Color Tips from a Pro

Interior designer Liza Riguerra, owner of Riguerra Design and an NKBA webinar presenter, shares ideas for using color in the kitchen.

While an all white kitchen is timeless and classic, adding color can instantly inject more interest and personality into a room. Making the leap into color can feel intimidating at first, but there are a number of ways to splash out. From simple design refreshes to more major renovations, adding color to your kitchen is a great way to give your home, and your spirits, a little boost.

1. Add removable items.Countertop appliances and cookware (toasters, kettles, Le Creuset pans, etc.), artwork, stools/chairs, window treatments, rugs, vases/pitchers/decorative items, and even mixed cushions are easy ways to try out the latest color trend, or to test colors that are out of your comfort zone. Ideally, you want to scatter and/or repeat the pops of color around the room. For example, a red toaster on the counter, and red-hued kitchen towels hanging on the range. A bright green tea kettle on the stovetop, grassy-tinged artwork on the wall by the breakfast nook, and a table laid with verdant
placemats. Echoing the color throughout makes it feel like the room is intentionally wrapped with the accent color, which adds cohesiveness and continuity to the overall palette.

2. Paint your walls. This requires a bit more work, but provides instant color gratification — even on a budget. Try painting a bold color on one wall as an accent, then scatter similar colored accessories elsewhere to echo the hue. Consider painting the ceiling something other than white, or even putting bright wallpaper on it, then add a throw rug on the floor with some similar colors to achieve the echoing effect.

3. Change your backsplash or countertops. The backsplash and countertops require more effort and commitment to replace, but they provide an excellent opportunity to make a creative statement. Many of these materials contain pattern and movement, so it’s important to look for an overriding color in the pattern. Do this by stepping back from the sample and squinting a little — this will give you the perceived overall color. Once you’ve chosen the color scheme and pattern you fancy, begin to look for other kitchen accessories within the same color family to play up your new color theme.

4. Swap out your major appliances for a colorful alternative. Though stainless steel appliances have become ubiquitous, there’s no rule that says all your appliances have to match. One colorful appliance in an all white kitchen delivers a major dose of personality. A range or a stand-alone refrigerator are two appliances that are easy to swap out, and there are a number of manufacturers that offer these pieces in bold or subtle colors.

5. Rethink your cabinetry.
Consider painting the island or base cabinets a different color. If you have open shelves or glass-fronted cabinet doors, try painting or wallpapering the back of the shelves/cabinets to give them some pop.

The more extensive and costlier the renovations, the more important it is to understand how the new color will affect the room’s existing colors before you proceed. Review color samples in your kitchen against other materials, check paint options in large swatches, and remember that wood and metals are colors that should also be considered. Look at the color samples at different times of the day and under different lighting conditions. Most importantly, have fun with it! May the colors you choose inspire happiness every time you look at them.