Bright, bold colors are making their way into America's kitchens.
Homeowners are painting over the whites and beiges that once were the kitchen trend and making a statement with cobalt blue, pink, turquoise, orange, red and even lime green. In many cases, white has been relegated to a small role as accent or trim.
"Neutral colors in the kitchen are not the goal anymore," said Sharon Hanby-Robie, interior designer and author of "My Name Isn't Martha, But I Can Decorate My Home."
"Today, it's OK to be expressive, and it's OK to use bright, bold colors to complement or totally create the look you want," Hanby-Robie said. "Why not use the colors that you want to live with, instead of the ones you think your home's next owner will settle for?"
So what's behind this revolution of color in the kitchen?
"It could have to do with basic societal changes," Hanby-Robie said. She believes that during the '80s and much of the '90s, we were a transitional society. Many people lived in starter homes or homes in which they did not plan to stay very long. As a result, most people stuck with the neutral hues that represented a low-risk look they could easily leave if they decided to sell.
Today, Hanby-Robie said, more people are in homes in which they plan to stay for quite some time. In addition, individuality, rather than conformity, is again in vogue. The result, she said, is that people are less afraid of taking chances and more concerned with expressing themselves, and it shows in their homes, particularly in the kitchen.
Expression Through Colorful Hues
So what is the best use of color in the kitchen to create a mood? Let's take a look at some color palettes.
Warm Colors Colors such as red, yellow and orange invite a person into a room with warmth and coziness.
However, the cozy feeling these colors create in a large room can make a small room look even smaller. When using warm colors, be sure to intersperse whites and neutrals to balance some of their intensity.
According to information from Better Homes and Gardens, amber, peach or coral in eating areas spark appetites and electrify the conversation, while red evokes emotions. Liberal use of any of these warm colors is sure to give the kitchen the color pampering it deserves as the hearth of the home.
For "warm" color finishes in cookware, faucets and accessories, copper is the latest trend. Copper is a perfect complement to kitchen materials such as granite and marble. It also blends beautifully with other warm colors in the kitchen including terra cotta, rust, peach and sage green.
Cool Colors To make a room appear larger, look to cool colors like blue, green or purple. These colors calm and soothe and are said to "re-energize weary souls." Better Homes and Gardens also notes that proud, strong blues add responsibility and contentment into the mood while pale purple blues prompt reflection and dreaming.
For finishes that match this cooler palette, there are now many more options than just plain, shiny chrome. Brushed finishes in stainless and nickel add interest and texture to a kitchen. Plus, these finishes clean up well and hold their beauty in one of the busiest rooms in the house.
Spicing It Up
And how can these colors can be presented most effectively in the kitchen?
Paint is the obvious place to start when adding color to a kitchen or any other room. It's easy to apply and, if the homeowner decides he or she doesn't like it later, also easy to change. Kitchen remodelers shouldn't let the fear factor stop them from doing something bold or using a color they really like.
Some of the hottest paint colors right now are rich jewel tones, which can change an otherwise ordinary room into an eye-popping gem. Once a color is chosen, consider using some of the latest techniques to apply the paint such as sponging, ragging and stenciling.
But paint is only the beginning. Today's kitchens use color in wallpaper and borders, too. Choose wall coverings that feature colorful flowers or a bold pattern to showcase the homeowner's personality or interests.
A word of caution when planning the look of a new kitchen: don't go overboard on a lot of different colors. Experts say that two to three colors, when blended in a room properly, can create a dramatic look, but adding too many colors can be overwhelming.
Functionality In Color
Why stop the color with the kitchen's walls?
Color is now popping up in some of the areas once reserved for chromes and neutrals. When it comes to faucets, many manufacturers are offering new finish options to brighten up the room. Finishes such as copper, which matches gourmet cookware, kitchen accents and appliances, are available on the latest faucet styles.
Appliances are also jumping on the color bandwagon. Many manufacturers are taking the popular "retro" look into microwaves, dishwashers, ranges and refrigerators and creating colorful blues, greens and yellows.
Experts advise kitchen remodelers to make sure they absolutely love these colored appliances and will want them for years to come before making a costly investment. It may be a safer bet to start the dramatic kitchen color scheme with a different color paint or a backsplash -- something that can more easily be changed (after all, remember those avocado appliances from the '70s?).
Another more functional area of the kitchen now coming alive with color is the sink. No longer available in just white, sinks now come in bold, beautiful colors like Sapphire, a bright, vibrant blue, and Yellow Stone, a warm, buttery yellow.
If the goal is to achieve a more contemporary look, the tried-and-true look of stainless steel sinks is now available with an added twist -- new shapes. Oval, trapezoid and round undermount sinks will spice up the kitchen with modern elegance, and are available in kitchen showrooms and home center stores.
Colorful Surfaces
The rules of yesterday have been thrown out when it comes to contemporary kitchen decorating.
Colorful tiles on the floor, countertop and backsplash are brightening up the kitchen and providing a great surface on which to work and play. Using dramatic colors on a center island and then a more neutral color on the rest of the countertops seems to be the trend, Hanby-Robie said. And since the center island is also central to entertaining, cooking and other activities in the kitchen, it makes the perfect spot for a focal point of color.
Another place where color, and even a pattern or design can be added, is the wall behind the range. Greens, blues, oranges and reds are showing up in greater numbers on this back surface. And when it comes to flooring, homeowners are taking it up a notch with brightly colored tiles or laminates throughout the entire room. For the more conservative, flooring colors can be used more sparingly or as accents interspersed with neutral tones.
Where Neutrals Still Reign
One area of the kitchen that seems to be more inclined to stay "neutral" is the cabinetry.
Because cabinets are usually the largest investment in a kitchen remodel, more homeowners are sticking to neutral colors for cabinets to offset the colors found on the walls or flooring. White cabinets against brightly painted or papered walls are a hot trend, as well as traditional, natural woods like oak, maple and cherry.
To spice up existing cabinets, try colored or designer hardware handles that complement the surrounding colorful walls -- another generally inexpensive update that can easily be changed later if desired.
Those Colorful Little Extras
There are many other ways to add color to the kitchen that don't even require a remodel.
Try colorful fabrics with bold patterns for tablecloths or window treatments. Fresh flowers, brightly-colored canisters, candles and other accessories can all create a fresh perspective on a kitchen that has become drab.
Lighting can also add a new mood to the room. Homeowners can either invest in recessed lighting or add additional fixtures to brighten a room. Even small kitchen appliances such as mixers, blenders, toasters and other cooking essentials are being offered in unique shades.
"People are more secure these days -- with their families, their neighborhoods and their houses -- and that's giving them the confidence to express themselves by decorating with the colors they like and want to live with," Hanby-Robie said.
Courtesy of ARA Content 
