Here are some helpful tips for guiding your colour choices to banish kitchen boredom.
Cabinetry Colour vs. Wall Colour
Painting your kitchen walls is an easy way to add colour and personality to your space. Soft, light colours, which are calming and easy to live with, are also versatile as they work well with both light and dark cabinetry. The colour can balance cabinetry with a darker finish, such as mahogany and imbuia, or accent cabinetry with a lighter finish like cherry and oak.
Go Bold
If you prefer the colours in your home to be trendy, consider using dramatic hues to brighten up your kitchen walls. If you are not quite ready to make such a bold commitment, buy a small container of paint and test it on an inconspicuous area of the wall to see how it works with your kitchen and your style.
Mixing Finishes and Countertops
Another simple solution for taking a kitchen from drab to dazzling is to mix cabinetry finishes and/or countertop colours. Mixing finishes and countertops is a surefire way to avoid the common colour mistake of matching everything. When everything in a room is the same colour, it becomes either too intense or too bland.
To avoid this colour trap, choose two finishes that balance one another. Combining a cream or natural oak finish on wall cabinetry with a darker chocolate finish on the floor cabinets adds depth and pulls the entire room together. Or, keep the finish the same on both and use contrasting countertops to achieve the same balance.
For another fool-proof solution, black countertops combined with white or cream cabinetry create a timeless look. The black and white trend has made a big comeback in the last year.
It’s the Little Things that Make a Big Difference
If you do not want to transform your entire kitchen into a colourful oasis, but still want to show off your style, a little bit can go a long way:
* Incorporate a backsplash in a patterned, multi-coloured, or even metallic tile to easily add personality without committing to a full-on colour renovation.
* Include glass front cabinetry, such as an open or mullion frame door, to create a dramatic backdrop for your vibrant glassware.
* For a quick and easy colour pick-me-up, change your cabinet hardware; add colourful art prints; or invest in some bright appliances such as a toaster, food processor or mixer.
While a lot of thought and consideration should be put into the colour choices of your kitchen, it does not have to be an overwhelming process. Once you know what style suits your kitchen colour needs, head to your local kitchen supplier and speak with a design professional about how to add a kick of colour to your kitchen.
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