What Color to Paint a Small Kitchen to Make it Look Bigger?

4 MIN READ

August 5, 2024

White is the best color to paint a small kitchen to make it look bigger. Its crispness effectively captures light, thus creating the illusion of more space, and making your small kitchen feel much more spacious and open.

White’s neutrality also makes it simple to introduce colorful accents, like vibrant colors of kitchenware or decorative pieces which can infuse your kitchen with personality and charm without overpowering it.

Why Do We Recommend White Color For Small Kitchens?

We recommend choosing white to make your small kitchen appear larger because it can reflect lights of any color. Your kitchen will light up brighter and look more open because of white’s reflective quality, which also helps promote artificial and natural light. Additionally, white color can make walls recede and ceilings appear higher in a small kitchen.

White also provides a neutral background that goes well with both traditional and modern design elements. It looks great with a variety of surfaces and materials like colorful backsplashes, wooden countertops, as well as stainless steel appliances. And, since white is a versatile color, you can gradually change the accessories and accents in the future to freshen up your cooking space without having to repaint the entire kitchen.

White Vs Other Paint Colors In Small Kitchens

Even though white is the most commonly used color for making small kitchens look bigger, pastel colors and lighter shades of gray can also create a similar sense of spaciousness by reflecting light and acting as a soft backdrop. Pastel colors might not be as good as white at reflecting light, however, they add a subtle tint that keeps you engaged and helps you forget the fact that you have a small kitchen. Moreover, ever-changing kitchen trends can affect the popularity of pastels, potentially leaving your kitchen outdated in the long run. Here are a few other lighter shade colors that will more or less give the same illusion of a bigger, open kitchen.

• Cream
• Soft Gray
• Soft Blue
• Soft Beige
• Light Yellow
• Sage Green
• Pale Pink
• Light Lavender
• Light Taupe
• Pale Peach
• Soft Mint
• Light Aqua
• Buttercream
• Soft Lilac
• Pale Turquoise
• Soft Coral

Why Are Vibrant Or Dark Colors A No-No For Small Kitchens?

Vibrant colors like navy blues, dark greens, and reds might give your kitchen a personality and drama, but they also tend to make the area feel small. These colors create a smaller feeling by absorbing light instead of reflecting it. They may be visually captivating but they are not the best choices if you are trying to make your small kitchen appear bigger.

On the other hand, darker colors like black and dark brown will give your kitchen a more sleek and sophisticated look, however, they will also make it appear smaller by absorbing all the light which is why we recommend only using darker colors when you have a large kitchen with a lot of moving space.

Even if you end up going down the lighter, neutral shade route, you will still have to be careful about which color you choose. Some neutral colors like taupe and beige might appear warm, and welcoming and might also reflect light, but when contrasted with sharp or bright colors, they may appear lifeless.

Light Colors Enhance Kitchen Functionality

White has many aesthetic qualities, but it can also improve your kitchen’s functionality. Every little detail counts in a small space, and choosing the correct color can have a big impact on how people view and utilize the space.

A room with white walls may appear more ordered and uncluttered which promotes better use of available space. White or light-colored countertops, cabinets, and shelves can blend it perfectly with the walls, giving the impression of less clunky storage and a more integrated design.

On top of that, white kitchens have a fresher, more hygienic feel to them. In a kitchen where keeping a clean setting is important, this sense of neatness is vital. White surfaces have a crisp appearance that makes spills and stains easier to spot, which helps in keeping the area tidy.

But, What About The Colors Of Appliances & Fixtures?

The color combinations of the fixtures and appliances are important factors to consider when painting a small kitchen white since they impact the overall appearance.

White walls go well with stainless steel or white appliances, giving the room a spacious feel. Metallic fixtures like brushed nickel or chrome also keep the space feeling airy while adding elegance. Additionally, you can also add depth without overwhelming the room by adding contrasting elements.

Wood accents, like butcher block countertops, add warmth and texture, while dark-colored fixtures or appliances may also draw attention. By making use of these color choices for fixtures and appliances, you can make your white kitchen appear larger and more pleasant.

We hope that this blog post has helped you pick a good light shaded paint color to make your small kitchen look bigger. Just repainting alone can help you transform your simple small kitchen into a light-filled, inviting space that feels bigger too.