What kitchen colours are ideal for Indian homes?

Sunita Vellapally Sunita Vellapally
homify Modern kitchen
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When designing or remodeling a home, deciding on the kitchen colours may not seem a priority. However, having the perfect colours in the kitchen can work wonders in the long term as it not only makes the chef of the house happier when he or she works in it but also keeps the area looking stylish for years. How does one decide on the ideal paint colours for kitchen cabinets and walls? What colour combinations are suitable for kitchens? Learn all you need to know from our tips.

What are the trendiest kitchen colours and combinations for 2018?

Every year, architects and interior designers bring out a list of trendy colours that are ideal for kitchen walls and cabinets. For 2018, the options range from pastels to bold. Here’s the list of the most popular colours and combinations:

Classic white

White never goes out of style not just for the best kitchen paint colours but also for cabinet coatings. Combining white with the natural beauty of wood is not a new trend, but it’s going to be popular for kitchens in 2018.

Grey, beige or greige?

It’s quite common to see neutral shades such as beige and grey in apartments and houses with a modern design-style. A hot shade of 2018 is greige, which combines the warmth of beige with the coolness of grey. Darker shades, such as charcoal grey, are also an excellent option for the cabinets, especially when contrasted with lighter wood or stone counters or white walls. Alternatively, following the classic kitchen design approach, one can pick a light grey with a black granite countertop.

Navy Blue

There once was a time when interior designers shunned blue for kitchens and dining rooms as they believed that the colour was an appetite suppressant. However, the colour has a strong presence in the list of trendy kitchen colours for 2018. Navy blue is the most sophisticated choice, but its strong presence could overpower an area. Therefore, it’s best to combine the shade with lighter tones such as white or cream.  Alternatively, one can opt for a more toned-down shade such as pastel blue.

Natural tones

As we mentioned earlier, using wood for the cabinets and countertops is a popular trend that continues into 2018. One can carry through the natural theme by using stones such as marble or granite, or even faux-marble finish quartz for the countertops.

Bold shades

While we don’t recommend using a bold colour such as purple or yellow throughout the room as it can be overpowering, especially in a small kitchen, a retro trend that is making a comeback in 2018 is appliances in bold colours that contrast the neutral and light shades in the rest of the area. Red, yellow, bottle green – one can pick a favourite shade to bring a stunning element to the kitchen.

Get more ideas from photographs with modern kitchen colours.

What should I consider before choosing kitchen colours for walls?

Finding the perfect shade for the kitchen walls isn’t easy. One needs to consider the area that the walls will cover as well as whether the colour will match the rest of the room, including the cabinets, appliances, countertops and accessories. Besides neutrals such as white, grey and cream, bolder shades such as red, green, blue and yellow are on the list of trendy kitchen paint colours 2018. In general, it’s advisable to choose a colour that contrasts the rest of the elements. For instance, if the cabinets are neutral a bold colour on the wall will bring a refreshing contrast to the room. Similarly, in a kitchen with bright toned cabinets, using muted shades on the walls will bring calmness to the ambiance.

What are the most suitable kitchen colour combinations for the cabinets in Indian kitchens?

Since the preparation of Indian dishes comes with the risk of oil splashes and stains from turmeric and other spices, one needs to keep that in mind when choosing the colour of cabinets. It’s for this reason that most home owners prefer to go bold or bright when deciding on Indian modular kitchen colour combinations. However, don’t forget that large areas of dark colour can make the room look crowded or gloomy. Therefore, it’s best to contrast with lighter shades on the countertops, flooring and walls to maintain a balance.

Dark grey is one of the popular choices for modular kitchens in India, as the colour won’t show up stains as easily as some of the lighter shades. Pairing it with neon green or lemon yellow is an excellent way to create a balance in the kitchen cabinets colour combination.

What are the best kitchen colour ideas for small kitchens?

In a small kitchen, one needs to ensure that the colours are light to create the impression of a larger area. Using dark kitchen colours for the walls in a tiny kitchen can make one feel claustrophobic in it. White and neutral shades are the best bet for small kitchens. One can always add a splash of brightness with an appliance in a contrasting tone.

​How much will it cost to change the kitchen colours in my home?

While one can completely remodel the kitchen and change the colour of the cabinets and the walls in the process, the exercise will cost a few lakhs of rupees. For home owners who need a more economical makeover, changing the kitchen colours needn’t be too expensive. Besides repainting the walls, refacing the coating or changing the paint colour on the cabinets are options for refreshing the kitchen on a budget.

Veneers

Probably the least expensive option for refacing cabinets, veneer is suitable for achieving the look of wood at a fraction of the cost. Of course, the overall look will depend on the quality of the material. Veneer sheets come in different price ranges. At the lower end, they cost around INR 50 per square feet. Moisture resistant silicon decorative veneers with textures and patterns can cost up to INR 1,800 per square feet.

Laminates

While laminates are more versatile than veneers for refreshing the kitchen colours, since they can resemble wood or metal and even come with patterns and prints, they are more expensive. A basic laminate with a wood finish can cost around INR 400 for an 8ft by 4ft sheet, whereas branded options such as Sunmica decorative laminates can work out to around INR 850 for a sheet in the same dimensions. The price can increase considerably with premium finishes such as leather or laminates with decorative detailing such as floral prints. These can cost upwards of INR 1500.

Paint

As an option, repainting is ideal for kitchen cabinets made of wood. The surfaces of the painted cabinets need to be easy to wipe clean. Therefore, when looking at suitable paint colours for kitchen cabinets, it’s best to choose semi-gloss, gloss or satin-finish paints. On an average, including the cost of the primer under the surface coat, this can cost around INR 30 to 60 per square feet, not accounting for the labour charges.

While DIY repainting and refacing are options that one can consider for changing the kitchen colours to keep the cost low, we recommend hiring a professional painter as it will save costs in the long run and reduce the risk of the project not turning out as expected.

Get inspired by these kitchen cabinet makeovers.

Which colour will you choose for your kitchen? Leave your answer in the comments.

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