It’s often said that the easiest and least expensive way to make a big change in a space is to paint the walls. And that’s very true. But, it’s also very true that selecting colors can be an enormously daunting challenge. And these challenges are doubled in the kitchen and bath, where there is so much else going on–from cabinetry to appliances, backsplashes to flooring. These are our most expensive rooms and many of us find color selections to be the hardest in these spaces. But, it doesn’t have to be that way.
Let’s start with the bathroom. Conventional wisdom says that a small room should be painted a light color to make it look larger. I disagree. A small powder room is the perfect place to try something bold! A dark red or blue wall color, combined with white fixtures, would make for a snappy little space. Add in some sparkling nickel or chrome faucets and a big mirror and you’re on your way to creating a bold and dramatic place that perfectly welcomes guests. Remember that a small powder room/guest bathroom is used for a very limited purpose and usually folks aren’t spending much time in there. A great reason to go bold!
The family bathroom or master bath is a bit different, however. These are really working spaces–shaving, makeup applications, and doing one’s hair all require a brighter, well-lit space. What is the mood you wish to set? If you are looking for a very clean, crisp feeling space, then clear blues and greens are a great choice. Think of the colors of sea glass. That tumbled clarity provides just the right sense of freshness. Paired with snowy white fixtures and sparkling faucets and you’ll virtually feel the cool breeze passing through!
Trickier than colorizing one’s bathroom is the challenge of selecting the color palette in the kitchen. There are so many choices to make if you are designing your kitchen from scratch. From the wood or paint color on the cabinets to the backsplash tile and counter material, to the floor–the kitchen is the most complete floor-to-ceiling project in the home. Of course, not everyone is going to tackle a floor-to-ceiling kitchen design project, so for these purposes, we’ll assume that the cabinets, counter, backsplash, and floors are already in place.
