I’m an interiors expert & here’s 9 colours to avoid in kitchens – they’re dated, uninviting & make your food look gross
DESIGNING your dream kitchen is stressful enough, and can be costly.
And that's before you even think about what colour to paint the walls to compliment your worktops and appliances.
An interiors expert has warned that there are a few shades you should be avoiding when creating the perfect kitchen space.
Abbas Youssefi, Design Director of independent tile experts has helped customers fill their kitchens with personality for over a decade.
"The most important thing is to choose colours that resonate with you personally and fit the overall aesthetic you're aiming for", he said.
"Don't be afraid to experiment with swatches, and consider how natural and artificial lighting will affect your chosen colours throughout the day."
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Here, he shares his top tips on what paint not to grab when decorating.
Dark Brown
While brown tones can seem warm and earthy, chocolate is better kept inside your kitchen cupboards than on it.
Shades of brown can sometimes make your kitchen seem dated and closed off.
Abbas said: "It might seem warm and earthy, but dark brown can make a kitchen feel dated and closed off.
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"It can absorb light, making the space feel smaller and less welcoming."
Bright Yellow
Yellow is often associated with freshness and energy but brighter tones can be overwhelming and jarring, especially in the mornings.
Instead, Abbas suggests going for more subtle tones and pastel colours.
He suggests if you love yellow and are set on that colour, a lemon colour and pastel shades will work much better.
Muted Grey
Despite its sophistication, grey tones can be dull or even sap energy from the kitchen making it a dreary room in your home.
It's better to opt for brighter shades of grey to make the space more inviting.
Abbas said: "If you have your heart set on grey, opt for warmer, lighter shades to create a more inviting space."
Neon Shades
Any neon shade is overpowering and can even affect the way your food looks.
Whether it is pink, green or blue, neon colours are distracting and are better suited to decorations and not as the main feature.
Abbas said: "A neon sign, however, will add personality and charm."
Black
While black may seem sleek and modern, it can really change your kitchen space, and not for the better.
The shade can make the space feel tight and even uninviting if it is too overused.
Abas says using black especially in smaller kitchens can minimise the perception of space you actually have.
He added: "It's especially challenging in smaller kitchens where you want to maximise the perception of space.
"If you are using black, consider it as an accent rather than a primary colour."
Bright Orange
Like bright yellow, a vivid orange could be too intense for your kitchen space.
The colour is also not very well matched with kitchen staples and can clash with your dishes making them uninspiring.
Abbas says: "It can be hard on the eyes.
"And it isn't always complimentary to many kitchen staples and dishes."
Lavender
Lavender is a really tricky colour to make work inside a kitchen.
Depending on light and accompanying colours, it can look washed out or out of place particularly beside any vibrant foods or dishes.
Despite the calming and soft tones, Abbas suggests using it somewhere else in your home.
He said: "It is really hard to make lavender work in a kitchen.
"If you're a big fan consider using it elsewhere in the home."
Red
Many dining rooms will use the colour red as it can help to stimulate appetites.
But overly saturated or bright reds can actually raise stress levels and feel aggressive.
More muted or even earthy tones of red are recommended to make the room less stressful.
Abbas says: "If you want to use red, opt for muted or earthy tones.
"Steer clear of pillar box red."
Pastel Green
This is one of those colours to avoid - it's too pale and clashes with a variety of foods making them less appealing and appetising.
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Deeper shades of green are better for the kitchen and work well in the space.
Abbas said: "Deeper shades of green, such as a luscious forest, work beautifully in the kitchen."