What color to paint the kitchen?

Question

I just bought an older home and I need ideas on what color to paint the kitchen. The cabinets are a dark cherry and the kitchen also has chair rails. Above the chair rails I am going to paint an eggshell white but I want a stand out color for below the chair rails. Previously there was wall paper (didn't like it). I also want a color that want clash with the dark cherry cabinets. Please give some advice or ideas?

Answer 1

I would keep it in light colors because its easier to spot dirt, and bugs, specially if you have children.

Answer 2

Why are you set on eggshell white above? Is there a reason? I would say, if you plan to go light on the top, don't go but a shade or two of the same hue darker on the bottom, otherwise your kitchen will look bottom heavy and out of sync. If you aren't totally set in cement on the eggshell white, I would try something in a medium pink or salmon pink on the top, and one or two shades of the same color on the bottom. This color looks awesome with dark cherry! Though you should always get samples from the paint store and test them on the walls you are painting first, since colors usually look different in the light at home then they do in the light at the store. Good luck with your kitchen!!

Answer 3

Dark cherry cabinets are beautiful but can be hard to choose a wall color to match. Let's see, I would say a light color yellow, or an off white. I would even say a very light color tan. Click links to view a few photos of cherry cabinets. Hopes this helps.

http://www.dongardner.com/images/plans/interiors/867kitchen.jpg

http://www.armstrong.com/content2/resam/images/29103.jpg

http://images.kraftmaid.com/media/productimages/roomscenes/large/LWB_RS01.jpg

Answer 4

I suggest a color called "Pewter Green" it will look beautiful with the paint above the chair rail and it complements the cherry cabinets. Check it out at this website
http://www.sherwin-williams.com/do_it_yourself/

Answer 5

I believe I would go about this in a different way. I'd chose some particular "theme" for my kitchen and build the color scheme around that choice. For instance - cherries, or some other item that you like. I selected strawberries for my kitchen. I have built my colors etc around that as a base. Personally I would not go with the eggshell white at the top. That's a bit dull. I'd throw some personality in to it. Go bold. Go soft. Go muted. But go YOU.

We spend far to much time in the kitchen for it not to be inviting. For instance with my strawberries - I have greens, reds and yellows through out. It's beautiful! Inviting. Colorful. Me. It's loaded with personality.

But ... that's just my opinion.

Answer 6

Greens or blues will set off the cherry nicely so would a nice harvest Gold. Green in more of the Olive tones or nice navy or cobalt blues.(IMHO yellow would clash with cherry cabinets)

Answer 7

I would go with a deep hue. You will get a lot of contrast with the eggshell on the top. I think deep rich colors make a home feel more cozy and inviting.

Answer 8

I used a sunshine YELLOW. The kitchen was just to dark before using the yellow. I think the color was actually called sunflower.

Answer 9

I agree with a darker color for the bottom or what about a faux finish? What is your decor?

I just redid ours in Tuscany style, had a great time with some very good faux finishes and because it's made to not look "perfect" a few handprints won't be noticed.

Answer 10

a royal shade of color would go best with cherry wood & eggshell white..try a
bold red,pumpkin orange,or sage green

Answer 11

Sage green maybe. Otherwise I agree with the dark hues. What about something in the family of a terra cotta?