Why Warm Colors Work

The role and functional needs of the home have been transformed during the last three years. Homeowners have used their homes as offices, conference rooms, classrooms, cafes, libraries, and a host of other functions because many have and will continue to spend more time in their homes. The demands on the home are not expected to wane among homeowners soon. That’s why we have seen increased demand and desire for dream kitchens and homes with warmer and softer color palettes that provide a sense of calm and serve as a place where family members can rest, relax and decompress.


Architectural Digest beautifully explains warm colors: “Vibrant oranges and yellows, cozy reds, sunny yellows, sultry grays, and earthy browns infuse spaces with energy and warmth, two things that are always good to have in a room, no matter the season.”


Warm colors are finding their way into homeowners’ kitchens, including yellows, reds, and oranges. These warm colors are believed to increase body temperature and blood pressure, making the body feel warmer, thus the term “warm colors.” Warm colors also can make kitchens and other rooms in your home feel brighter, cozier, and more inviting.

Red paint, backsplashes, or accents stimulate the appetite and provide a bold and dramatic statement-making vibe to a new kitchen. Red is often paired with contemporary motifs. Homeowners that prefer a more traditional design can achieve the same goals by using lighter shades of red that contrast perfectly with white cabinets.

Yellow tones in your new dream kitchen speak of sunlight and cheer. A perfect match for yellow is cherry. Another popular use of yellow in kitchens is to pair gold tones with chocolate and light tan.

Homeowners who want to welcome warm colors may want to consider warm white cabinets or wall coloring instead of cool whites. Warm whites present undertones with a hint of yellows, oranges, or reds. We invite you to work with a K&B designer to help you focus on warm and inviting whites. Click here for a Sherwin-Williams “Working with White” visual reference for the difference between warm and cool whites.

There are limitless options for homeowners to use warmer tones. They do not have to be focused on cabinetry. Instead, homeowners can bring warmth and coziness to their new kitchens with accent colors, bar stools, wall coverings, countertops, door frames, crown molding, fabrics, baskets, vases, and other components. A key is achieving appropriate contrast and balance within the color pallet.

How can warm tones create a sense of calm, relaxation, and stress-free space in your new dream kitchen? Call us at 440-543-8050, drop by, or make an appointment to visit our showroom at 8454 Washington Street in Chagrin Falls, and let us put together a color palette that makes your new dream kitchen the envy of the neighborhood.

Emeil Soryal