kitchen
If you have an unstoppable craving for some hot colors, have no fear. Add them to one of the above schemes through small accents such as bar stools, lamp cords, placemats, slipcovers, knobs, art or simply fresh flowers, and you can easily update the look without changing the base every time your tastes change.
Window treatment in kitchen can add color or pattern
2. Warm dark gray. This is a gorgeous deep and rich hue, cooler and more gray than typical cabinet stain colors. It pairs well with the modern stainless steel accents and the beautiful marble backsplash shown here; everything comes together brilliantly in this elegant kitchen.
Combine white and gray. What better way to create a kitchen that’s beautifully on-trend than to pair white cabinets with gray, today’s hottest neutral? For an inviting space, select a warm off-white for some of the cabinets and a deep, smoky gray for the others. The look will be dramatic but very welcoming. Paint pick: For a similar look, try Arcade White and Web Gray from Sherwin-Williams.
This inspiration kitchen demonstrates a great color tip: if you want to use a neutral hue, such as gray or tan, consider using different shades of it. It will give the space more depth and interest without injecting over-the-top color, if that's just not your thing.
The cabinets shown here use face-frame construction with a standard overlay. If this were full overlay construction, the doors would cover more of the cabinet’s face frame, hiding the stiles and rails, and providing a more modern look.
Cabinet color. Light gray (Shadow Grey by Farrow & Ball). “It gives the traditional Shaker-style profiles a more modern look,” Polizoes says. “This lighter palette also blends well with the natural color of the hardwood floor and offers a wonderful contrast to the custom-made matte black metal range hood. The cabinet color also offers a perfect backdrop against which the door and drawer hardware can stand out.”
gauntlet grey by sherman williams for cabinets
iron ore by sherwin williams for cabinets
Design Detail: Stone Slab Backsplash Subway tile is popular for good reason, but if you opt for stone counters, it might be worth considering continuing the stone up the wall instead. A light-hued stone backsplash (like the engineered quartz shown here) is elegant, long-lasting and sure to be a focal point of the space.
You might assume your toe kick — that small vertical area between your floor and base cabinets — has to match the material of your cabinets. But what if your cabinets aren’t one consistent color? Or what if you’ve used a sparkling white cabinet, but you don’t want the toe kick to get dirty every time it gets, well, kicked? If your island is a different material from the rest of the cabinets, you can let its toe kick differ from the main cabinets. Another option is to use a third material that ties all the cabinets together: Stainless steel makes a great toe kick if you have stainless appliances or handles, tying the whole palette together.
Design idea: Linen cupboard in kitchen. Why: Storing things where you use them makes life easier. Store tablecloths on pullout hanging rods to keep them wrinkle free, and napkins and placemats in a sliding drawer.
It’s also important to hang the pendant at an appropriate height to reduce the risk of people bumping their heads. Generally speaking, it should be about 32 inches above a table or counter.
What is a layered lighting design? Light layering involves creating different shades of light, playing with shadows and using colors to highlight a room’s best features. In the kitchen, it generally incorporates task lighting for food prep and cooking, ambient lighting for general illumination and character, and accent lighting to highlight specific features such as a gorgeous backsplash or a piece of art.
Layer 4: Lights for Changing As the sun changes location in the sky, lighting needs inside the kitchen change as well. During the day, natural light from windows might be all the lighting your kitchen requires. But at night, you’ll want your kitchen brighter for cooking meals and more dramatic for entertaining guests. Adding dimmers to your kitchen lighting is key for setting the mood. Keep in mind that our eyes require more light as we age. So if you expect to stay in your home for awhile, you might want to add more lights than necessary now so you’ll have them later.
Layer 3: Lights for Feeling Showcase lights, also known as accent lights, all have one thing in common: They help a space feel more inviting and comfortable. Whether you use illuminated cabinets, chandeliers, sconces or pendants, showcase lights should be visible from wherever you stand or sit in the kitchen. That way you’ll get the benefit of this feel-good lighting at all times. Showcase lights might also help you perform functional tasks in the kitchen, but their main purpose is to draw attention and make a room feel complete.
Layer 2: Lights for Knowing Designers call it “ambient light,” but it is really just a layer of light to help us know where we are and where we are going. Recessed “can” down lights are a great option here because they light up the floor and bounce light off cabinet fronts to create a bright, well-lit space. Adding toe-kick lighting underneath cabinets and islands is also a great way to help prevent stubbing toes at night. Wall sconces are another way to provide ambient lighting that can help you better navigate your kitchen.
Layer 1: Lights for Doing Your kitchen lighting scheme should start with creating a functional workspace. Adding lights where you need them the most, such as above countertops, sinks and cooktops, will let you perform manual tasks in a bright and safe atmosphere. We need light to see what we’re doing, especially when using sharp knives and high-temperature burners. You want to protect your fingers, so getting this layer right is important. In the kitchen above, note the strong lighting over the cooktop and the pendant lighting above the countertop. LED lights mounted underneath cabinets are also a great way to add functional lighting to your kitchen.
“Doing” lights help you perform manual tasks like prepping and cooking in the kitchen. “Knowing” lights help you navigate your way around a kitchen. “Feeling” lights make a kitchen feel inviting and comfortable. “Changing” lights help you adjust to the time of day and set a desired mood. And finally, the cherry and icing on top are all about adding decorative fixtures that let your personal style shine.
dark lined glass cabinets
light fixtures
Accessories that are as useful as they are colourful do double-duty in any kitchen. Bunch them into a wide-mouthed canister on the bench for easy access.
possible cabinet color
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