Thoughts on choosing dark kitchen cabinets

 Questions  about the wisdom of  choosing dark  kitchen cabinets keep cropping up in my reading and client discussions. Of course there are no absolutes in decorating.  You can make anything work or look good if you have the skills, and using dark cabinets in any room  requires a deft hand.<br /><br />If you want your dark cabinet choice to work and have the longest style staying power, consider the following:<br /><br /><h4>Let the cabinets shine</h4><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLMqUuMbvJFGx8QwD9jd19nenoGJGj2kwdlK19GF2EjyNmY0xlmZ0nbUiiZvN5lCrOU2jTn9Mk-L9Q2Dq_rG0fNYPlBRuy1gmMCEKkIdPjMfOIEGj0pSSRdcDr0otMSC5lgUsbL_hzYAxA/s1600/dark+contemporary-kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="dark cabinets high contrast " border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLMqUuMbvJFGx8QwD9jd19nenoGJGj2kwdlK19GF2EjyNmY0xlmZ0nbUiiZvN5lCrOU2jTn9Mk-L9Q2Dq_rG0fNYPlBRuy1gmMCEKkIdPjMfOIEGj0pSSRdcDr0otMSC5lgUsbL_hzYAxA/s1600/dark+contemporary-kitchen.jpg" title="Thoughts on choosing dark kitchen cabinets" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/discussions/137108/Are-dark-kitchen-cabinets-out---everything"> source</a></div><br /> When I work with clients who want everything that they consider trendy in one space, I always discuss the wisdom of this approach.   Something has to be the star in a space and you should decide in the beginning what the star will be.  When you choose dark cabinets they demand centre stage, and everything else should support them and make them look their best.  Using lots of white or very light colours with dark cabinets is the way to go to get that sophisticated, rich, classy look that many people are after when they choose dark cabinets.   <br /><br /><h4>Use  in open area spaces </h4><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilepltFCc_VzCyO5QyzL8vVYPW9WG6-ucZXTB2eEfKLwbmEVXNxgOIDDS9IxONsJbJG6uNJxVLIu9_vW_lavyIzq9ZKZVGocYVO7y3MJGt9abo591m3lnnAXHykYmnYFetpYdJD_fQXKmL/s1600/dark-+cabinets-open-area.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="dark cabinets open concept" border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilepltFCc_VzCyO5QyzL8vVYPW9WG6-ucZXTB2eEfKLwbmEVXNxgOIDDS9IxONsJbJG6uNJxVLIu9_vW_lavyIzq9ZKZVGocYVO7y3MJGt9abo591m3lnnAXHykYmnYFetpYdJD_fQXKmL/s1600/dark-+cabinets-open-area.jpg" title="Thoughts on choosing dark kitchen cabinets" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">  <a href="http://www.houzz.com/discussions/137108/Are-dark-kitchen-cabinets-out---everything">source  </a></div><br />Dark cabinets work well in large, open area spaces where the wall colours are lighter rather than darker. The dark cabinets help to balance and ground the space. . <br /><br /><h4>Have breaks in the dark flow </h4><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhBuh1gPjk6NzA3DARHWs4-SNvUaP6qm0uj6pPb1dkNJ5hkMvKtBMnx1ws10yK2MkoIpRU75-IYn45-bUFwFB6S7iA7qxN9Yacys3jsna_g6QIa63YSY9pwc93-68HDlXcutwK3sPABjk2/s1600/dark-gray-cabinets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="open spaces with dark kitchen cabinets" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhBuh1gPjk6NzA3DARHWs4-SNvUaP6qm0uj6pPb1dkNJ5hkMvKtBMnx1ws10yK2MkoIpRU75-IYn45-bUFwFB6S7iA7qxN9Yacys3jsna_g6QIa63YSY9pwc93-68HDlXcutwK3sPABjk2/s1600/dark-gray-cabinets.jpg" title="Thoughts on choosing dark kitchen cabinets" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.goodrenopin.com/?p=7099"> source</a></div><br /> Leaving lots of wall space free of cabinets and/or having glass with light interior cabinets can do a  lot to balance a darker cabinet colour.  Having contrast with the floor is a must to create a lively space.<br /><h4>Mix dark and light together</h4><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/1162214/kitchen-contemporary-kitchen-toronto"><img alt="mixing light and dark kitchen cabinets" border="0" height="265" src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/2081989a0ff468af_3-0506/contemporary-kitchen.jpg" title="Thoughts on choosing dark kitchen cabinets" width="400" /></a></h4><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/braamscc/braams-custom-cabinets" style="color: #444444; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none;">Braam's Custom Cabinets</a></div> <span style="font-weight: normal;">If you are afraid of too much dark but like the look why not do a mix of darks and lights together? </span><br /><h4>Questions to consider: </h4><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> Is there enough contrast with the