What to Consider When Choosing Colors for a Kitchen

Paint colors are important in the kitchen - and every room, for that matter - because they help set the mood. Do you want a vibrant space that suggests a flurry of family activity, or would you prefer a calming space where you can quietly sip coffee and read the paper in the morning? Perhaps something in between? Paint color goes a long way in setting the tone.

Here are five of our best tips for choosing a paint color that not only sets the right mood in the kitchen, but also one that reflects your personal taste and works within the overall design and feel of the home. These are considerations we use when selecting paint colors for our clients.  

1.  Choose colors that make you happy

This may sound oversimplified, but it’s true. Paint color is a very personal choice. Some people find the color yellow warm and inviting while others find it harsh and jarring. This is your home, and you have to be satisfied with the choice. Avoid choosing a color simply because it is trendy or because a designer suggests it. We always talk to our clients in depth about their personal likes and dislikes before suggesting a color palette.

2.  Consider the rest of the home 

Proper flow from room to room is a crucial component of beautiful design. Consider the color scheme in the rest of the home before choosing a paint color for the kitchen. If the dining room is teal, you don’t want to paint the kitchen red. When you’re considering paint colors, walk from the kitchen to adjacent rooms. Imagine how the color will flow from one room to the next.

3.  Don’t be afraid of bold colors

In some rooms of the home, bold colors are a risky choice. The bedroom, for example, is supposed to be a calm and soothing space. If you like bold colors, however, the kitchen is a great place to introduce them. The kitchen tends to be a center of activity. Also, kitchens tend to have less visible wall space than other rooms because of the cabinets. So a bold color can be more like an accent or a pop, contrasting with more muted cabinets and countertops. 

4.  Always test your colors first

Paint colors will always look different on your walls than they do on a swatch or in the can. The finished look is affected by factors such as the size of the room and lighting. Always buy samples of any paint color you’re considering and test them first by painting a small spot on the wall. Better yet, test two or three similar shades to find out which you like best. Tempting as it may be, it’s risky to invest in paint without having tested it first. The last thing you want is to paint the entire room only to discover that the color doesn’t work.

5.  Never underestimate the importance of good lighting

As we’ve mentioned, lighting has a tremendous impact on how a paint color looks in a room. Consider both the natural and artificial light in the kitchen when choosing a color. In general, all paint colors look their best with softer and more natural light. However, bulbs that are higher on the Kelvin scale can be used to warm up a paint color, while bulbs lower on the Kelvin scale can be used to cool it down. When you’re sampling paint colors, be sure to inspect the colors at different times of the day as the lighting changes.

For many Jessica Dauray Interiors clients, the kitchen is the center of the home. It is a place to gather with the kids to do homework at night, a place to socialize and entertain guests, and a place to share relaxing meals after a long day of work. Work with an interior designer that understands color and can create an environment that meets your lifestyle and makes you happy when you enter the room.

Jessica Dauray Interiors is a full-service, residential and commercial interior design firm with offices in Greensboro and Wilmington, North Carolina. Founder, Jessica Dauray, and her design team specialize in custom interior design, as well as renovation and new home construction project consulting and management. JDI' unique interiors can best be described as livable and sophisticated. The designs incorporate classic, clean lines that function to fit your family's lifestyle and design aesthetic. JDI's projects include residences and corporate interiors throughout the New York Metropolitan area.

How Interior Design Color Palettes Can Help Define a Space

Color choice is highly personal. Some people love bright and bold hues, while other people prefer more muted shades or neutrals. Most people instantly know what colors they like, but the more difficult part is putting together a complete and cohesive color scheme. Here are our tips for perfecting it.

Choose colors that make you happy

Most importantly, choose colors you love. Don’t worry too much about what is trendy. If you’ve never been a fan of purple, don’t choose lavender or grape just because they’re in vogue. You have to live in the space and you should love it, so the colors you choose should reflect your taste and style.

Try light, dark and bold

If you’re at a loss for where to start, pick one light color, one dark color, and one bold hue. That combination always works. Think red, dark gray and light gray or teal, brown and cream.

Think contrasting colors

Colors that are opposite - or nearly opposite - each other on the color wheel work well together. Think teal and tangerine or purple and yellow. If you’re going to go bright, keep it to just two or three shades. If you go beyond that, the room starts to look cartoonish.

Consider the size and shape of the space

Some colors and shades are more appropriate for certain rooms than others. You probably don’t want to paint the bedroom a bold red, as it does not promote a relaxing and soothing environment. Also, consider the size of your space. Dark colors are great for cozying up large spaces while light colors are great for making small spaces look larger and  airy. 

Start in the middle

First pick your color scheme for the largest and most centrally located room, and then work your way out. Often, this is the living room or kitchen. Once you’ve set the tone for the largest space to anchor the home, it’s easier to imagine what colors will work in the adjacent spaces.

Choose paint colors last

Resist the temptation to choose paint colors first and then find furniture and accessories to match. It is much easier to match your paint color to the fabrics in the home than vice versa. If you paint the walls first, you box yourself in to certain fabric colors, making the selection process more difficult.

Consider the whole home when choosing color

Never choose a color scheme with only one room in mind. Think about the flow of the home and how the colors will transition from one room to the next. You probably wouldn’t want paint a hallway olive green and the adjacent bedroom pale pink. Pay attention to which rooms are adjacent to one another.

Consider how natrual light and Lighting within the room affects color

Lighting has a significant impact on how your color palette appears. If the room is low on natural light, avoid very dark colors. If the room is sunny and bright, you might want to avoid bold shades like yellow and orange or use them sparingly.

Consider your climate

Few people think about climate when they’re decorating, but it is an important consideration. If you live somewhere with a cloudy, cool or rainy climate, avoid using too many muted shades like gray. If you live somewhere warm, sunny and humid, keep the warmer hues to a minimum.  

Always test the color palette first

Gather samples of fabrics and paints and examine them together to find out if your color scheme works. This is why designers create design boards. Even if you imagine that a color scheme will work, it’s possible to change your mind when you actually see the fabrics and colors together. Gathering samples helps you prevent expensive mistakes and avoid regrets. 

Jessica Dauray Interiors is a full-service, residential and commercial interior design firm with offices in Greensboro and Wilmington, North Carolina. Founder, Jessica Dauray and her design team specialize in custom interior design, as well as renovation and new home construction project consulting and management. JDI' unique interiors can best be described as livable and sophisticated. The designs incorporate classic, clean lines that function to fit your family's lifestyle and design aesthetic. JDI's projects include residences and corporate interiors throughout the New York Metropolitan area.