Help with colors...again

C50

C50

Senior Member
Location
Ohio, USA
I struggle with colors and could sure use some help. Last week I repainted my kitchen cabinets a color called Dove, a grey/beige Behr paint color. Now I'm stuck on the wall color, I had a pale green color in my head but didn't like it once it hit the wall.

So attached is a picture with samples, single coat with a brush so some bleed thru but you get the idea. Also a picture of the kitchen and dining room floor so you can see the flow.

Take a pick or offer a suggestion, just nothing outlandish, I'm not that bold.lol. Thanks for any help.20240226_102817.jpg20240224_165115.jpg
 

I'm confused because you put the paint colors next to white cabinets. Are only the lower cabinets Dove? (AKA as Greige. Grey + Beige = Greige.)

I probably should not weigh in because I would paint over that Dove shade ASAP. BUT, if you're going to stick with it, my only advice is that blues and greens kind of signal sleep/calm to the brain, while reds and oranges kind of signal "eat and be happy".

How Colors Affect Brain Functioning
Here's How Colours Really Affect Our Brain And Body, According to Science

Pinks on walls, light pinks, actually can make people depressed. Hot pink is so calming that it is sometimes used in psych wards to calm aggressive types.

I want a kitchen to be a happy place, so of the choices you show, I'd go with one of the sunny yellows.

But color in a home can also convey a STYLE of architectural design. Do you have a style? Example: Cape Cod, Contemporary, Ranch style, Traditional? If you don't, that's fine, I'm just asking.

If you're going for Contemorary, for example, you need new cabinet handles because your current ones are very Traditional. Contemporary wall colors tend to be neutrals and cool shades, not so much sunny yellow, except as a highlight shade.

Look online for ideas. There's many thousands of pictures for ideas about color combinations: 32 Traditional Kitchen Ideas That Stand the Test of Time
 
Recent blog post about greige cabinets. Looks like people are pairing the cabinets with white or very light walls. You can add color with tea towels, a kitchen mat, pottery on the counters that pull from your accent tiles on floor.
 
How much wall will you be painting? The one beside the cabinets? What other walls or items are nearby? The kitchen floor is white and the counter tops are cool grey? Choose a cooler colour.
 
VintageBetter said:
I'm confused because you put the paint colors next to white cabinets. Are only the lower cabinets Dove? (AKA as Greige. Grey + Beige = Greige.)

I probably should not weigh in because I would paint over that Dove shade ASAP. BUT, if you're going to stick with it, my only advice is that blues and greens kind of signal sleep/calm to the brain, while reds and oranges kind of signal "eat and be happy".

How Colors Affect Brain Functioning
Here's How Colours Really Affect Our Brain And Body, According to Science

Pinks on walls, light pinks, actually can make people depressed. Hot pink is so calming that it is sometimes used in psych wards to calm aggressive types.

I want a kitchen to be a happy place, so of the choices you show, I'd go with one of the sunny yellows.

But color in a home can also convey a STYLE of architectural design. Do you have a style? Example: Cape Cod, Contemporary, Ranch style, Traditional? If you don't, that's fine, I'm just asking.

If you're going for Contemorary, for example, you need new cabinet handles because your current ones are very Traditional. Contemporary wall colors tend to be neutrals and cool shades, not so much sunny yellow, except as a highlight shade.

Look online for ideas. There's many thousands of pictures for ideas about color combinations: 32 Traditional Kitchen Ideas That Stand the Test of Time
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VB I have no style, no plan, I just make it up as I go. The cabinets are all the same color, the difference is just the way the light was hitting them I guess. The kitchen walls are currently a color called ancient scroll, or as my daughter called it "smoker yellow", so I'm trying to stay away from yellows.
 
I'm partial to #1, that's actually the color of my bedroom, it called Contemplation, my daughter didn't like that choice because it's too similar to the dining room.

The kitchen has three walls, two just need the sofits over the cabinets painted and the third wall has the refrigerator and a free standing hutch covering much of the wall.

All my projects stop dead when it comes to color selection, it takes me longer to select a color than it does to do the actual painting!
 
img_8650-jpeg.332193
 
Also fond of #1.

Don't know if it is too small or too far away, but you might try matching some color in that decorative tile at the entrance.
 
C50 said:
I struggle with colors and could sure use some help. Last week I repainted my kitchen cabinets a color called Dove, a grey/beige Behr paint color. Now I'm stuck on the wall color, I had a pale green color in my head but didn't like it once it hit the wall.

So attached is a picture with samples, single coat with a brush so some bleed thru but you get the idea. Also a picture of the kitchen and dining room floor so you can see the flow.

