Painting your kitchen is a great way to make your walls and cabinets look fresh and clean, even if you don't change the color. But painting your kitchen in a new color scheme can really liven up the room. Choosing colors can be overwhelming, though, if you don't have a system to narrow down your options. If you're struggling to decide how to paint your kitchen, consider the following guidelines.
Choose Light Colors For A Small Kitchen
If you visit a Kitchen Remodel Showroom, you'll learn that a good rule of thumb in choosing a paint color is to use a light color in a small room. Bright white is the most popular of all paint colors because it can make a small room seem much more spacious. If your kitchen is a small one, consider lightening the tone of the existing wall or cabinet color even if you don't choose white. A lighter color will make your kitchen seem bright and airy, no matter what size it is. If you have a spacious kitchen, on the other hand, you can decorate with darker tones to make the room cozier.
Choose Colors That Set A Mood
Colors have an impact on how people feel, so it's important to choose colors for your kitchen that set the right mood. For example, blues and greens are calming colors. Blue walls make a room feel relaxing. Neutral colors, like white and beige, also tend to have a calming effect. Red, orange, and yellow, on the other hand, are active colors. They stimulate the senses, the appetite, and the mind. These colors are popular for kitchens because the kitchen is an active and creative space. However, be careful not to use too much of a single color. You can pair cheerful yellow cabinets, for example, with a neutral gray wall.
Consider The Colors In Other Visible Rooms
If your kitchen opens into another room, you'll need to consider the transition in color from one room to the next. Interior designers recommend using colors in similar hues while contrasting light and dark tints. If the living room is a dark red, for example, pale orange kitchen walls can provide an appealing contrast. Another strategy is to choose a paint color based on a dominant accent color in an adjacent room.
Choose The Right Finish
Once you've chosen your color scheme, you still have one more decision to make, and that's the finish of your paint. You can choose a matte finish, for example, that reflects little to no light. A matte finish can look classy and elegant. A glossy finish, on the other hand, reflects a lot of light and gives the room a feeling of openness. Glossy finishes are also easier to clean, so they can be a good choice for kitchen walls. Consider a semi-gloss or satin finish for your kitchen walls to make them both easy to clean and resistant to dirt and mildew.
Final Thoughts
These guidelines can help you navigate the many options available for painting your kitchen and help you get the best possible result. A final word of advice: if you're considering painting your kitchen cabinets, make sure to use a professional painter rather than doing it yourself. Cabinetry requires intensive preparation and the right tools to get a smooth and perfect coat.