Your kitchen may be small, but that doesn’t mean it can’t feel and look roomy and inviting.

Choosing the proper wall color is one technique to make a small kitchen feel larger. The proper colors can not only improve the overall appearance of the kitchen, but they can also give the impression of additional space.

In this post, we’ll look at the best wall colors for a small kitchen and how to pick the ideal one for your space. In addition, there will be some more color-related tips and suggestions that you will need to know in order to achieve the greatest results.

Choosing Light and Bright Colors

Colors that are light and bright can reflect natural light, making a small kitchen feel more open and spacious.

Soft neutrals

Choosing soft neutral wall colors for a small kitchen

Colors that reflect light, such as white, beige, ivory, and light gray, are ideal for tiny kitchens because they make the area feel brighter and more open. These colors are calm and can make a room feel bigger by making the lines between the walls and ceiling less clear. This makes the room feel more open and airy. Furthermore, neutral colors can complement other colors or textures, providing greater décor adaptability.

Tips: Natural light in the kitchen can make soft neutral hues look overly cool or warm. Make sure the colors appear good in the room and at different times of day.

Calming blues

Choosing calm blue wall colors for a small kitchen

Next on the list of wall colors for a small kitchen is calming blue. Calming blues are a great color choice for a small kitchen because they can make the space feel open and airy. Blue hues can create the illusion of depth, making the walls appear farther away than they actually are. This effect, combined with the calming properties of blue, can make a small kitchen feel more spacious and relaxing. Soft blue walls can also reflect natural light, making the space appear brighter and more welcoming. Overall, using calming blues can be a great way to create a sense of openness in your small kitchen.

Tips: Avoid using too many different shades of blue; instead, use just one to avoid an overwhelming feeling.

Warm whites

Choosing warm white wall colors for a small kitchen

Warm whites are a fantastic color choice for small kitchens since they can make the space feel warm and open. They reflect light, making the kitchen appear bright and spacious, which is important when space is minimal. Warm whites may also complement a wide range of other colors, making it easier to incorporate accent colors such as strong hues without making the kitchen appear stuffy. Warm whites also have a clean, crisp appearance that can make your kitchen feel more spacious and less cluttered.

Choosing Bold and Dark Colors

It may seem paradoxical, but bold and dark can be good wall colors for a small kitchen. Dark tones, when strategically utilized, can enhance depth and contrast, giving the impression of more space.

Navy Blue

Choosing navy blue wall colors for a small kitchen

Navy blue adds depth and can lead the eye upward, creating the illusion of height in a tiny area. Combining navy blue with light or bright elements can also create a contrast that makes the room appear more open and expansive. When used sparingly, navy blue may be a terrific way to bring a sense of class to a small kitchen.

Tips: Using navy blue requires a sufficient amount of light to balance it out. This color works best when there is direct natural light on the wall.

Brown

Choosing brown wall colors for a small kitchen

Brown is a warm and earthy color that can make a tiny kitchen feel cozy and inviting. When used in small amounts, like in wood finishes or accents, it can give a room depth and richness. Brown can also be used as a neutral background to make other colors and textures stand out. This makes it a great choice for the walls of a small kitchen. Also, darker brown tones can create a feeling of closeness and warmth, making the area feel more inviting and cozy.

Olive Green

Choosing Olive green wall colors for a small kitchen

The next name in the list of dark-theme wall colors for a small kitchen is the trending olive green.

The olive green tones provide a cozy and welcoming ambiance, making the space feel more comfortable and calm. The color can also work well with natural wood treatments, making the kitchen appear more coherent and connected to the outside environment.

When combined with brighter colors, olive green can provide depth to a tiny kitchen and create the illusion of more room. It’s a versatile color that can be used as the main wall color or as a pop of color on cabinets or other accessories. This makes it a great choice for people who want to spice up a small kitchen.

Tips: Olive green should be coordinated with the general style and design of the kitchen. It necessitates artistic ability and color matching.

Wood finishes

Choosing wood finishes wall colors for a small kitchen

Wood finishes can add warmth and texture to a small kitchen, making it feel more welcoming and comfortable. They can also provide a natural and organic feel, which can make a space feel larger and more open. When used as an accent or complement to other colors, wood finishes can create a cohesive and balanced look, making a small kitchen feel more spacious and well-designed. Additionally, wood finishes can help to bring a touch of nature into the kitchen, which can have a calming and relaxing effect on the space.

Tips: Less is more! It’s advisable to avoid using too many wood finishes in a tiny kitchen because they might make the area feel claustrophobic and crowded. You might want to only use wood on certain parts of the kitchen, like the cabinets or countertops, instead of covering every surface.

Utilize Accent colors and Two-tones schemes

Choosing two-tone wall colors for a small kitchen

Don’t think two-tone color is too much. If applied correctly, two-tone wall colors for a small kitchen can be a great hit!

Accent colors and two-tone schemes can help create contrast and depth in a small kitchen, making it appear larger. For example, if the cabinets and walls are different colors, the walls might look like they are farther away, giving the illusion of depth. Bright accent colors can also add visual appeal and draw attention away from the small size of the kitchen. A two-tone design can also provide visual appeal and make the space feel more open and lively by creating a stark contrast. 

Tips: Wanna explore more two-tone schemes? Simply go to Schemecolor and generate one.

The illusion of height with contrasting cabinet colors

The illusion of height with contrasting cabinet colors

If you don’t want to spend too much time looking for the best wall colors for a small kitchen, why not examine the color of the cabinets?

