Discover The Ideal Colour For Your Kitchen

For many, one of the most complex decisions to make when refurbishing a kitchen is choosing the right colour scheme. And while many narrow it down to personal choice, selecting the right hues for your space has a great deal to do with the size, layout and intention of your specific area.

As a designer for FCI London with years of experience in conceptualising beautiful interiors, here is my professional guide on how to go about finding a shade that will complement and enhance the heart of your home.

1. The psychology of colour and how it affects your mood

While there may be some scepticism behind colour therapy, both artists and interior designers believe that colours can affect your mood, influencing the way you communicate within a certain space.

Many shades have been linked to emotions like anger, calm and joy, and some researchers have even gone as far as stating that they affect areas of our health such as blood pressure and metabolism. Red, for example, is frequently used in fast food outlets because it’s believed to ramp up your appetite.

From a cultural perspective, colour has very specific associations. In Western civilisations, for instance, white symbolises purity while in the East it represents a time of mourning.

So while it may sound complex, we as interior specialists find merit in matching each room of your house with the most appropriate colour possible. Even your kitchens.

2. How to choose the right colours for a small kitchen

Understanding how particular colours complement one another is important to any design project and whether you’re an expert or not, it’s easy to get your head around with the use of a colour wheel.

In simple terms, colours that oppose each other on the wheel are complimentary, while those that sit next to each other are analogous (similar).

When it comes to décor choices, you need to decide whether you would like your room to be monochromatic (variations of a single base colour), harmonious (colours that match without being too similar) or complementary (boldly using opposite colours to create a statement).

The tricky part comes in when you start considering the size and layout of a small kitchen where darker shades are more likely to make it appear poky and unappealing.

The solution is to find a colour scheme that both suits your personality and changes your perception of space, creating a larger, more inviting aesthetic. Here are some tips to help this happen.

• Consider the mood you want to create, assess the amount of natural light available and decide how you want to distribute the colour to create a unified design.
• Neutral colours are an excellent place to start. Think off-whites and warm earthy tones that will bounce the light beautifully, making your dimensions seem bigger even when deeper tones are incorporated.
• Tie your colours in with adjoining spaces wherever possible as this will encourage visual flow and make your kitchen look more expansive.
• Limit your colour scheme to two or three shades that incorporate pops of a bold accent if desired. This will stop it from looking too busy.
• Painting your cabinets and walls in the same tone is a clever way of tricking the eye into thinking a tiny kitchen is larger.

3. Popular kitchen paint colours and their effects

In essence, choosing colours for your kitchen boils down to personal preference. And whether you’re hooked on gentle pastels or love a dramatic sea green, expressing yourself is the most important thing.

As colours are linked to emotion, one way of narrowing down the spectrum is to consider how they make you feel in relation to your kitchen space. While those with larger areas can experiment with darker colours, you may find that a charcoal grey makes you uncomfortably depressed or that bright white makes the room feel sterile and cold.

At the end of the day, it’s all about balance and tempering neutrals with warmer, deeper tones. Here are some colour options and their related moods.

• Refined: Deep greens, blues and smoky greys are more serious and sophisticated, making them the perfect choice if you love formal entertaining.
• Vibrant: Vivacious colours and bright whites are invigorating and ideal for fast-paced family life.
• Eccentric: Mixing surprising colour combinations with interesting textures gives a kitchen a quirky sense of fun and bags of personality.
• Trendy: Simple tones with a bold feature colour are a fantastic approach if you want to create a modern, upbeat space.
• Tranquil: Generate some calm by using pretty pastels and neutral tones. It will make your kitchen warm, inviting and full of charm.

4. Colour schemes for kitchens

Kitting out your kitchen with colour certainly doesn’t mean that you have to pick just one, so find some fabulous combinations that appeal to you and then go with your gut.

Here are 3 things to consider before you start.

• Natural light: This can have a big impact on your colour choice. Bright light can wash out softer shades while a dark, sombre kitchen will seem more vibrant if you use vivid colours.
• Existing style: Make sure your kitchen blends in with the rest of your house. If your décor is more traditional or vintage looking, a bright, modern theme won’t cut it.
• Finishes and flooring: Remember that your floors and countertops also contribute to the theme of your kitchen, so find colours that complement them, ensuring that the entire ensemble works together perfectly.

Once you've taken those things into account, whip out your colour wheel, focus on the mood you’re aiming for and start experimenting using the shades you feel most drawn to.

A great example of a successful colour scheme is muted sage green with warm white and natural wood. The sage green brings a casual, relaxed feel to any kitchen while white adds a complimentary brightness and natural wooden flooring or countertops imbue the space with warmth and character.

Classics also include icy blue, pale grey and white; navy and white; black, orange and grey; and black and white with bleached wood.

5. Tips on decorating with colour in a small kitchen

Once you’ve decided on your colour scheme, adding pops of interest using decorative items will enhance your overall design. Here are some ideas to get you going.

• Install open shelving where you can display your favourite crockery, copper pots, collection of cookbooks or elegant jars of exotic spices.
• Roll out a hardy rug in a bold stripe or find one made from sisal or jute to add texture.
• Go biophilic and connect with nature by bringing in some plants. Choosing edibles like herbs or salad greens will enhance the intent of your kitchen.
• When storing fresh ingredients like fruits, arrange them on platters that pick up your chosen colour theme.
• Find some beautiful bar stools for your kitchen counter with upholstery that matches your cabinets.
• If you have big windows, hunt down a stunning blind or some curtain that will liven up a monochromatic space.

In Conclusion

Finding the ideal colour for your kitchen is a journey and is entirely dependent on your own personality and style. However, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by choices, especially if you’re starting from scratch.

At FCI London, we have a team of dynamic designers who know the décor industry inside out and are at the ready seven days a week to help you explore your options, give you advice and make your kitchen dreams come true. Call us today and let’s get started.

Author: Benjamin Ibanez - Interior designer, FCI London