By Special to the Town Crier

Bright, bold colors are making their way into kitchens in the United States. Homeowners are painting over the whites and beiges that once were the kitchen trend and making a statement with cobalt blue, pink, turquoise, orange, red and even lime green. In many cases, white has been relegated to a small role as accent or trim.

“Neutral colors in the kitchen are not the goal anymore,” said Sharon Hanby-Robie, interior designer and author of “My Name Isn’t Martha, But I Can Decorate My Home.” “Today, it’s OK to be expressive, and it’s OK to use bright, bold colors to complement or totally create the look you want. Why not use the colors that you want to live with, instead of the ones you think your home’s next owner will settle for?” Hanby-Robie asked.

So what’s behind this revolution of color in the kitchen? “It could have to do with basic societal changes,” said Hanby-Robie. She said that during the 1980s and much of the 1990s we were a transitional society. Many people lived in starter homes or homes in which they did not plan to stay very long. As a result, most people stuck with the neutral hues that represented a low-risk look they could easily leave if they decided to sell.

Today, Hanby-Robie said, more people are in homes in which they plan to stay for some time. In addition, individuality rather than conformity is again in vogue. The result, she said, is that people are less afraid of taking chances and more concerned with expressing themselves, and it shows in their homes, particularly in the kitchen.

So what is the best use of color in the kitchen to create a mood? Colors such as red, yellow and orange invite a person into a room with their warmth and coziness. However, the cozy feeling these colors create in a large room can make a small room look even smaller. When using warm colors, be sure to intersperse whites and neutrals to balance some of their intensity. According to information from Better Homes and Gardens, amber, peach and coral in eating areas spark appetites and electrify the conversation, while red evokes emotions. Liberal use of any of these warm colors is sure to give the kitchen the color pampering it deserves as the hearth of the home.

For warm color finishes in cookware, faucets and accessories, copper is the latest trend. Copper is a perfect complement to kitchen materials such as granite and marble. It also blends beautifully with other warm colors in the kitchen, including terra cotta, rust, peach and sage green.

To make a room appear larger, look to cool colors like blue, green or purple. These colors calm and soothe and are said to reenergize. Better Homes and Gardens also notes that proud, strong blues add responsibility and contentment into the mood while pale purple blues prompt reflection and dreaming.

For finishes that match this cooler palette, there are now many more options than just plain, shiny chrome. Brushed finishes in stainless steel and nickel add interest and texture to a kitchen. Plus, they clean up well and hold their beauty in one of the busiest rooms in the house.

And where in the kitchen can these colors be presented most effectively?

Paint is the obvious place to start when adding color to a kitchen or any other room. It’s easy to apply and, if the homeowner decides he or she doesn’t like it later, also easy to change. Kitchen remodelers shouldn’t let the fear factor stop them from doing something bold or using a color they really like.

Some of the hottest paint colors right now are rich jewel tones that can change an otherwise ordinary room into an eye-popping gem. Once a color is chosen, be sure to use some of the latest techniques to apply the paint, such as sponging, ragging and stenciling. Major manufacturers, such as Sherwin-Williams, Glidden and Dutch Boy, offer helpful brochures and color guides to get you started.

Courtesy of ARA Content, www.ARAcontent.com, e-mail: info@ARAcontent.com.