Remodeling can become a colorful project

Contributed

DES PLAINES, Ill. Vibrant, energetic color especially in kitchens is one of the top trends seen in 2014.

Kitchens remain a top remodeling project, according to member profile study data from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. NARI put out its new data earlier this month May is National Home Improvement Month and 82 percent of NARI members identify kitchens as their primary service offering.

The use of color in kitchen designs was identified as one of the themes emerging from the associations 2014 CotY Awards program, which recognizes the top national projects in 25 categories and totaled nearly $73 million worth of remodeling projects.

This year in the kitchen, design experts agree it was all about color and creating contrasts, from pairing classic with contemporary styles to infusing touches of color into the timeless combination of black and white. Since most appliances are basic black, white or stainless steel, bold bursts of color are appearing on other surfaces. Color is often used to highlight the base of island or peninsula cabinets, colored stone in the countertop, different blends of cabinetry wood and in the tiles of the backsplash. For some homeowners, adding touches of color can update an existing look, while for others, it can be the starting point for a total remodeling of the space.

Bright colors are very trendy, especially in contemporary kitchens, said George Edwards, NARI awards chairman and chief operations officer of A & C Kitchens and Baths in Chester, Pa. Color is a great way to create harmony, especially in open concept kitchens that flow into other parts of living and dining room space.

In many of this years winning CotY kitchen designs, bolder colors such as blues, oranges, sunny yellows and avocado greens complement stainless steel and darker cabinet colors with neutral white finishes.

What is making color trends different is fusing them together in fresh and inventive ways. Colors found in nature, such as relaxing silver blues, gray/greens and earthy browns, remain popular, but are now being integrated with bursts of poppy, vibrant pink, daiquiri green or purple. Warm yellow and red shades continue to be popular in kitchens because of their comforting and subtle hues.

Coppery browns and Aztec clay colors such as henna, ginger and gold tones are also popular choices, especially in backsplashes where homeowners are inspired to use a variety of colors to personalize their kitchens and create a distinct decor.

Improving the overall look and feel of the kitchen was most often cited on the CotY entries as the main motivating factor by homeowners for remodeling, followed by improving function.

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Remodeling can become a colorful project