What color should I paint my kitchen?

Question

The cabinets in my kitchen look like this (click on harvest):
http://www.kitchencraft.com/finishes_palette.aspx#oak


Currently, the walls are an off-white color with a slight red tint. I didn't pick it; it was just there when we moved in- as was the rest of the house!! Anyways, I'm looking for a country, rustic, or cottage feel. I don't want to paint it white, and I don't do wallpaper. Thanks! :)

Answer 1

I love my kitchen walls in a color called "Kennebunkport Green" by Benjamin Moore. I think it would look great next to your Harvest finish oak cabinets, as long as you have some good natural light in your kitchen (it is a little bit dark for a galley style or windowless kitchen). I accent the green with a medium shade of blue, and white florals, but red also goes very nicely with this color.

I highly recommend Benjamin Moore paints for their quality. They have a line of historical color choices (Kennebunkport Green, Yorkshire Tan, etc.) that are time tested so they won't go out of style like some of the color fads out there. If there is a particular regional "feel" you're going for, you should be able to find the perfect color to evoke that feeling from this line. Since Benjamin Moore is sold in stand-alone stores, the people there know a lot more about paint, and will spend more time with you, than in your big box home stores.

Answer 2

First principle: pick a color you like, rather than a color a consultant likes. You have to live with it, he doesn't.
Your cabinets are a medium-to-dark color. You will have to consider several things. How much natural light comes in to your kitchen,and what is its relationship to the location of the cabinets. When will the kitchen be used? If you work, and dinner is usually the only meal prepared in that kitchen and it is already dark outside, who cares about natural light! The most important thing about a kitchen is how you feel in it. Most people go for some shade of yellow, as that is supposed to remind us of sunny outdoors, and lift our spirits. Go into your kitchen at about the time you will be using it most. Turn on the lights if you need them, and feel the atmosphere. If it is dark and gloomy, go with a lighter color. If there are little "puddles" of darkness caused by shade, consider filler lighting to erase that darkness. The lighter a color you use,the more light will reflect around the room and help erase sharp edged shadows. (By the way,when you go to a paint store to get your color, remember that those little paint swatches they show you are not really indicative of how the color will look on a wall. If you find one shade you like, buy about two shades lighter.)
If your room is "open" , i.e. not very cluttered, consider decorating with color. Use painter's tape to give a mild pinstripe effect, for example. Try the DIY website for some suggestions.
Be sure to use a good quality kitchen paint. Even though you don't think you will be scrubbing down your walls,you will at least be doing spot clean ups. The more durable a paint you get, the less often you will be repainting.
There really is not a "best"color to buy. You have to consider everything that goes into that kitchen, cupboards, appliances. lights and lighting, flooring and YOU! In decorating a house, this room is the room that will actually see the most use. It must be the nicest room in the house and one that reflects your personality the most. Sorry I could not answer with a specific shade of color, but hopefully I mentioned enough for you to start picking YOUR color.

Answer 3

Traditionally, kitchen walls are frequently yellow, sage green or light or french blue.
With the harvest color cabinets, you could use many different colors.
What is your favorite color? Most women spend a lot of time in the kitchen, so it should be in a pleasing atmosphere.
Pick two favorites, one 'warm' [ peach/yellow/pink or red/ ] and one 'cool' [ blue/green/violet ] or cool neutral [ white/gray/black ] or warm neutral [ vanilla/caramel/chocolate ].
1]Paint the walls one color,
2] use a print with the two colors for valence/curtains/tablecloth/placemats; and
3] make other accessories the second color [ small appliances or their covers, visible cloths and mitts, canisters or flower pots ].

Answer 4

Country or rustic: light to medium gold with barn red or rust color trim, or a medium dark green trim. With these colors you'll get a warm feeling.

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Cottage: light blue with light yellow trim (or visa versa), light peach with light yellow trim, light green with yellow trim. Yes, yellow trim. Why go ordinary with white or off white trim? If you're painting anyway, use color! If you're afraid of too much color, go with a very light shade of the yellow, blue, etc. With these colors, you'll get a warm feeling, but in an airier sort of way.

Answer 5

I depends on what color YOU LIKE and the color(s) in the countertop. I have the same color cupboards!

I love blue, but in the kitchen I like to be cheery so I went with a pale yellow. I have very colorful tablecloths and I like to have fresh flowers.

Good luck!

Answer 6

It depends on if you want a rustic or cottage look. I think these are totally different. I have my kitchen/dining room in golden yellow & red w/olive green accents and I absolutely love it. But if you are wanting a cottage look I would go for a pale blue or green.

Answer 7

It would be easier to recommend a colour if I knew what the floor looked like, although the harvest colour might look nice with lemon colour (used with blues would be French Country) or spicy colours like orange and dark yellow (rustic).
Depending on how big it is, your kitchen could also handle solid red - in keeping with the rest of the house - See this link:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/homes/design/design_inspiration/factsheets/467.shtml

It also depends on what you like best.

Answer 8

If you are planning to start on your woodworking project, this isn't something you should use, it's something that you would be insane not to. Go here https://tr.im/dOHHk
Truth is, I've been a carpenter for almost 36 years, and I haven't found anything like this for less than 10's of thousands of dollars.

Answer 9

I would recomend painting it first with a primer to conceal the redish tint on the walls now...after that is accomplished, I would paint it light blue or eggshell...and accentuate the color in the room with blue curtains etc....

Answer 10

Anything goes with wood. If you are bold, go bright. If you are more subdued go a little paler.

You spend more time in there then anyone, so make it cheery. Take your favourite clothes, the colours you look best in, and see how you like those colours for the wall.