When you’re ready to upgrade your kitchen in Tijeras, there are a lot of details to think about: kitchen cabinet paint colors, flooring, counters, and backsplash tile. Something that people don’t often consider (but should!) is the lighting. Both natural and artificial lighting have a huge impact on the overall aesthetic of your kitchen. Lighting also plays a part in your design choices, particularly your cabinet paint color. Here’s what to know before you choose a cabinet paint color.

Why Lighting Impacts Kitchen Cabinet Colors So Much

When you paint your kitchen cabinets, how you see the color is greatly affected by the natural and artificial lighting in the room. It’s like when you see a paint color online or in a store and take the paint color home only to realize that it looks completely different on your walls. When there is a lot of light in a room, colors can appear more vibrant. When there’s less light, colors are muted or even dull because they lose their intensity. When you have a mix of both natural and artificial light, you’ll have more control over the color intensity so you can create the feel you’re looking for. 

Natural Lighting

It’s important to think about the lighting in your home at different times of day because it impacts the way your cabinet color looks. Likewise, the time of year and even the position of your home can further impact the appearance of the paint color on your kitchen cabinets.

If you have a kitchen that lacks natural light, your paint colors won’t appear as bright. To get the true cabinet paint color of the sample you selected, you’ll need to add the right artificial lighting. Alternatively, you can choose a brighter hue to paint your kitchen cabinets. 

If you don’t have a lot of natural light in your kitchen, there are some ways to make the most of the light you do have. This includes:

  • Choosing a light, bright paint color for your cabinets
  • Skipping window treatments or opting for light, airy window treatments rather than heavy ones
  • Hanging mirrors to reflect light
  • Pruning shrubs or trees that are blocking sunlight

On the other hand, if you have a lot of natural light in your kitchen, achieving the true color is much easier.

Artificial Lighting

Not all artificial light is created equal. Lightbulbs come in various wattages and color temperatures. Here’s what to know about the difference between different light bulbs so you can pick the best one for your home:

  • With more incandescent lighting, warm colors will be more intense while cool colors will be dull. 
  • Halogen lighting, on the other hand, tends to act similarly to natural lighting, so whatever color is on your kitchen cabinets will be more accurate. 
  • LED lighting comes in many different color temperatures. Depending on the bulb you select, this type of lighting can make kitchen cabinet colors appear cooler or warmer.
  • There are even smart lightbulbs to consider which offer multiple settings. These bulbs give you more control over the level of lighting and ambiance in your kitchen. When you’re cooking and trying to read a recipe, you can opt for a brighter light setting. When you’re entertaining or relaxing over a meal with your family, you can choose a softer, cozier glow.

How to Choose Kitchen Cabinet Colors with Lighting in Mind 

Keep in mind that the bright fluorescent lights in stores are very different from the lighting at home. Don’t commit to a color in store. Instead, bring home several samples and see how they look in your kitchen. Be sure to look at different times of day and under different lighting conditions– turn off the lights, open the blinds, light a candle, etc. This will help you understand how your cabinets will look in any circumstance. 

Don’t know where to start when choosing a color for your cabinets in Tierjas? It’s easy when you turn to the experts at N-Hance of Albuquerque. We understand how lighting works with paint colors and can make recommendations that are a perfect fit for your kitchen. Plus, our cabinet color change process will leave your cabinets with a perfectly even color and rock hard color finish. 

Cabinet Refinishing in Tijeras, NM

Whatever the amount of lighting in your kitchen or your preferences in terms of color temperature, N-Hance is the team you can trust to help you bring it all together in a way you love. We offer many colors to choose from and can even match a color you bring to us. In the process, we will beautify your cabinets and infuse new life – and more light – into your kitchen space. 

Ready to find out more about painting your kitchen cabinets while keeping lighting in mind? Call N-Hance of Albuquerque at (505) 314-1997 to set up a FREE consultation.