Boost Your Home Value with the Perfect Cabinet Color

Importance of cabinet colour in home value

The colour of your cabinets is a major factor in determining the aesthetic mood of your house. Cabinets are central in a kitchen or bathroom and, when it comes to colour, they might be the most important feature of the room. They can make or break the mood of a kitchen or bathroom, setting the tone of the room and how it’s perceived. The right colour can draw everything together and make a kitchen or bathroom feel inviting. It could even significantly boost the resale value of your home.

As far as home value is concerned, first impressions are everything – and it can be just one glance. Buyers make decisions based on how a space looks and feels, and the cabinets are the first thing they see. Old-but-outdated cabinet colours can turn them off. A fresh and modern hue can update a space and make a great impression.

Furthermore, selecting the proper cabinet colour can help to create a sense of consistency and flow around the home. For instance, you can coordinate a cabinet colour that works well with flooring, countertops and wall colours to achieve a sense of continuity and flow.

How to choose the perfect cabinet colour

So, how do you choose the right cabinet colour? There’s a lot to consider when picking the right cabinet colour, including your own personal style, the overall feel of your home, and the way the space will function. So, without further ado, here are some tips to help you make the decision:

Think about your kitchen style: is it modern, traditional, rustic or contemporary? The cabinet colour should harmonise with other design elements and the architectural details.

Assess the daylight: The amount of ambient light in your kitchen or bathroom can make a huge difference to how a colour appears. Consider the orientation of the room and the time of day the room is flooded with light.

Consider how you want to feel: Different colours of paint can invoke different moods and feelings. If you’re going for a homely feel, you could go with warm tones such as reds, oranges and yellows, whereas if you want to create a cool, calm and relaxing room, then opt for blues and greens.

Think about the scale of the space: Pale colours can help a small room to feel larger and more spacious; conversely, darker tones can make larger rooms feel cosy and intimate.

Work with the rest of your design: Consider what colours your countertops, flooring, backsplash or appliances are, and choose a cabinet colour that works with all of those.

Popular cabinet colour trends

Preference and style should be the principal motivations for selecting a colour for your kitchen cabinets. But having a sense of current trends can also be helpful. Here is a selection of some popular cabinet colour trends among leading kitchen design companies.

Gray shades: They’re still a thing! Go light and airy, moody and deep – or any variation in between. Grey cabinets have been having a moment for a while now, and I think the popularity will continue as they maintain a timeless feel and can be incorporated into most design styles.
Navy blue: Classic, sophisticated and elegant, navy blue cabinetry can add depth and richness to a space without making it seem too dark.
Warm neutrals: Beige, taupe and greige (a mix of grey and beige) paint will make any room feel warm and welcoming.
Vivid hues: If you’re looking for a contemporary, bold and energetic look, you might want to apply vivid colours, such as emerald green, mustard yellow or deep red.
Two-tone cabinets: Using two different complementary colours – a bright upper cabinet with a darker bottom cabinet, for example – can offer depth and visual interest to your kitchen or bathroom.

Cabinet colour tips for different room styles

Ultimately, the perfect colour for your cabinets is the one that suits your room’s style the best. To help you find the right cabinet colour for various design aesthetics, we’re offering up some expert advice.

Classical: For an elegant, lasting look, go with warm wood tones such as cherry or mahogany, or rich deep colours such as burgundy or forest green.
Contemporary: Contemporary design is known for its straight edges and smooth finishes. Cabinets in white, light grey or even black can have a modern, minimalist feel.
Farmhouse: Bring the cosy, country-inspired look of the farmhouse into your kitchen by using distressed white, sage green, or light blue colours for your cabinets.
Beach: A cabinet in the soft, sandy colour of beached driftwood or sea foam green, or an oceanic blue.
Eclectic: If you combine a variety of different influences to create your style, use two or more cabinet colours to create an eclectic and colourful look.

Cabinet colour ideas for small spaces

In smaller kitchens and bathrooms, the right cabinet colour can make a great difference in creating the illusion of space and openness. Here are some cabinet colour ideas for small spaces:

Go light and bright. Paint the walls white, cream or pale grey to reflect natural light and make the space seem bigger.
Shiny surfaces: Glossy finishes help to add depth and reflect light, making them useful for small spaces.
Cabinets that match the colour of the walls: Although light cabinets can make a small kitchen appear more spacious, using a contrasting, darker colour – such as a deep blue, green or charcoal grey – can inject some visual interest and dimension.
Open shelving: If you have open shelving or glass-fronted cabinets, you can do this to open up the space and avoid it feeling too enclosed.
Vertical lines: Vertical lines or panelling on cabinets can make a space feel taller.

Cabinet colour maintenance and durability

Though picking the right hue might be more fun, it’s equally important that your cabinets last a lifetime, and that the sheen remains. Here are some tips to keep that colour looking good for years to come.

Avoid ‘good enough’ finishes: High-quality paints, stains or finishes can mean better-adherence, fade resistance and longevity.
Consider durability: Whether you have high-traffic areas or cabinets that see constant use (like an efficient but busy cook), they might need a more durable finish, like a semi-gloss or a satin.
Wipe frequently: Regular wiping with mild, non-abrasive detergents will prevent build-up and discolouration.
Sunlight: Protect from strong sunlight which can accelerate fading and discolouration. Window treatments or UV-resistant finishes may be appropriate to protect your cabinets.
Refinish or repaint as needed: If your cabinets begin to show wear or discolouration, refinish or repaint them to return them to their original glory.

Cabinet colour mistakes to avoid

Though certainly not the most important factor, choosing the proper cabinet colour can actually add far more value to your home – but making a bad choice can do the opposite. Here are four common cabinet colour mistakes to steer clear of.

Overlooking the overall design aesthetic: Choosing a cabinet colour that is incompatibly wrong with the rest of your home’s design elements can lead to a mismatched and unpleasing look.
Overlooking lighting: Ignoring the amount and quality of natural light in a space can make your cabinet colour look too dark, too light, or a different colour than you anticipated.
Blindly following trends: Although it is necessary to keep up with the trends, the cabinet colours must match your personal preference and the interior design of your house.
Picking a colour shade that’s too strong: A strong cabinet colour can be a great way to add personality to a kitchen, but only if used in moderation, or it can make a space feel smaller or cluttered.
Not maintaining: If you don’t keep your cabinets clean and polished, you risk fading and discolouration, which will pull down your home’s value.

Conclusion

Having the right colour for your cabinet is vital in creating a home that is attractive to the eye and in creating value for your property. By considering what your personal style preferences are, what is the style of your home, and how functional you want the space to be, you can pick a cabinet colour that not only looks great but also adds value to your home.

But do stay on top of what’s trending in paint colours and don’t lose sight of your personal design vision. Find the right cabinet colour, and not only will your space feel more inviting and fluid, but it will also raise the bar when it comes to what buyers expect of a home’s value.

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Becky

Meet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness.

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