floor? </b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkR_bBDlUkDj9BJ9iUibNbn3B-0u6h0AY3SPvIQcg9Supo3pCBipoVEqQCIULQcajsAZ4Pl67qKejia34Va6HrgF_ADzqCVMXYLBrHaEhKWOJUEyRvvYrKUuYiiCqJxvgox7qcf-sqISF_/s1600/dark+-cabinets-dark-floor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="dark kitchen cabinets dark floors" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkR_bBDlUkDj9BJ9iUibNbn3B-0u6h0AY3SPvIQcg9Supo3pCBipoVEqQCIULQcajsAZ4Pl67qKejia34Va6HrgF_ADzqCVMXYLBrHaEhKWOJUEyRvvYrKUuYiiCqJxvgox7qcf-sqISF_/s1600/dark+-cabinets-dark-floor.jpg" title="Thoughts on choosing dark kitchen cabinets" width="316" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.decorpad.com/photo.htm?photoId=88344">source  </a></div><br />When you choose dark cabinets your floors need to contrast with the cabinets or you are going to have the "bear cave" look that happens when your floors blend in with your cabinets. This is not an attractive look for  smaller spaces.    Even thought the floor above does have some contrast with the cabinets, I would have chosen something a tad lighter to open up the space.  Again, no absolutes, only considerations and photos often lie.  This is a lovely space.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b> Is there enough contrast between elements?</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3C-Fzy5sQ3guqFbycq6Inaj4aOUZ8yBkqGqnVPogMHADvjB9XmAboHDmCrM6yUt5oLDF1LG6AtQ3oafVKheKrZG-xMCmZ4DkdHkbhNf6dpiEzjJ0K9mQCMh2oM5EjdJB00V0cOga9WrdY/s1600/no-contrast-dark-cabinets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="dark kitchen cabinets contrast " border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3C-Fzy5sQ3guqFbycq6Inaj4aOUZ8yBkqGqnVPogMHADvjB9XmAboHDmCrM6yUt5oLDF1LG6AtQ3oafVKheKrZG-xMCmZ4DkdHkbhNf6dpiEzjJ0K9mQCMh2oM5EjdJB00V0cOga9WrdY/s1600/no-contrast-dark-cabinets.jpg" title="Thoughts on choosing dark kitchen cabinets" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.luxurykitchenideas.com/dark-wooden-kitchen-cabinets-design/dark-kitchen-cabinets/">source</a></div><br />This space is unusually dark.  It is the perfect kitchen for someone, but I would venture to say that it would not be a selling point for many buyers. <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Can you have too much  pattern?</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhex-v0DlLBt6eeiUjUwyKWRi344aG7weX9ynkPLL3r2U6TTtAXQ4MbhDqbp2ht8ZtWBN63htNDnSQDzGoaFNjwPXXKKqvUGt0EHxWzqMvPe6Gz9NOLSzwGkNPCARh2pW2000-oEP9DXNNv/s1600/dark-+passe-kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="patterned countertop and backsplash" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhex-v0DlLBt6eeiUjUwyKWRi344aG7weX9ynkPLL3r2U6TTtAXQ4MbhDqbp2ht8ZtWBN63htNDnSQDzGoaFNjwPXXKKqvUGt0EHxWzqMvPe6Gz9NOLSzwGkNPCARh2pW2000-oEP9DXNNv/s1600/dark-+passe-kitchen.jpg" title="Thoughts on choosing dark kitchen cabinets" width="328" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kitchen-design-angel.com/kitchen-cabinet-colors.html">source  </a></div><br />  When you have darker, busy countertops  and then have patterned backsplash you are setting up pattern competition, and it can look very busy in a small space. My rule of thumb is patterned counter, plain backsplash.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Do you have enough lighting?</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/215247/Rocky-Ledge-Kitchen-transitional-kitchen-boston" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img alt="adequate kitchen lighting dark cabinets" border="0" height="267" src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/b001d3950e287d2e_3-6124/transitional-kitchen.jpg" title="Thoughts on choosing dark kitchen cabinets" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"></div><br /><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"> </span><a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/lda-architecture-interiors/lda-architecture-interiors" style="color: #444444; font-size: 13px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;">LDa Architecture & Interiors</a></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="color: #444444;">Sometimes it is difficult to tell from a photo exactly how much light is in a space.  This space is reading dark even with the obviously adequate lighting from three (probably four with under counter) light sources and light reflection from the white counter and backsplash. <br /><br />Who knew there was so much to consider when you decide to go for dark!  Again, there are no absolutes only considerations and balances.   Happy decision making.</div>

