How to Choose Color for A Kitchen

So many choices! Let me show you what your options are.

OPTION A: BACKSPLASH

Let's start with OPTION A which is taking a color from your backsplash. Unless you custom design your backsplash, many spec homes come with a neutral beige/tan tile backsplash very similar to the one shown in the first photo. If you design your own backsplash than of course you have the freedom to choose whatever color scheme you want but for the most part, it'll be in the neutral family as well but the design may be more intricate. You can bring color into accent tiles or listellos but make sure you carry that color out to other parts of your kitchen and surrounding rooms.

Having said that, OPTION A will be a neutral to match your backsplash and also matching any other color that you put in the surrounding rooms of your home. If you use a beige for your kitchen color, you can always use accent colors such as the apple green tea kettle shown above to add some interest to your kitchen.

OPTION B: COUNTERTOP

You can choose a color and match your countertop as shown in OPTION B. This is a great option depending on the size of your kitchen. If you have a large kitchen with a large surface area of countertop, than choosing a color to match the granite would look nice. For example:

However, many of the colors that are found in granite are dark to medium hues. Keep in mind the AVERAGE kitchen really doesn't have that much wall space. It's mostly taken up by cabinets, windows, a refrigerator and doorways. So ask yourself this question. 

Do you want your walls to be the first thing you notice when you walk into your kitchen or do you want them to blend? 

If you want the walls to blend, go with OPTION A and choose a neutral. If you want a little pizazz, use OPTION B and go with a medium tone chosen from your countertop.

OPTION C: COMPLEMENTARY COLOR

Kitchen cabinetry comes in an array of stains such as these.

Again, if you own a spec home, you get what the builder gives you but if you are able to choose your cabinets or are replacing old ones, here is where you can make a HUGE difference in how your kitchen looks.

Using the photo of the kitchen that I have in this post, we'll work with what I call 'orange' cabinets - not my favorite but very common. Since we know that blue is the complementary color of orange, OPTION C, blue, would be your color choice if you choose to go this route. If you don't like blue or that color won't match the rest of your home, onto other options. FYI  - good Designers always have options!

OPTION D and E: COLOR!

I would have to say that in most cases, OPTIONS D and E would be my favorite. Although the above options will work perfectly, in the case of my home I chose OPTION D.

OPTION D 

would be to choose a color that you just love but also tying in this color to coordinate with the rest of your home. Again, take into consideration the color stain you have on your cabinets. If you have the 'orange' cabinets, choosing a color that has a warm undertone is a great way to go. 

Last but not least, 

OPTION E. This option is to go with a monochromatic look for your kitchen. It's one that I wouldn't recommend but that doesn't mean it wouldn't work for your home or be the look that you want. I've seen this look before in clients homes and it's actually quite warm and a very striking look. You can of course, accessorize to bring in other colors that will compliment this look.

If you want to read more of my "How To" series, you can read about them here:

How To Choose Color for a Boy's Room

How To Get Sensational Color For Your Home

How To Choose Color for a Bedroom

If you would like help choosing color for your home, you can contact me to schedule a color consultation.