How to Choose a Color for the Kitchen

Selecting the right color scheme for a kitchen requires studying the function of the room itself and determining the mood you want to set. Learning to mix and match colors is an important element in designing colors schemes. Eventually, the colors you choose will determine the best atmosphere for each room and the design will either heighten the kitchen's depth or become a solution for comfort, warmness, coolness or the brightness of the day.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Color swatches
• Home decorating magazines

Create the Atmosphere You Desire For The Kitchen

1. Examine the emotional functions of the kitchen. If you are a great cook, then you may have a lot of traffic in and out of the kitchen For instance, in the bedroom, you may want to create a feeling of warmth and comfort for sleeping, so choosing paint and colored furniture décor that inspires that feeling is paramount. Your vision may be to liven up that kitchen and give it a fresh, new, crisp approach by adding cool and bright color schemes.

2. What type of atmosphere do you envision for the kitchen? If yellow is too bold to highlight in the kitchen, choose a more quieter version of brightness or a softer version of this color. If you decide to go for a bolder color, such as red to evoke the emotion of fun, then use more subtle colors, such as beige, on the woodwork, floors and furniture décor. Impose a balance between colors by using matching colors and decorations to create a harmony of color solutions. Make sure all the colors go well together.

3. 
   Color Effects Give Life to Kitchens

   To produce the laid-back effects of comfort and warmth, use colors such as orange, green, brown and red. These colors also give the room a more relaxed feel and the impression of being a smaller space. Fresh, cool and revitalizing colors, such as white, blue, gold or yellow, give rooms a more airy feeling and invite sunshine, along with open space, into the atmosphere. Remember, when you mix paler versions of these primary colors, they will become subtle in appearance, softening the atmosphere. Darker versions give a bolder statement.

4. Put together a complete decorating plan for the kitchen. The plan should include color-matching furniture, appliances, curtains, rugs, pictures, table décor and chair accessories. Visit furniture showrooms and outlets to get a feel for the type of accessories you will need to make your kitchen decorating plan a success.

5. There are many manufacturers that provide color swatches to help in your choice of matching colors. Check the local home improvement stores and go to the paint department for color swatches before you choose colors or buy the paint.

Tips & Warnings

• Study photographs in magazines such as Home and Garden, Family Circle and other home decorating magazines. Seek out a local interior decorator for advice and ideas on home decorating.

References

• Decorating Hints & Tips, Julian Cassell & Peter Parham 1998