Kitchen colours we’re crushing on!

Choosing the materials and colours for your kitchen should be fun, yet it can also be overwhelming. It’s a big decision. Your kitchen is expected to last for a very long time in a new home, cabinets can be expected to last for decades and you may in fact never change the kitchen in your home. It is possible to change the colour of your cabinets but be prepared for a fair bit of time and mess if you are undertaking that renovation challenge.

According to many surveys white cabinets are among the most popular and our friends at Glenwood agree that white is a “forever classic.” White cabinets may be a composite product wrapped with a vinyl or foil, wood wrapped, wood painted with lacquer or wood stained.

The price range varies with the most affordable being the wrapped or frosted oak and the solid lacquers being more costly. There are also differences in performance you should be aware of. The wrapped product has visible seams but is quite durable and washes well. The frosted lacquer on oak is lovely; with the grain providing soft visual interest. Solid lacquer doors are fresh and bright however in the pieced doors you can expect to see some cracking over time. The frosts are available in grey and white and the solid lacquers come in a beautiful selection of greys, whites and colours.

Moving past white cabinets we find our customers really seem to be crushing on dark cabinet stains and the lovely Martine at Glenwood Kitchens confirms this is the case. Their top stain colours this past year were truffle, slate, grey wolf and espresso. Definitely a crush worthy group!

Truffle – a clear rich stain that goes nicely with a wide range of colours.

Slate – muted and soft; a nice base for the popular grey/beiges and neutrals

Grey Wolf – blends with cool naturals or contrast with warm bright for impact.

Espresso – deep and warm enough to balance stronger colour/pattern choices.

Dark stains enhance the grain in wood, on oak cabinets they add visual texture and interest and on the finer grained birch, the colour is rich and elegant.

Overall dark cabinets are felt to give a warm comforting feeling whereas white or light stains can feel more efficient and clean.

A dark kitchen can feel like a place to cozy up with a coffee and chat whereas a white kitchen gives off more of a “get work done” vibe. Of course stain colour or paint is only part of the equation and these natural associations can be strengthened or softened with the addition of other elements in your design.

It is not uncommon to choose complimentary stain or paint finishes for different parts of the kitchen. Upper or lower cabinets may differ, an island may be turned into a focal point with a contrasting finish and even cabinet crown or light railing may be pulled out with a colour difference. If going this route the key points to consider are weight of colour (where to use darker or lighter stain) and the layout of the kitchen elements to be sure the effect will look planned and have enduring appeal.

When deciding which colour cabinetry you will put in your new home remember to consider a few other factors that will influence how the space feels.

What size is your kitchen? Dark colours contract and light colours expand.

Where is the kitchen located in the home and how will you see it? In an open concept plan remember that dark colours have more visual weight and draw the eye.

From what direction does natural light come into the room? North to east light greys and cools colours while south to west light warms colours.

What is your overall design style? Dark finishes combined with heavy detail look best in formal traditional design; high gloss finishes with simple profiles tend to blend with contemporary design.

Light natural wood finish on heavily profiled cabinets’ looks “country” but on simple flat doors goes to modern casual.

How brave are you with colours and what colours are you likely going to want to add to your home? Over the years you will likely go thorough many changes but if you have some colours you know you love hold them against the cabinet samples to see what they do together.

What other surfaces may be adjacent to the cabinetry? You will want your floor covering and cabinets to complement one another and if you happen to have any large furniture pieces that will be visible with the kitchen you will want to consider them. If grandmas massive dining set is not to be parted with be sure it is on friendly terms with the kitchen.

Monochromatic colour schemes are certainly safe but often boring. Remember to keep put some personality in your design choices even if this may not be your forever home. You can go for strong contrast in your choices or if you choose your larger design pieces in a similar and safe colour range you will want to add some colour accents with impact.