How to choose the right colour for your solid wood kitchen
Choosing the perfect colour for your kitchen is a vital part of the design process. As the heart of your home, a kitchen tends to be used for much more than just preparing food. It is important to choose wisely, because the wrong palette it can make the space feel cramped, dated, cold or simply uninviting.
Natural light and kitchen size
It can get overlooked, but the lighting in your cooking space is a big part of selecting which shade you want for your walls. Avoid dark colours if your kitchen is lacking in natural light or on the small side, as it can make the space feel smaller and less welcoming. White or off-white shades will work best here, opening up the room and reflecting any available light. If you are lucky enough to have a large kitchen or one bathed in natural light, dark blues, greys and even blacks can look stunning. However, a large kitchen could be overwhelmed by an excess of dark colours, so you may want to contrast it with some lighter elements.
When looking at paint colours on chips and in charts, bear in mind that each colour will look different in natural light, the artificial light in your kitchen and the harsher lights often found in shops. Take a few cards home and experiment with different light – if you are unsure, go for a colour that is a couple of shades lighter.
Theme
Some colours work particularly well in a certain style of kitchen, while some colours can upset the balance you are trying to achieve. For example, if you are looking for a country or farmhouse style, a pastel colour such as light blue will nicely lift the space without being so bold that it takes away from the fittings. Meanwhile, more vivid colours may well work in a modern kitchen, and there are some themes that work in a range of styles – a monochrome scheme is a popular option to inject some timeless appeal. Our guide to choosing colours to complement wooden worktops for more inspiration.
Put your accessories first
It might seem a bit strange to prioritise the colour of accessories or appliances when you are deciding what colour to paint the walls or cabinetry, but they can be a great starting point to making a solid choice – especially if you have something that you are looking to keep and don’t want hidden in a cupboard. Anything can be used to lead the colour scheme of the room, including rugs, artwork, large appliances, smaller appliances or even secondary accessories like coffee pots. By using these ideas, you will be able to narrow down potential shades to contrast or complete the look.
Go boldly
Do not be afraid to add a splash of colour if you are eyeing up brighter shades. They can add lots of vibrancy and life into otherwise neutral surroundings, enticing people into your kitchen and creating a social space that will invite so much more use than simply cooking. Some of the best shades to use this year are Farrow & Ball’s Vardo (shown here), Yellowcake or Nancy’s Blushes, and they will all work well with a modern scheme and some retro touches.
If you do not want to paint your whole kitchen in a bold colour, consider limiting the flash of colour to a feature wall – this kitchen’s bright white walls, worktop and accessories provide a stark contrast and really draw your eye to the teal-coloured paint. An alternative to this is to create a quirky finish by painting a wall in chalkboard paint, which is great for your kids to doodle on and to create a shopping list on.
Neutral versatility
Whilst bold shades can be ideal in creating a striking look, neutral colours offer a lot of versatility, and will not need to be changed when trends do. They offer the perfect backdrop for any of our kitchen worktops, leaving you free to choose a more exotic option such as Zebrano. For a kitchen with a more timeless appeal, our oak worktops to offer a classic, effortless style.
With neutral colours, you are also free to add colour by changing the accessories or adding little bits here and there – much cheaper than repainting or changing the worktops, and is easily changeable if you get bored of the colour you have chosen.
What colour have you chosen for your kitchen? We love to hear from our customers and are always interested to know how our products have been styled. Let us know in the comments, or feel free to tag us in photos on Facebook or Instagram.