You should do what you like.

You raise an interesting question: can color date a space? Some colors can, avocado green and harvest gold say 1960s. But most colors are timeless. The cultural zeitgeist teaches us that “permanent” items like cabinets should be neutral, and color should be brought in in temporary items, lest we change our minds about the color. But how many times do you change your kitchen really?

eam44:

I think you missed avacado green and harvest gold by a decade.

Context is key. post photos of the space.

I had harvest gold and avacado green and that’s what I’m afraid of.

I think you should collect inspo pics of each until you develop a preference.

That sounds curt, but what I mean is: any of those directions (wood, white, color) can be great, so you pick. It is your kitchen, you’re going to spend a bunch of time and effort on it, and you’re going to live there, so don’t crowdsource your vision.

Then the design-savvy folks here can help with doing the chosen vision well - like if you choose green and are thinking of some dreadful bilious secretion of a green, they’ll wave you off.

There are many more things than color that "date" a kitchen. Cabinet door style, hinges, appliances, even layouts. Don't worry about it. If the kitchen is functional, then a little good quality cabinet finishing in a color isn't going to "devalue" your sales price because it's "dated". You can always pay another 10-15K to have it painted the flavor of the moment if you do choose to do something like electric violet.

There is zero point in living in some mythical future buyers kitchen. Live in YOUR kitchen. Just decide what that might be. What is your favorite color? If it's green, then you will never tire of a green kitchen, done well. It might be wood cabinets and green painted walls. Or green painted cabinets and wood walls. No one can offer any useful suggestions without pictures, and a measured layout.

if you have a small condo that happens to have real wood details including built ins...I would stay with that. condo with some warmth/ craftsmanship/ detail of wood grain should be respected and stay w the theme. if its a small kitchen streamline the counter and backsplash with white or light neutral. showing the space might inspire more specific feedback.

Washington, D.C. - Contemporary - Small Condo Kitchen · More Info