The kitchen was the hub of my family's life;
where my parents, my sisters and I cooked together in the kitchen, sharing
family recipes and where secrets were passed from one generation to the next.
The food we served was extremely important as was the ambience of the kitchen; colour
played a vital role in achieving a setting that encouraged storytelling. To help
you with your colour selection I will be giving you a few tips.
Bright colours give you energy and dark
tones are intimate and cosy. Neutral earthy tones are calming and soothing and
will make your décor and appliances the central focus. Depending on the chosen
colour your room will either be enhanced or appear smaller.
Always buy a small tin of paint and
experiment; paint a poster board in the chosen colour to see if you like it and
can live with it before you buy gallons.
White - Well you know you can’t go wrong with white and, in fact, a white
kitchen can be warm or it can be cool depending on the shade of white you have
chosen and the lighting - the type of lights you use will impact the colour on
your walls and cabinets. There is so much more to white then meets the eye; you
have different hues, tones, tints, intensities and all will determine the
outcome. Coupled with warm coloured accessories, soft furnishings, wooden surfaces
and plants will soften the look.
Red – An energizing colour which will make people talk, eat more and
stay longer. Red is the colour of confidence and passion. Reds come in all
kinds of shades and tones, including Indian reds, spicy reds, burgundy, terra
cotta, pure reds and so on.
Pink
- Go retro and break all the rules; apply a splash
of hot pink on your kitchen walls or cabinets. You are sure to get comments,
you are making a statement. If you can live with this colour then go ahead.
Orange – It is a great colour and known to stimulate the appetite so not a
great choice if you’re trying to lose weight. The colour orange is frequently
associated with food and makes people feel comfortable and at ease.
Black
and white – Great for a sleek and contemporary look
and add some stainless steel appliances to finish the look. For some it might
be too stark but for others that love the minimal style this is ideal.
Blue and white - Blue is a wonderful colour to use as an accent to white. Display porcelain such as Wedgewood blue or Delft for a great look. For a warmer look add red and green for a cooler look.
Yellow - Yellow is always a great colour for a kitchen because it is sunny,
cheerful and will make a small kitchen look bigger. However pick your shade
carefully, consider how much natural light is in the kitchen and how this will
impact the colour on your walls; this is something you need to consider
regardless of the colour paint you choose.
Grey - A good colour to use with stainless steel is grey; these appliances
give your kitchen a contemporary look, although they can be incorporated
successfully into any kitchen style. The colour grey looks elegant and chic,
particularly when paired with shiny metals, copper and stainless steel. Again grey
goes really well with warm colours such has burgundy.
Neutrals - When you use neutral colours on your walls you will focus on
other objects such as your countertops, cabinets and back splashes. Insert
colour in your chair cushions and other accessories if you want to add some
colour. Granite counter tops, porcelain or stainless steel sinks and dark or
light wood cabinets will all look amazing in a neutral kitchen.
Statistics reveal we now spend more waking
hours in our kitchens than any other room. You best start painting.
Pictures via beaufortkitchens.co.uk, onhomedecoration.com, livebreathedecor.com and kitchensforliving.ne
