01 Jun How Do I Choose a Kitchen Cabinet Color?
A kitchen remodel is nothing if not a flurry of decision-making. The good news is that today homeowners have so many choices. The bad news is that today owners have so many choices. As exciting as the prospect of a shiny new kitchen can be, decision fatigue is real and when your first major selection has you stuck, well, it can all seem like too much. To say that the possibilities for kitchen cabinet colors is endless is not an exaggeration. Working with an interior designer can help you sift through the noise of social media and Pinterest and sharpen your focus. In this post we break down the myriad options into a more digestible set of categories.
I. White: But Not All Whites Are the Same
A while back on this blog, the d2e team shared their favorite neutral paint colors. There is a reason why we all had such strong feelings about different versions of white paint. White paint is ubiquitous because it can provide a clean slate, a contrast, a grounding point, and yes, even warmth. Used in kitchen cabinetry, it provides a calm canvas upon which textures and accents can shine. There is no disputing the fact that white cabinetry celebrates the natural light in a space, or mimics it, in homes where it is spare. Lastly, if you find yourself to be persistently fickle (no judgement!), white cabinetry could be the answer. It’s easy to switch your accents as regularly as your moods, with quick swaps like a colorful carpet runner, pottery or a wall hanging.
Photo by Rebecca McAlpin
Photo by Rebecca McAlpin
II. Don’t Be Scared to Go Bold with Color
While we don’t ascribe trends as the key to a successful design, one that has given us reason to cheer is the reemergence of color after years of neutral décor dominating design content. It just so happens we wrote a blog post about that too! For those who crave cheery or deep colors, what could be more impactful than coating your cabinetry in an eye-catching hue of your choice?
Photo by Rebecca McAlpin
Photo by Rebecca McAlpin
One thing to remember, mixing tones works beautifully. If you’re more comfortable with just a touch of color, you can keep the perimeter of your kitchen neutral, and make more of a statement with the island, for example.
Photo by Rebecca McAlpin
III. Wood Grain Never Goes Out of Style
One of the reasons that people gravitate towards white cabinetry is its timeless appeal, but don’t write off wood grain, which offers similar qualities, with a different aesthetic. If you’d like to add a broad-scale textural element to your kitchen, or imbue it with an organic look, this is a great option.
Photo by Rebecca McAlpin
When Amy Cuker, d2e’s owner and Design Director, renovated her own kitchen, she toyed with the idea of cabinetry in a shade of plum. However, respecting her family’s opinions led her to a design with hickory wood cabinetry, and as you can see below, she found other ways to incorporate her favorite color. The result is a design for all time, with the heritage of finely crafted wood grain cabinets, and a dash of fun.
Photo by Rebecca McAlpin
When using wood grain cabinets, you need not lean into bold colors to make a statement. Of course, if you felt inclined, you could do both, and to maximum effect. The vintage green cabinetry and walnut island below play off each other in the best way. Meaning, both are stars of the show.
Photo by Rebecca McAlpin
The moral of this story is that there are three major categories to consider, and within those categories, there is always an opportunity to individualize. Whether it is a white kitchen with carefully selected blue accents, or a colorful kitchen in a tone that resonates with you, you’ll find that there are many ways to approach this investment being mindful of your personality. Now, if you’re ready to take on the conversation of cabinetry styles, we’ve got you! Our blog covers this and so much more.
Hopefully these tips will set you on the right course as you envision a new kitchen. We love helping clients work through these tough decisions and bringing their fine-tuned vision to life. If you’d like to know more about our design approach to kitchens and beyond, simply fill out our Client Contact Form and we’ll get back to you.
