In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some basic considerations to keep in mind while choosing between light and dark kitchen cabinets. From the way this impacts your overall aesthetic to the ways these shades influence size perception, mood and more, this might be a more important decision than you had realized.
At AWA Kitchen Cabinets, we’re proud to offer a wide range of color options for our high-quality kitchen cabinets to our Salt Lake City clients, including a huge selection of both light and dark shades for our base cabinets, oven cabinets, vanity cabinets and others. While part one of our series went over some of the other variables influenced by your choice of color shade, today’s part two will dig specifically into the psychology of color — we’ll look at four popular cabinet colors and the kinds of moods or feelings they commonly evoke, elements that may play a significant role in your selection.
White Cabinets
White has become a very popular color for cabinets and other kitchen elements, largely because it’s associated with a bright, welcoming and clean look. This is a great color for those who love natural wood but don’t want to settle for the yellowish-brown tones that some woods have, as white cabinets give more of a bright, fresh and modern appearance.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that this lighter color also comes with a drawback: it shows more dirt and fingerprints than darker colors. If you can deal with that and don’t mind a little extra housework, white cabinets are an excellent option that has the potential to look great.
Black Cabinets
In many cases, those using pure black cabinets or other very dark shades are looking to achieve a contrast with white countertops, light kitchen walls and other elements. Dark colors are often used to create a very modern look that’s bold and striking.
However, while this is an excellent choice for some kitchens — especially if you’ve got lighter colored appliances or fixtures — be aware that darker elements can actually make smaller kitchens feel even more cramped. However, you can mitigate this by contrasting dark cabinets with lighter elements or adding contrasting color to your flooring.
Gray Cabinets
Another popular choice, gray cabinets can be a simple way to pick up on the blue-ish undertones of white appliances. If you don’t want to work with black or another dark shade, gray is a great option that still offers some boldness and visual interest through grayscale patterns.
Gray colors evoke neutral, warm and cool associations, which means it has the potential to look great with a variety of other colors.
Blue Cabinets
Finally, another trend emerging in recent years is blue cabinetry, which provides a combination of elegance and warmth and shows undertones of yellow. Blue is a very popular choice among homeowners who don’t want to go all white but still want a fresh, clean look. Be aware, however, that this color may not be as versatile as others; it tends to evoke cool associations and thus looks best when paired with warmer elements such as yellows, but can also look great with grays and other cool colors.
For more on choosing ideal cabinet shade between dark and light hues, or to learn about any of our custom kitchen cabinets in SLC, speak to the staff at AWA Kitchen Cabinets today.