Choosing the right kitchen cabinet paint finishes to create an aesthetic that you will love in your kitchen is an essential step in kitchen design. The choices you make regarding color, style, and finishes can significantly impact the overall look and feel of your kitchen space. This is important because, according to JP Avenue, most Americans spend half an hour to an hour each day cooking in their kitchen. These nine tips can help you pick the kitchen cabinet paint finishes that will ensure you choose the perfect look for your kitchen.
1. Style Preferences
Before you start thinking about kitchen cabinet paint finishes, develop a vision of your kitchen style. Do you lean towards a modern, traditional, farmhouse, or transitional style? Defining your aesthetic preferences will provide a solid foundation for the rest of your decisions. Determining the style that you want your kitchen to have will help you narrow down the options for kitchen cabinet paint finishes.
Style preferences are deeply personal and often reflect an individual’s taste, personality, and lifestyle. When selecting cabinet finishes, consider the overall style you want to convey in your kitchen. Whether you are aiming for a modern, traditional, farmhouse, or eclectic style, the cabinet finishes should seamlessly integrate into the chosen design narrative.
2. Kitchen Architecture
Consider the existing design elements and choose kitchen cabinet paint finishes that complement the architectural features of your home. For example, if you have a craftsman-style home, ultra-modern finishes and colors may look a bit out of place. Try to keep your paint finishes on theme with the overall architectural style of your home. It will add a more cohesive look to your kitchen.
Achieving visual balance is crucial in kitchen design. The cabinet finishes should complement other elements in the kitchen, such as countertops, backsplashes, and flooring, as well as the architectural style of the home. Finding the right kitchen cabinet color finish balance will help your kitchen design blend seamlessly with the rest of your home.
3. Color Palette
Selecting the right color for your kitchen cabinets is a pivotal decision. Explore a palette of colors that align with your style and personal taste. Classic whites, subtle neutrals, or bold and dark tones can all create distinct aesthetics. Kitchen cabinet paint finishes have a profound effect on every aspect of your kitchen design and style. Choosing the right color is essential to help your kitchen vision come to life.
Your kitchen cabinets take up a lot of real estate in your kitchen. The color that you choose for your cabinets can either highlight the cabinetry and enhance it as a focal point or create a more neutral backdrop. Keep in mind there are many more colors on the color wheel than white for kitchen cabinetry.
4. Custom Look
Think outside the box when it comes to kitchen cabinets. Instead of going with one color on all the cabinets, consider painting the upper cabinets and lower cabinets in contrasting colors. Embrace the trend of two-tone cabinets by combining different colors for upper and lower cabinets. This allows for creative expression and adds visual interest to the kitchen.
You can choose colors that reflect the style of your home. For example, soft blue or teal cabinets can add a pop of color while maintaining a sense of calmness. These colors work particularly well in coastal or cottage-style kitchens. Thinking outside the box when it comes to kitchen cabinet paint can add a custom touch. Of course, you will use the same type of finish on all cabinets to tie everything together.
5. Matte or Gloss
When you are considering the kitchen cabinet finishes, you should consider not only appearance but durability. There are a range of finishes from matte (dull no shine) to high gloss (deep shine). Matte finishes provide a smooth, non-reflective surface, offering a modern and understated look. They are ideal for contemporary kitchens and can disguise fingerprints and smudges.
Glossy finishes reflect light, creating a sleek and polished appearance. The gloss finishes easily wiped clean. For a vintage or rustic aesthetic, consider distressed finishes. Glazed finishes involve applying a glaze over the paint to create depth and highlight the details of the cabinet doors. Choosing the right finish is essential.
6. Maintenance Considerations
Don’t forget to give some attention to considerations about maintenance. Individuals who prioritize a low-maintenance kitchen might opt for matte or textured finishes that camouflage fingerprints and smudges. Consider finishes that are resistant to fingerprints and smudges, especially if you have a busy household.
Kitchens are prone to spills and splatters, making stain resistance an essential consideration. Seek finishes that repel common kitchen stains, such as those caused by oils, food spills, and liquid spills. This feature simplifies cleaning and helps maintain the original color of the cabinets. It’s important that you choose a finish that matches the level of maintenance that you want to contend with.
7. Inspirational Elements
If you are still struggling to decide about kitchen cabinet paint finishes consider drawing inspiration from the features of your kitchen. Look around your kitchen and consider the existing elements, such as countertops, backsplash, flooring, and even the color of your appliances. Your cabinet color finishes should complement these elements.
If you have a dominant color in your kitchen, you can either match or choose a complementary color for the cabinets. Relying on elements already in your kitchen to choose a color finish for your cabinets can prove to be an easy way to make a choice. Drawing inspiration from your surroundings ensures that your cabinet finishes integrate seamlessly into the overall design.
8. Test Samples
Before you decide on a color and finish your kitchen cabinets, you should “live with” the color for a few days. Paint chip samples taped to the cabinets will allow you to view the color at different times of the day to get a realistic feel of the color. As the light changes in the kitchen throughout the day, the color undertones may shift.
Before you make a final decision, using paint samples to see how the color changes in different lighting can help ensure you are choosing the right color and finish. All paint colors have undertones that can become more prominent in different lighting. For example, some whites have blue undertones that are barely noticeable in certain lighting but become more obvious in other lighting. Live with a sample taped to the cabinet for a few days to have confidence in your choice.
9. The Myths
There are a few kitchen cabinet paint finish myths that you should consider when you are making your decision. The first of many myths is that if you have a small kitchen, you should only use light colors on your cabinets. Light colors can enhance the feeling of openness, but small kitchens aren’t limited to light hues. Darker colors can be used strategically to create a cozy and intimate ambiance.
Bold colors are risky is another myth. Bold colors might seem intimidating, but they can make a striking statement. Don’t let myths about kitchen cabinet paint finishes dissuade you from choosing the color and finish that you envision for the space.
Choosing kitchen cabinet paint finishes can be a difficult decision because there are so many options. Enlisting the help of a professional painting service can help you to make an informed decision. Learn more about color and finish options for your kitchen cabinets. Call our team at JNG Painting & Decorating today!
