Avoid Using These Four Hues for Cabinet Repainting
When it comes to selecting a paint color for your kitchen cabinets, you might think anything goes, but pros warn against certain choices to prevent major regrets. Here, we delve into four colors and color families to steer clear of, as shared by Southern designers.
1. Bright White
Corinne Back, the founder of Corinne Victoria Design in Alexandria, Virginia, advises against bright white cabinets. They can give off a harsh, sterile feel, especially in spaces with historical charm. This hue tends to show wear and tear more easily than warmer off-whites, which will provide a less clinical look.
Dawn Heuer, founder of the Heuer Design Collective in Atlanta, Georgia, echoes this sentiment and suggests alternative colors for a balanced, timeless appearance.
"Softer neutrals, such as off-white, warm grays, or greige, and deep, rich colors like navy blue or forest green could be great options for a contemporary feel," Heuer suggests.
2. Very Dark Colors
Not even dark colors are a favorite among designers. Elana Mendelson, the founder of Elana Designs in Potomac, Maryland, warns against using high-gloss black or very dark-colored cabinets. These hues will immediately show up fingerprints, smudges, and dust, making maintenance a challenge. Opting for a matte or satin finish will offer a sharp and manageable appearance.
Emma Thayer, founder of Emma Thayer Interiors in Washington, D.C., agrees. Dark cabinets create an open challenge for keeping them looking clean and can overpower the space, making it appear colder rather than warmer.
3. Monochromatic, One-Note Colors
Adam Ford, co-founder of A.A. Ford Interiors in Knoxville, Tennessee, recommends avoiding "any color that is too clear or one-note." Having a muddy quality to the color will provide depth, ensuring that the cabinet finish will look its best with the inevitable clutter that your kitchen will accumulate.
4. Neons
Lauren McKay, founder of Lauren McKay Interiors in Raleigh, suggests steering clear of neon colors like highlighter yellow, neon orange, electric blue, and bright pink. These vibrant hues can easily clash with other colors in the space, creating a jarring impact. While color enthusiasts may love neon tones, they can often appear juvenile.
Integrating relevant insights from the enrichment data, it's essential to consider how various color choices can impact the overall aesthetic of your kitchen. While there is often a focus on staying within the neutral color palette, it's crucial to avoid oversaturating your space with white, black, or other single-toned hues. Mixing metals, incorporating earthy tones, and using warm contrasting hardware can add depth, personality, and warmth to your kitchen design.
Incorporating color palettes into a kitchen design, Southern Living magazine suggests avoiding Bright White for cabinets, as it can give a harsh, sterile feel. Instead, opt for softer neutrals, warm grays, greige, or deep, rich colors like navy blue or forest green for a contemporary look.
When considering very dark colors for cabinets, Elana Mendelson warns against using high-gloss black or extremely dark hues because they easily show fingerprints, smudges, and dust, making maintenance challenging. Opting for a matte or satin finish provides a more manageable appearance.
