As you embark on the exciting journey of upgrading your kitchen, it’s natural to immerse yourself in considerations like the perfect kitchen cabinet paint colors, flooring, counters, and backsplash tile. Yet, one crucial aspect that sometimes escapes attention, but deserves thoughtful consideration, is the lighting. The interplay between natural and artificial lighting can wield a significant influence over the overall aesthetic of your kitchen, shaping the ambiance and mood. Notably, lighting choices will also cast their influence on your design decisions, especially when it comes to selecting the ideal cabinet paint color. Before delving into the spectrum of colors, here’s essential insight to guide your path in choosing the perfect cabinet paint color for your culinary haven.
Why Lighting Impacts Kitchen Cabinet Colors So Much
Selecting the perfect color for your kitchen cabinets involves considering how the chosen hue interacts with both natural and artificial lighting within the space. If you’ve ever encountered a paint color that looked entirely different at home than it did online or in-store, you’re familiar with the profound impact of lighting. Abundant natural or artificial light can enhance the vibrancy of colors, making them pop. Conversely, subdued lighting conditions may result in muted or dulled colors as they lose their inherent intensity. Striking a balance between natural and artificial light provides a nuanced control over color intensity, allowing you to craft the desired ambiance that suits various moments in your kitchen.
What to Know About Natural Light
Considering the lighting in your home at various times of the day is crucial. The shifting position of the sun throughout the day can influence how your cabinet color is perceived. 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. Achieving the accurate cabinet paint color from your chosen sample requires the incorporation of suitable artificial lighting. Alternatively, opting for a brighter hue when painting your kitchen cabinets can compensate for the lack of natural light.
If you kitchen is lacking in natural light, there are some easy ways you can make the most of the light you do have. Here are some great examples:
- Choose a light, bright paint color for you cabinets
- Skip the window treatments, or opt for light, airy window treatments, rather than heavy ones
- Hang mirrors to reflect the light
- Prune shrubs or trees that are blocking sunlights from getting inside
On the other hand, if you have a lot of natural light in your kitchen, achieving the true color is much easier.
What to Know About Artificial Light
Did you know that not all light is created equal? Lightbulbs come in a range of wattages and color temperatures, which can change how things look. Here’s what you should know about the difference between lightbulbs 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 tends to act more similarly to natural light, so whatever color is on your kitchen cabinets will look truer to life.
- LED lighting can come in many different color temperatures. Depending on the bulb you select, this type of lighting can make your kitchen cabinet colors appear cooler or warmer.
- You can even have smart lightbulbs, 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, for example, you can opt for a brighter light setting. And if you are looking to entertain or relax 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 bright fluorescent lights in stores differ significantly from the lighting conditions in your home. Avoid finalizing a color choice based solely on the store’s lighting. Instead, bring home multiple color samples and observe how they appear in your kitchen. Evaluate the samples at different times of the day and under various lighting conditions—turn off the lights, open the blinds, light a candle, etc. This comprehensive assessment will provide insights into how your cabinets will look in diverse circumstances.
Uncertain about where to begin in selecting a color for your cabinets? Look no further than the knowledgeable team at N-Hance of Baton Rouge. With a deep understanding of how lighting interacts with paint colors, we can provide tailored recommendations that perfectly suit your kitchen. Moreover, our cabinet color change process ensures that your cabinets acquire a flawlessly even color and a durable, rock-hard finish.
Regardless of the lighting conditions in your kitchen or your preferred color temperature, you can rely on N-Hance to expertly coordinate it all according to your preferences. We provide a wide range of colors to choose from, and we’re capable of matching a color you provide. Through our process, we’ll enhance the beauty of your cabinets, bringing new life and added light to your kitchen space.
Are you ready to find out more about painting your kitchen cabinets while keeping your lighting in mind? Give us a call today to set up a FREE consultation!