Tips for making your kitchen selections in your new home

Darker or Lighter Cabinets – Cabinets should fit your personality. Darker for richer, calmer and lighter for casual and upbeat. Remember when you make big contrast (darker/lighter) between elements it tends to draw the eye so be careful about pulling the focus in a bunch of different directions. Put in contrast if you want the eye drawn to a particular area.

Kitchen Lighting – The type of lighting you have in your kitchen will dictate much about the countertop colors you want to pick. If you have direct lighting such as pendant lights, track lighting or any other directional lighting the focal point is wherever the light is directed. Dark countertops tend to be enhanced by direct lighting. Light-colored countertops tend to look better when there is no direct light.

Kitchen Flooring – You may want to match the color of the floor, cabinets and countertops or you may not depending on the materials you are using. For example, a rough gray slate with tones of brown and green throughout works well with a cabinet color that matches the brown in the stone, while a countertop of cultured marble or granite with green marbling throughout completes the blending of colors throughout the kitchen. Contrasting the cabinets with the floor is a good idea if you want to set the cabinets apart, while you match the countertop material to the floor.

Kitchen Appliances – Typically you don’t want to draw attention to the appliances so if you have darker colors then choose black. Some very light colors may even look best with white appliances. Stainless which has become very popular tends to look great with either light or dark colors.

Hardware is one of the last things to consider but it can make all the difference in taking your kitchen from good to outstanding. The shape and finish of your pulls and knobs should coordinate with the styling you have in your kitchen. Smooth sleek and straight for modern kitchen design. Round porcelain can look great in a more country or vintage style kitchen. Brush nickel is a good finish for a more contemporary look. Oil rubbed bronze looks fantastic on darker richer finishes. Remember it’s just like dressing up. Accessories make it pop!