By painting or using a darker color for the lower cabinets and a lighter color for the upper cabinets, you can draw the eye upward, making the room appear taller. This effect works best when the ceiling and walls are both painted in lighter colors. This creates a contrast and makes the kitchen feel bigger.


You’ve decided on your favorite wall color and color combinations for your little kitchen. However, significant effort remains to be done in order to achieve optimal results. Continue reading to learn about paint finishes and other lightning-related topics.

Paint Finishes for a Small Kitchen

Choosing the appropriate paint finish for a tiny kitchen is just as crucial as choosing the appropriate color. The finish you choose can effect not just the aesthetic of your painted surfaces, but also their durability and cleanability.

Matte finishes

Matte finishes

Matte finishes are soft and don’t reflect light. They can give a small kitchen a touch of sophistication. They are a great alternative if you want your room to look more natural or if your walls or cabinets have a textured look. 

Matte finishes are better if your walls or cabinets have small flaws because they are more forgiving. They also go well with a wide range of colors, from neutrals to brighter hues. A matte finish may be the best option for you if you want to create a pleasant and inviting atmosphere in your small kitchen.

Satin finishes

Satin finishes

A satin finish is more reflective than a matte finish but less shiny than a gloss finish, resulting in a smooth and delicate sheen. It has a traditional, elegant appearance and can bring depth and richness to a room.

Satin finishes are versatile and work well with both traditional and modern styles of design. They last longer and are easier to clean than matte finishes, which makes them great for places that get a lot of use. Satin finishes are also great for drawing attention to architectural details like moldings or trim without being too shiny. Overall, a satin finish is a great choice for people who want something that looks polished and elegant without being too shiny.

Gloss finishes

Gloss finishes

For those wishing to add a touch of modern refinement to their kitchen, a gloss finish is a popular choice. This high-shine finish is good for modern and minimalist kitchen designs that want to look sleek and polished. 

Glossy surfaces reflect light well, making them a good choice for kitchens with limited natural light. But it’s important to remember that gloss finishes can make wall flaws look worse, so make sure your walls are in good shape before applying a gloss finish.

Tips: Gloss finishes require a minimalist design, so if you have a lot of items in your kitchen, forgo this option.

Lighting matters

Lighting can affect on wall colors for small kitchen

Natural light can make a small kitchen appear brighter and more spacious. If you can, use light-letting window coverings like sheer curtains or blinds that can be fully opened to let in as much natural light as possible in the kitchen.

Using light-reflecting materials, such as glossy cabinets or a mirrored backsplash, can also help to bounce light around the room and give the sense of more space. If your kitchen doesn’t get enough natural light, try putting lights under the cabinets or in pendants to make the space look better.

Tips: If you have a tiny kitchen with a lot of objects, a mirrored backsplash is a no-no. Remember that while it reflects light, it can also reflect messiness. Use this option only if you completely adhere to the minimalist style.

To wrap up!

Finally, while selecting the best wall colors for a small kitchen can be difficult, it is critical to create a space that is light, spacious, and welcoming.

Colors that are light and bright, such as soft neutrals and relaxing blues, are excellent alternatives for creating the sense of more space.

Depending on the general style and design of the kitchen, warm whites, bold and dark colors, wood finishes, and accent colors with two-tone schemes can all work nicely.

When choosing wall colors for a small kitchen, take into account the finish, such as matte, satin, or gloss.

Also, letting in more natural light can make a small kitchen look and feel much better overall.

With these strategies and concerns in mind, you can transform your small kitchen into a beautiful and functional space. Happy cooking!

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Best wall colors for a small kitchen

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4 Comments

  1. I really enjoyed your article and have been truly inspired. I have a 70’s style ranch with a smaller kitchen than more modern homes have these days and it still has the wood cabinets that have never been replaced or updated either. There is wallpaper with birdhouses on it and yellow countertops! So this kitchen along with the rest of the house (my childhood home) definitely needs some attention. I cannot quite afford to replace the cabinets yet so I am going to give them some life with a fresh coat of paint and while I’m at it remove the old wallpaper and paint the walls too. Fingers crossed that there is only one layer of wallpaper but I’m not getting my hopes up 🙄 Any advice for updating 70’s style cabinets? I may attach a photo of them or post one following this one. I’m thinking gray cabinets, wooden counter tops, silver backsplash (or not), and white walls? Thanks for the inspiration.
    K Cox Griffin
    Anderson, SC

    1. It’s great to hear that you’re inspired to update your 70’s style kitchen! Your ideas sound promising.

      Gray cabinets are a solid choice; they can give your kitchen a modern touch. Pairing them with wooden countertops could create a nice balance of warmth and contemporary style. 👏

      White walls are a smart move to make the space feel brighter and more open, as I mentioned already in the post. It’ll provide a clean backdrop for your new cabinets and countertops.

      As for the silver backsplash, it really depends on your personal taste. It can add some elegance, but if you prefer a more minimalist look, skipping it could work too.

      Taking down that old wallpaper is definitely a good call. Freshening up the walls will make a big difference.

      Ultimately, it’s your space, so go with what resonates with your style and feels right in your childhood home. Best of luck with your kitchen update! 🤗

  2. In the picture above what color is that green on the cabinets ? I absolutely love that shade of green.

    1. There are 2 shades of green you can explore on, not sure which one you’re mentioning: Mineral Green and Spanish Green 🙂

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