Choosing colors in a kitchen remodel all comes down to two things: picking out a combination that increases or maintains your house's resale value and your personal interior decorating style. It is the "heart of your home," so if you plan on residing there forever, you can go as crazy as you like. If you are more of the practical, conservative type, there are a few tips to keep in mind.
- Cabinetry
- Appliances
- Flooring
- Counter tops
- Paint samples
Pick out quality materials for cabinetry, appliances, flooring and counter tops before delving into choosing the color for them when remodeling your kitchen. In the article "Confessions of a Kitchen Designer" on the House Beautiful Website, Christopher Peacock states that, for resale value, "You want the look and design to be timeless, not trendy. Resist your impulse to be creative and avant-garde. You want to use well-respected brands for cabinetry and appliances... you want the association of quality attached to your kitchen."
Choose neutral colors for counter tops, flooring and cabinetry. For example, an all white kitchen does not have to be sterile when paired with black or beige colored granite counter tops. Avoid specific primary colors such as greens, reds or blues for these surfaces when choosing colors in a kitchen remodel, as they are too specific to certain interior design styles and may not appeal to everyone's tastes.
Invest in matching appliances to avoid the mismatched look. Whether you go the stainless steel, black or white route, it is an important aesthetic, for as designer Christopher Peacock puts it when asked what not do, "Spend too little. Doing it on the cheap often looks like...well...what it is."
Pick out your favorite colors for the walls that go with your theme or envisioned look for the room. This is where you can bring your own interior design personality into the space, as wall colors can be easily painted out if you ever decide to sell.
Buy a few samples from the home improvement store or paint store and put a few swatches on the wall to see how they really look next to everything else before painting the whole room. Paint doesn't always dry to the hue you think it will and every other color that you choose in your kitchen remodel will affect its appearance as well.