When selecting your kitchen color it helps to get some important decisions clear in your mind.
What will you use it for?
No, this isn't a silly question! You should have a good idea of the sort of kitchen you want (just to prepare food, or kitchen with dining area, etc). If it's somewhere you'll relax and eat in, then you'll need to consider if restful colors would be better than more vibrant ones.
Some kitchens are quite small, and have enough functionality to prepare food. Even so, there's no reason why even small kitchens shouldn't look great. They often need more thought put into the choice of color, but can still be attractive places to work. Because the units tend to take up most of these rooms, the main and accent colors of these units will usually dictate the look of the kichen.
Kitchen Diner
Many of us either don't have a dedicated dining room, or we reserve the dining room for special occasions. In which case a section of the kitchen, or an adjoining area is used for everyday eating.
This has an impact on the choice of color for the kitchen, because it will flow through to the dining area. Although the areas can be distinctly separate, it's usually a good idea to have a connecting theme to tie them together. Color is a useful way to achieve this.
This example of a kitchen diner shows how the two can be linked. The section of the tiled floor used for the dining area is overlaid with a rug, which helps to mark out and soften the area. Dark wood is used for the kitchen units which gives a 'furniture' effect, rather than a cold sanitary look which can result from using white units. Plants are positioned to give a warm and homely effect, while green curtain and shade fabrics soften the windows. The chair seats are upholstered in a coordinating fabric which give a warm look and are more comfortable to sit on.
Video: Kitchen designs. This video from a UK company shows many different kitchen designs, some using color combinations you may not have considered.
What style would you like?
Rustic or country kitchen? Lots of pieces of wood furniture? Your prized plates and dishes displayed on a dresser? Perhaps a throwback to a simpler age?
Maybe a traditional kitchen, with the units finished with a paint effect such as dragging or stippling.
Or what about a modern kitchen, with clean lines and space-age handles? Thinking about the style will give you clues as to what colors will be appropriate.
(If you're looking for color suggestions, then go to the color schemes page. Half way down the page you'll find links to color charts, or you can select them directly from the menu on the left of this page - move your mouse over 'Color Schemes' and then click on one of the color chart links which appears on the right.)
Notice how the green of the walls is used in the detail on the unit doors. The placemats also use this color, so don't forget that such things as dishes, towels and cloths can also be used to tie your kitchen colors together.
Don't get left behind
The best thing to do at this stage is to get as many brochures as you can. Kitchen color designs change rapidly, and you may find a new design is just what you're looking for. You'll also want to make sure the design you've set your heart on is still available.
Here are some more photos to illustrate different ideas for kitchen color.
In order to keep this kitchen diner light and airy the units are fronted in white, with cream worktops and wall tiles to match. The dark wood floor contrasts with the plain white and is balanced by the dark table and chairs.
The stark white of this kitchen is relieved by the black contrasts in the bases of the units, the chair frames, and fitted kitchen equipment. There is always a danger that plain white kitchens will look too clean and sterylized, and more like a hospital or institution. Try to break up the white with little details in other colors.
This small and compact kitchen makes use of light wood units and tiles to provide a blend of colors. Normal wall units will often have a heavy look. By using glass doors with interior lighting, the wall units are more open and reduce the enclosing effect.
Choice of color
Once you have decided on the sort of kitchen units you want, this will be a major factor in deciding your color scheme.
If you want your walls to be a backdrop to the kitchen units, then you could paint them a toned down version of the kitchen unit color. On the other hand, if you want a more dramatic effect, then your kitchen paint color would be a suitable contrast to the units.
Remember, you can often use dramatic kitchen colors if you want to. Usually there isn't so much wall space as other rooms, and you can color them to give contrasts and emphasis.
You can compliment strong colors on a wall by a striking cloth on a table, or the color of the table itself. Perhaps your work surfaces are a deep brown; use a similar color in a wallpaper border, chair frames or seats, or in some picture frames.
Video: Kitchen Interior Design. Some of these designs and colors are out of the ordinary, but you can pick up some interesting ideas from them.
This kitchen area uses a combination of soft colors to give a restful appearance. Good lighting also assists in giving an impression of space.
Tiles
If you want to use tiles on the walls between the units and the work surface, you have the opportunity to be creative with color and texture. You can have plain tiles with a motif here and there, or put sets of tiles together to create a scene.
One option to consider is to use hand painted tiles. These add a unique personal touch to the kitchen color of the room.
If you want a light kitchen, but don't want it to look too white and clinical, then use soft shades of color.
This photo shows light cream units with off-white pale orange tiles which reflect the floor color. Using this color in the details on the door fronts unifies the scheme.
Planning is a very important part of decorating any room. With the power of the internet you can now do your planning quite easily. And not only plan - you can also see how your ideas might look.
Plan3D Home Design Software Design rooms, remodel kitchens and more.
