How to Choose Cabinet Colors

What is one of the biggest contenders in the interior design process? Ding, ding, ding, you guessed it — color. When it comes to custom cabinetry, this challenge also applies. Why? Paint has the power to completely transform the feel and look of a room, especially if you’re planning on refinishing a surface that takes up a large area of the visual space. Kitchen cabinets fall into this category, as they single-handedly cover almost all of the exposed wall space in one of the most-used rooms in your home. This can make choosing the best cabinet color a nerve-wracking experience for the average homeowner. Before you lock yourself away, researching the psychological meaning behind paint colors in order to make this decision, follow our quick guide on how to confidently pick a new cabinet color that works for your needs — be it for aesthetic and functional purposes or any reason in between.

Riddle Me This: What Are Your Style Preferences?

Prior to making what may be the biggest decision of your life — choosing a cabinet color is no joking matter — it’s important to consider the layout of your space and your aesthetic preferences. For a kitchen, this might include looking at:

Existing Design Schemes in Your Home

What are your unique aesthetic preferences? If you’re unsure, take inventory of your home’s current design elements. This is one of the easiest ways to figure out what your interior design likings are. For example, if you notice that the majority of furniture pieces in your home are sporting a neutral palette, consider carrying that theme into your kitchen by choosing a light cabinet color. You can also look at the following household elements for a strike of inspiration:

• Wall colors
• Fabric colors — curtains, hand towels, draperies, etc.
• Carpets and/or flooring colors

That being said, if you aren’t vibing with the existing design scheme in your home, use those same markers to narrow down your aesthetic dislikes. This selection process can be just as, if not more, helpful to you!

Ambiance Goals

Once you’ve somewhat deciphered your aesthetic preferences, consider the ambiance of the room. Color has the unique power to transport us to another place; be it somewhere in Europe or a state of complete relaxation. Take advantage of this secret power in your kitchen by choosing a cabinet color based on the goal you have for the ambiance of the room. Here are some ideas:

• Light neutrals. White, tan, and naturally finished cabinets all offer a calming ambiance that can instantly brighten a room and create an inviting atmosphere.
• Darker neutrals. Deep, neutral hues are bold and warm. Choosing darker hues for your kitchen will thus make the space feel cozy and, dare we say, romantic.
• Accent colors. Calling all creative cookers! Yes, neutrals are a timeless cabinet color option for your kitchen. However, those who favor contemporary designs can also jazz up their space by choosing bright accent colors for their cabinetry.

The Room’s Natural Lighting

While the shape and size of your kitchen are both important aspects to consider when choosing a cabinet color, there’s one more element that tends to be overlooked — natural lighting. This doesn’t mean you need to count the number of windows in your kitchen, but you should observe the amount of natural light that filters into the room throughout the day. Smaller kitchens that receive a lot of natural light can create the illusion of a larger space if the room plays to the benefit. And, adding light cabinets is one way to master this illusion.

Don’t Forget to Have Some Fun

As you come down to the final decision for your cabinet color, don’t forget to have some fun! One of the benefits of investing in custom cabinets is the ability to create a home element that is completely unique to your style. To do this, play with:

Color Contrasts

You have full permission to be bold and playful when it comes to the design of your custom cabinets. One of the best ways to do this is with color contrasts; it’s as easy as choosing one bold cabinet color and pairing it with a neutral cabinet color. To start, try contrasting colors of the same hue. Use a darker shade of gray or tan on your upper cabinets and match your lower cabinets with a lighter shade of the same color (or vice versa).

Popular Cabinet Design Trends

Even if your end goal is to create a timeless cabinet profile, studying popular cabinet design trends can give you a stroke of inspiration for your custom cabinets. Whether you decide to mimic the exact look you find or twist it to conform to your needs, this outlet is a great way to ensure your cabinet color choices are on point with the latest trends. Some of the most popular cabinet design trends to look up include:

• Traditional
• Coastal
• Contemporary
• Transitional
• French country

Turn to the Custom Cabinet Design Specialists

If the idea of choosing a color for your custom cabinets is still stressing you out, turn to the pros at AlliKristé. As custom cabinetry experts, we have mastered the art of cabinet design and are more than happy to help you come to a confident decision on the color of your new cabinetry. With a team of design specialists and years of experience, we’ll put you on the right course for new cabinets that surpass your expectations for beauty and functionality.

To learn more about our custom cabinet design process and installations for your home, contact AlliKristé today!