While some shades are admired for their aesthetic appeal, not every color is right for a kitchen. Indeed, a psychologist has urged us to step away from our paintbrush until we understand various shades’ impact on our mental wellbeing. And since the kitchen is often the most used room in the home, we agree that it’s important to get it right. Sharing his kitchen ideas, Psychologist and Wellbeing Consultant Lee Chambers (opens in new tab) reveals what you need to know.
The color you should never paint your kitchen – according to psychology
‘When it comes to our kitchen color ideas, there are two to potentially avoid, depending on how you use the space,’ Lee says. ‘Firstly, dark grays and browns can leave a kitchen feeling cold, unwelcoming, and uninviting, and have the potential to induce a lower mood, the last thing you need when you’re sharing a space with people close to you. ‘With kitchens being a place where we have a focus on things being sterile and safe, these colors can almost feel a little bit grimy and dirty,’ Lee adds. Does this mean we need to stay clear of the most popular paint trend of the year? It’s a bold statement – but your kitchen will thank you for following Lee’s advice. However, Lee doesn’t stop with these fashionable hues. ‘Another consideration is the use of vibrant yellow. This can bring a sunny presence into a kitchen and boost creativity, which might just be what you need for cooking with inspiration,’ Lee says. But why should we avoid these sunny hues? ‘The challenge with bright yellow is that it can increases stress levels, especially if we are juggling lots of aspects of preparing a meal or have people in the space that you find annoying,’ he explains. ‘It is also the color that fatigues our eyes more than any other and can lead to feeling unsettled, frustrated, and fatigued if you spend significant time in the presence of vivid shades of yellow.’ So, is it possible to discover a shade that celebrates interior design trends without hindering your health? Thankfully, Color Psychologist from EZ Living (opens in new tab), Helen O’Keeffe, suggests that we are safe with green kitchens, as this ‘optimistic’ hue works in ’every room of the house’. Meanwhile, speaking not from a psychologist’s perspective – but from the top of the design world – Martin Waller, founder of Andrew Martin (opens in new tab) – told us about his painted kitchen ideas, suggesting using light and neutral tones to make your kitchen appear brighter, especially when paired against a dark-painted dining area. It appears there is a good use for your dark gray paint, after all – just beyond the kitchen.
