How Do I Choose the Right Colour For My Kitchen?
When renovating your kitchen, it’s one of the biggest design dilemmas you’ll face: what’s my colour scheme? After all, the hues you use in your kitchen can seriously impact the look and feel of the space!
Yet, getting the colour scheme right is about so much more than picking out your favourite paint colour. It’s all about finding that sweet spot between your own personal style and what works best in your unique room. Carefully considering light, space, mood, and how the colour will age can help you land on the perfect fit.
Choose Your Cabinet Colours First
Although it might feel intuitive to start out by swatching paint colours, kitchen cabinets typically consume half of your kitchen renovation budget. So, it’s much easier (and cheaper!) to give the walls a fresh lick of paint than to totally change your cabinets if you don’t get the colour right.
As cabinets take up about 40% of the visual space in your kitchen, it’s wise to use them as the foundation for other colour choices. You can go bright and quirky or neutral and classic; just remember that, either way, they’re going to be a real focal point of your kitchen!
Lead With Personal Preferences, Not Trends
When it comes to kitchen design, it’s tempting to be drawn to trends. That’s because – at the time – trendy colours feel fresh and modern. But the truth is, if you’re not someone who is naturally drawn to vibrant colours, a bright palette could lose its appeal when the trend inevitably passes!
Instead, think about the colours you naturally gravitate towards. Are you a maximalist who gets excited by bold design choices? Or someone who tends to lean towards neutral, muted tones? Think about the existing colour scheme in your home and think about how the kitchen will flow into the rest of the space.
Consider the Lighting and Size
If your kitchen’s on the smaller side, lighter colours are going to visually expand it and make it feel more spacious. Darker colours can create a cosy mood, but might make the space feel even smaller. A large kitchen can handle dark and bold colours without shrinking the space or overwhelming the room.
Equally, a room that doesn’t get much natural light can start to feel a little gloomy with darker colours. Pale colours and glossy finishes will reflect any natural light and really let the sunshine in. As you can see, getting the right palette is all about working with the space you’ve actually got; not just reaching straight for your favourite hue!
Seek Out Inspiration
Even if you’ve got a colour palette in mind, It can be tricky to actually visualise how it’ll all fit together. To help you imagine it – and maybe even land on some colour combinations that you’d never considered before – become a kitchen connoisseur!
By looking at Pinterest, design magazines, social media and even family and friends’ kitchens, you’ll start to see what themes you’re drawn towards. Whether it’s the light muted hues of a country kitchen or a glossy dark palette to give an urban feel, you can start to pull different elements together into one harmonious theme.
Get Sampling!
Even when you’ve landed on your dream kitchen colour scheme in a magazine, it’s essential that you see how it will actually work in your space. After all, lighting and layout can seriously impact how colours show up.
So, pick up some samples and paint a few small sections of wall with colours you’re considering. Observe how they look in different lighting conditions throughout the day and how they change depending on the weather. The paint’s finish can also affect how the colour shows up; a traditional, chalky finish will give a rich, deep colour whilst a gloss will give it dimension and sheen.
Getting Colour Right With Iconic
Having trouble landing on a colour scheme? We can help! Here at Iconic Kitchens and Bathrooms, we’ve got over 20 years of experience in helping people find their perfect palette. With a huge range of styles and designs, we can work with you to create a harmonious and unique space that flows with the rest of your home.
Our motto is that we truly put our heart into your home. We’ll be there every step of the way to make the entire renovation process as stress-free as possible. So, if you’re thinking of renovating your kitchen or bathroom, we’d love to chat! Get in touch today to talk through your ideas and get a free quote.
