How To Choose The Perfect Paint For Your Kitchen Or Bath

A fresh coat of paint is an easy and affordable way to beautify a room. But when it comes to kitchens and bathrooms, not all paints are created equal. Choosing the right paint for your home is important, and just like prepping the space before you paint, it would be wise to do your homework before you begin shopping for colors. Kitchens need a durable interior paint that will stand up to grease and the occasional scrubbing. Bathrooms are exposed to water and high-humidity, and should have a high-quality paint that is moisture and mildew resistant.

It’s All About The Finish

Interior paints come in flat/matte, satin/eggshell, and semi-gloss finishes. For a bathroom or kitchen, satin or semi-gloss paints are considered the best choices. Semi-gloss paints are water and stain-resistant, and can stand up to frequent cleanings — something to consider if you have little ones with sticky, greasy fingers. Keep in mind that while it’s by far the easiest to clean, semi-gloss paint reflects light, which may call attention to any imperfections in your walls. Satin paint, on the other hand, is washable and holds up well to humidity. It has a softer sheen than semi-gloss, and does a better job of hiding flaws. While semi-gloss is the most durable for high traffic areas like the kitchen and bath, satin is still a good alternative for those who prefer a less shiny surface. When painting your kitchen or bath, always choose quality paints with a good rating. If you have a history of mold and mildew problems, you may want to consider paint with anti-microbial additives made specifically for bathrooms.

Color Your Space Beautiful

If you take the time to paint, you want to be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor for many years to come. So coat your walls in a color you love! Of course, paint colors are a personal choice, but there are some colors that are tailor made for the kitchen and bath.

Blue: Ever popular, blue is a classic color with endless variety. Cloudy blue, serene aqua, and bold navy are the quintessential bathroom colors, reminiscent of hues found in nature, from the sky to the sea. When used in the kitchen, opt for cheerful blues like cyan, teal, or Tiffany Blue.

Green: Earthy and organic, green brings a touch of nature indoors. From lighter tones like celery, mint and sage, to rich hunter and moss, this neutral pairs well with white, black and every cabinetry finish in between. When used in a bathroom, it invokes a spa-like atmosphere.

Gray: From smoky to charcoal, gray is right on trend. Gray can be light and ethereal, or rich and elegant, and can be a stunning choice for a kitchen or bath with undertones of blue or green.

Yellow: Pale yellow is a happy, sunny kitchen color when paired with white kitchen cabinets or a bathroom vanity. Opt for mustard and gold tones in the bath, for a more elegant look.

Red: Red is a dramatic choice for a bathroom, and is well suited for a kitchen. Studies show the color red helps stimulate the appetite and lively conversation around the table.

Brown: Like gray, brown is a neutral that adds a pop of color without going too bold. Brown runs the gamut from light to dark, with sandy beige, camel, taupe, and chocolate hues.

Greige: The perfect mix of gray and beige, greige is the hottest neutral in home decorating today, working equally well in a contemporary or traditional kitchen or bath.

White / Cream: Clean, crisp and timeless, white is like a blank canvas that stunningly showcases your décor, while cream does the same with a touch of warmth.

Welcome to Willow Lane Cabinetry — the #1 place to buy affordable, semi-custom cabinets online! Let us help you create the kitchen of your dreams with our 100% free kitchen design service. We offer all wood, semi-custom kitchen cabinets, fully assembled and delivered for free, with standard features like soft closing doors and drawers, and 6-way adjustable steel hinges. We give you more and save you money! Visit our website to see our beautiful products today!

Written by Tiffany. Tiffany honed her skills as a writer and editor working in the fast-paced newspaper, magazine, and television industries. Tiffany is also an award winning graphic designer, with extensive experience in the worlds of mass media, publishing, and advertising. As a designer, she also has a strong eye for interior decorating and color. Tiffany has a BA in Communications and a minor in Fine Art. She is a natural cook just like her mother, and rarely uses a recipe. She also enjoys reading, photography, painting—and most of all, spending time with her husband (a skilled DIY’er) and two sons.

Willow Lane Cabinetry’s Top 3 Kitchen Styles For February

In honor of Valentine’s Day, this month we are featuring three of our favorite kitchen cabinets in red! Aside from being a symbol of passion and love, red is a classic color choice that can easily add a pop of excitement to any kitchen. From tradition styles to more modern choices, red cabinets complement almost any kitchen theme. Scroll down for our top picks and get ready to experience love at first sight!

