When you want to upgrade your kitchen in Arlington Heights, there are many things to consider: like the colors for your cabinets, flooring, counters, and backsplash tile. One important detail that people often overlook is the lighting. Both natural and artificial lighting will affect how your kitchen looks. The lighting should also influence your design decisions, especially the color of your kitchen cabinet paint. Here’s what you should keep in mind before picking a cabinet paint color.
Why Lighting Impacts Kitchen Cabinet Colors So Much
The way you see the color of your kitchen cabinets is heavily influenced by the natural and artificial lighting in the room. If you’ve ever noticed that a paint color looked different at home than it did in the store, it’s because of this effect. In well-lit rooms, colors can look more vibrant, while in dimly lit rooms, they might appear muted or dull. Having a mix of natural and artificial light gives you more control over the color intensity, allowing you to create the ambiance that suits the occasion.
What to Know About Natural Light
It’s important to consider how the sunlight affects the way your cabinet color appears. Throughout the day and even during different seasons, the sun’s position can change how your kitchen cabinet paint looks. If your kitchen doesn’t get much natural light, your paint colors may seem less vibrant. To showcase the true color, you’ll need to use the right artificial lighting or choose a brighter paint color for your cabinets. However, there are ways to maximize the light in your kitchen, like using light, bright paint colors, minimal window treatments, mirrors to reflect light, and trimming obstructive shrubs or trees. On the other hand, if your kitchen gets a lot of natural light, achieving the true color is much easier.
What to Know About Artificial Light
Not all types of artificial light are the same. Different lightbulbs have varying wattages and color temperatures. Here’s what you should know about the differences between light bulbs so you can choose the best one for your home:
- Incandescent lighting intensifies warm colors but dulls cool colors in your kitchen.
- Halogen lighting behaves more like natural lighting, making the color of your kitchen cabinets look truer to life.
- LED lighting comes in different color temperatures, which can make kitchen cabinet colors appear cooler or warmer depending on the bulb you choose.
- There are also smart lightbulbs with multiple settings that offer more control over the level of lighting and ambiance in your kitchen. You can opt for a brighter light setting when cooking or reading a recipe, and a softer, cozier glow when entertaining or relaxing with your family.
How Lighting Affects Kitchen Cabinet Colors
Remember that the lighting in stores is different from the lighting at home, so don’t decide on a color in the store. Instead, bring home several samples and see how they look in your kitchen under various 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 situation.
If you’re unsure about choosing a color for your cabinets in Arlington Heights, you can rely on the experts at N-Hance Wood Refinishing of Chicago. They understand how lighting interacts with paint colors and can offer recommendations that perfectly suit your kitchen. Additionally, their cabinet color change process ensures an even color and durable finish.
Regardless of the lighting in your kitchen or your color temperature preferences, N-Hance can help you bring it all together in a way you’ll love. They offer a variety of colors to choose from and can even match a color you bring to them, enhancing the beauty of your cabinets and adding more light to your kitchen space.
Interested in painting your kitchen cabinets while considering lighting? Contact N-Hance Wood Refinishing of Chicago at (847) 234-8700 to arrange a FREE consultation.