I am in the process of upgrading my kitchen. I have decided to repaint my mustard colored walls, cream with a white trim. I am also replacing my outdated white and black appliances with stainless.
Here is the problem: I have decided to paint my cabinets a somewhat greenish blue, but I can't decide how to make the color work with the rest of the kitchen. With the curtains and backsplash maybe? Also, should I paint my newly built island the color of the walls (cream) or the color of the cabinets (blue). I am using ceramic tile for the countertops (cream with brown specks).
By Cynthia from St. Louis, MO
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I just love it when people ask about decorating. :) Not that I'm a professional, but I sure do have some opinions. :) My very first suggestion is to go with what you love! Do that and you'll be happy with the results.
Considering the choices you've already made, I would keep the back-splash as neutral as the walls, tile and trim, but probably a different depth of texture. Maybe the tiny, multi-tinted, glass tiles that would work with your counter tile?
If the new island will have doors and drawers on it's base that match the style of your cabinets, I'd paint them the same color as the cabinets. If it's just a standard base with little detail, paint it the same color as the walls. If it's something uniquely designed and detailed, I'd use a cherry stain on the wood (again, considering your color choices) and keep it a unique focal point in the room.
As far as complimentary colors, (curtains, decorative pieces, chair upholstery, rugs, etc.,) make a larger (5" x 8") cabinet paint color sample on a piece of wood and go visit some art galleries and fabric stores. Match it up with things you like and choose one or two additional colors in the art and fabrics that are pleasant to your eye and that will work with the rest of your home. Again, go with what you love and you'll love your new kitchen.
It NEVER hurts to get the opinion of a good friend. But if you don't particularly "gel" with that friend's home decor . . . take note! Be nice!!!! Just take note. :) :) :) Good luck and have fun with this project.
Only advice I can give is to think twice about stainless appliances. I put in all stainless and regretted it ever since. I have to clean them every day to get rid of smudge marks and bring back the shine. Also, for some reason they have small scratches on the surface areas. Now I am stuck with Stainless unless I replace all the appliances.
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My kitchen cupboards are white and the walls are a very, very pale blue. I am going to get new floors, counter-top and back-splash. I am overwhelmed by the choices. Should the back splash, counter and floor all match as well? What would you suggest for each? Thank-you.
To avoid a "busy" look, match two items and let the third coordinate. For example: white back splash and counters, white floor with a design including the pale blue. Home do it yourself stores often have kitchen displays, free brochures, and employees to give advice. Check it out.
Anita, I just redid my entire kitchen myself and it was a very daunting task to say the least. I did alot of research on the internet though and redid my wood cabinets all myself. It saved us a bundle!
A real estate agent would tell you to keep it as neutral as possible and use accessories for color.
Perfumed Fan had an excellent suggestion.
Remember that anything that is 'loud' becomes tiring, if you have to look at it day after day.
Thought I'd mention that our kitchen has a brick red linoleum floor, federal blue and white wallpaper and chair pads that are oatmeal. All of the colors are somewhat muted, so it looks pleasingly colorful, yet not too loud.
I have white cupboards and did my backplash in white beadboard. If you search beadboard backsplash, you can find lots of picture. I continued the bead board along 1 wall. For $80 worth of beadboard, it looks like a designer kitchen. It would look really nice with the pale blue.
If you like a nice airy look, I'd do a light colored wood laminate on the floor and a light brown counter.
I live in a ritzy neighborhood and just redid my kitchen by painting my counter, adding the beadboard and putting in laminate floor. Above the beadboard I have a chocolate brown color and on the other wall a light tan. All of my neighbors love it and think it looks better than the kitchens they spent a fortune on.
Pick a look you like and make it fit into your budget. If you do enough searching, you will find a way.
How do I update a kitchen on a limited budget?
By Alma from MO
Paint is cheap. You can paint walls or cabinets. New curtains (that you made yourself) are inexpensive. Give the kitchen a good cleaning as outdated appliances look fine if they are nice and clean.
Shabby chic!
Pick up tables, kitchen dressers/cabinets, stools and chairs, art and more from markets, garage/yard sales, fetes and second hand store. Keep an eye out for them in your local paper.
I agree, paint is the cheapest way to get a fresh look, and you can make your own curtains (I did!) and find cheap wooden knobs on ebay. Check out the difference!
I meant to show the "before" shot of the kitchen, here it is! Now you can see the difference! :)
