Valances offset cabinetry and bolder colors in kitchen decor

Kitchen colors are moving away from the hues of Tuscany and terracotta, with splashes of color to offset darker woods that have become popular in recent years.

According to HGTV.com, bolder colors are coming into their own to offset stainless steel appliances, as well as basic black and white kitchen fixtures that are the mainstays of kitchen design. Traditional yellows and nature colors will continue to be popular, but they are being joined by colors that include stone gray, deep purple and vibrant blue.

Designer Jamie Drake, author of New American Glamour, told the website, "Most kitchens have minimal wall space, so it's a good place to splash some bold color and make a statement without overpowering the room. People are viewing kitchens that have too much of any one color as flat, so more color is definitely the way to go."

One way to tie cabinetry into window treatments for windows that fall between cabinets is to install a wood valance in matching wood tones. A valance can be mounted over window shades, blinds or curtains. They add a different texture against a range of materials available in shades or blinds, or a strong contrast to print fabrics chosen for curtains.