Red kitchens are beautiful and definitely very striking but do we really need to see red in the morning? Shouldn’t we ease into color as we start the day off sipping our coffee as we have our breakfast?
We all know about moods and color right? At this point we know about red and how it gets our heart pumping and raises our excitement level. We associate red with being mad, or perhaps not so economically sound in the financial department. Which brings me to my point.
“Why should we start our day with red?”
Wouldn’t a soft green or a mellow blue be a better choice? How about a gray that will just keep us calm, cool and collected in the morning? Or worst case scenario, how about just plain old white (yikes, did I just say that?)
Don’t get me wrong, I think the red kitchen is very beautiful however, I just think red may be a bit much, a little too “in your face” to see first thing in the morning.
This is where red belongs in the kitchen.
What are your thoughts?
Decorating by Donna • Intuitive Color Expert 
Hi Donna.
Some people might need that bright red and stark white first thing . . . for their wake-up call, to energize them for the day. When I think of red kitchens, I picture a more countrified place, with stained reds and warm woods, or checkered tablecloths and roosters. Neither of these would be my style but I know they work for others.
I could see this kitchen in a penthouse in NY, it would be perfect there! I’m just very in tuned when it comes to colors and feeling. I know one time when I was in my wild 20’s I apparently had a bit of a hangover. I can’t remember who’s kitchen it was but it was green and boy oh boy did it make me feel sicker! Not a nice green but one of those minty, pea greens.
I hope you didn’t just ruin my green kitchen for me!
I actually like a green kitchen and at one point I had one too. I think it was OUTBACK by Behr. Not too many people have green kitchens now. It’s seems like blue has taken over and gray of course.
Know what you mean about the mint green . . . a little too “medical clinic – hospital ee” for me!
Hi Donna, I completely agree that kitchen colour choice can influence mood (see here: http://bit.ly/1gPVejQ) but one size -or colour- doesn’t fit all in terms of how it affects different people’s moods. Red is also associated with energy, passion or seductiveness! (perhaps also too much in the morning!) But personally I agree an all red kitchen is overwhelming, and it is better as an accent colour. We don’t have many requests for red kitchens but when we do the red is usually toned down through combination with other shades.
You’re right on Jen! Thanks for the comment 🙂
Right along the lines of mood: when I lived in Seattle, WA I suffered from such severe seasonal affective disorder that I painted. And painted! I think I did a great job in the kitchen and family room (lots of yellow and blue) but I kept it going through into the dining room, living room, all the way up the stairs with green. In a 2000 square foot home that might have been too much color, not enough accent color. But I was desperate for FEELING in my depressed state. If my husband hadn’t hated red I probably would have painted red! Here in Denver I am not depressed but I am still the kid of person who adores the beautiful neutral palette yet somehow finds herself using stronger color. So if someone with a certain personality (or even depressed state) used a red kitchen for therapy, more power to ’em! But I wouldn’t be that person.
I had a client that was traumatically depressed and I chose a new color palette for her home VERY carefully. As I suggested a color I looked at her reaction to make sure it was the right choice.
Yes I would also say that color would be very important in this situation and you would be the right person for the job.
I loved my red kitchen & miss it a lot but my husband wanted a different color when we moved, so now we’ve got blue because we’re near the ocean … but here was my dream kitchen, http://www.hometips4women.com/kitchen-remodel-in-100-year-old-victorian
Tina, blue is an nice color to have in the kitchen especially if you have the “orange” cabinets. Sometimes red and the ornateness of the wood clashes a bit. If you love a red kitchen, start painting! 🙂
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