How to choose your kitchen paint color with minimal stress.
Picking the perfect color for your kitchen is a difficult decision to make. Painting a kitchen is time consuming with all the little nooks and crannies. We want to pick the correct color the first time. Take your time and do not be impulsive when deciding on your paint color because you are tired or fed up with the entire process. Take at least a couple of weeks to decide on your color.
Colors of the Rainbow
Get fabric swatches or paper of the different colors of the rainbows. The colors are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. Tape the colors in a row on the same wall. You may wish to tape the rainbow colors on all walls in your kitchen. Each area of your room will give the colors a different feel to the room.
Paint Color Selection
Once you have decided on a warm or cool color, it is time to browse a wide assortment of hues in that specific color. For example, green has a multitude of hues that can uplift the energy in a room or make the room feel dark and depressing. Once you have chosen an assortment of a specific color, tape them to your walls. Narrow your choice to 2-3 and look at the colors in the morning, day, and evening to identify your mood and energy level in the kitchen. Browse the colors from a variety of paint suppliers. Behr has a neat tool that allows you to input your room and to change the color electronically.
Color Meaning
Red:Stimulating/Increases Appetite
Orange: Stimulating/ Increases Appetite
Yellow: Stimulating/ Increases Appetite
Green: Relaxing/Balance
Blue: Relaxing/Decreases Appetite
Indigo: Relaxing/Decreases Appetite
Violet: Balance/Relaxing/Decreases Appetite
Colors have many attributes but in general a color is either stimulating or relaxing. The kitchen needs to be a combination of both. It is difficult to work in a kitchen that is too relaxing and you do not want your kitchen to be over stimulating as it will increase your appetite.
Restaurants as a Model
Browse your local restaurants and go in for a cup of coffee or tea. Always have a light meal before entering any of the restaurants. Notice the colors of the walls, tablecloths, floors and the pictures on the walls. When you enter the restaurant do you start to crave a little snack or is the coffee/tea enough. Many restaurants have golden or red tablecloths to increase your appetite and soft colors on the wall to help you relax. The kitchens are white with bright lights to keep the staff energized and alert. After your visit, write in a journal about your mood and appetite, and include a physical description of the restaurant. This is a great way to help you learn about the power of color and to decide on the paint color for your personal kitchen.
Small Kitchen
Many of us are unable to have a color for the cooking area and eating area for our kitchen due to limited space. Best option is to combine a relaxing and stimulating color. For example, chose a blue paint with red undertones. Even though you do not see the red, the vibrations of the color circulate in the room to stimulate the space.
Final Paint Decision
Be brave when you decide on your kitchen paint color. Do not worry what others will think or if it is the style of the year. Design the kitchen for you and your family not for your extended family celebrations. Have fun and enjoy the process.
