Kitchen Cabinet Colors for Small Kitchens: Tips for a Spacious Look

Whether you’re scrolling Pinterest or flipping the pages of a design magazine looking for inspiration for a kitchen remodel, there’s often one thing the designer spaces have in common: they are huge. While it’s certainly possible to incorporate some elements from these kitchens into your space, like a farmhouse sink, other elements, like colors, don’t always translate well. 

In fact, choosing kitchen cabinet colors for small kitchens is often a challenge for homeowners who want to create a unique and stylish space without making it feel too small or closed in. Payless Kitchen Cabinets has a portfolio of highly-rated kitchen remodels in Los Angeles County that shows many options for cabinet colors in small kitchens and offers some tips on how you can create a more spacious look.

kitchen cabinet colors for small kitchens

How to Choose the Best Color for Cabinets in Small Kitchens 

Working with limited space doesn’t mean you can’t create a room that’s both stylish and functional. Choosing the right color for the cabinets can instantly transform even a tiny kitchen into a warm, welcoming, and open-feeling space. 

Many homeowners assume that a small kitchen must be a white kitchen if they want to create the illusion of space. All-white kitchens continue to be trendy, and white’s light-reflecting ability can give even the smallest space a brighter and airier feeling, but it’s not the only option. In fact, when you consider how much natural light the room gets, the shape of the kitchen, and options for paint finishes, you’ll see that you have almost unlimited options. 

Work with Natural Light 

If you have a sunny kitchen or south-facing windows, an all-white space might seem too bright. Creamy or warm-toned white cabinets can add warmth, and when it’s paired with contrasting deep charcoal, black, or dark wood accents, a small kitchen can feel significantly larger. 

Darker hues, like forest green, navy, and matte black, are also good kitchen cabinet colors for small kitchens that get a great deal of sunlight. Using multiple colors, like dark blue for bottom cabinets and white for upper cupboards, is on trend and allows you to bring in pops of unexpected color to a small space. 

Pay Attention to the Room’s Shape 

Many small kitchens are also narrow, but choosing the right cabinetry color can help diffuse light so the space feels wider. Pastel colors, like mint green and light blue, can help create a tranquil and upbeat space, diffuse the natural light, and make cramped spaces feel bigger. Pairing pastels with dark floors and light-colored walls can also help make spaces feel wider, which is ideal when you have a galley-style kitchen or otherwise long, narrow space. 

Play with Texture and Finishes 

If you have a small kitchen but want to use a bold color, consider a glossy, light-reflecting finish. Metallic and mirrored surfaces also allow light to bounce around the room, making it feel brighter and larger. 

Ideas for Incorporating Color into a Small Kitchen 

When you’re working with a limited amount of space, the idea of using bold or dark colors on cabinets might initially seem scary. Conventional wisdom is that only lighter shades can make a room look bigger, but this mindset can prevent you from expressing your creativity or using your favorite color. 

One of the best ways to use color in a small kitchen is to integrate pops of unexpected color throughout. For example, you might pair white or cream cabinets with a bright blue island, or use sunny yellow or pastel pink behind glass front cabinets. Additionally, styling your kitchen island with complementary accessories can enhance the overall aesthetic and functionality of the space.

As previously mentioned, creating contrast is one of the best ways to create the illusion of size. Using a light color for the cabinets and countertops around the perimeter of the room, with an island in a bolder shade, turns the island into a focal point and visually expands the space around it. The lighter color doesn’t always have to be white, either; cream, greige, and light gray can also contrast beautifully with dark flooring or pops of color.

Explore Kitchen Ideas with the Experts at Payless Kitchen Cabinets

It’s difficult to overstate the benefits of remodeling a kitchen from both practical and aesthetic standpoints. The kitchen is the heart of most homes, and a refresh and upgrade can make the space more functional and welcoming, even when it lacks square footage.

If you’re embarking on a remodeling project, let the Glendale, CA experts at Payless Kitchen Cabinets help you find the perfect kitchen cabinet colors for small kitchens. Schedule a consultation online or call (866) 482-0919 to speak with a team member.

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