Top Tips to Adding Color to Kitchens

The kitchen has long been deemed as a firm hub of hospitality in our homes. Nowadays, the modern kitchen serves as a gathering space, a dining room, and a generalized working space. Kitchens are a place where we spend most of our time and are probably in need of some kitchen renovations. Luckily, there are numerous ways to update your kitchen with color and make it look refreshed in your kitchen renovations.

Why Add Color To The Kitchen?

Out of many aspects that play a crucial role to brighten the kitchen, color is one of them. Colors have a huge impact on how your kitchen will look and feel to people. Choosing an all-white kitchen is a safe and timeless option. But, it doesn’t mean you can’t experiment with bright hues. After all, vibrant colors bring a little fun and excitement to your neutral kitchen. Here are a few reasons you may want to add color to your kitchen.

While colors are incorporated to pop up a dull kitchen instantly, there are some cases when colors are added to lighten up a darker kitchen. This is because colors have the ability to alter our perceptions. Those who want a spacious impact can choose a white color to make others believe that their kitchen is quite airy.

Color influences our moods. According to research, colors boost our emotions differently. While a white color brings out a peaceful mood, conversely green color induces a relaxing and caring spirit. This is why; the right kitchen color should be selected in a way that reflects your personality. If you want a lively mood across the kitchen, use warmer colors like red, orange and yellow. For those who want the space to be more soothing, they should choose blue, purple and green.

Tips on Adding Color to the Kitchen

Does your kitchen look bland and lack color? Spice it up with these tips.

Choose a colorful rug

A colorful rug is a fabulous colorful addition. It is suggested to choose a rug that has a vibrant pattern in it, or a few interesting details to incorporate much-needed contrast into the space. Not only a colored area rug is good to hide debris and dirt, but it will also bring comfort and ease to your feet while cooking.

Add vibrant fixtures

One of the most important aspects of the kitchen is the lighting. The amount and type of light a kitchen have can greatly impact the space. It’s not advisable to use a group of colorful fixtures as it can overwhelm the existing decor. Instead, stick to one or two bold light fixtures. Besides, you can also opt for a pendant light. The look with pendant light can be enhanced by choosing red, yellow and green hues. For countertop luminance, make sure to use recessed ambient lights and under-cabinet lighting.

Use a bright table runner

A dining table often looks like a dull spot. However, the look can be enhanced by adding a vibrant table runner over it. Or, you can place it over the nearby counter or eat-in island. Well-coordinated kitchen linens and napkins keep everything systematized and well-designed.

Enhance the cabinetry

Whether you choose to go dark or light, your kitchen cabinets will likely take up the most visual space in your kitchen. So, consider painting or seaming them in a hue that makes a big impact. The cabinet hardware will also add to the overall effect. In place of boring cabinet pulls and knobs, have specialty hardware instead to add a true oomph factor.

Don’t forget the backsplash and countertops

Does your kitchen backsplash look dull and boring? One of the amazing ways to transform a backsplash is by installing a faux tile backsplash. This way, you can have more variety of color and patterns. A tile backsplash can vary from muted to bright monotone to multicolored, and everything in between.

The rule of thumb is to pick one focal point, whether countertops or backsplash. Too much color or pattern may end up giving your kitchen a busy look. So, focus on one place to add color and pattern for the right balance. Rather than renovating the entire kitchen, choose to refurbish countertops or backsplash only. This will immediately improve the visual appeal of your kitchen.

Be creative with paints

A neutral-colored kitchen often feels cold and isolated. Yet, this depressing effect can be minimized by bringing colors in. It’s no secret that a little punch of color has the ability to revamp any room. However, using paint creatively will captivate your visitor’s attention in your kitchen. There are many out-of-the-box ideas that you can use to make your kitchen alive. For instance, you can paint your pantry door, ceiling and the space below the kitchen bar area. Similarly, adding color to your soffit is the perfect way to complement a neutral kitchen. You can also paint a surprising hue to your kitchen’s open shelves. Stacking white plates on a colorful shelf provides an excellent way to introduce color contrast.

Make use of colorful accessories

A great way to introduce color in your muted kitchen is through accessories. Besides using a paint color, you can accentuate your kitchen with natural wood and wood stains. Use metal barstools for an instant boost. Sometimes, adding fresh flowers or colorful dish towels can spruce up the kitchen immediately.

Update your dinnerware and bring a colorful impact

If your kitchen has open shelving or glass front doors, it brings the perfect opportunity to display cookware, glasses, and dishes that are meant to be seen. Yet, it is an easy fix when you don’t want to tackle big changes. Many of us are encouraged to buy plain dinnerware to show off the colors of our food. But, after a while, it becomes boring and invisible. Don’t pay attention to old-school barriers, and spice up your kitchen with colorful dishes and plates.

Emphasize Unique Color Palettes

While classic whites and neutrals offer a blank canvas, exploring unique color palettes can breathe new life into kitchen designs. Consider the psychological impact of colors: softer pastels can create a serene atmosphere, while bold and saturated hues might energize the space. Experimenting with unexpected combinations, like teal and coral or navy and mustard, can yield stunning visual results and set your kitchen apart.

Integrate Colorful Appliances

Gone are the days when appliances only came in standard colors. Now, manufacturers offer ranges, refrigerators, and small appliances in a variety of shades. A retro-style mint green fridge or a fiery red mixer can serve as a statement piece, injecting personality and fun into the kitchen without the commitment of permanent fixtures.

Invest in Artful Elements

Art isn’t just for living rooms and galleries. A thoughtfully chosen piece of art can transform a kitchen from a purely functional space into one that inspires. Whether it’s a bold contemporary painting or a series of vintage culinary prints, art can introduce color and context to the kitchen. Consider spaces above cabinets, empty wall sections, or even the side of a pantry as potential canvases.

Window Treatments with a Pop of Color

Window treatments are often overlooked in kitchens, yet they offer a prime opportunity to introduce color and pattern. Roman shades, fabric valances, or even simple café curtains in vibrant designs can add warmth and texture, complementing the overall color scheme of the kitchen.

Highlight Architectural Details

If your kitchen boasts architectural features like exposed beams, archways, or high ceilings, use color to highlight these details. Painting an accent wall, or even just the trim, in a contrasting color can draw attention to these elements, adding depth and character to the space.

Cultivate an Indoor Herb Garden

Bring color – and flavor – into your kitchen with an indoor herb garden. Fresh greenery adds a lively touch, and the varied hues of basil, mint, rosemary, and thyme contribute to a visually appealing palette. Use colorful planters to enhance the effect and ensure your herbs are always within reach for cooking.

Reflective Surfaces and Metallics

Incorporate reflective surfaces like mirrored backsplashes or metallic finishes on fixtures and hardware to play with light and add a dynamic element to your kitchen’s color scheme. Copper pendant lights or chrome cabinet handles can act as jewelry for your kitchen, providing subtle shimmer and sophistication.

Personalize Your Space

Ultimately, the kitchen should reflect the stories and journeys of those who use it most. From heirloom dishes displayed on open shelving to a hand-painted mural that tells a family history, personal touches make a kitchen feel truly yours. Consider how each element, from the color of the walls to the design of the dinnerware, contributes to the story you want to tell.

Conclusion

The kitchen is a space that inspires people to cook and enjoy delicious meals. It should evoke colorful inspiration. Tackle your outdated kitchen with the above tips and hacks. However, extensive changes require professionals for your kitchen renovations, contact Lifestyle Renovations for your next project!

Kitchen renovations at Lifestyle Renovations include designer Patricia Deroose who is able to transform spaces using a very personal layering approach that takes into account your specific tastes, ideas, and lifestyle.