Gimme Gummy Kitchen Tips and Tricks

The “Gummy” aesthetic is taking the interior design world by storm, moving us away from sterile greys and sharp industrial angles toward something softer, sweeter, and significantly more joyful. This style, often overlapping with Danish Pastel or Avant Basic, relies on rounded edges, translucent materials, and a palette reminiscent of a candy shop. It is a dopamine-inducing approach to design that prioritizes mood and tactile comfort just as much as function.

As an architect and interior designer, I view this not just as a fleeting trend, but as a shift toward “soft geometry” that has roots in evidence-based design. Humans are naturally drawn to curves over sharp corners; our brains perceive rounded environments as safer and more welcoming. If you are looking for visual inspiration to bring this look to life, remember that a curated Picture Gallery is at the end of the blog post.

However, achieving this look without your kitchen feeling like a literal playhouse requires restraint and architectural know-how. It is about balancing the whimsy of “gummy” textures—like resin, colored glass, and matte powder coats—with the durability required for a high-traffic utility zone. Whether you are renovating a full chef’s kitchen or updating a rental, these tips will help you nail the aesthetic while keeping the space functional for cooking, pets, and everyday life.

1. Mastering the Pastel-Pop Palette

The foundation of the Gummy aesthetic is color, but it is not about splashing a rainbow everywhere. It requires a specific saturation level. We want colors that feel “edible”—think mint, lilac, butter yellow, and peach.

The 60-30-10 Rule for Pastels
To keep the kitchen from feeling chaotic, I stick to a strict ratio. Use a neutral base for 60% of the room (often a creamy off-white or very pale vanilla). Dedicate 30% to your main pastel color (cabinetry or a feature wall). Save the final 10% for a high-contrast “pop” color, like a cobalt blue or bright orange, usually found in hardware or lighting.

Matte vs. Gloss Finishes
In a Gummy kitchen, texture matters. High-gloss finishes can look too sterile or “automotive.” I almost always specify matte or satin finishes for cabinetry in this style. Matte finishes absorb light, making the pastel colors feel softer and more velvety.

Designer’s Note: The Lighting Lesson
What usually goes wrong is selecting paint colors under standard store lighting. Pastels are notoriously tricky; a “soft pink” can turn “neon salmon” in south-facing afternoon light.
How to prevent it: Always test large swatches (at least 2×2 feet) on the wall and observe them at morning, noon, and night before committing.

Common Mistakes + Fixes
Mistake: Using “pure” bright colors for the main cabinetry.
Fix: Choose “muted” versions of the color. A sage green reads better on large surfaces than a lime green.

2. Soft Geometry and Chubby Silhouettes

Evidence-based design studies suggest that curvilinear forms elicit positive emotional responses and reduce stress. The Gummy aesthetic embraces this through “chubby” or tubular furniture and architectural curves.

The Kitchen Island
If you are doing a renovation, consider a pill-shape island or at least radiused corners. Standard countertops have sharp 90-degree corners that are prone to hip-bruising. I recommend a radius of at least 2 to 3 inches for a softer look that is also safer for households with running toddlers or active dogs.

Countertop Profiles
Ditch the standard eased edge. To get that gummy feel, ask your fabricator for a “full bullnose” edge (completely rounded) or a “waterfall” edge that curves down to the floor. This mimics the look of poured fondant or smooth candy.

What I’d do in a real project:

Swap square dining tables for round or oval ones to improve flow in small eat-in kitchens.

Ensure 36 to 42 inches of clearance around any curved island to maintain traffic paths.
Select dining chairs with tubular metal frames and upholstered, rounded backs.

3. Translucency and The “Jelly” Texture

One of the defining characteristics of this style is the use of materials that play with light. We want surfaces that look semi-opaque, like a gummy bear or sea glass.

Glass Brick and Resin
Glass blocks are back. Using them for a kitchen island base or a partition wall allows light to pass through while providing structure. If glass block is too retro for you, look for resin panels. I often use thick resin for upper cabinet door inserts instead of clear glass. It hides the clutter of mismatched dishes while adding that crucial “jelly” texture.

Acrylic Accents
For a budget-friendly or renter-friendly update, introduce lucite or colored acrylic. This can be in the form of barstools, shelving, or even cabinet hardware.

Pet-Friendly Design Note
While acrylic looks great, it scratches easily. If you have cats that jump on counters or dogs that paw at doors, avoid acrylic on lower surfaces. Stick to glass or high-quality resin for areas below waist height.

