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It's the heart of the home – a place where everyone can spend time being creative, and yet it can also be the least inspiring room in the house. Perhaps it has something to do with the functional aspects, or the significant investment it represents – either way, most people are more comfortable playing it safe when it comes to the interior design of their kitchen.
For Sonu Mathew ASID, Benjamin Moore Paints senior interior designer, color plays a major role each and every day and the kitchen is no exception.
"I can empathize with people when it comes to deciding what color scheme to give their kitchen. Major appliances account for so much of the budget and since they tend to provide large planes of neutral tones, it seems easier to keep to similar hues throughout."
Kitchens don't need to be understated, even if the appliances are, says Mathew. Successful decor is about setting the tone and mood for how you use a space.
"Nowadays, kitchens are predominantly a part of an open-plan living area. These spaces tend to have greater energy than a traditional stand-alone kitchen, because you're inviting people to gather. You can make the most of this by making bold choices – introduce reds or greens or yellows – colors that are known to elicit a positive response.
"Of course, certain hues can be susceptible to changing fashions – which is why people tend to be shy of commitment when it comes to making a strong statement in a room that represents a long-term investment.
"But including a personal touch such as some wonderful handcrafted tiles teamed with the right paint color will create a kitchen that's a pleasure to be in for many years to come."