Take a pick or offer a suggestion, just nothing outlandish, I'm not that bold.lol. Thanks for any help.View attachment 332153View attachment 332154
Click to expand...
The greens will clash with that bottom cabinet. There is also blue and mauve in the floor tile, but if you go with that #5, it's going to be overkill. Consider a warm white to match the upper cabinets. That way the area doesn't look chopped into little personalities trying to play together. You have contrasting metals in play there too--stainless steel and what looks like old brass or burnt bronze handles. If you decide to change hardware, go with a polished brass to update the look a bit more. The stove is modern so the lighter polished brass will compliment it. Go for clean lines. It plays well with all the colors and the appliances. I included pictures... I really get excited about stuff like this so... sorry. :censored:
 

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So the upper and lower cabinets are the same color, I know it's hard to tell by the photos. The floor tiles are white with light grey swirls and an ocassional touch of mauve. I went with the Dove color for the cabinets thinking it would go with the grey in the floor, I'm happy with how that turned out. I am still thinking of changing the hardware but that can wait.

I'm going to plunge ahead with color #1, I'm not sure it really matches anything but it will be good enough for who it's for.šŸ™‚

Thanks for all the help!
 
VintageBetter said:
Actually, one can go wrong with any color. Depends on many factors. But it's his kitchen so he gets to choose.
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Okayyyyyy! When you go to sell your home, real estate agents will help you pick out neutral colours. Why? Itā€™s because neutral colours are more pleasing to the majority of people. Most people can picture their own furniture and stuff in the house painted with neutral colours. Itā€™s a proven fact the a house painted with neutral colours sells better.
 
PeppermintPatty said:
Okayyyyyy! When you go to sell your home, real estate agents will help you pick out neutral colours. Why? Itā€™s because neutral colours are more pleasing to the majority of people. Most people can picture their own furniture and stuff in the house painted with neutral colours. Itā€™s a proven fact the a house painted with neutral colours sells better.
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Hi, I've never known of an RE agent who would advice people on paint color choices, but maybe you know of some, so that is possible.

The reason some agents tell people to paint in neutral shades, to neutralize the decor, is because that removes the owner's personality from the place. It makes the home more like a blank canvas on which a potential buyer might be able to project their hopes and dreams.

That's the same reason a good RE agent will tell you to remove all your family photos, knic-knacks and to please clean up your hobby spaces. Can't people just see past your clutter and your photos? Some can, but many more cannot.

The OP didn't say he's painting it to SELL IT. He's painting the cabinets grey because he like grey.

All I'm saying is that a neutral shade over all four walls can be a terrible choice if you are someone who LIKES color. If you like colors, choose colors.
 
Tip: take a picture of the area of the upper and lower cabinets with the wall next to it. Print out on regular paper so you can color on it. Color the wall a color you might like. Does the kitchen look boxed in? Does the colored wall point to the cabinet like a neon sign saying look how small I am. Then color the wall a white to match the cabinet. Does your eye now travel down the wall giving the illusion that the kitchen is bigger? You live in the house so do what makes you happy. However, if this is for resale, illusions sell faster. My dad paid $299,000 for his house. I flipped it. After paying off mortgage and all the fees, the estate made $408,000.
 
VintageBetter said:
Hi, I've never known of an RE agent who would advice people on paint color choices, but maybe you know of some, so that is possible.

The reason some agents tell people to paint in neutral shades, to neutralize the decor, is because that removes the owner's personality from the place. It makes the home more like a blank canvas on which a potential buyer might be able to project their hopes and dreams.

That's the same reason a good RE agent will tell you to remove all your family photos, knic-knacks and to please clean up your hobby spaces. Can't people just see past your clutter and your photos? Some can, but many more cannot.

The OP didn't say he's painting it to SELL IT. He's painting the cabinets grey because he like grey.

All I'm saying is that a neutral shade over all four walls can be a terrible choice if you are someone who LIKES color. If you like colors, choose colors.
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Vintage Better - Iā€™m really not interested in debating with you. Iā€™m not interested in debating with anyone. We were asked a question and I answered it. I know this member isnā€™t selling their home. I never claimed he was. This is my answer and I donā€™t plan on changing it cause ā€˜youā€™ donā€™t like it.
Find someone else to hassle.
 
PeppermintPatty said:
Vintage Better - Iā€™m really not interested in debating with you. Iā€™m not interested in debating with anyone. We were asked a question and I answered it. I know this member isnā€™t selling their home. I never claimed he was. This is my answer and I donā€™t plan on changing it cause ā€˜youā€™ donā€™t like it.
Find someone else to hassle.
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Patty, I'm not trying to hassle you. No one has to change their answer - not you or me.
 

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