Want to bring some personality into your kitchen? A pop of color could do the trick! However, there is a right and wrong way to add color to the kitchen. Make the wrong choice, and you may find yourself regretting it a year down the road. Check out this guide to make sure your bold kitchen design fits your current and future needs.
The Wrong Places to Put Color in a Kitchen
As a rule of thumb, you don’t want to add color in a kitchen that is going to be difficult to change later on. Color trends change every year, and your personal style may change as well. If you strategically place color in areas where you can make a quick swap, you can update your kitchen design effortlessly. Here are some places not to use color in your kitchen:
- Colored tile backsplashes – Opt for neutrals instead
- Colorful stone countertops – Again, stick with neutral tones
- Colorful cabinets, unless you’re prepared to repaint them later on
- Colored appliances, usually in a retro design
- Colored ceilings – They tend to weigh down the kitchen, and they’re trickier to paint than walls
Of course, you can choose whatever you want for your kitchen design. If you have your heart set on a mint green refrigerator, go for it! These are general guidelines to follow to maximize the longevity of your kitchen design. Feel free to bend the rules to your personal style. Your happiness matters above all else.
The RIGHT Places to Put Color in a Kitchen
A fully neutral kitchen may feel a bit boring and drab. You can certainly inject a splash of color to liven up the room. The trick is to put color in places that you can quickly change out with your design preferences. Here are some great spots to put color in a kitchen:
- Wall paint – Choose a single accent wall or change all the walls in your kitchen
- Artwork – Easy to switch out, and you can pull accent colors from the art
- Colorful barstools, either with fun fabric or a bright paint color
- Kitchen accessories – Utensil holders, soap dispensers, hand towels, rugs, etc.
- Cabinet and drawer hardware
- Countertop appliances, such as a stand mixer, toaster or coffee maker
All of these elements are inexpensive and relatively quick to switch when you want a new color pallet. If you have a neutral base to start with, you can add new colors every few years to make your kitchen feel refreshed, without spending much on remodeling features.
Which Kitchen Accent Color Should I Choose?
If you plan to strategically place your kitchen accent color, you can choose anything you like! Lime green, hot pink, mustard yellow, crimson red – the sky is the limit. If you’re going to feature an accent color on a fixed element, like your backsplash, your options are going to be limited by the materials available and what you’re willing to commit to.
When selecting the kitchen accent color, keep in mind how it will coordinate with the other colors in your kitchen. Pay particularly close attention to the undertones in your neutrals. Your grey countertops may have a blue undertone, and a blue accent color would bring that out even more. Test different sample colors on paint chips or fabric swaps to see how it looks with your kitchen.
Get a Thoughtful Kitchen Design from O’Hanlon Kitchens
The designers at O’Hanlon Kitchens have a strong grasp on the right and wrong way to add color to a kitchen. We can take your ideas and finetune them into a long-lasting kitchen design. If you’d like a kitchen design consultation, reach out to 443-285-0558. We offer kitchen remodeling in Pennsylvania and Maryland, and we have flexible scheduling to accommodate your availability.
