Kitchen color schemes can indeed be customized by blending appropriate hues – specifically, when incorporating harmonious tones and thoughtful materials that cater to practicality and design preferences.
In the realm of kitchen design, colour plays a significant role in creating a visually appealing and functional space. Here are some best practices to help you achieve a beautifully mixed colour scheme in your kitchen.
Embrace Contrasts and Balances
One of the key strategies for mixing and matching colours is to create intentional contrasts and harmonious balances. This can be achieved by pairing light-colored cabinets with dark countertops, or vice versa.
The 60-30-10 Rule
The 60-30-10 rule is a useful guideline when it comes to colour selection. About 60% of the space should be dominated by the primary colour, 30% by the secondary colour, and 10% by the accent colour. For instance, a bold, deep colour like navy or forest green for the island (10%) paired with lighter perimeter cabinets (60%) and a complementary mid-tone (30%) creates a balanced, striking look.
Choose Colours by Function and Placement
Darker colours tend to work well on lower cabinets to provide visual weight and grounding, while lighter colours on upper cabinets keep the space feeling open and airy.
Incorporate Jewel Tones and Neutrals
Deep emerald green or charcoal grey islands contrast beautifully with warm white or light grey cabinets, producing a sophisticated palette that feels both modern and timeless. Mixing similar close shades, such as creams, taupes, and off-whites in beige kitchens, adds dimension without overpowering, resulting in a calm and rich atmosphere.
Test Colours Under Different Lighting Conditions
It's essential to test colours under different lighting conditions and coordinate all kitchen elements—including cabinets, countertops, flooring, hardware, and appliances—to create a cohesive and enduring design.
Additional Tips
- Bold island colours create a focal point, indicating social and work zones in the kitchen.
- Limit the number of colours to prevent visual clutter, but do not be afraid of vivid hues if balanced well with neutrals.
- Use finishes and textures that complement colour choices to enrich the palette's depth.
Neutral Foundations and Pop of Colour
Neutral bases like white, beige, or soft grey work well as a foundation and pair beautifully with pops of bold colours such as navy blue, forest green, or deep reds for furniture, walls, or backsplashes. Light and neutral colours tend to make a kitchen feel larger and more open by reflecting light and creating an airy atmosphere.
Balancing Contrasts and Complementary Tones
When mixing colours in a kitchen, it's essential to strike a balance between complementary and contrasting tones. It's effective to limit colour contrasts to specific zones, like pairing neutral tones on larger surfaces with pops of colour in smaller areas.
Experimenting with Design Apps
Using kitchen design apps could be a good place to experiment before you commit to the final design and choose the right places to start with different colour combinations.
Colour Choices for Different Spaces
Lighter shades are suitable for large kitchen diners where the family congregates to eat and perform tasks, while darker, richer tones are suitable for evening entertaining spaces. Bold colours like red, orange, or bright yellow can bring energy to the kitchen, but are best used sparingly to avoid overwhelming the space.
Achieving a Cohesive Palette
A balanced mix of colours can add character and prevent a kitchen from feeling monotonous, but mismatched or overly clashing colours can have the opposite effect. It's advisable to stick to a cohesive palette of three colours for balance: one dominant colour, one secondary colour, and a third accent.
Emphasising Key Features
Emphasising an island or open shelving with bolder colours will ensure the different colours draw attention to the kitchen's best features, without taking away from the overall design scheme.
Considering Space and Intimacy
Dark or bold colours can make a space feel cosier and more intimate, but if overused, they might make a small kitchen feel cramped or heavy.
By thoughtfully combining these principles, your kitchen can achieve a beautifully mixed colour scheme that is visually appealing, functional, and lasting.
- In a well-designed kitchen, contrasts and balances must be intentionally created to blend colours effectively.
- The 60-30-10 rule serves as a helpful guide for choosing colours, where the primary colour dominates about 60% of the space, the secondary colour 30%, and the accent colour only 10%.
- Color selection should be influenced by the function and placement of different kitchen elements; darker colours ideally suit lower cabinets while lighter ones are suitable for upper cabinets.
- To create a sophisticated and timeless feel, jewel tones and neutrals can be combined beautifully, with deep hues such as navy blue, forest green, or warm whites contrasting harmoniously.
- It's essential to test colours under different lighting conditions and consider all elements like cabinets, countertops, flooring, hardware, appliances to achieve a cohesive and enduring design.
- A bold island colour can serve as a focal point, marking social and work zones, while limiting the number of colours helps prevent visual clutter without detracting from vibrant hues when balanced well with neutrals.
- Neutral bases like white, beige, or soft grey, when paired with pops of bold colours such as navy blue, forest green, or deep reds, result in a spacious, airy, and visually appealing kitchen.
- When mixing colours, striking a balance between complementary and contrasting tones is crucial, with neutral tones predominant on larger surfaces and pops of colour in smaller areas.
- Design apps can be a valuable tool for experimenting with various colour combinations before committing to the final design, and understanding the impact of different colours on various spaces, such as larger family areas or smaller, more intimate entertaining spaces.
