Adding color is one of the easiest ways to give rooms character. Even dreary days can't dampen the spirit of cheerful hues, and no room deserves a welcoming look more than a heavily used kitchen.
But adding color doesn't mean giving up neutrals or abandoning traditional sensibilities. Like spices in cooking, small dashes of color often have the most impact. If you're ready for a little drama, try these ideas for adding splashes of color to your kitchen.
Color inspiration can come from anywhere -- nature, fabrics, art, books and magazines, kitchen and bath showrooms -- but whatever the source, design pros have a caveat: Make sure the kitchen color scheme you choose is right for you and the room.
"Color is all about personality," says Melissa Smith, certified kitchen designer (CKD) and member of the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA). "Some people may flourish in a calm, relaxing setting, and others may want stimulation. The most important thing is not to be intimidated. Pick colors you love, colors that make you feel good."
The trick is translating those colors into a cohesive kitchen color scheme. It helps to remain flexible and ready to tweak and compromise, especially if you want real change. As with any change, there's a certain amount of risk involved. "It's sort of like voting for a politician," interior designer Lou Ann Bauer says. "You can go with the same guy, a known candidate who may not be ideal," she says. "Or you can vote for somebody who's a little bit outspoken." The latter is more interesting at first, she says, but long-term performance is uncertain.
Tip: Define areas with color.
You may want to draw attention to the island, for example, by featuring colorful cabinets there while leaving perimeter cabinets and walls neutral.
