Pink kitchens quickly went from an ‘out-there’ kitchen trend to somewhat of a neutral, failsafe choice. So it’s only natural that we need to take a pink kitchen one step further to increase wow-factor.
Inspired by a trip to Jaipur, otherwise known as the Pink City, chef and food writer Meera Sodha has created an enveloping and inviting design with a tonal pink kitchen colour scheme.
Working with the team at Neptune, Meera has balanced the practical needs of recipe testing with the aesthetics required for a filming space. Here’s how she did it, and why you should choose a tonal pink scheme for your kitchen.
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‘I visited Jaipur, which is known as the Pink City, back in June 2025,’ says Meera. ‘There was so much creative energy, and I felt so alive there that I wanted to bring that energy and those colours into my new kitchen where I experiment with and test recipes, and do my writing and hosting.’
Finding a point of reference is a simple tip for honing your taste during a kitchen renovation. It can often be hard to figure out where Instagram inspiration ends and your personal taste begins, so using your outside environment will fuel your creativity.
Together with Neptune, Meera opted for a tonal pink look that taps into the kitchen trend for blush interiors, but adds depth and dimension by differentiating the wall cabinets from the island.
‘Neptune was very open to helping me turn my Jaipur dream into a kitchen space,’ explains Meera. ‘I put together a ‘moodboard’ (which was really me uploading my holiday photos onto Pinterest), and from that, kitchen designer Hannah Goodall, based in Neptune Swindon, suggested colours and materials that might work.’
Originally, Meera wanted to paint all of the fitted cabinetry in Burnt Sienna, but Hannah recommended using a softer shade, Potter’s Pink, on the island to add interest.
Meera chose Suffolk cabinetry for the cooking area, which offers a contemporary, simplified Shaker look, completed by Armac Martin hardware.
While the built-in cabinetry offers a practical floor plan and storage for Meera, the addition of freestanding pieces from Neptune’s Borough collection makes for a more relaxed environment.
The Borough pantry in the dining area increases food storage and helps to break up the banks of pink cabinetry. Given Meera’s job and desired use of the space, this is integral for making sure that the kitchen performs as it should.
To extend the functionality of the kitchen island, Neptune’s freestanding butcher’s block creates a dedicated spot for food prep.
There are so many small practicalities that a kitchen designer can help to advise on that you might not have thought of.
‘I’m left-handed so we ensured that I’d be able to access dishes and ingredients from the most convenient sides, and we worked through situations such as the best layout if I’m cooking and someone needs to lay the table or access the sink,’ Meera explains.
This colourful kitchen design truly does it all. It’s an inspiring place for Meera to brainstorm new recipes – plus practical enough to execute them.
‘It is fun and energising but also a calm and orderly place for me to work in,’ she adds. ‘I’ve already invited people over for team meetings and lunches and I’m organising my first kitchen party, safe in the knowledge that while the kitchen looks beautiful, I don’t have to worry about wear and tear as it is extremely robust.’
Shop the look
Neptune
Borough Freestanding Butchers Block
This freestanding butcher’s block is small enough to be moved around a kitchen for true flexibility.
ArmacMartin
Cotswold Drawer Cup Pull
Hardware is a small detail to invest in – premium handles make all the difference to a kitchen design.
This soft pink shade grounds Meera’s kitchen island while making the space feel as light as possible.
M&S
Set of 4 Textured Stripe Mugs
Decorating open shelving with pink mugs like these from M&S is a great way to extend a colour scheme.
ProCook
Fine Ribbed Glass Storage Jar With Acacia Lid 1l
Ribbed glass jars add more visual interest to a design while creating much-needed storage.
Dunelm
Salter 3 Piece Acacia Board Set
Natural wood textures are a simple way to add dimension to a colour drenched design – this set of 3 from Salter will get so much daily use too.
Worried about choosing a kitchen trend that might date? As a halfway-through-the-year marker, I’ve assessed which 2026 trends are due to stick around for the long haul.
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