A lot of homeowners question whether their kitchen cabinets should be lighter or darker than the walls in their kitchen. Some designers are steadfast in letting you know what their opinion is, but there aren’t any steadfast rules in this area. It’s really up to you and the look you are trying to achieve.
The aesthetics in your kitchen can be altered by the color choices you make and how you combine them. So, there are good points and bad points when it comes to the decision you make. What do the experts have to say? Read on to find out.
Louisa Eggleston is creative director of Humphrey Munson. She is flexible when it comes to whether kitchen cabinets should be lighter or darker than the room’s walls. She shares, 'You can go either way - the most important thing to consider is the light and architecture of the room. Think about how you want the room to feel when you walk in and let that guide your choice – it’s important to choose what you love and stay true to your original vision for the space. Friends will always have an opinion but this is your kitchen so choose what you love!'
Adrian Bergman is manager of design at British Standard. He agrees with Eggleston. He also makes it clear that there aren’t any rules when it comes to this design decision. His belief is simple. He says, “the most important thing is that they complement each other.” To achieve a complementary look, here are some suggestions from the experts.
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1. LIGHT TONES MAKE YOUR SPACE APPEAR BIGGER
If you have a small kitchen and want it to look bigger, there’s a way to achieve this appearance. Hire a kitchen cabinet refinisher to paint a darker neutral shade than your cabinets on your walls. This transformation will make your kitchen seem larger and it will bring out depth and softness.
2. WANT A BOLD LOOK? CONTRASTING TONES
A stylish and somewhat daring choice that can create a dramatic feel is choosing dark cabinets with lighter walls. This idea makes your space feel more intimate if it is a very large one.
Ben Burbridge is managing director of Kitchen Makers. He shares, 'Bold color contrasts take confidence but can deliver a high end look. A great way of achieving this is using one color for cabinetry that’s situated along the floor and another for the walls and units above. This works especially well with dark greys, blues or greens paired with white or off white tones.”
'Don’t be afraid to use color in a small kitchen, rather than just opting for white. Darker rooms, no matter what the size, can add wow factor to your home and the kitchen is no exception to this,' Burbridge continues.
3. MAKE YOUR ISLAND A FOCAL POINT
Kitchen islands provide extra storage and workspace, and they are also a fantastic way to experiment with different color choices in your kitchen. Let’s say you love darker shades, but you’re not sure you want to try painting your walls or cabinets a dark color because you fear such a dramatic change. Go ahead and try painting your island a dark color. This way, you can find out how much you like the new feel of your kitchen, and you can decide if you want to get a bit more daring and paint the walls or cabinets dark.
4.DARK WALLS AND CABINETS ARE BOLD
If you want to go bold, and go for something that will really alter the look of your kitchen, paint your cabinets and walls the same color. Helen Parker is creative director at deVOL. She believes this bold choice can make your kitchen impressive because it is a cohesive combination.
'The all-encompassing color creates an atmosphere of calm where nothing is fighting for dominance. Limited color palettes make styling a room easier too, you can be much more selective, not necessarily keeping to that same color but being a little more restrained with your choices. A rich muted color on the walls and cupboards with flashes of crystal and copper is enough to create drama. Similarly, in a light-colored kitchen, the constraints of using only natural earthy colors helps to instantly create a soft and mellow feel.'
5. SIMIILAR TONES EQUALS HARMONY
Although striking wall and cabinet combinations can really make a big impact in your home, you should go with neutral tones if you want your look to stand the test of time. Neutral, after all, doesn’t go out of style. It only adds a delicacy to your kitchen’s feel.
'Longevity is a priority for a new kitchen so you need to ensure your chosen design and colors are styles that you will love to live with for many years,” says Burbridge of Kitchen Makers.
So, if you’d like something extra sophisticated, choose a neutral design that blends light and dark shades of the same neutral color. For instance, use one color for cabinets and another color for your backsplash, trim, or island.
6. EXTEND THE BASE CABINET COLOR ONTO THE WALL
You may just assume walls and cabinets should be painted different colors. But Adrian Bergman believes painting just a portion of the wall in the same color as your cabinets can be a great way to draw the eye to your design. He believes it is a “clever visual device”. He explains further, 'At British Standard by Plain English we often use a Tide Line paint effect, whereby the color of the cabinets extends above the worktop to eye level, creating one continuous line around the room. This technique works particularly well in rooms with high ceilings, as it lowers the focus and grounds the joinery, with the added benefit of adding color and personality to a space.'
7. CREATE A CONTRAST
Your kitchen is a great place to play around with color. Grab swatches and put them up on your cabinets and walls to see how you like the combination of colors you choose. A lot of times, homeowners stick to one color, but here is your invitation to break the mold, be a bit daring, and add your personality to your kitchen.
It’s always best to consult a kitchen cabinet refinisher if you want your cabinets painted. A pro will know exactly how to achieve the look you’re craving. If you are in Upstate South Carolina, call us at Greenville Refinishing. We will come to your home and give you an exact quote for how much the job will cost, unlike our competitors who give estimates that can fluctuate. Remember, if you think you need new cabinets, call us first. We may be able to save you thousands by refinishing your existing cabinetry for a whole new kitchen!
Give us a call at Greenville Refinishing. We can help you turn your kitchen from dull to dramatic. You can see images of our work here..
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This article was originally posted in a different form on Better Homes and Gardens. You can find that article here.
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