Kitchen Design: Putting Together a Kitchen Color Palette

By Sue LeVee, Kitchen Designer
Colors and patterns – where to start? This article is a bit wordier than usual, but this topic can be complicated, and you can easily feel overwhelmed. Here are some of the ways we get the discussion headed in a productive direction.


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          We suggest that you start collecting pictures, and put together an inspiration folder. This helps us identify the elements that appeal to your personal taste. Once we determine the vision you have for your kitchen, we can help you put together a cohesive palette. Bring in samples of any existing materials that we are working with (like flooring or fabrics), as well as any items you have already chosen.
RoomDesignOnline.com

Flooring  Time to make some decisions! First is the flooring. Keeping your existing floors? That was easy! However, we often see the need for new floors as one of the reasons for a remodel. And the flooring doesn’t stop in the kitchen – this new material often runs throughout the first floor. This is why a homeowner often chooses their flooring first; it must coordinate with more than one living space. Also, depending on your budget and the material you have chosen, there probably won’t be 100s of options, making this easier to narrow down. Don’t forget to grab a sample to use when picking out the…
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Cabinets  The next big visual impact in your kitchen space is the cabinetry. It will cover your walls from floor to ceiling. Your personal taste and your home’s décor will play a factor in this decision. Do you prefer a painted cabinet or stained? Are you drawn to a monochromatic color scheme, or is a more dramatic look your style? Is your home traditional or modern?
Cabinetry today comes in many different wood species, which offers us a huge variety of stain colors to choose from, ranging from the darkest Espressos to the lightest of maples. And if you are considering a painted cabinet, there are many stock colors to choose from, including shades of white, gray and cream. And in the world of custom cabinets we can literally create or match any shade!
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Now, this is where we stop to have the talk about your kitchen’s Focal Point. We have a whole article devoted to this important concept!
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Countertop  Though it’s not hanging on the wall at eye level like your cabinets, your countertop can make a big impression. Almost any material that you choose will offer many color and pattern options. 
Many man-made materials and natural stones have great patterns and multiple color options. This allows us to use the countertops as a unifying feature. A homeowner with dark wood floors, soft gray cabinets, and stainless steel appliances might choose a material that offers all these shades, and gives the kitchen a cohesive feeling. If the countertop is our focal point (there is that phrase again!) we would choose a color with more contrast, or a bolder pattern. If you are doing monochromatic color tones, then your countertop will likely be a solid color or very small pattern, in a coordinating shade. This is how we create that monotone, neutral background. Your countertop choice offers a great opportunity: Tying together the main colors in your kitchen.

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Backsplash  Ok, we’re getting there! Next let’s talk about backsplashes. We are all familiar with the subway tile backsplash – a classic, neutral choice that will compliment any décor. But wait until you head to the tile shop – the range of choices is amazing! Hopefully by this point you have a pretty firm design direction, and have decided on your focal point. This will take you in the right direction. Your backsplash is one of the last items to be installed, which allows you additional time to make your final choice. You can even begin using your new kitchen while deciding!

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Wall Paint  This is what prompted us to write this article: a client who had worked her way through her whole color palette, and was now stuck on wall color. We often pick out the wall paint last. The reason is that you will have thousands of color choices - we know there will be a paint that will work with the colors that you have already chosen. Your inspiration folder will help illustrate the looks that appeal to you, and your other living spaces will give us a cohesive direction. Keep in mind the huge effect that your lighting will have on how the paint will read. It is hard for most of us to visualize a whole room. Sherwin Williams offers a kitchen inspiration gallery: http://bit.ly/1pIgI4A  as well as other great tools, like their Color Visualizer, and Chip It! Tools: http://bit.ly/1rktMji  Benjamin Moore also offers useful tools and a great gallery too: http://bit.ly/1ByB7hM


sherwin-williams.com

Plan ahead – don’t wait until it’s time to order the cabinets, and then try to put together a cohesive palette! Give yourself the opportunity to explore a few different looks. You never know; with all the amazing options out there you may end up with a new direction!

Posted by Sue LeVee – www.Cabinets4Uonline.com
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