Small kitchens can be a challenge to decorate as the lack of space can make them feel cramped and easily overwhelmed. You’ll want to use a color scheme that keeps the space feeling open without compromising on injecting your own personality into the space.
Whilst whites and neutrals are an obvious choice, you don’t need to be afraid to inject a bold or dark color into your small kitchen if that’s your preference. But there’s no need to stress, we’re here with 13 of the very best small kitchen spaces that leave a big impression!
In a Rush? Here’s Our Top Three
1. Best for Timeless Style | Cream & Navy
2. Best for Eclectic Fun | Pick and Mix Colors
3. Best for Subtle Color Pops | Mint & White
How Do You Choose the Best Colors for Your Small Kitchen?
Choosing the best color for a small kitchen can be tough, as you will want to create a space that feels bright, open and inviting, whilst complementing décor and design elements. We’ve got some key tips that will help you make the right decision:
1. Consider the Natural Light
Choosing the best color for a small kitchen can be tough, as you will want to create a space that feels bright, open and inviting, whilst complementing décor and design elements. We’ve got some key tips that will help you make the right decision:
2. Use Bold Accents
Small kitchens can sometimes feel cramped or cluttered, but you can create a focal point or break up any monotony by adding a bold accent wall or painted cabinets. A bright blue or green shade, for example, can add energy and vibrancy to an otherwise neutral kitchen.
3. Coordinate With Other Design Elements
When choosing paint colors for a small kitchen, consider the colors and materials used in other design elements such as cabinets, countertops, backsplashes and flooring. You want to choose colors that complement, not clash, with these elements.
4. Test Before Committing
Always be sure to test out paint colors before committing to painting your entire kitchen. Paint swatches on various walls to ensure you can check the color in different lights and at multiple times of day.
Ultimately, you want to choose colors for your small kitchen that make the space feel welcoming, functional and reflective of your home’s overall style.
13 Color Schemes for Small Kitchens
1. Classic White
White is a good small kitchen color idea as it reflects light and creates a sense of spaciousness. Using white will open up the space to leave a larger, brighter kitchen but to counteract the lack of depth, you may want to consider using tiles, white marble countertops and white wood to add texture. If you prefer to use paint, opt for a satin finish on walls for a subtle glow and gloss on the cabinets, as this will help to reflect light, further supporting a bright and airy space.
Pros
- Bright and airy
- Reflects light
Cons
- Needs texture added to create depth
2. Mint and White
Mint or muted turquoise shades are ideal for those wanting a subtle pop of color in their small kitchen. Paired with white, these two shades will keep the space feeling aesthetically interesting whilst maintaining a fresh, airy feel.
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Pros
- Unusual color
- Airy
Cons
- Lacks depth
3. Cream and Navy
What small kitchens lack in size, they make up for in cosy vibes so use a color scheme to match! Small navy and cream kitchens offer the perfect contrast that leaves you with a warm, inviting room that feels totally relaxed.
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Pros
- Inviting
- Cosy
Cons
- This is a commonly used color scheme so will lack differentiation
4. Dark Green
A small kitchen doesn’t mean you can’t still have a luxurious, elegant space. Using a deep green shade adds depth and richness to smaller rooms that will feel calm and inviting. Combine with crisp whites for contrast, and soft, rippled marbles for texture.
Pros
- Premium feel
- Adds depth
Cons
- The dark green will need to be used carefully to avoid overly darkening the space
5. Black and White
A classic color pairing that will instantly add depth, don’t be afraid to use this striking look in a smaller kitchen. Used in the right way, small kitchens with black cabinets and white walls can create an elegant, high-contrast look that will really open up the room. Keep black at the bottom of the room, and white at the top to provide visual depth as well as to create the illusion of space.
Pros
- Adds depth
- White reflects light
Cons
- Too much black will overwhelm the room
6. Sage Green
Sage green is a popular, on-trend choice (especially in 2023) that works well in small kitchens. It’s a calm, relaxing shade that offers subtle color to the space without darkening the room.
