When selecting your kitchen color it helps to get some important decisions clear in your mind.
What exactly will you do in your kitchen?
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.
What style would you like?
Using green on the walls of this kitchen sets off the cream units. The combination is also restful, giving a serene and relaxing atmosphere.
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.)
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.
A great book to help you with your kitchen color
"Can't Fail Color Schemes: Kitchens & Baths" is a great book to help you find a color scheme for your kitchen. You can buy it direct from The Bookdepository.com.
Are you tired of the same old colour schemes in your kitchen and bathroom? This comprehensive colour guide, with a spectrum of styles and concepts for kitchens and bathrroms, shows readers how to co-ordinate paint colours, textures, and accessories, as well as how to use the psychology of colour in order to brighten up their homes.
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.
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.
Tiles have been used for the work surface in this kitchen. Mosaic tiles are then used on the wall which give an interesting contrast. Glass fronted wall units break up the line of wood and prevent a 'boxy' finish.
One option to consider is to use hand painted tiles. These add a unique personal touch to the room.
This well lit kitchen has a yellow/green wall between the units which softens the wood effect and provides a light contrast.
The breakfast bar is an extension of the kitchen work surface, and makes good use of available space.
See your ideas take shape
Whenever you're doing any designs for your home, take a look at a product called Plan3D. You can use it to visualize new layouts and designs, and see how your home will look before you go ahead with your plans. It's a
