Every homeowner knows that the kitchen is the perfect place to please the palate. But it can also be the perfect place to add character with the color palette.

When remodeling the hub of your home, choosing the right colors is an important part of the decision making process. But how do you choose colors that are compatible with your space and your taste?

Connie Edwards, CKD, CBD and director of design for American Woodmark, offers some helpful tips for guiding your color choices to banish kitchen boredom.

Cabinetry Color vs. Wall Color

Painting your kitchen walls is an easy way to add color and personality to your space. Soft blue wall paints, which are calming and easy to live with, are also versatile as they work well with both light and dark cabinetry.

The color can balance cabinetry with a darker finish, such as cherry spice, or accent cabinetry with a lighter finish like maple butterscotch.

Go Bold

If you prefer the colors in your home to be trendy, consider using dramatic hues to brighten up your kitchen walls. “Bold, ethnic colors such as red and gold, the colors of China, are expected to gain interest because of the upcoming Olympics, while botanical greens are strong partly because of the environmental movement,” says Edwards.

If you are not quite ready to make such a bold commitment, buy a small container of paint and test it on an inconspicuous area of the wall to see how it works with your kitchen and your style.

Mixing Finishes and Countertops: How to Avoid a Color Trap

Another simple solution for taking a kitchen from drab to dazzling is to mix cabinetry finishes and/or countertop colors. Mixing finishes and countertops is a surefire way to avoid the common color mistake of matching everything. When everything in a room is the same color, it becomes either too intense or too bland.

To avoid this color trap, choose two finishes that balance one another. Combining a maple cream or natural maple finish on the main cabinetry with a cherry chocolate finish on the island adds depth and pulls the entire room together. Or, keep the finish the same on both and use contrasting countertops for the main kitchen and the island to achieve the same balance.

For another fool-proof solution, black countertops combined with white or cream cabinetry create a timeless look. The black and white trend has made a big comeback in the last year.

It’s the Little Things that Make a Big Difference

If you do not want to transform your entire kitchen into a colorful oasis, but still want to show off your style, a little bit can go a long way:

• Incorporate a backsplash in a patterned, multi-colored, or even metallic tile to easily add personality without committing to a full-on color renovation.

• Include glass front cabinetry, such as an open or mullion frame door, to create a dramatic backdrop for your vibrant glassware.

• For a quick and easy color pick-me-up, change your cabinet hardware; add colorful art prints; or invest in some bright appliances such as a toaster, food processor or mixer.

While a lot of thought and consideration should be put into the color choices of your kitchen, it does not have to be an overwhelming process. Once you know what style suits your kitchen color needs, head to your local Home Depot and speak with a design professional about how to add a kick of color to your kitchen.

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