Roosevelt Red

From the Roosevelt Series, these bright red kitchen cabinets are as timeless as it gets. Doorframes feature a raised panel design with solid maple construction, and will maintain their relevancy, as well as quality, for years to come. Incorporate a few pieces into your existing set to create dimension and an interesting mix-and-match design, or choose a complete set of cabinets in this finish for an eye catching and creative look.

Society Shaker Red

These shaker style cabinets are part of the Society Series and put a new spin on an old favorite. Shaker style cabinets are simple and timeless, so they gel seamlessly with almost any floor plan, home, or kitchen theme. Shaker style doorframes are recessed and classic, but are given an instant lift with this warm red finish. The striking color gives the understated design a modern twist, creating the perfect balance of old and new. Society Shaker Red cabinets look amazing when used in a cottage or vintage style kitchen.

Society Shaker Red with Brushed Chocolate Glaze

Red is not limited to just one shade, and this cabinet set from the Society Series proves that. The addition of a brushed chocolate glaze softens the red, making it subtle and sweet. Complement your kitchen with this unique finish, which blends the muted essence of brown with the exhilarating qualities of red. Simple Shaker Style kitchen cabinets get a touch of color and pizazz with this beautiful color combination of Society Shaker Red with Brushed Chocolate Glaze.

The Power of Red

In our recent blog, Color And Comfort: 2 Things To Consider When Decorating, we discuss how color can affect your mood. Red is the perfect choice for a kitchen because of its power to stimulate the appetite. Red energizes the mind and body, increases circulation, and encourages lively conversation around the kitchen table.

Fall In Love With Your Kitchen

In addition to red, there are many other possibilities when it comes to cabinet styles and finishes. Once you have an idea of what you want, take advantage of Willow Lane Cabinetry’s free kitchen design service and discover the best kitchen for your home and budget. Just fill out the contact form, and one of our designers will reach out to you and put together your custom kitchen layout within 48 hours. Now that’s love!

Written by Korrie. Korrie Martinez is a self proclaimed DIY pro with an eye for design and a craft for finding simple solutions to homeowner’s common concerns. Her articles offer tips and trends to help The RTA Store’s customers achieve the home of their dreams on a balanced budget. Follow Korrie on Instagram and Twitter @kokonez or visit her website www.korriemartinez.com

The Secret To Incorporating Colorful Appliances Into Your Kitchen

While appliances typically come in traditional colors such as black, white, or stainless steel, many modern appliances can be found in a variety of bright, colorful hues. If you want to add a pop of color to your kitchen, but you’re not sure where to start, here are a few things to consider before you begin:

Add Contrast To A White Kitchen

Have a kitchen that is mostly white? Try adding a few bright colors such as navy blue, lime green, or orange. Small appliances such as toasters and stand mixers in matching shades will give some needed contrast in an all white kitchen. Using just a few bright colors will make your white kitchen pop without being overwhelming.

Compliment Your Color Scheme

If you already have a touch of color in your kitchen, choose a single bright color that compliments your overall scheme. For example, bright red appliances such as a red kettle, coffee pot or blender can look great against cooler colored backgrounds. Consider spreading the color full circle by painting a single wall red or finding patterned Roman shades in red for your windows.

Makeover Larger Appliances

Black, white, and bisque appliances have held their own over the years, but stainless steel is by far the most popular choice for contemporary homeowners. Today’s stainless comes in a variety of color options that go beyond traditional silver. Opt for Slate Gray, Sunset Bronze, or Black Stainless finishes if you want to add rich color to your kitchen. If new appliances are not in your current budget, but you love the look of stainless steel, you can update your kitchen with stainless steel paint. Perfect for large appliance that are bland and out of date but still in great working condition, DIY paint-on stainless finishes can help you achieve the look you desire at a fraction of the cost.

Go Retro

Want to add a punch of color and style at the same time? Consider newly manufactured appliances with a retro look as a way to brighten things up! Older appliances can be difficult to find, difficult to restore, and sometimes even dangerous to use, but thankfully there are several companies that reproduce vintage appliances in hues of green, red, baby blue, and orange.

