Choosing Proper Color For Kitchen Cabinets, Part 2

In part one of this two-part blog, we went over some of the simple details on selecting color for your kitchen cabinets. We talked about the psychological impact different colors have on mood and happiness, plus some additional kitchen factors that should play a role in your color choices.

At Swirl Woodcraft, we’re here to help you with all traditional, rustic and modern kitchen cabinet needs. In part two of our series, let’s go into a few broader details when it comes to a big theme in color choice: A lighter or darker shade? Here are some benefits of each.

Benefits of Light Cabinet Shades

• Era-proof aesthetics: While certain kinds of darker shades may go in and out of fashion as trends come and go, lighter shades – particularly whites – are timeless. They’re never “out of season,” so to speak.
• High stock: Lighter cabinets are the more popular choice among homeowners, meaning they’re stocked heavily and readily available in a variety of options.
• Room size: Lighter shades are known to increase our perception of the size of a room, whether we’re talking walls, doors or even cabinets. If you want to make a smaller kitchen feel bigger, opt for lighter cabinets.
• Complementing: Lighter cabinet shades do very well complementing your various kitchen accessories, plus other colored areas of the kitchen like walls, backsplashes, countertops and others. They also do very well with natural light for those looking to emphasize this in the kitchen space.
• Home value: Many buyers value some combination of these factors we’ve just listed, meaning new light cabinets often raise your resale value.

Benefits of Dark Cabinet Shades

• Unique design possibilities: Darker cabinet shades are more central than most lighter shades, often a great way to break up the monotony of an otherwise boring space. They also come in great variety.
• Luxurious: Darker shades like walnut, maple and others down these lines often lend a formal, luxurious feel to any room. Homes going for a classic, rich look will often choose darker cabinets.
• Coziness: Darker colors make spaces feel cozy and homely, particularly blacks and darker grays, which are known as welcoming colors.
• Showing damage: Darker cabinets hide certain small bits of damage, such as minor scratches or food stains. For homes with pets or children, or even those with kitchens where lots of cooking will take place and you want to minimize the appearance of any messes, dark colors might be the right choice for you.
• Large spaces: While lighter shades can be helpful with making a smaller room feel larger, darker shades are perfect for breaking up the monotony of a larger space. Particularly if you already have lighter floors, countertops or walls in the kitchen, consider accenting them with darker cabinets.

For more on choosing between dark and light cabinet color shades, or for information on any of our kitchen cabinets or how we can help with your kitchen remodel, speak to the pros at Swirl Woodcraft.