When planning your kitchen upgrade, it’s crucial to consider various details like cabinet paint colors, flooring, countertops, and backsplash tiles. However, one aspect that is often overlooked but equally important is lighting. Both natural and artificial lighting play a significant role in shaping the overall ambiance of your kitchen and can influence your design decisions, especially when it comes to selecting cabinet paint colors. Here’s what you should keep in mind before finalizing your cabinet paint color choice.

Why Lighting Impacts Kitchen Cabinet Colors So Much

The perception of color on your kitchen cabinets is heavily influenced by both natural and artificial lighting conditions in the room. If you’ve ever chosen a paint color based on how it looked online or in-store, only to find it looks completely different on your walls, you’ve experienced this phenomenon. In well-lit rooms, colors tend to appear more vibrant, while in dimly lit spaces, they may appear muted or dull as they lose their intensity. When you have a combination of natural and artificial light sources, you gain greater control over the color intensity, allowing you to create the desired ambiance for your kitchen at any given moment.

What to Know About Natural Light

Consider the lighting conditions in your home at various times of the day. As the sun’s position changes throughout the day, it can alter the way your cabinet color appears. Additionally, factors such as the time of year and the orientation of your home can further affect the appearance of the paint color on your kitchen cabinets.

In kitchens with limited natural light, paint colors may appear less vibrant. To achieve the true color of the sample you selected for your cabinet paint, you may need to supplement with appropriate artificial lighting. Alternatively, opting for a brighter hue when painting your kitchen cabinets can help compensate for the lack of natural light.

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 from getting inside

Conversely, if your kitchen receives ample natural light, accurately perceiving the true color is much simpler.

What to Know About Artificial Light

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:

  • The more incandescent lighting you have in your kitchen, the more intense warm colors will be, while cool colors will be dulled. 
  • Halogen lighting, on the other hand, tends to act more similarly to natural lighting, so whatever color is on your kitchen cabinets will look truer to life. 
  • 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 

Consider that the fluorescent lighting in stores differs significantly from the lighting conditions at home. Avoid committing to a color choice in-store. Instead, bring home multiple samples and observe how they appear in your kitchen under various lighting conditions and at different times of day. Experiment by turning off lights, opening blinds, or lighting candles to gauge how the colors react.

If you’re unsure where to start when selecting a cabinet color, seek guidance from the experts at N-Hance of Quad Counties. Our team understands how lighting interacts with paint colors and can provide recommendations tailored to your kitchen. With our cabinet color change process, you can expect an impeccably even color application and a durable finish.

Regardless of your kitchen’s lighting conditions or your color preferences, N-Hance is your trusted partner in achieving your desired aesthetic. We offer a wide range of colors to choose from and can even match a color sample you provide. Through our process, we’ll rejuvenate your cabinets, bringing newfound brightness and life to your kitchen space.

Ready to find out more about painting your kitchen cabinets while keeping lighting in mind? Call N-Hance of Quad Counties at 951-772-1903 to set up a FREE consultation.