In many homes, the kitchen is a hive of activity from daylight to dusk, so it's essential that the area is both attractive and livable. When choosing a paint colour for the walls, remember to consider the entire landscape if you want to create a unified space. This includes the countertops, cabinets, splashback and flooring, as well as what you can see out of any windows.
Play With Contrast
Contrast will create interest and prevent the room from looking bland, so think of ways you can add contrast to the overall design. If your countertop is white or taupe, for example, dark navy blue walls will make it pop. If your benches are on the darker side of the spectrum, pale-hued walls will juxtapose perfectly against them. Remember when looking at samples that colours are affected by their context. A light object will appear paler still against a dark background, and, conversely, a dark element will seem even deeper in front of a pale backing.
Also, consider the proportions of different tones and try to create an overall balanced effect. This generally will mean that one tone is more dominant than the other. A common way to mix the lightness within a room is to use the darkest tone on the floor, then go lighter for the walls, and paler still for the ceiling. This creates a dark-to-light gradient from the floor to the ceiling.
Play With Finishes
Don't forget that paint can be gloss, satin or matte, and the finish on the walls will affect how the textures of stone, timber or ceramic tiles will come across. So, when selecting the paint, consider the finishes. A glossy wall can complement and emphasise the dull rustic texture of a slate surface or timber shelf. The finish of everything in the kitchen is relevant, from appliances to flooring to splashbacks.
Play With Colours
Finally, think about the feelings you want the kitchen to evoke when making your colour selections. While dark reds can produce a warm, homey atmosphere, bright yellow can be invigorating. And many people find blues and greens relaxing. For a laid back effect, use tints of receding cool colours, such as violets, blues and greens, or neutrals, such as white, taupe and beige, for large areas. Bright hues, like fire engine reds and vibrant oranges, create a dynamic space but make sure you love these colours enough to live with them day-to-day.
It's also important to consider the colour schemes of adjoining rooms when undertaking interior painting if you want to tie the kitchen with the rest of your home. One approach is to pick up the wall colour of adjacent rooms and to use that as an accent, so the colour palette is similar but different.
For more information on interior painting, contact a local painter.
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