the main areas of our house are painted mostly ralph lauren oatmeal, with a few accent walls in ralph lauren broom, trim in chocolate, and curtains in a burnt orange. we also have light natural stained oak flooring throughout.

i’m a little worried that the oatmeal in the kitchen will be too dark with the new cabinets. should i go with a lighter color? if so, any suggestions based on the color scheme in the rest of the house?

also, i’m going to do a back-painted glass back splash and would love some help choosing that color as well. i had thought of going with a green of some sort, but now wonder if i should stick with something in the oranges in order to stay in our current color palette. thoughts or suggestions?

thanks!

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The colors you select for a room will impact you on a very deep level every time you spend time in that room so consciously choosing the colors for a room with this in mind is very important.

When it comes to selecting the color scheme for your kitchen designs whatever color palette you decide to go with a good guideline for using color is to have a 60-30-10 split between three different colors. 60% representing the main or dominant color, probably on the walls or kitchen cabinets, 30% of a secondary color used in the flooring or rugs, as well as window treatments and 10% for accents such as, dishes, artwork, pillows, curtains and such.

A monochromatic color scheme is when you use various shades and tones of the same color. You can still use the 60-30-10 rule here.

Complementary color schemes are when you use two different colors that are opposite to each other on the color wheel such as red and green, blue and orange and yellow and purple, etc.

An analogous color scheme is when you use three colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel in either the cool or warm colors. Some examples would be color combinations such as green, blue and purple or yellow, orange and red.

The neutral tones include browns, beiges, taupes, black, whites and grays. These tones provide a flexible neutral background for furnishings and can be paired with almost any color as an accent.

The color scheme is not just what colors you paint on the walls but also include your kitchen cabinets, your kitchen countertops, your kitchen appliances, the flooring material and your kitchen backsplash. It also includes your rugs and curtains and hand towels, plants and artwork. The kitchen cabinets will probably be your biggest span of color throughout your kitchen designs and would probably represent the main dominant color in your 60-10-30 color split.

Kitchen cabinets are usually, but not always, a neutral color, so you have more freedom in choosing the color palette because neutrals go with most anything. The brightest or most dramatic color in the color scheme is where the eye will go first so you’ll want to make sure it is worthy of being the focal point and where you want to draw attention to.

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Rebecca Noel is a licensed real estate agent and real estate investor. Remodeling houses and home improvement diy are her area of interest. Find out insider information that will save you $1000’s on materials and help you get your remodeling projects done weeks faster at Remodeling Recon.

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1. Green Design- With the alarming rise in gas prices and building materials, eco-friendly products are now a stable of any kitchen design. The kitchen and bath industry is at the forefront of green design with the development of new technologies and products, such as bamboo and recycled materials including glass, plastics, paper, and metals.

2. Aging-in-Place- More and more manufacturers are catering to the aging “baby boomer” market. New products feature accessibility and ease of use to accommodate boomers through the years, while still offering stylish design. From dishwashers accessible from a wheelchair to cabinet drawers that open automatically, manufacturers are recognizing the importance of universal design.

3. Organization- To keep paperwork and projects from piling up, many companies specialize in home organization. Put your client’s mind at ease with the upgraded additions of cabinetry dividers and custom storage solutions. With companies now specializing in after-market products, you can find a wide range of products that will customize any stock cabinets that you will find on the market.

4. Multiple Layers of Lighting- Accent lighting placed at various heights, under-cabinet lighting, interior cabinet lighting, and above cabinet lighting combine to create a warm and inviting kitchen. Task lighting adds drama and function, while dim accent lighting softens and soothes a room. Each layer of lighting serves a different purpose, which can enhance the room.

5. Compact & Efficient Appliances- One of hottest trends in 2008, is the incorporation of compact and efficient appliances. Horizontal dishwashers, French door wall ovens, two-tiered ranges, and power boil options on cooktops can ease the day-to-day cooking tasks, while maintaining the desired beauty and resourcefulness of your designs.

6. Expanded Color Palettes- Today’s contemporary designs allow for vibrant splashes of color in the kitchen and bathroom. Through bright and bold colored backsplashes, countertops, appliances, and cabinetry inserts and overlays, homeowners can incorporate the newest and hottest colors into any design. A wide range of color is now being used to evoke emotion and set the tone for your next projects.

7. Tile Murals- A trend that is increasing in popularity is using custom murals in the kitchen. Color, form, and design combine to create varied patterns ranging from modern graphics to soft floral patterns. A wide variety of patterns offers a look that’s sure to suit any client’s taste.

8. Integrated Electronics- By integrating wires, speakers, control panels, and flat-screen TVs directly into your design, you’ll allow the surroundings of the room to flow seamlessly around any audio/video equipment that you may want. Planning ahead will allow you to conceal the wiring and give your kitchen a truely custom look.

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