Kitchen Color Choices and What They Say About You

As the "Heart of the Home" your kitchen is one of the most used and seen parts of your home's interior. But, does the color of your kitchen say anything about you? There is surprising psychology behind color choice in general and the kitchen is no exception. In this post, let's explore if you will be perceived as smart, funny, kind, or creative all because of the kitchen color you choose.

Finding the optimum color for your kitchen that you will love for years has never been more critical. The kitchen is now a multi-purpose room designed as much for living and entertaining as it is for cooking. We've asked color psychologists, decorators, and interior designers for their take on kitchen color meanings, and to share their advice and dig a little deeper into the psychology behind the meaning of certain colors, especially when used in the kitchen.

Paint With Yellow To Boost Creativity and Joy

Embraced in a big way or used in small doses, the sunny shade of yellow is rich, versatile, and exudes positivity and warmth. Yellow is, in fact, one of the oldest known colors in history.

Karen Haller, color psychology and best-selling author of The Little Book of Color shares her opinion on this uplifting hue: 'At the lighter, bolder end of the spectrum, yellow is a color of optimism,' she says. 'From mellow honey tones to vibrant citrus hues, decorating with yellow is a brilliant way of bringing cheer and energy to everyday spaces like kitchens, and can be used to create a myriad of bold looks.'

Soothe and Calm with A Blue Kitchen

Fresh, airy, and imbued with the restorative power of nature, blue kitchens have been tipped by interior experts as the perfect backdrop to modern living.

Naturally soothing, but equally energizing and hopeful, blue shades promise to bring the outside in to enhance well-being. In the kitchen, pair it with neutrals such as white and cream for classic calm, or with stronger tones of mustard, olive, sienna, and navy for a unique, head-turning scheme.

Energize with Red - But Use with Caution

You may be surprised to hear that red, despite being a color associated with anger, is also a passionate and life-enhancing hue to use in a lively space, such as the kitchen. After all, red offers a luxurious bank of positive energy. However, as this color is strong, and often used for warning signs, it is best used with caution and consideration.

Historically, red has associations with wealth and status. In the 17th century, flashes of red dye were used on the soles of shoes worn by aristocratic courtiers to Louis XIV, while the use of a VIP red carpet goes back to Ancient Greece.

'We have been using red to decorate the walls of our homes from the beginning of human existence,' explains Marianne Shillingford, creative director of Dulux. 'We find red on the walls of the earliest cave dwellers and red pigment was used in Neanderthal burials as a symbol of life. It has the longest visual wavelength of any color, which makes it the most impactful, and it is famous for stimulating the appetite, good conversation, making it an enduring favorite in the dining room and kitchen.'

Green is The Color of Inspiration and Nature

With strong links to nature, green is a versatile color that can work in many kitchen styles. The majesty of ancient forests has long inspired interior design. Whether the grandeur of an oak tree or the enchanting shape of an acanthus leaf, rich, velvety greens offer homes a nurturing connection to nature.

'Green reassures us on a very primitive level. We know we can find food and water, which means green equals life. Using dark greens in our kitchen, brings in these feelings of reassurance and rest,' says Karen Haller, color and design psychology specialist, and author. 'Surrounding ourselves with too much green or the wrong shade, however, can lead to feelings of stagnation and lethargy.'

Welcome Classic Style and Clarity with White

Nowadays, white is the most popular kitchen cabinet color chosen for its enduring style, versatility, and the color's timeless appeal. If your goal is to create a 'wow' kitchen, but you want to maintain a classic and timeless style in your home, then white kitchen cabinets are an extremely tranquil and liveable option.

Put simply, a white color scheme will tell your visitors that you are a clean, tidy, and organized person. A traditionalist at heart, the owner of a white kitchen exudes confidence and sophistication. Many homeowners choose white for its timeless appeal, after all.

In the practice of kitchen Feng Shui, white also represents precision, happiness, and communication. White is a wonderfully versatile and tranquil color making it a beautiful choice for the 'heart' of your home.

Instill Power and Sophistication with a Black Kitchen

Black is a daring and confident color, so understandably we are seeing it appear more and more in kitchens. For classic good looks, black is a winning choice for kitchen cabinets and walls. Black, especially when paired with white, is also said to add value to your home, so it is a great color combination if you are planning to sell.

But that is not the only benefit of decorating with black. Those with black kitchens are thought to hold positions of power and authority. This person is also believed to be serious, sophisticated, and strong.

Decorate with Grey To Improve Confidence

Grey kitchens have had a bad reputation recently due to their perceived gloomy nature, but this once-popular color is on the uplift. This confident and sultry shade goes with every color and can be used to add depth and sophistication to any room, but none more so than the kitchen.

Grey is enormously versatile. Grey often makes a calm elegant backdrop, which can give an air of sophistication for spaces such as kitchens and dining spaces. Mood is one consideration, but it is also helpful to consider how grey might affect the size of a room. The paler the tone, the more it will reflect the available light. The darker the tone, the more light it will absorb. So do factor this in if grey is a color that makes you feel sad or anxious.

Create A Space That Evokes Kindness and Purity with Pink