Thoughts on choosing dark kitchen cabinets

 Questions  about the wisdom of  choosing dark  kitchen cabinets keep cropping up in my reading and client discussions. Of course there are ...

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Kitchen cabinet colour trends

My choice for kitchen cabinets has always been white because I just don't like living with dark colours or too much wood grain. I liked white before it became popular; I fought the natural oak trend when we built our home in the mid 80's and now that  dark stained cabinets seem to be the going trend where I live, I continue to love white. <br /><br />Just how popular are white cabinets?<br /><br />  I decided to conduct a very unscientific poll using the kitchen section of Houzz.   I looked at the first 50 pictures of long views of kitchens  sorted by most popular today and here is what I found out:  Of the 50.....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>8% were  natural wood or stained wood</b></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> There was a mix of  stains...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/2315772/Pepper-Kitchen-contemporary-kitchen-ottawa"><img border="0" height="626" src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/676146e400ddc8f6_8-1800/contemporary-kitchen.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><small> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/laurysen/laurysen-kitchens-ltd" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Laurysen Kitchens Ltd.</a></small></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">....from this very dark espresso like colour ...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/2682238/Super-Clean-Contemporary-contemporary-kitchen-san-francisco"><img border="0" height="334" src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/4d512906010c4dc9_8-1438/contemporary-kitchen.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444;"><div style="text-align: center;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/kitchen-and-bath/other-metro" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;"></a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/elyseh66/paragon-kitchen-bath-studio" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Paragon Kitchen & Bath Studio</a></small></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">.... <span style="font-size: small;">to a mid <span style="font-size: small;">value</span> cherry....</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/359968/Campbel-traditional-kitchen-other-metro"><img border="0" height="746" src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/4ca1a6270ebdcb46_8-9115/traditional-kitchen.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/architect/other-metro" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;"></a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/christiangladu/christian-gladu-design" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Christian Gladu Design</a></small><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">.....to n<span style="font-size: small;">atural wood .</span><b> </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> 14% were painted colours other than white/cream  </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><small><br /></small></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/1670385/Kitchens-traditional-kitchen-dc-metro"><img border="0" height="332" src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/949179a900676bba_8-9608/traditional-kitchen.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/photographer/dc-metro" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;"> Photographer</a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/mcschnitzer/maxine-schnitzer-photography" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Maxine Schnitzer Photography</a></small></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">M</span>ost of the </span>cabinet  were lighter colours<span style="font-size: small;"> so this black  kitchen st<span style="font-size: small;">ood out. I think <span style="font-size: small;">it </span>works in dark because it is open to a much larger space and there is a liberal use of light creams and white. Working with dark cabinets has to be a balancing act or you end up with a cave. </span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">  </span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/2677565/Suffield--CT-traditional-kitchen-other-metro"><img border="0" height="342" src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/a141582b010c0b66_8-8187/traditional-kitchen.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444;"><div style="text-align: center;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional/kitchen" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">T</a><a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/architect/other-metro" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;"> Architect</a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/kemperarch/kemper-associates-architects-llc" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Kemper Associates Architects, LLC</a></small></div><br /><span style="font-size: small;">Yellow was perhaps the most  unusual colour choice   of the fifty surveyed <span style="font-size: small;">kitchens </span>and you would really have to love yellow to live in this kitchen. </span></div><div style="color: #444444;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/73269/Craftsman-Kitchen-traditional-kitchen-other-metro"><img border="0" height="332" src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/87a1d75f0cabffd7_8-1000/traditional-kitchen.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444;"><div style="text-align: center;"><small> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/duclett/natalie-disalvo" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Natalie DiSalvo</a></small></div><br /><small><span style="font-size: small;"> You can never go wrong with a soft colour for kitchen cabinets.  This creamy green is light enough to open up the space, but you can still define it as a colour.  I think it was a good sol<span style="font-size: small;">ution in this Craf<span style="font-size: small;">t</span>sman style house where the traditional finish would have been stained wood. </span></span></small><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/2496110/Valley-Run-traditional-kitchen-other-metro"><img border="0" height="332" src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/c271eff700f825d1_8-7044/traditional-kitchen.