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Dark or Light Cabinetry-How to Choose

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Deciding to give your kitchen a little touch up is the easy part when it comes to home renovation. Everything that follows that decision runs the risk of getting a little more complicated than originally expected. It’s not hard to understand why this is the case when you look at just how important a room like a kitchen is to how your home functions.

The kitchen is a place where the staples of life tend to find a convening point. Conversations are had in the kitchen alongside meals. It’s a place that pulls family and friends together and provides the nutrition that keeps us going all day long.

When it comes time to redo a space this important, it’s easy to get bogged down in all of the options you have to consider. This is especially true when it comes to cabinetry. Sometimes the seemingly simple decisions that need to be made for a remodel become the most complex and stressful. The following are a few things to consider when you’re trying to choose between dark or light cabinetry for your kitchen re-do, and how to make a complicated decision simple!

Dark cabinets paired with light granite countertops

If your kitchen already has light toned granite countertops, dark cabinets should be at the top of your list when it comes to color choice. Especially if you’re going for a bold new look, pairing dark wood with light granite can have a stunning aesthetic result. Dark cabinets tend to pick up on darker undertones in light granite and create a dramatic effect, especially under the right overhead lighting.

Light cabinets can be chic when paired with dark countertops

If you’re going for a chic look in your new kitchen and you’ve already installed dark granite countertops, light cabinets should be a number one choice. When paired with dark granite, light cabinets tend to brighten up a kitchen and create the feeling of more space than might actually exist. Similarly, pairing cabinets and countertops in this way can form a very balanced contrast in your overall décor.

Light cabinets make for a real and rustic touch

Sometimes when you find it hard to decide between light and dark cabinets, it’s important to consider your major décor themes. If you’re someone who is looking to add a more rustic touch to their kitchen, you’ll want to lean towards light cabinets. Easy to add distressing to, light cabinets tend to fit the rustic flair approach with ease.

Light cabinets create an open feel

If it’s space that’s important to you, or at least the feeling of a lot of wide and open space in your kitchen, light cabinets are the way to go. Especially when they’re paired with light granite, the final effect is a spacious success. Additionally, a light canvas in your kitchen will open up options for adding bold and colorful accent pieces to your décor that can give your kitchen a personal and unique touch.

Bringing bold into the picture with dark cabinets

On the other side of the décor coin, dark cabinets should be your go-to if you’re wanting a bold look. Dark cabinets can be especially effective if you’re working on a kitchen with larger dimensions. More physical space gives you the option of working with darker tones without having to worry that the space will appear smaller than it is.

Similarly, dark cabinets tend to look stunning when paired alongside stainless steel appliances. Creating an ultra-modern look, dark cabinets can look both sophisticated and daring when adding to a very streamlined and linear modern décor scheme.

Either dark or light can be mixed and matched for unique effect

When it comes to redoing your kitchen cabinets, there’s no need to feel boxed in by rules or regulations. What you add to your kitchen should be an expression of your personal taste and style. Once you decide what type of look you’re going for, there’s nothing to stop you from mixing and matching your color schemes. A mix of light and dark cabinets could give your kitchen a unique edge that works towards your personal creative outlet.

Additionally, light and dark cabinets can both be used as frames for other items that you want to highlight in your kitchen. For example, if you have white china that’s been passed down through generations and you want to display it, dark cabinets with glass doors could be a beautiful frame for something that’s important to you and would really make those items stand out as a focal point. Much in the same way, light cabinets would be gorgeous frames with glass doors for colorful dishware that you don’t want to hide away, but keep out on display for family, friends and guests to all enjoy!