Spicy novel aside, gray is often dismissed as drab and lifeless. However, tell that to an elephant and you will surely be trampled. Kitchen cabinet designers wouldn’t agree either, although they’re less likely to start a stampede (no guarantees).
At long last, it looks like gray is coming to an end, as more and more savvy homeowners are seeing the benefits of this underrated color for their cabinets. Far from being pushed aside for its dreamlike perception, it is finally being embraced for its versatility, complexity, and limitless potential.
To best use gray for your kitchen cabinets, you need to carefully consider what it does, how you do it, and how it can best complement your kitchen décor.
To that end, here are some points to consider.
Embrace the light or explore the dark side
When incorporating gray into kitchen cabinets, the natural inclination is to pick your favorite hue and go with it. But it’s also important to consider how much space you’re working with, especially if your kitchen is on the “cosy” side.
Dark gray kitchen cabinets in an environment with limited space and natural light will make things worse rather than better, as deep tones tend to absorb light. In this case, it is better to use a lighter shade of gray for the kitchen cabinets, since the light will bounce and brighten the surroundings noticeably.
Heat or Cool
If colors had a sex, gray could be a man: apparently simple but very complex (really). While not apparent on the surface, gray can include shades of blue, red, and yellow, appearing warmer or cooler depending on which tone is predominant.
A red undertone makes it similar to a mole, while blue gives it a more steely tone. To see this for yourself, you can place different shades of gray side by side on the wall and the distinctions will become apparent. You can then choose the hue that will work best on your kitchen cabinets and fit seamlessly into your overall design scheme.
Stain it or Paint it
Once you’ve sorted through the tones and shades and selected the appropriate one, you need to decide how to apply it. Painting gives kitchen cabinets a crisp, uniform look, while staining offers a texture that really brings out the wood underneath. Once again, you’ll need to balance your own tastes with the alternative that’s most effective for your particular kitchen cabinets and the room as a whole.
countermeasures
Another benefit of this color’s versatility is that because it’s a natural shade, gray kitchen cabinets will work well with a variety of countertop colors. It could be something shiny and sleek or sleek and monochrome with slate or stainless steel. Natural stone also fits the bill, as it often contains gray flecks.
Mix, match and make it work
Many designers today combine two kitchen cabinet colors for a dynamic look. Being a neutral shade, gray is like Switzerland: it makes no enemies and plays well with others. As a result, you can pair it with just about any color or hue and not go wrong. It even pairs nicely with the wood tones in the kitchen cabinets to further expand your options. So have fun with it! Experiment using two similar shades, then try contrasting colors and see what speaks to you.
Who thought gray could be so much fun? You can take advantage of its power to lighten or darken; warm or cool; mix or match. Just don’t tell designers it’s drab. They may not walk all over you, but they have an elephant’s memory. They never forget.