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/architect/other-metro" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;"></a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/jlfarchitects/jlf-associates-inc" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">JLF & Associates, Inc.</a></small><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><small><span style="font-size: small;">Who would ever think of a grayed lavender as a cabinet colour, but it really works in this atrium kitchen. The wood tone in the medium stained island  is repeated in several places throughout the space<span style="font-size: small;"> to create visual harmony. <span style="font-size: small;">Grays with purple undertones act<span style="font-size: small;">ually work really well with mid toned woods<span style="font-size: small;">, but it not a colour everyone likes. </span></span></span></span> </span></small></div><br /><small><span style="font-size: small;"><b>22% were white/cream with dark is<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">l</span>ands</span></b></span></small><br /><small><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b> </span></small></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/109770/Needham-Kitchen-traditional-kitchen-boston"><img border="0" height="624" src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/7791cbc70d386144_8-6734/traditional-kitchen.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/kitchen-and-bath/boston" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Kitchen And Bath</a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/venegas/venegas-and-company" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Venegas and Company</a></small><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><small><span style="font-size: small;">I think the darker island concept with white kitchens works really well  to add drama to a space. Th<span style="font-size: small;">is </span> dark colour also grounds the room<span style="font-size: small;"> and integrates well with a darker hardwood floor. </span>   Oh<span style="font-size: small;">, to have all those drawers!</span></span></small></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/2238377/The-Heglar-s-Kitchen-traditional-kitchen-atlanta"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/e401ef3000cce79f_8-1052/traditional-kitchen.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><small> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/lookforjo/great-spaces" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Great Spaces!</a></small><br /><br /><small><span style="font-size: small;">Of the darker islands, the most prevalent colour was a deep stained brown.</span></small><br /><br /><small><span style="font-size: small;">  </span></small><br /><small><span style="font-size: small;"><b>2 % <span style="font-size: small;">were white with a lighter coloured island </span></b> </span></small><br /><br /><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/214152/Gathering-Place-traditional-kitchen-birmingham"><img border="0" height="326" src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/55a118d90e273aba_8-4035/traditional-kitchen.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><div style="color: #444444;"><small> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractor/birmingham" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Birmingham General Contractor</a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/structures/structures-inc" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Structures, Inc.</a></small></div><br /><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/2393856/New-Country-French-Cottage-mediterranean-kitchen-dc-metro"><img border="0" height="648" src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/5301c7e800eb1a6c_8-5718/mediterranean-kitchen.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><div style="color: #444444;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/architect/other-metro" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;"></a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/barnesvanze/barnes-vanze-architects-inc" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Barnes Vanze Architects, Inc</a></small></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><small><span style="font-size: small;"> I think the soft blue/green works great with the wood tones in this very <span style="font-size: small;">Mediterranean</span>  <span style="font-size: small;">styled kitchen. </span><b><br /></b></span></small></div><br /><small><span style="font-size: small;"><b>54 % were <span style="font-size: small;">white or off white</span></b> </span></small><br /><small><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></small><small> </small></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/389281/Woodinville-Retreat-contemporary-kitchen-seattle"><img border="0" height="676" src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/fb31ca6a0eddb25c_8-1553/contemporary-kitchen.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><small> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/shuffleinteriors/shuffle-interiors" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Shuffle Interiors</a></small></div><div><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/2315772/Pepper-Kitchen-contemporary-kitchen-ottawa"><br /></a></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><small><span style="font-size: small;"> Of the kitchens I showed did you notice what the most popular floor treatment was? </span></small></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br />And there you have it.  What's your favourite cabinet finish? </div><div style="color: #444444;"><small><br /><a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/postcardfromparis/linda-mcdougald-design-postcard-from-paris-home" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;"></a></small></div><div><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/214152/Gathering-Place-traditional-kitchen-birmingham"><br /></a></div><div style="color: #444444;"><small><br /><a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/structures/structures-inc" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;"></a></small></div><div><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/2393856/New-Country-French-Cottage-mediterranean-kitchen-dc-metro"><br /></a></div><div style="color: #444444;"><small><br /><a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/barnesvanze/barnes-vanze-architects-inc" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;"></a></small></div>

