Customarily, kitchens were kept in muted tones to look clean and sterile without overwhelming the overall aesthetic, but from the 1940s, we’ve started to see subtle and bold uses of colour, which can create a lively atmosphere. If you’re still figuring out how to bring colour into the kitchen, it’s important to bear in mind that the walls can be easily repainted, but it’s more difficult to change the colour of the cupboards and or countertops. A well-built kitchen can last up to 20 years, so ensure yours can be adapted to changes in trends and tastes. It should add value to your home, increasing its resale value.
The colour scheme of the kitchen reflects your personal style and transforms the overall ambiance of the space and its impact on appetite. Irrespective of how elevated the aesthetic of the kitchen is, it can’t be considered a success unless the kitchen is a functional space customised to your needs. Are you starting with a blank canvas? Or are you working with the existing elements in the room? Either way, here are a few pointers to keep you moving in the right direction.
Understand Your Unique Lifestyle Requirements – As In What You Want And Need
The kitchen is the place where the family spends the most time cooking, socialising, and entertaining, so during a renovation, no decision must be left to chance. 2025 is shaping up to be a year of bold kitchen colours, and the top trends to watch are green, blue, black, grey, white, and pink. Still, you should try to build a colour palette based on how you most often use the kitchen, so avoid trendy colours that you’ll love only for a moment. For example, if you’re a fairly good or very good cook, silvers and greys provide a clean and fresh look, creating a bright and airy feel.
Maybe you’re a host or an aspiring host who wants to take their soiree skills to the next level. In that case, you can use crimson, brown, purple, navy, or dark green to create an intimate setting that fosters a sense of closeness and comfort. Pay close attention to the lighting because colours can present differently when viewed under various light sources…and that’s not correct. By way of illustration, a yellowish light source reflects shades of red and orange, while a blueish light source reflects shades of blue and green. Clear your mind before taking a big decision. Even if the colours don’t match, they should feel complimentary.
Collect Every Piece Of Inspiration You Can Find For Your Creative Endeavour
From mood boards to social media, you can consult a wide array of resources, which means the next big idea is just around the corner. If you’re renovating the kitchen due to a growing family, make sure to have a selection of striking and intense colours, such as reds, yellows, oranges, and pinks. A good place to start looking for inspiration is Instagram and Pinterest. You can surely find affordable makeovers. There’s also Houzz, the hub for interior designers, contractors, remodellers, and homeowners. You can find realistic, high-quality design solutions for specific situations. A mood board is an excellent way to experiment with a colour palette as you plan the project.
Swatch Paint Samples To See The Colour In Your Kitchen
What if the colour doesn’t look the way you imagined? Chances are the colour will look different on the wall and other surfaces than on the sample, so put it up, live with it a day or two, and see how you feel about it. You can even test the paint, both across and beside your windows, to see if it’s as interesting as you hoped. While you don’t have to cover an entire area with your ideas, it’s key to use a sizeable sample so you get an idea of how it looks in the light – more intense or a little duller. The sections should be at least one square foot. Use two coats of paint.
If you love the colour, go right ahead, but if not, do a re-selection. Suppose the final paint colour doesn’t match your sample, even if it’s pretty close. Picking one sample and hoping for the best can’t cut it, and for this reason, you must test large swatches in different areas of the kitchen before committing. Your local paint shop can do custom samples in a small size. After testing colours, the winner is clear. At the end of the day, you’ll be happy because the match won’t look like any other paint. Experimenting is completely worth it.
Choosing The Right Finish Is Important, Especially When Dealing With High Traffic
Selecting the right finish is just as – if not – more important than picking the perfect colour palette. The finish, also called the sheen, is the amount of light the paint reflects and can affect how colours appear in your kitchen. The higher the sheen, the higher the light. Indeed, the number of pigments and additives affects how light interacts with the surface, but remember that some paint finishes look smoother and are more forgiving when it comes to cleaning. If spills and splatters are commonplace, a higher gloss finish like satin is the best choice since it holds up better to moisture and doesn’t scuff as easily.
Wrapping It Up
Finally, yet importantly, think about the type of paint you’ll use. Different brands use different mineral pigments, which can affect the outcome you want to achieve. There’s no right or wrong choice, just whatever suits you. Compare colours to narrow down your choices, and if you want to unleash your creativity and experiment widely with shades, keep the furniture simple in the kitchen to tie it all together. Take the time to consider the floor. Do you want it to blend in with your colour palette? Or is it going to be a bold statement?
The right colours can transform your kitchen, as well as the emotional and psychological experience it offers, so experiment until you find something that works.
