Restaurants have long known that if they use certain colors in their decor, it will stimulate their customer’s appetite and make them feel more comfortable. You can take advantage of this effect in your own kitchen by choosing color schemes for your walls and cabinetry that stimulate the mood and feel you wish to create. Read on to learn more about how to use color to create the desired atmosphere in your home and kitchen.
The Psychology Of Color in the Kitchen
Color Theory Basics
That colors can influence human emotions has been known since ancient times, and more recent psychological studies have confirmed it. Specific color frequencies stimulate the brain to release hormones that affect emotions and even cause a physical reaction. Responses to color are learned and shared across cultures and societies. This means you can use color in your home decor to create different emotional responses, such as warm and cozy, relaxed and thoughtful, happy and cheerful, or fun and exciting. Using the right colors in your kitchen can set the tone for the entire space, and your cabinet colors are important because they are so prominent.
Colors and Moods
Each color tends to encourage particular moods, as shown below:
- Blue: Calmness and serenity, including soothing and relaxing effects, reducing stress.
- Green: Associated with health, nature and healing, as well as a sense of harmony and balance. It can also stimulate appetite.
- Yellow: Happiness and optimism, a good choice to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
- Red: Excitement and passion, also considered the most appetite-stimulating of colors, and often used in restaurant decor.
- Grays/Whites: Practical and quiet, conveying a sense of cleanliness and sophistication.
Kitchen Color Case Studies
Here’s how some noted celebrities use color in their own kitchen styles.
- Martha Stewart: The Queen of the kitchen, Martha is known for using soft green tones in her decor, reflecting her emphasis on fresh, natural ingredients.
- Gordon Ramsay: The famous chef uses a lot of black and gray in his kitchen, conveying a mood of sophistication and modernity.
- Joanna Gaines: The expert home remodeler uses whites and beiges to create a cozy and welcoming kitchen.
Practical Color Tips for Your Kitchen Decor
When selecting the palette for your kitchen cabinets and decor, choose colors that reflect your own style and personality. Consider both the natural and artificial lighting in your kitchen and how it interacts with your choices. If you use bold, bright colors, remember to balance them with neutral shades to retain overall harmony.
Contact Walters Cabinets for even more tips for your perfect kitchen decor.
