How to choose the perfect colors for your room
Nothing can instantly transform a room like color. It defines a style and creates a mood. Selecting colors can be one of the most exciting steps in designing a room and selecting cabinetry.
KraftMaid has a wide range of finish techniques and color options – from subtle and neutral to rich and dramatic. But where to start? That’s easy—grab a color wheel.
Revisit the Color Wheel
Have you ever wondered how interior designers choose the perfect colors to create a bright and spacious coastal great room or a warm and inviting farmhouse kitchen? Easy—they turn first to their trusted color wheel.
The color wheel can you help you understand the colors that complement each other and the colors that should seldom be paired together.
The wheel begins with the three primary colors red, yellow, and blue. Think of each color as a starting point to finding the color combination that’s just right for you.
What are the Color Combinations?
1. Complementary Color Combination
Complementary colors sit on opposite sides of the color wheel. When paired in a color scheme, they balance each other, resulting in a look that is lively and exciting. Cinnamon (red) and Willow (green) cabinetry used in this kitchen provides a dynamic contrast that creates visual interest.
2. Analogous Color Combination
Analogous colors sit side by side on the color wheel. This combination will result in a harmonious palette where colors can be easily mixed without clashing because they have so much in common. Yellow-green walls, orange upholstery and the red (Cognac) cabinetry work together as well in this room as they do on the color wheel.
3. Triad Color Combination
Triad colors are three colors equally spaced apart on the color wheel. Because they are so well balanced, this generally produces a rich, lively color scheme. It’s usually a good idea to allow one color to dominate, as the Toffee color cabinetry does in this kitchen, while the other two (blue and red) are used in lesser amounts or as accents.
4. Monochromatic Color Combination
A Monochromatic scheme uses one color and includes lighter tints and deeper tones of that same color to create an effect that is soothing and calming. Varying shades of white used in the cabinetry (Dove White), flooring and backsplash of this kitchen provide a harmonious backdrop to the rich variety of textures, shapes and sparkle that create visual excitement.
Define Your Color Preference: An Exercise
When searching for your perfect color combination, begin by browsing through kitchen, bath and home magazines. Tear out the pictures of rooms scenes that you like. Spread the photos out on a table and look closely at the colors in each room.
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What do you like about the color choice in the photo?
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What are the primary colors—the main color that you see in the room?
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What colors are used as accents in the room?
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Is there a similar color pattern in each picture?
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Are there color combinations that you like more than others?
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Look for a pattern of cabinetry color, accent colors, and wall colors.
This exercise will not only help you identify the primary and accent colors that you would like to see in your home, but it will also help you articulate your color preferences to the professionals. Additionally, it may help you take a chance and utilize color throughout your home because you can see how well it works in your inspiration spaces.
Use these tear sheets to begin your planning folder. This will serve as a foundation for a discussion with your kitchen and/or interior designer on your likes and dislikes.
Feel comfortable talking about color? Now it’s time to learn about the latest color trends.