Kitchen remodeling projects are a perfect time to re-create your kitchen with design and colors that create a specific mood. Outdated or generic cabinets and countertops can be replaced with new, upgraded premium components that evoke a modern, contemporary aesthetic.
Choosing a color scheme for your kitchen redesign is an important decision. Choosing each color and where it appears is a large part of a successful kitchen renovation.
Let’s examine the principles of color and design in kitchen remodeling.
The Importance of Choosing a Color Scheme
You can take inspiration for your kitchen color scheme from many places, like artwork, interior design, graphic design, your favorite colors, or photos of other kitchens. It’s okay to start with some of the colors you are most fond of and use those as base colors for potential palettes.
It’s okay to think of broad color schemes first and narrow it down to potential color palettes before you decide on your favorite. Being intentional about where each color will appear and in what ratio will help make your kitchen remodel as stunning as possible.
Most kitchen color schemes use a 60-30-10 ratio. The main color appears 60% of the time, the secondary color 30% of the time, the tertiary color about 10% of the time. The primary color usually appears on the cabinets, and the secondary and accent colors appear in the countertops, backsplash, paint, and sometimes the light or sink fixtures.
Some kitchen color schemes work well together because they follow natural rules on the color wheel. By starting with base colors and finding colors which complement that color, you can find a color scheme which looks great. There are certain color palettes that work well in kitchen remodeling which we will look at shortly.
Consider some of the colors from adjacent rooms when designing a color scheme so the rooms flow together seamlessly. Evaluating the colors and textures available in your kitchen can help you create a cohesive color scheme that is eye-catching and visually appealing.
Tips for Choosing a Color Scheme for Your Kitchen
Once you have a few color palettes selected, the first thing to do is consider what will be the primary color in your kitchen? This main color will be assigned to the cabinets. The cabinets will take up wall space than anything else in the kitchen, so that’s where your main color should be used.
Generally, cabinet colors should complement countertops and the backsplash. These are the kitchen components closest in proximity to the cabinets. The cabinets should be the primary color in your palette, and pair with the other parts of the kitchen. For example, pairing white cabinets with gray quartzite countertops.
Don’t make the paint on the wall the main color. Paint is relatively easy to change, but your cabinets are a significant part of the cost of the kitchen remodel, and they are designed to be there for many years. It is easier to change the paint than to change the cabinets, if you change your mind later.
Coordinating the rest of the kitchen: countertops, backsplash, flooring, paint, appliances, and fixtures, can take place after choosing the color for the cabinets. Often times, the main color will reappear as an accent in other components of the kitchen design, like in the backsplash tile.
An experienced kitchen remodeling team can help show you options for different kitchen components and how they fit together in a beautiful color scheme.
Keep in mind that flooring is also part of the color scheme, and some of the secondary and tertiary colors can also appear in the flooring.
Using Undertones in Kitchen Design
Undertones are the underlying color visible in most colors. Even neutrals have an undertone. Your kitchen renovation should take the undertones of all materials into account.
After your primary kitchen components such as cabinets, countertops, and flooring are selected, you can look at places to put accent colors. Ideal places to put accent colors are in the backsplash, kitchen appliances, and wall paint. The smallest components, like plumbing fixtures, lighting fixtures, and cabinet pulls can be addressed last.
One vital thing to remember in kitchen design is to keep the undertone consistent. Even with neutral paint colors, there is a light undertone. These small details matter in color coordination to create a cohesive look.
Tips for Kitchen Color Schemes
You can browse online for color combination inspiration, but these are some guiding design principles that will help to create a color scheme.
Neutral Colors Work in Many Color Palettes
Many modern kitchen designs use neutral colors to create a clean, contemporary appearance. Colors like white, black, and gray contrast well with bolder colors like blue, green, red, or violet.
Beige works well with warmer colors like walnut, orange, and red. Neutral colors can be used in wall paint, countertops, and backsplash to create an appropriate color ratio.
Pastels Are Popular in Contemporary Remodeling
Pale tones like soft blue, mint green, eggshell yellow, and other pastels can create a distinct kitchen aesthetic. Both warm and cool pastel colors can work with neutral white and grays, and natural browns to create a nice color scheme. Cabinets, countertops, and kitchen islands are good places to use pastels.
Use a Contrasting Color for The Flooring
Using some contrast between the flooring and cabinets can be visually pleasing. For example, installing white cabinets with a dark walnut hardwood floor, or a marble tile flooring with dark gray cabinets.
Bold Colors Can Work With Complementary Colors
Vibrant colors can create an interesting eye-catching aesthetic. Dark blue kitchen cabinets can look good against neutral colors. Burnt orange hues complement vintage brown primary colors rather well. Mint green pairs well with dark cabinet stains, and some homeowners use rich greens, purples, or yellows with neutral colors to create focal points in the kitchen. If you do choose to use vivid colors, limit it to one color in the color scheme.
Test Your Color Choices with Different Lighting
Be sure to look at the sample materials and colors in both natural and indoor lighting to see how it will look before committing to material purchase. Make sure that the color scheme you have selected will look great in every condition. Colors may appear different in different lighting conditions.
Looking for Kitchen Remodeling in Sacramento and Roseville?
When you need a total kitchen makeover, new countertops, cabinets, tile, backsplash, or flooring, Sacramento Remodeling Group can help you create your dream kitchen. Our highly-experienced construction team has done hundreds of remodels in the greater Sacramento area.
If you’re thinking about a remodel of your home, call us at (916) 862-1444 or fill out our contact form and we will be in touch.