Color Ideas for Bulkheads

Match the Walls

• You may want to match the bulkhead area to the walls and paint them the same color, or a different tone in the same color range. If the kitchen walls are covered with wallpaper, choose a lighter shade of one of the colors in the wallpaper to paint your kitchen bulkhead. If your wallpaper has flowers and greenery, paint the bulkhead a lighter shade of green, a light blue or perhaps lavender. A light green offers the additional effect of increasing appetite.

Brighten a Dark Kitchen

• Warm colors such as peach or orange will brighten a dark kitchen that faces the north and doesn't get much sun. A sunny yellow will enlarge the kitchen while bringing light into it also. Placing a light shade close to the ceiling makes the room appear brighter and airier. This is especially useful in a small kitchen, as very dark colors might have the undesired effect of causing it to appear smaller.

White Kitchen

• A deep jewel color will add drama and a wash of color to a white kitchen. A vibrant color such as a deep jewel-toned green or blue will instantly bring the eyes up toward the ceiling and add an interesting contrast to a kitchen that is otherwise white. A contemporary kitchen would benefit from a bold, dramatic red color. A forest green might be complimentary to a country kitchen.

Match the Cabinets

• Wood cabinets are usually warm colors, and need warmed-colored or earth toned walls to match. Consider colors such as warm light brown or brick red. If your cabinets are painted, the bulkhead paint color should match. It doesn't have to be the same color, but should be a complimentary color, or lighter shade of the same color. If the cabinets are metal, such as silver, a dark gray color or white will complement the color well.