Kitchen cabinet colour trends

My choice for kitchen cabinets has always been white because I just don't like living with dark colours or too much wood grain. I liked ...

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What's your kitchen style?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I like my kitchens clean lined, and light  with lots of storage.  Medium to dark wood tones  make me fell heavy and closed in.  It's a personal preference and that usually  gets left behind when you are designing for a client.   In my locale there is a strong trend toward darker kitchens with the richness of wood showing through. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkhWShtDpRnI82H0PXp1IqQ4eu2UmrIepQQGAZK5WBz6rTddGrGnlfiM5NHBnNPnP9bW_V97jlgD7j4JBQeMIZoa8Yt2GXUtc6HrG4Y3EuC3zcH8Qa6d9aADXRigVuzCF-ZPu-UeWijl9W/s1600/06+great+room+Ricks66.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkhWShtDpRnI82H0PXp1IqQ4eu2UmrIepQQGAZK5WBz6rTddGrGnlfiM5NHBnNPnP9bW_V97jlgD7j4JBQeMIZoa8Yt2GXUtc6HrG4Y3EuC3zcH8Qa6d9aADXRigVuzCF-ZPu-UeWijl9W/s1600/06+great+room+Ricks66.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkhWShtDpRnI82H0PXp1IqQ4eu2UmrIepQQGAZK5WBz6rTddGrGnlfiM5NHBnNPnP9bW_V97jlgD7j4JBQeMIZoa8Yt2GXUtc6HrG4Y3EuC3zcH8Qa6d9aADXRigVuzCF-ZPu-UeWijl9W/s400/06+great+room+Ricks66.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkhWShtDpRnI82H0PXp1IqQ4eu2UmrIepQQGAZK5WBz6rTddGrGnlfiM5NHBnNPnP9bW_V97jlgD7j4JBQeMIZoa8Yt2GXUtc6HrG4Y3EuC3zcH8Qa6d9aADXRigVuzCF-ZPu-UeWijl9W/s1600/06+great+room+Ricks66.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photography: Brian Ricks</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;">Sometimes there are factors that negate the cave feeling I often get from dark wood cabinets. In a recent job this sleek modern kitchen design won me over.The client had very definite ideas about the overall look of everything so my job was to tweak the colours and problem solve space and placement. The cabinets couldn't extend all the way across because the depth beside the window was only about 10 inches.  Open shelving for glasses was the solution. </span></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJ8lPpJjcMyV4_0Ap4NfNjafzZWdtaVHAsq9UDI5eDAQVBMRJD927KsFdiVo6IyESC5OH9sFQ1PVwJsphoTPJUj4Pb5Bzv84Inmhyphenhyphene2qBdca9K7Pf7TS_jLOPPt98xdyk30X1_nlmX7Xz/s1600/04+Great+room+ricks66.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJ8lPpJjcMyV4_0Ap4NfNjafzZWdtaVHAsq9UDI5eDAQVBMRJD927KsFdiVo6IyESC5OH9sFQ1PVwJsphoTPJUj4Pb5Bzv84Inmhyphenhyphene2qBdca9K7Pf7TS_jLOPPt98xdyk30X1_nlmX7Xz/s400/04+Great+room+ricks66.