Pros
- On-trend
- Calming
Cons
- Lacks depth
7. Gray and White
Gray is perfect for those wanting a contemporary, neutral room. If you are looking for simple small kitchen wall colors, you can’t go far wrong with the versatility of a gray and white color scheme. These timeless shades will create a modern but timeless look that feels clean and crisp.
Pros
- Modern
- Timeless
Cons
- Lacks visual interest
8. Blue and White
For a tranquil and informal style, try using blue and white as colors for your small kitchen. Blue tones create a calm, relaxed feel with the white helping to lift the space. Use white as the cabinet color with blue on the walls or through accessories to help open up the room more. If your kitchen lacks surface space, make use of the middle of the room by installing a small island in a matching shade for a cohesive finish.
Pros
- Relaxed
- Feels bright and open
Cons
- Darker blues might overwhelm the room
9. Beige and White
Beige and white offers a classic color combination that will help to open up your kitchen space. Using beige as a cabinet color for a small kitchen will add warmth and soft contrast to the starkness of the white, with the overall result being a clean, airy space that feels both calm and inviting.
Pros
- Warm and inviting
- Opens up the space
Cons
- Can lack visual interest and depth
10. Pick and Mix Colors
Inject some fun into your small kitchen space with a mix and match palette of colors. Distract from the size with some bright shades and fun patterns that leave you with a unique and personalized room!
Pros
- Bright and playful
- Great for those who love color
Cons
- Not for those who prefer more sophisticated styles
11. Pink and Gray
Pink and gray are a subtle but sophisticated color couple that work to create a soft and elegant space. The romantic feel that pink provides combined with a contemporary gray tone helps to create a calm but trendy kitchen that completely detracts from the size of it!
Pros
- Trendy
- Soft and sophisticated
Cons
- Softer pinks can lack depth
12. Eggplant (Aubergine)
Just because you have a small kitchen doesn’t mean you need to avoid dark, dramatic paint colors. A deep eggplant tone, as shown here, can bring a real sense of luxury to your kitchen space. Continue to create a premium feel to your kitchen with marble countertops and splashbacks that help to lift the room, opening and brightening up the space.
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Pros
- Premium feel
- Adds depth
Cons
- Dark colors can overwhelm small spaces if overused
13. Yellow and White
Create a cheerful, uplifting space by introducing a vivid yellow shade to your kitchen. This energetic color is great to brighten up smaller kitchens and, when paired with white, will create a clean, fresh vibe that feels both inviting and invigorating.
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Pros
- Invigorating
- Uplifting
Cons
- Can be hard to accessorize with yellow
What Colors Should You Avoid in a Small Kitchen?
1. Brown
Brown can make a small kitchen feel even smaller and more cramped as it is a warm, dark shade that absorbs light and closes the space further. Brown can work against the aim of creating a feeling of light and openness in smaller kitchens so you’ll want to steer clear of this earthy tone.
2. Red
While red can be a great accent color in a kitchen, using dark shades of red, such as burgundy or maroon, can make a small kitchen feel even smaller. These colors can also be quite intense and overwhelming, which may not be the best choice for a small space. If you do want to incorporate red, consider using lighter shades or using it as an accent color instead.
3. Orange
The intensity of orange can overwhelm small spaces, making your kitchen feel visually overstimulating, chaotic, and cluttered. Orange is challenging to coordinate with other colors, and, as it’s essential to create a cohesive space in smaller kitchens this is probably a shade to avoid!
To Summarise
Good kitchen colors for small kitchens will make the room feel open and inviting rather than dark and closed. Always consider factors such as the amount of natural light within the room, how to add texture for additional depth, coordinating your small kitchen color ideas with other design elements, and testing paint in different sections of the kitchen.
We know that small kitchens can be a challenge at the best of times, and with such a wide variety of color schemes to choose from, our list will help to narrow it down for you. From classic white to bold eggplant tones, we’ve got something for everyone that will leave you with a welcoming kitchen space that perfectly reflects your style whilst complementing your small space.
