In many of the homes that I work in, the common meeting ground for living, sharing and entertaining is the kitchen and family room. Choosing a color palette for these critical spaces deserves thought and consideration.The tones you select will most definitely impact the experiences you share. Let’s take a ride around the color wheel to review some of the basics.
Green - Soothing, peaceful and evoking nature.
“Go green” and you won’t be disappointed. The easiest color to live with, green is an earth tone and can be paired with any other color - from the light pistachio to a deep leaf green, don’t be afraid to use it as a core color on your walls, on your floors, and on your furniture.
Red - Passionate with instant impact.
Intense color can be scary, but red can definitely spice up a space. Use too much and it will overpower, but sprinkle just a taste and your space will have definition and power. I love it in rugs and artwork.
Orange - Warm and welcoming and stimulates the appetite.
Orange- and of course the newest twist of tangerine, invites your guests to make themselves at home and feel free to laugh. Like red, it definitely adds punch, and used in combination with other rich colors, it stands it’s ground. Love it with pink and it works beautifully in a backsplash, on a chair or in your dinnerware.
Yellow - Energy and excitement and lots of good cheer.
A great allover color in so many wonderful hues. Yellow is a warm tone that exudes energy and confidence. Be mellow with your yellow because a bright shade can be hard on the eye. Again, a great choice for a backsplash-love it with white!
Purple - Elegant and Opulent
Purple is perfect for an intimate setting. Lighter tones are delicate and romantic while deep rich eggplant pops on almost everything. Very sophisticated in the darker hues, purples work particularly well with metallics like silver and gold for a little extra glitz.
Brown - Simultaneously sophisticated and inviting.
Easy on the eye if used correctly, browns are a wonderful anchor color and work beautifully in either a sophisticated setting or a more casual one. The lighter the brown, the more casual the feel. Too much brown can feel like a cave, but mixed with blues and greens, it can work from the floor to the ceiling.
And remember, sate your thirst for color on a regular basis. If it doesn’t make you HAPPY, change it. Life is short. And of course, everyone needs a fresh pair of eyes.
