Light Or Dark Kitchen Cabinets? Look To Your Goals To Decide
The cabinets in your kitchen are a big part of its visual impact. So, the colors you choose are very important for the overall look and feel of the space. And one of the first color decisions every homeowner must make is whether to install light- or dark-colored cabinets. To help you, here are a few goals that you can achieve with each style.
1. Visually Open the Space
Is your kitchen smaller than you'd like? Does it have an odd shape you can't easily change? Then light colors on upper cabinets will help. They blend into the walls and windows, creating fewer visual obstacles for the eye. You can achieve this effect, too, by opting for light upper cabinets and darker base cabinets.
2. Warm Up the Kitchen
There are often two approaches to a modern kitchen. The first is to create a minimalist, clean space that invites people to work inside. The other is to make a cozy, warm room where people want to hang out. Light colors help with the first goal, while darker shades boost the second vibe.
3. Keep It Cleaner
Most families know that darker paint colors tend to hide flaws better than light shades. The kitchen is a workhorse for the home, and so its cabinetry will be subject to spills, leaks, splatters, chips, and stains. Dark cabinets are eager to hide these signs of wear and tear, but light cabinets may need to be touched up more often.
4. Appeal to Everyone
Your home should be about your taste first and foremost. But most homeowners also want to appeal to future buyers and design a room that will stand the test of time. If these are your concerns, you may want to stick with light shades. Dark colors can be controversial in the kitchen. They're not everyone's cup of tea, and they don't go with all style changes. Lighter cabinets are timeless.
5. Add a Surprising Color
If you want to veer off the beaten path, color-wise, you'll need to move away from light shades. Even if you avoid the standard white, cream, or gray colors, pastels and other soft colors will fade into the background. The only way to play with color and expand your options is to be willing to go bolder and darker.
Where to Start
Which of these goals do you want to focus on in your new kitchen? No matter what the answer is, the best place to start is to meet with a kitchen remodeling service in your area today.