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photography Brian Ricks</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"> The second problem was storage because there weren't many upper cabinets. This  was solved by making the peninsula wider to include lower cabinets  facing the bar stools and drawers on the opposite side. The openness of the space around the peninsula makes a great gathering space when there's company.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Bx1coffU4WdlQV4g7ZHxshww761UFa7ZmIvr8FAtTZpKwRaJL_QE9UzQzPsfsa3XzIohjmj7evRvvmQ4el5TyDywG4ZZdp91qbRG2_fkq_6w9Utz8BTpyt4TjPEoynppO3En_JKEUpPm/s1600/07+Great+Room+Ricks66.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8i3yuhu7j-BFkzYw3iY6w8mfcUio3OAIT5h3ACvQ1gkX2hPydrE5c9a3Ltg-QnV4S9XN9n0BcfhFysRQxWaYF6Z_nzcRwoJBbhbu_UqOqhHUNhThoUvhyUXqAFkLxDZGAfp2Q6MEvfMXs/s1600/08+Kitchen+Ryall66.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8i3yuhu7j-BFkzYw3iY6w8mfcUio3OAIT5h3ACvQ1gkX2hPydrE5c9a3Ltg-QnV4S9XN9n0BcfhFysRQxWaYF6Z_nzcRwoJBbhbu_UqOqhHUNhThoUvhyUXqAFkLxDZGAfp2Q6MEvfMXs/s400/08+Kitchen+Ryall66.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">  <span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photography: Margaret Ryall</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">I love this back splash tile. It is difficult to see but it is three dimensional with an alternating wave pattern between the squares. The tile and exhaust fan run to the ceiling for a seamless look. The tile also extends across the top of the cabinets to finish the look.  </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Breaking the line of deep upper cabinets with 12 in ones by the exhaust fan added variety to the space.   The pulls varied in length with  depending on door size.  The 12 in. upper cabinets needed knobs because long bars bumped when the doors opened. So many things to think about!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX9lDdYejey_nMHXhnPa6SU_8iiAJsgT2xGXmz_wMYfZ2V-U_q3GTW-fuTWYtvtbXG_MwMpzNxu6JQHtwxmb6EG42Jl6_P9L3fP1cdsdYrfNPfbtxOtyjCYvtbLSmk2EcuJce_ponMttLn/s1600/09+Kitchen+Ryall66.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX9lDdYejey_nMHXhnPa6SU_8iiAJsgT2xGXmz_wMYfZ2V-U_q3GTW-fuTWYtvtbXG_MwMpzNxu6JQHtwxmb6EG42Jl6_P9L3fP1cdsdYrfNPfbtxOtyjCYvtbLSmk2EcuJce_ponMttLn/s400/09+Kitchen+Ryall66.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span> Photography : Margaret Ryall</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>A highlight of the kitchen detailing is the stainless steel counter beside the cooktop. The colours in the backsplash tile are a blend of the tones in the granite on the peninsula which serves to connect the two spaces. <br /> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div>

What's your kitchen style?

I like my kitchens clean lined, and light  with lots of storage.  Medium to dark wood tones  make me fell heavy and closed in.  It's a ...

Read more »