Bold Colors Put Pizzazz In The Kitchen

By Phil Paterson

A kitchen is a kitchen, right? It's that place in the home where staid white appliances and functional flooring live together in boredom.

If you think that it looks good that way then you are wrong. Homes today have creative kitchen decor because the kitchen is used more for gathering with friends and family.

So what makes this room in the home so appealing (besides the food?). Many designers think that a kitchen's appeal depends on its colors. Vibrant colors with high energy can create a room where people love to get together. The trick is to recognize some of the kitchen basics, and build with them or around them.

Most appliances are either stainless steel, black or white. Kitchens don't have a large amount of wall space that is open so designers are suggesting that you use a bold color on the walls so it will bring out the colors of the appliances.

Darker wood or paint colors for cabinets have come into style for kitchens. This means that deeper hues of wall colors will hold up against them. Some designers like the warmth of shades traditional to Mexican arts and crafts -- copper, ginger, henna and gold. In addition, these bold colors are popping up in surprising places, such as a burnt-orange countertop around a stainless steel sink.

Traditional colors are important and in style as well. Red, yellow, and apricot are some of the more warm colors. These colors are now being used in different ways. If you want a country-style kitchen color choose green and pink but make them a rustic green with a strawberry shade of pink instead.

Color influences are coming from all around the world. For example when the 2008 Olympics were held in Beijing the Chinese tradition was that the color red was for good luck.

What makes these ethnic trends chic? Designers say it isn't just the colors, but the way they're combined in new ways that gives the combinations greater sophistication. Burnt orange could be paired with brilliant blue, or deep purple with a more subdued yellow. Neutrals such as dark brown and shades of gray from soft dove to deep charcoal are providing interesting accents to many bold color stylings in the kitchen.

Try to avoid colors that you see in your favorite restaurant. These colors can be over done and it would not look right in a kitchen in the house.

Instead, give your kitchen some pizzazz with bold new colors in your kitchen cabinets as well as your curtains and area rugs. Use bold colors in the curtains, area rugs, and cabinets. - 32406

About the Author:

Sign Up for our Free Newsletter

Enter email address here