Does your kitchen feel a little boring? Want to add some pizzazz to the design? A good kitchen accent color can turn a drab kitchen into a dramatic masterpiece, with minimal investment on your end. Here are some tips to help you choose the right accent for your kitchen.
What Is a Kitchen Accent Color?
Before we can provide tips for choosing an accent color, we need to explain what an accent color is. This is a pop of color that you can use to add personality to a kitchen. If you have an all-white kitchen or a space filled with neutrals, it can feel drab and boring. The kitchen all runs together, so there is nowhere for the eye to focus on. With the right kitchen accent color, you can direct a viewer’s eye around the room and create visual interest for the space.
Start with a Neutral Base
Having a neutral base will allow you to change your accent color over time. If you get bored with bright green, you can swap it out for a soft yellow. The neutral color pallet will remain the same, so you don’t have to completely remodel your kitchen. Greys, whites, browns and beiges can transition through many accent colors in the future. Think about that if you’re planning an upcoming kitchen remodel.
Choose a Kitchen Accent Color That Fits the Undertones of Your Neutrals
The rule is ‘neutrals go with anything,’ but that is not always the case. Most neutrals have an undertone, and that undertone can dictate which colors work well with them. Your accent color could accentuate or detract from your neutrals. For instance, a cool grey wall with a blue undertone may suddenly look blue with navy accents. A contrasting color like orange could also enhance the blue undertones.
Look at a sample of your accent color in various parts of the kitchen before committing to it. That will give you a clear idea of what the color will do to the space.
Don’t Be Afraid to Go BOLD!
If you have a neutral base, you can go bold with your kitchen accent color. Candy apple red, bright green, cobalt blue – choose any bold color your heart desires. Your accent color is going to be the ‘pop’ in your kitchen. You can make that pop as loud or as quiet as you want it to be. Explore options on all ends of the spectrum before settling on an accent color.
Pick an Accent Color That You Actually Like
This should be a given, but make sure your accent color is something you want to see every day. Even if the accent pieces that you use are subtle, the color is going to stand out in your kitchen. If you despise purple, don’t put plum-colored accents in your kitchen. On the flip side, feel free to incorporate purple if that is your favorite color! Your happiness is the top priority here.
Carry the Accent Color throughout Your Kitchen
With the right placement, your kitchen accent color can draw a person’s eye around the room. At minimum, try incorporating the color in three places that create a triangle in the room. This is a fundamental practice in interior design. If you want to add more than three pieces, go for it! Just try not to go overboard.
Here are some places you can use an accent color in your kitchen:
- The kitchen towels
- Window treatments
- Decorative plates, vases, and utensil holders
- Wall paint
- Art and knickknacks
- Floor rugs
- Accent tile on the backsplash
- Kitchen hardware
- Light fixtures
If you’d like help designing your dream kitchen, the talented team at O’Hanlon Kitchens is here to assist you. We offer partial and complete kitchen remodeling services in Maryland and Pennsylvania. Contact us at 443-285-0558 to schedule a kitchen design consultation.