Common Mistakes + Fixes
Mistake: Using colored lighting (like RGB strips) to create the mood.
Fix: Never use colored bulbs in a kitchen; it distorts the color of your food. Use high CRI (90+) warm white bulbs (3000K) and let the fixtures themselves provide the color.

4. The Grid: Tile and Grout Logic

The Gummy aesthetic loves a grid. It provides a geometric anchor to balance out all the curves and pastels.

The Stacked Bond
Avoid the traditional brick lay (subway style). Instead, stack square tiles (4×4 or 6×6) directly on top of each other. This creates a modern, graph-paper look that is essential to the vibe.

Contrasting Grout
This is where you can have fun. If you use a soft pink tile, try a terra cotta grout. If you use white tile, try a lilac or mint grout.

Grout Maintenance Logic
As an architect, I must warn you about grout in a kitchen. Light-colored grout on a backsplash is fine, but on a floor, it is a nightmare.
The Fix: Use epoxy grout. It is more expensive and harder to install, but it is stain-proof and waterproof. It is the only way to keep a pastel grout looking pastel after a year of spaghetti sauce splatters.

Designer’s Note: Scale Matters
Small mosaic grids (1×1 inch) look great but create massive amounts of grout lines to clean.
What I do: I prefer 4×4 inch or larger tiles to reduce visual noise and maintenance, especially behind the stove.

5. Functional Whimsy: Hardware and Fixtures

This is the “jewelry” of the kitchen, and in the Gummy aesthetic, the jewelry is chunky, playful, and tactile.

Oversized Pulls
Replace standard thin handles with oversized, tubular pulls. Look for powder-coated metal in colors that contrast your cabinets. Wooden balls or chunky ceramic knobs also work well.

The Faucet
Chrome is okay, but a white, colored, or brushed brass faucet fits this style better. High-arc faucets with a “gooseneck” shape compliment the curves of the rest of the room.

Renter-Friendly Tip
Swapping hardware is the single easiest change for renters. Just measure the “center-to-center” distance of the existing screw holes before buying new handles. Keep the old hardware in a Ziploc bag taped inside a cabinet to swap back when you move.

What I’d do in a real project:

Install “appliance garages” with tambour doors to hide blenders and toasters, keeping the curves uninterrupted.
Use silicone or rubberized textures for accessories like drying mats or trivets.

Install a pot filler if the budget allows, choosing one with rounded joints rather than sharp angles.

Finish & Styling Checklist

Once the renovation or hard changes are done, the “Gummy” look comes together in the styling. Use this checklist to finish the room.

Chubby Mugs: Display thick-walled, rounded ceramic mugs on open shelves.

Wavy Trays: Use squiggly or wavy trays for organizing olive oil and salt.
Mushroom Lamps: Place a small portable mushroom lamp on the counter for ambient evening light.
Soft Rugs: Use a washable runner with a curved or irregular shape (no rectangles).

Colored Glassware: Borosilicate glass cups in amber, blue, or pink.
Round Cutting Boards: Lean circular wood or plastic cutting boards against the backsplash.

FAQs

Is the Gummy aesthetic going to look dated in five years?
Any highly specific trend risks dating, but the core elements—soft colors and curved lines—are timeless. To future-proof the design, keep the expensive hard finishes (flooring, countertops) neutral and reserve the specific “Gummy” colors for paint and hardware, which are easy to change.

Is this style practical for families with pets?
Surprisingly, yes. The emphasis on matte finishes hides nose prints and smudges better than gloss. The lack of sharp corners on islands and tables is safer for pets running through the kitchen. Just ensure your pastel rugs are machine washable.

Can I do this in a small kitchen?
Absolutely. The light palette actually helps small spaces feel larger. Using a grid pattern on the walls can also trick the eye into seeing the room as taller or wider, depending on the tile orientation.

How do I clean resin or acrylic surfaces?
Never use ammonia-based cleaners (like standard Windex) on acrylic or resin, as it causes cloudiness over time. Use a microfiber cloth and soapy water or a specific plastic cleaner.

Conclusion

Creating a “Gummy” kitchen is about more than just buying pastel paint. It is an exercise in balancing soft geometry, light transmission, and tactile comfort. By focusing on the architectural flow—adding curves where there were corners and bringing in light through translucent materials—you create a space that feels physically nurturing.

As an interior designer, my goal is always to create spaces that make people feel good. The evidence is clear that our environments impact our mood, and this aesthetic is unapologetically happy. Whether you are doing a full remodel with bullnose quartz and glass blocks, or just swapping out your cabinet knobs for chunky colored spheres, you are inviting a sense of playfulness into the heart of your home.