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Visualizing Warm/Cool Tones in Kitchens
Certified Kitchen Designer, author of http://www.thekitchendesigner.org blog and http://www.scandinaviankitchens.com
Certified Kitchen Designer, author of http://www.thekitchendesigner.org... More »
An important piece to be aware of in the design process, as we focus on finishes, the warmth or coolness of a material is a factor in the feeling or experience of a kitchen.
The experience is different for everyone, therefore, it is a highly personal expression.
Warmth and coolness can be expressed, as we see here, in small pieces, surrounded by neutral elements such as white cabinetry. The use of warm and cool tones may also be manipulated via contrast (lights and darks), style/theme, and clearly, by the proportion of warmth to coolness.
Each finish chosen builds on the whole. Warmth and coolness, used together, creates a tension, causing each material to "pop", to be seen, usually, clearly.
Speaking of proportion and balance, too much repetition of small warm and cool elements can cause the space to feel busy, or cluttered. Being aware of where in the kitchen cool and warm elements are being used will bring balance to the eye as will the proportions of warmth vs. coolness.
Window exposure will play a part, depending on the size of the windows. Western exposure sunlight flooding a kitchen will intensity warmth. Cool, northern light has a cooler effect that is most "natural". Lighting via flourescent lights, LEDs, halogen, and incandescent, combined with natural light has a profound effect on your finishes. Your location in a warm or cool climate may also be an important reason to consider warm or cool tones. Viewing your material selections in your kitchen at various times of the day will provide you with much awareness as warm and cool tones change with time.
The experience is different for everyone, therefore, it is a highly personal expression.
Warmth and coolness can be expressed, as we see here, in small pieces, surrounded by neutral elements such as white cabinetry. The use of warm and cool tones may also be manipulated via contrast (lights and darks), style/theme, and clearly, by the proportion of warmth to coolness.
Each finish chosen builds on the whole. Warmth and coolness, used together, creates a tension, causing each material to "pop", to be seen, usually, clearly.
Speaking of proportion and balance, too much repetition of small warm and cool elements can cause the space to feel busy, or cluttered. Being aware of where in the kitchen cool and warm elements are being used will bring balance to the eye as will the proportions of warmth vs. coolness.
Window exposure will play a part, depending on the size of the windows. Western exposure sunlight flooding a kitchen will intensity warmth. Cool, northern light has a cooler effect that is most "natural". Lighting via flourescent lights, LEDs, halogen, and incandescent, combined with natural light has a profound effect on your finishes. Your location in a warm or cool climate may also be an important reason to consider warm or cool tones. Viewing your material selections in your kitchen at various times of the day will provide you with much awareness as warm and cool tones change with time.
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Layers of warmth such as the floor, countertop and accessories surround the neutral white cabinetry. The backsplash, window treatment, island top and stainless accents appear clean, fresh, and balanced.
| An example of warmth in high proportion to the coolness of the countertop, appliances and hardware. It is an overall feeling of warmth. |
by REGINA KURTZ
»
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Warmth is prevalent in this kitchen, but it is seen in contrasts of light and dark colors and shades. The darker tones of several different elements such as brick, floor and countertop serve to make the cabinetry and wall color pop.
| A cool toned kitchen, but with cabinetry that appears to be very dark brown, not black. The blue tile is slightly warm rather than cool in tone, serving to add brightness to the space. A neutral countertop bridges coolness and warmth. |
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While white is "no color" the space feels warm due to traditional details such as the (cool) tin ceiling, the cabinetry, and the rich dark floor and table.
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Again, neutral white cabinetry embellished with simple and singular cool and warm tones. I do believe that a warm "style" offsets an otherwise "cold" feeling of a space.
Many cool design elements are seen in this space. The foundation, the floor, adds warmth and to me, the texture of the doors and the construction surrounding the doors feels warm. Artwork and a large window add warmth as well.
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A lovely example of warm and cool tones, the warm tones here give much "life" to the space, don't they? A very interesting use of gray/white/tan.
An interesting mix of warm and cool design elements. Expansive cool shades in cabinetry and backsplash counterbalanced by an intense warm/hot floor and monolithically deep, rich, brown tall element. Eclectic in an extreme. The solid cabinetry/backsplash gives the floor room to breathe.
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A juxtaposition of warm and cool shades, tones, surfaces, textures, and proportions, the cabinetry serves to be dominant yet a simple, warm, backdrop for pattern.
Comments
Celeste I love the white/grey/wood combo in the top kitchen. I had a house several years ago with a huge north facing window and I painted it seven times in one year. I'm notoriously bad at picking out paint colors anyway, but I kept picking warm tones that just weren't working and it wasn't until I went with a very pale blue/gray that I could finally walk into the kitchen and not grumble about the ugly paint color.
3 years ago · Like
oldcharm I agree with cottahedreamers- the top kitchen is beautiful. Wonderful post Susan!
3 years ago · Like
Fine Art & Portraits by Laurel This kitchen is part of a Great Room, with a wild 'aurora borealis' faux in a deep terra cotta red. For those who lean towards warm. 
3 years ago · Like
Ideabook updated on Feb. 12, 2010.
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