Decorating and Design - First Time Homebuyer Seeking Kitchen Color Help

Hi everyone,
I am a first time homebuyer who just purchased my first condo. Because I'm a teacher on a budget, I want to try and make the kitchen look better with paint and other low cost ideas for now. Ive thought about using coral (possibly Coral Bells from Sherwin Williams) somehow in this kitchen, but I'm afraid that I will end up with way too much coral if I paint all of the wallspace coral. Does anyone have suggestions as to how to make this kitchen pop a little more? If there was a way to use two colors or if anyone has ideas for a cheap backsplash (or any other ideas!), that would be great. Thanks so much!
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w226/MacyForSale/kitchen.jpg

your kitchen needs to coordinate with the rooms that join it. what colors are in those rooms? and why coral? do you think coral and your cabinet color will compliment each other? the cabinets seem pretty orangey-brown. coral would look very pink next to them. that's a pretty cramped, windowless galley kitchen. i would keep things light & bright & as un-chopped-up as possible (ie nix the 2 color idea). however, there is very little wall space, so if you did want to use a really bright color, you could & it wouldn't be overwhelming at all, like it would be in a bedroom, for example.

your kitchen needs to coordinate with the rooms that join it. what colors are in those rooms? and why coral? do you think coral and your cabinet color will compliment each other? the cabinets seem pretty orangey-brown. coral would look very pink next to them. that's a pretty cramped, windowless galley kitchen. i would keep things light & bright & as un-chopped-up as possible (ie nix the 2 color idea). however, there is very little wall space, so if you did want to use a really bright color, you could & it wouldn't be overwhelming at all, like it would be in a bedroom, for example.

I asked for advice about color. I didn't ask for your opinion about the kitchen. As I am a first-time homebuyer, this is a starter home with a modest kitchen. I am aware that it is what it is. I am surprised that a moderator would make this comment. I will not be posting on these forums again.

oh my goodness! what did i say?? cramped & windowless? my apologies. i suppose i did come off harsh. what i meant was..........because it is on the small side (as are all galley kitchens), and with no windows it seems a little closed in, you will want to do everything possible to keep it light & bright & spacious seeming. and because there is little wall space - as is true with ALL kitchens - you could be daring & use a bright color, as it will not overwhelm the room, as it would in a room with large wall expanses like a family room. and the lovely stained cabinets are an orangey-brown, which will make a paint with pink undertones seem really pink by comparison. if you like pink, then you'll be happy with the outcome. if not, you won't be.

it's a cute little kitchen, really. very clean & new looking. please forgive me for my choice of words. and congrats on the new place!

oh my goodness! what did i say?? cramped & windowless? my apologies. i suppose i did come off harsh. what i meant was..........because it is on the small side (as are all galley kitchens), and with no windows it seems a little closed in, you will want to do everything possible to keep it light & bright & spacious seeming. and because there is little wall space - as is true with ALL kitchens - you could be daring & use a bright color, as it will not overwhelm the room, as it would in a room with large wall expanses like a family room. and the lovely stained cabinets are an orangey-brown, which will make a paint with pink undertones seem really pink by comparison. if you like pink, then you'll be happy with the outcome. if not, you won't be.

it's a cute little kitchen, really. very clean & new looking. please forgive me for my choice of words. and congrats on the new place!

I was totally blown away by her response to your well thought out advice. I thought that your critique of her kitchen was right on - not critical, but assessing her space and relating it to possible ways to use color. I thought that it was a very helpful post and feel bad that I think that she took it as a critical post. My last home had a galley kitchen, but it did have a large window that overlooked the swimming pool so lighting was not an issue, but, I am glad that you pointed out that a space with less wall space like this is a good place to play with bolder colors if one chooses since the color would not be overpowering the space.

Anyway, I just found your message board and am enjoying it very much. Thank you.

thanks! no matter how you write something, someone takes it the wrong way. oh well! :rolleyes:

When considering color selection for a room, the room must be assessed for 'what it is.' Size is important. It is impossible to talk about wall color without a discussion of space and lighting. Darker colors can make smaller spaces look smaller and more cramped. Windowless rooms where there is no natural light can be challenging, especially if darker colors are used. Lighter colors that give the illusion of greater space and that reflect light are often favored for these types of rooms.
In a kitchen, which is dominated by the color tones of cabinetry and floor covering require a color that will complement these. While the darker orange/brown/red tones of cabinetry contrast nicely with the more golden tones of the floor covering, the addition of the Sherwin Williams dark, muddy, pink tones of Coral Bells would not maximize on the size of the space or the artificial lighting. If the Coral Bells color or one similar is used in the adjoining areas, it would be best introduced in accessories and accents and keeping at a minimum.
If you jump across the color wheel from the oranges and yellows, you will see that blues and greens are complementary and can make a room 'pop.' As indicated, pulling a color from the adjoining area into the kitchen can help with color flow, but this color should complement the tones of cabinetry and flooring.
Keeping bolder colors confined to acessories/accents can help with color flow from adjoining areas and leave lighter colors for walls. Darker color on rear wall and soffits would tend to accentuate the smallness of the area. On the other hand, keeping the room lighter and more airy with splashes of color would maximize space and use of color.
Walls in backsplash areas likely extend into adjacent area. One idea is to keep the ceiling, soffit, and back wall all one color in a soft neutral and then extend wall color from adjoining area into the backsplash area. Another option is to tile the backsplash area for additional color and texture and ease of maintenance.
Keeping counter clutter to a minimum, as shown in photo can give the illusion of greater space as well. Under cabinet lighting can be put on the wish list. This will provide task lighting, eliminate shadows, and compensate for lack of natural light. Overhead light fixture is not visible, but a pendant or chandelier would be a lovely touch to crown the area.
While galley kitchens tend to be small and often without natural light, they present and efficient kitchen but not without decorating challenges. Size and lighting play a major role in color selection in a galley kitchen.