvanized metal cabinet pulls and handles look straight off a fisherman's gear. Wrought iron hardware in black provides an anchor of contrast. For a polished take, opt for brushed brass or nickel knobs and handles.
Unfinished wooden knobs are another fitting choice. Shape them into shells, starfish, crabs or fish for a playful vibe. Or keep it simple with natural twig or driftwood knobs.
Coastal-Inspired Kitchen Decor
Incorporate authentic seafaring accessories as decorative hooks or open shelf accents. Glass buoys, framed maps, weathered signs and oars introduce charming nautical props.
Woven textures and linen fabrics remind of sailcloth and fishing nets. Jute rugs complement weathered wood floors. Accent walls painted in cerulean, sea foam or coral shades make dynamic statements.
For open shelving, woven baskets and driftwood provide breezy ambiance. Fill jars with seashells, starfish or sand to emulate treasured finds from the shore. Mural wallpaper, photography or paintings of waves, dunes and lighthouses transport your imagination seaside.
Coastal design doesn't have to be literal with cliche accessories like anchors and cheesy phrases. Tan kitchen cabinets lay the ideal subtle foundation. Select tan wood species, finishes and colors that align with your vision from weatherworn driftwood to rich java wood. Pair with light countertops and backsplash materials that enhance the easy, breezy vibe.
Then look to clever decor touches and nautical-inspired hardware to complete your coastal tan kitchen. You'll feel transported to sunset dinners on the pier or brunch on a quiet wrap-around porch facing the sea. Let these tips guide you in creating a tan kitchen oasis with casual seaside charm and timeless style.