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Choosing the perfect colour for your kitchen can be tricky, after all, you’re going to have to live with your decision for some time! Luckily, Tom Howley’s expert designers are always happy to discuss kitchen paint colours and explain how you can select the perfect shade for your space. Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions.
The first thing to consider is the style of your home. These days, almost anything goes, so even if you select a beautiful, traditional shaker style kitchen, you can add personality to the cabinetry with bold, bright paint colours. In times gone by, authentic shaker kitchens were often painted in shades of green, blue, yellow and red to reflect colours found in nature.
If you have an older home with stunning original features or white plasterwork, muted shades and soft pastels work beautifully. In the 18th century, pale blues and gentle greens were used in combination with pristine plasterwork to create a classical look and feel that still looks fresh and contemporary in Georgian and early Victorian homes today.
If your kitchen has lots of natural light and high ceilings, you can emphasise this with shades of white or pale grey or a combination of the two! You can also afford to ‘go large’ with dark, dramatic shades. A bold-coloured island as a centrepiece can look striking against walls in a contrasting colour. If your kitchen has a cottagey feel or quirky corners, avoid darker kitchen paint colours and bring in light, fresh shades to maximise a sense of space. Bold, contemporary colours such as deep greens, fruity aubergine or navy blue can look stunning against exposed brickwork or natural wood.
Create a ‘mood board’. Daub samples of your selected kitchen paint shade on pieces of paper and pin them to the wall. Thinking of mixing and matching? Look at different paint shades next to each other and mix in patterns and textures. Kitchen paint colours are a great way to reinvigorate a tired space. If you have a bespoke wooden kitchen that’s been built to last, simply re-painting it in the future can bring it into the moment.
Don’t just look at your chosen colours in natural daylight. Think about where you’ll position your lighting. Remember, colours can look different in artificial light, so play around with swatches and samples in different lighting conditions before making a final decision.
Green. Green is a calming colour, so it’s an excellent choice for hectic spaces like busy kitchens. Surround yourself with green, and you’ll find it even easier to unwind at the end of a busy day. Our Avocado is a beautiful soft choice for green lovers, while our Aloe Vera gives cabinetry a gentle green finish. Our rich and sumptuous Serpentine is a deliciously olive shade that adds depth and a welcoming warmth to kitchen spaces
Dramatic darks. Lithadora, a daringly deep navy-blue shade, is a popular choice and works well with other colours. Contrast with white worktops for a striking and sophisticated finish. Our velvety, almost black, Stormy Sky shade with subtle purple undertones makes a real style statement and is a great pick for a showstopping centrepiece island.
Warmed-Up Greys. We’re seeing grey become more playful; mixing different shades on cabinetry adds depth, and interest, transforming kitchen spaces. Recently, we’ve seen an increased demand for our darker shade, Marjoram and our mid-tone, Comfrey. As Tom Howley designer, Suzanne Francis, mentioned in a KBBFocus feature, “Grey is calming and softens a room. In psychology, it represents peace and balance, which is so important within a home. It’s practical, simple and reliable.”
Yes! But does it have to be a wall? Every kitchen deserves a focal point, whether it’s a kitchen island, a fireplace or a stunning floor-to-ceiling window which draws the eye outside.
We love tiled splashbacks to add colour and interest. We also love the idea of art on walls in the kitchen – although not near the hob, of course! A feature-painted wall can draw attention and provide a colour contrast to cabinetry painted in a different shade. So yes, go for an accent wall or an accent feature wherever you can!
Each of our 24 carefully chosen kitchen paint colours has been developed for our bespoke collections, creating an exclusive palette that showcases the high-quality craftsmanship and design of every Tom Howley kitchen.
To find out more about our range of exclusive kitchen paint colours, why not visit your nearest showroom? You can find all our showrooms here or call us on 0161 873 8333.