Kitchen - standard formula for colours eg dark floor, dark worktop, light units?

[sally]

Hello, can anybody advise me on the following?

We are currently considering a new kitchen and wonder if there is a standard "kitchen designer" view with regard to units, flooring etc - by this I mean, if you choose a pale wood for the doors, should you have a dark worktop and dark floor? Or, if you choose a dark wood for the units can you have a dark worktop AND a dark floor?  Is there any set formula or is it, as the kitchen people seem to think, personal preference?

I look forward to hearing from you.

[Andy]

It will always come down to personal preference, however the aspect of the room needs to be taken into account, how much natural light is there, and how long is it there for. In a north-facing kitchen with little natural light, light coloured units, dark worktops to give it a contrast, work better. If you have plenty of natural light you can afford to go for much darker units, with any choice of worktops and floor.

[Webmaster]

Sally,

I have a fairly small kitchen and so was advised to have light coloured doors, floors, walls and ceiling, but to have a dark worktop to add some contrast. It worked really well!

[Sally]

Thank you for your helpful replies.  I have a fairly small kitchen which is south facing and therefore quite bright.  We had been toying with cherry units and a dark worksurface with pale floor but have seen some lovely dark tiles instead!   I was told tonight by a friend that she knows a "designer" who has said that you should think like nature ie dark floor with brighter things above!  Hmm.  I think, as you say, it all boils down to personal preference although it's a costly mistake if we get it wrong!

[Andrea]

I know this is not about color but I am also planning on remodling my kitchen. We have been looking at maple painted white cabinets (which are kind of pricey I am finding). Someone told me yesterday that white laminant or the new thermfoil will cost less and have the same effect for resale. Is this true? Do I save some money and go with the cheaper product or do I go for the quality? I am not planning on staying at this house forever.