Traditional Appliances in Bold Colors

Maybe retro is not your thing, but you still love the unique look of colorful appliances. Many modern appliance manufacturers offer color options in rich shades of blue, red, green and even plum. If you are having a difficult time finding colorful appliances online, consider speaking with representatives from your local appliance store to see if the models you are interested in come in other colors than those represented on the floor.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with color to liven up your kitchen, through the use of colorful appliances both large and small! Other ways to incorporate color into your kitchen include wall paint, tile backsplashes, countertops, and colorful kitchen cabinets in hues like Red, Tidewater, Sage, Dove Gray, Steel Gray, and Khaki.

Written by Bridgette. Bridgette Wagner is a freelance writer and English M.A. student with an interest in writing on DIY, travel, and family fun. She loves reading, spending time with her two kiddos and living near the beach in Wilmington, N.C.

Color And Comfort: 2 Things to Consider When Decorating

Regardless of age or square footage, your home should be your sanctuary and your own personal dream come true. How you decorate says a lot about who you are. Here are two important factors that will help make your house a home, and your absolute favorite place to be.

Step 1: Consider How Color Affects Your Mood

Color is deeply personal, and we all have a favorite. However, Psychologists (and Interior Decorators) have long believed color can affect our mood, and this is something to keep in mind when choosing paint for your walls.

Red: Reds stimulate the mind and body, and increase circulation. You often find red in the kitchen or dining room, because of its power to stimulate the appetite. Red also works well in a living room, encouraging lively conversation. It creates a strong impression when used as an accent wall, especially in an entryway, but because it has been shown to speed up respiration and raise blood pressure, it may be too bold a choice for a bedroom.

Orange: Orange is energizing. It stimulates productivity and evokes excitement, and is therefore perfect for a home office, playroom, or workout space.

Yellow: Yellow triggers the nervous system. Because of this, yellow can make some people anxious and quick to lose their temper, although in general, it is considered a happy color and ideal for a four-season sunroom. Yellow also makes a sunny addition to kitchens, and can make an entryway feel more welcoming.

Blue: Shades of blue are considered soothing, serene and timeless. Blue is perfect for a bedroom, living room, or any place people go to relax and unwind. While bright blues works well in an elegant dining room, pale blues can turn a basic bathroom into a spa-like retreat.

Green: Green hues are cool and refreshing, and suited for almost any room in the house. Because they are fairly neutral, use them in place of beige when you want a bit of color without going too bold. Dark greens convey masculinity, while pale greens bring the calming effects of nature indoors.

Purple: Purple is rich and dynamic. Dark purples can be a luxurious choice for a bedroom or living room, while pale purples can add a touch of whimsy and creativity to a kitchen or bathroom.

As a general rule, light colors are airy and expansive, and make a room feel larger, while darker colors can be sophisticated, and make a room feel warm and cozy. If you prefer tones of white, beige, or paler colors on your walls, consider using a pop of bold color in throw pillows, rugs and/or accessories here and there throughout the home.

Step 2: Keep In Mind That Comfort Is Key

Your dream home should be comfortable, seeing that you will be spending a majority of your time there. Of course you also want your home to reflect who you are, and with that said, it should also accommodate your lifestyle. If you love to cook, a beautiful kitchen with quality appliances might be the priority. If you have young children, a designated play area may be in order. Or if you entertain often, an open concept floor plan would fit the bill. Make a list of must-haves if you are in the market for a new home, before you begin a renovation project, or even if you are just updating your décor.

Decorating in one day, with items purchased all at one store, can make a room look too matchy-matchy and impersonal. Trends come and go, so surround yourself with things you love, collected over time, that reflect your own personal decorating style and have special meaning to you. Creating a dream home takes time and should not be rushed. Again, you want to be comfortable and feel at home in your surroundings.

When it comes to furniture, chose pieces that are both functional and stylish. Consider the scale of the furniture in relationship to the space, and whether or not it accommodates your lifestyle. For example, it would be wise to choose leather or washable slipcovers if you have children or pets, or a kitchen island with a bar top if you host a lot of get-togethers. Again, don’t rush things. Hang on to what you have until you find something you love that fits within your budget.

Most people would rather live in an empty space than one that is filled with clutter. Pay attention to organizational solutions, and get rid of anything you don’t like, use or need. A tidy home can make all the difference.

There’s no place like home!