Far from the stark white, utilitarian rooms of the past, today's kitchens are a warm, vibrant center of family life. Decorating schemes for modern kitchens run the gamut from sleek, contemporary lines to Old World elegance. Choose a color for your kitchen cabinets based on the look and feel of the rest of the kitchen.

Consider Room Size

Although spacious, open kitchens are common, many homes still feature smaller, more intimate settings. Dark colors make the room appear even smaller, adding a sense of intimacy to larger spaces but overwhelming small kitchens. Conversely, light colors open up a room, adding depth to a smaller kitchen but making larger rooms feel cold and impersonal. Choose a color that conveys a sense of space appropriate to the size of the room.

Follow Furniture and Appliances

The style you choose for your furniture and appliances should help dictate the color scheme. Rough-hewn wooden tables and chairs denote a "country kitchen" style. Warm earth tones or light shabby chic cabinets are best for this style. Sleek modern appliances, particularly in black and silver, denote a contemporary feel. Choose bold jewel tones or glossy black acrylic paint to match the room's tone. Collect paint chips at your local paint store and hold them up to the room's focal points. Trust your eye and sense of style to lead you to a color that works for you.

Other Colors in the Room

Your kitchen cabinets need not match your walls and ceilings, but aim for a sense of harmony. Is your kitchen done in sunshine yellow? Choose a bright orange to continue the theme. Consult a color wheel to find harmonious blends. Warm colors denote intimacy, while cool colors are bold and vibrant. As long as the tones are similar, experiment with contrast. Your local home improvement store can teach you to follow a color wheel.

Decorative Touches

Consider the decorative items that appeal to you. Do you collect antique bottles? Are there Old World maps on your walls? Do all of your dish towels feature floral patterns? Carefully study the colors in your favorite decorative kitchen items. Consider painting your kitchen cabinets in a color that is featured in your favorite item. This adds harmony and balance to your kitchen no matter how eclectic your decorating style may be.

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How to Pick Kitchen Cabinet Colors