When you’re ready to upgrade your kitchen in Garden City Park, NY, there are a lot of details to think about. From kitchen cabinet paint colors to flooring, counters, and backsplash tile, every choice matters. However, one crucial aspect that often gets overlooked is lighting. Both natural and artificial light play a significant role in the overall aesthetic of your kitchen. Lighting also affects your design choices, particularly your cabinet paint color. Here’s what you need to know before you choose a cabinet paint color.

Why Lighting Impacts Kitchen Cabinet Colors So Much

When you get custom cabinet painting, how you see that color is greatly affected by the natural and artificial lighting in the room. If you’ve ever seen a paint color online or in a store and then taken the paint color home only to realize that it looks completely different on your walls, you’ve experienced this phenomenon. When there is a lot of light in a room, colors may appear more vibrant. When there’s less light, colors can be muted or even dull. With a mix of natural and artificial light, you’ll have more control over the color intensity, allowing you to create the ambiance that works best for the moment.

Understanding Natural Light

The Influence of Sunlight

It’s important to consider the lighting in your home at different times of the day. The position of the sun changes throughout the day, impacting the way your cabinet color looks. Similarly, the time of year and the position of your home can further affect the appearance of the paint color on your kitchen cabinets.

Maximizing Natural Light

If you have a kitchen that lacks natural light, your paint colors will appear less bright. To get the true cabinet paint color of the sample you selected, you’ll need to add the right artificial lighting. Alternatively, you can choose a brighter hue to paint your kitchen cabinets. Here are some tips:

  • Choose light, bright paint colors for your cabinets.
  • Skip heavy window treatments or opt for light, airy ones.
  • Hang mirrors to reflect light.
  • Prune shrubs or trees that block sunlight from getting inside.

Conversely, if you have plenty of natural light, achieving the true color is much easier.

Navigating Artificial Light

Types of Artificial Light

Not all artificial light is created equal. Lightbulbs come in various wattages and color temperatures. Here’s what to know about different types of light bulbs:

  • Incandescent Lighting: The more incandescent lighting you have in your kitchen, the more intense warm colors will be, while cool colors will be dulled.
  • Halogen Lighting: Halogen lighting tends to act more like natural lighting, so the color on your kitchen cabinets will look truer to life.
  • LED Lighting: LED lighting comes in many different color temperatures. Depending on the bulb you select, this type of lighting can make kitchen cabinet colors appear cooler or warmer.

There are even smart lightbulbs to consider, which offer multiple settings. These bulbs give you more control over the lighting level and ambiance in your kitchen. When you’re cooking and trying to read a recipe, you can opt for a brighter light setting. When you’re entertaining or relaxing over a meal with your family, you can choose a softer, cozier glow.

How to Choose Kitchen Cabinet Colors with Lighting in Mind

Testing Colors in Different Lighting

Keep in mind that the bright fluorescent lights in stores are very different from the lighting at home. Don’t commit to a color in-store. Instead, bring home several samples and see how they look in your kitchen. Be sure to check at different times of the day and under different lighting conditions—turn off the lights, open the blinds, light a candle, etc. This helps you understand how your cabinets will look in any circumstance.

Expert Help

Don’t know where to start when choosing a color for your cabinet painting in Garden City Park, NY? It’s easy when you turn to the experts at N-Hance Wood Refinishing of Central Nassau County. We understand how lighting works with paint colors and can make recommendations that are a perfect fit for your kitchen. Plus, our cabinet color change process ensures a perfectly even color and a rock-hard finish.

Custom Solutions

Whatever the amount of lighting in your kitchen or your preferences in terms of color temperature, N-Hance is the team you can trust to bring it all together in a way you love. We offer many on-trend colors to choose from and can even match a color you bring to us. In the process, we will beautify your cabinets and infuse new life—and more light—into your kitchen space.

Tips for Enhancing Your Kitchen’s Lighting

Reflective Surfaces

Reflective surfaces like glossy tiles, stainless steel appliances, and glass cabinet doors can help amplify the light in your kitchen, making your space feel brighter and more open.

Layering Lights

Layering different types of lights, such as pendant lights, under-cabinet lighting, and recessed ceiling lights, can create a dynamic and well-lit kitchen. Each type of light serves a different purpose and together, they can enhance the overall ambiance.

Adjustable Lighting

Consider using adjustable lighting options that allow you to change the brightness and warmth of your kitchen lights. This flexibility can help you adapt the lighting to different activities and times of the day, ensuring that your kitchen always looks its best.

Contact Us Today!

Lighting plays a crucial role in how your kitchen cabinet colors look and feel. By understanding the impact of both natural and artificial lights, you can make informed decisions that enhance the beauty and functionality of your kitchen. Whether you’re just starting your renovation or looking to make small changes, keep these tips in mind for a brighter, more welcoming kitchen.

Ready to find out more about painting your kitchen cabinets while keeping lighting in mind? Contact N-Hance Wood Refinishing of Central Nassau County at (516) 766-2939 to set up a FREE consultation.