Gray is the new white in home design
When it comes to choosing home color schemes when remodeling, making it timeless is key. Going with the latest fads in furniture or cabinetry only sets your home up for failure and ultimately may lead your remodel becoming obsolete.
Keeping your designs with longevity in mind will help your home stand the test of time.
For example, five years ago, the latest kitchen craze was dark cabinets. The sleek and sophisticated look gave kitchens a modern, contemporary feel. However, as of two years ago, the trend has been reverting back to the invariability of lighter cabinetry. Why? Because although dark cabinets are rich and beautiful in color, they tend to darken the living space, making it seem dull and uninviting if there isn’t enough natural light to counterbalance the dimness. Also, it makes the space seem smaller than it actually is.
Not only are lighter cabinets in, but gray cabinets have become extremely popular. The popularity of sleek and sophisticated gray color schemes is ris- ing. 71 percent of National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) designers said gray was the fastestgrowing color scheme for kitchens in 2014, and the trend continues to remain popular today. We have noticed a trend where people are choosing to install gray cabinets nearly as often as white.
Although gray can be tricky in cold, gray climates, when it is paired with warm materials like red and yellow, it pops and creates a calming atmosphere in your home. On the other hand, in warmer climates like Houston, gray can be pleasantly cool, offering a breath of fresh air during our extreme heat and humid temperatures. So while white kitchens are a safe bet, gray is neutral enough, and close enough to the color white to have staying influence if it is used well.
Gray cabinetry is also much easier to clean than white cabinets. Smudges, cracks and splatters tend to be more pronounced in white cabinetry. However, due to the gray color’s subdued nature, it camouflages stains a bit more, and cracks aren’t as prevalent as they are in white cabinetry.
Additionally, installing gray cabinets in your home is inherently helping you plan for the long term. Since lighter cabinets create a bright and vibrant ambience, your kitchen will appear lighter and brighter than it actually is; this can be a big reselling point if you ever decide to put your house on the market. In addition, gray cabinets give your kitchen the appearance of being larger than it actually is — another factor to keep in mind for the future.
Gray cabinets are definitely trending, and for a good reason. They offer flexibility in terms of design, and the ability to stand the test of time as well as marketability if you decide to resell your house.
This article was provided by a member of the Remodelers Council of the Greater Houston Builders Association. The Council is dedicated to promoting professionalism and public awareness of the remodeling profession through education, certification and service to the Houston community. For information on this article, please contact Lorraine Hart at lorraine@idealconsulting.net. To join the council or to find a professional remodeler in your area, visit www.ghba.org.