We’re constantly surrounded by colours but rarely seem to notice their impact on our mood. Ever wondered why you feel so refreshed in nature? Or why are you so down in a grey office? Well, it’s all about colour psychology, and it applies to every corner around us, including the kitchen, the place where we spend the most time with our families and friends or cooking a delicious meal.
How we design our kitchen will determine the feeling associated with entering it. If the main colours include yellow or red, the warmth from these tones will invite us in. However, colder hues of blue will have the opposite impact. But these rules don’t necessarily have to apply to everyone, especially when they’re not minimalists. Maximalist people love all bold colours, so if Dita Von Teese’s kitchen inspires you, there’s nothing wrong with approaching a bolder design.
Hence, some colours are better than others, so here’s what to choose according to your needs.
Neutrals
Designing neutrals can be pretty tricky because if you’re not doing it right, you might end up with a plain, dull kitchen or a melodramatic one. At the same time, you wouldn’t want your kitchen to look like Kim Kardashian’s house. So, you need to blend neutrals with something contrasting so it seems pleasant. For example, if you opt for an all-white kitchen, adding numerous plants as decorations is best to lift up the place’s mood. On the other hand, black tones should be accompanied by earthy colours that create a balanced look.
A warmer alternative of these opposite tones is the cashmere kitchen, which brings more warmth into the kitchen but is still chic and straightforward. Of course, a blend of white, beige, or black could be pulled off successfully for those who don’t want to be bothered by too much colour.
Yellow
Yellow is always associated with joy and happiness, and it’s a great choice for your kitchen if you’re not the bold kind to have a red kitchen. A yellow kitchen can be quite playful, especially if you learn how to design it to make it look special. And since there are plenty of yellow shades on the market, you can choose to make it less extravagant. Yellow goes exceptionally well with grey tones but can be paired with neutrals to minimise the impact when entering the kitchen and avoid making it kitsch by transforming your kitchen into a disco.
Making your cabinets yellow and leaving the rest for another colour is the best choice, but you can also switch the roles and only introduce yellow through minor decorations, such as a rug or floor tiles.
Green
Green is gorgeous in kitchens because it seems to bring nature closer to you. It is paired with feelings of contentment, and it doesn’t stick out as much as yellow, so it can make you feel calm and safe in the kitchen, as your guests will approve of. Of course, not every shade of green is made for the kitchen, especially bright hues, but deeper greens are best to make the most out of your space. It can be introduced as a whole, from cabinets to walls, but it works best with a natural base of earthy browns. In this case, you might not need any additional plants in the kitchen.
Although some say that green goes with anything if you know how to pair it, you don’t want to make the kitchen feel too heavy, as it is also packed with cutlery and daily necessities. Still, you may want to try having a green kitchen that also includes terracotta, pink and blue.
Purple
Purple is the best colour for your kitchen to look as luxurious as ever. Most people associate it with pleasure, while other symbolic meanings include being mysterious, noble and glamorous. Hence, if you want to transform your kitchen on a budget and make it impactful, make sure to choose the darkest shade of purple you can find. Usually, purple goes best on its own, without additional decorations, because it’s strong enough to impress on its own. Purple feels like royalty, so make sure to honour this shade and add proper decorations in the kitchen.
Still, you might risk it and pair purple with mustard, the most balanced combination. Then there’s blue, a more relaxing option for the eye. But if you’re bold enough, you can have a purple and red kitchen, as they’re analogous colours.
Blue
Blue is a cold colour, but it’s associated with wisdom and peace, so it perfectly fits the kitchen, where, if you have a big family, you know things can be pretty overwhelming at times. It would be best to choose light blue tones for the kitchen to feel like a relaxing paradise, whereas dark blue inspires strength. Regardless, blue is the easiest colour to pull off in the kitchen, mainly because it can be paired with various other colours. Despite the secondary tone, blue can always overthrow it and be the star of the kitchen, especially when it’s darker.
Blue goes well with almost everything, but timeless colour combinations include green, grey and pink. Combining blue with white will make it feel like you’re close to the beach, but since this colour team can be more impactful during the summer, it would be best to choose something that lasts for all seasons. For instance, blue and mustard yellow can be the mixture of the season for years, as it’s not too bland nor too striking.
Final thoughts
Choosing the best colour for your kitchen shouldn’t be a big deal. However, it will affect your moods positively or negatively, so choose something that will make your days brighter. For instance, you could approach yellow, the colour of joy, and pair it with some grey tones if you’re not confident to go all-in. Or you could go with something more courageous and choose purple for the kitchen walls or cabinets and either leave it alone or add some mustard for the extra spiciness.