Melamine, whether in generic form or as the well-known product Formica, is a form of plastic that is molded into a number of shapes, including countertops and cabinets. This material is malleable when forming, and also mixes with artificial pigment. This provides the homeowner with a range of colors that can match or complement many color schemes. Does this Spark an idea?
Dark Wood
The most common style of melamine finish is wood grain. This laminate is used all over the home as the veneer for bookshelves and tables and in the kitchen and bathroom as cabinet color. Dark wood species prints include cherry wood, walnut, mahogany, eucalyptus and quarter sewn oak. This type of finish goes well with both light and dark color schemes and contributes to a traditional and organic aesthetic.
Light Wood
Lighter wood colors are also used to finish melamine cabinets. Lighter woods work especially well in smaller kitchens and bathrooms, since lighter colors reflect more light and can expand a room's perceptual size. Lighter wood prints, like darker wood, combine well with white, black and stainless steel appliances and work in light and dark color schemes. Light wood melamine laminates include the warm and inviting maple, the grayish birch, the light ash and the almost yellow knotty pine. Both types of wood grain feature textured prints that show grain lines, ripples and knots.
Dark Solids
Wood grain is popular, but not suitable for all styles. More contemporary-styled kitchens, for example, sometimes benefit from dark solid colors. Colors such as black match the colors of appliances and fixtures while dark gray and even navy blue complement darker color schemes. Because cabinets take up such a large visual area in the room, dark solids may not be suitable for smaller kitchens; they may reduce the room's perceived size.
Light Solids
Solids also come in a variety of light colors. These colors reflect a great deal of light and can aid in kitchens with low ambient light. White is a popular light solid color for melamine cabinets since it is compatible with most color fixtures and appliances. Pure white is very bright and shows dirt very easily, so many homeowners prefer off-whites such as antique white or almond. Light gray and yellow are also color options for melamine cabinets.
Tags: color schemes, melamine cabinets, colors reflect, dark color, dark color schemes
