When it comes to choosing paint colours for a small kitchen, the options can seem overwhelming. With so many hues and shades to choose from, how do you know which ones will look best in a tiny space? The key is focusing on colours that will make the room look light, bright and open.
Some quick answers to common questions:
– Stick with light or pale colours to make the space look bigger and brighter. Darker colours can make a small kitchen feel closed in and cramped.
– Neutral tones like white, beige and light gray are safe bets that will keep things looking clean and simple. You can always add pops of color with accessories.
– Avoid bold or intense colours like red or purple unless you’re going for a very dramatic look. These hues tend to overwhelm in a small area.
– Stay away from glossy or shiny paint finishes, which can make flaws and imperfections more visible. Opt for matte, eggshell or satin finishes instead.
– Focus the colour on one wall as an accent, and keep the others a neutral tone. This helps add visual interest without going overboard.
Best Colour Options for Small Kitchen Walls
When choosing paint for a small kitchen, it’s generally best to stick with light, neutral and soft colours that will keep things looking open and airy. Here are some of the top options to consider:
Whites: White is a classic small kitchen colour since it maximizes light reflection, making the space look bright and spacious. Options like bright white, antique white, or almond white work well. Stay away from stark whites, which can look harsh.
Beiges: Warm beige tones like sand, khaki and tan are versatile neutrals that add subtle depth without darkening the space. Popular choices include greige (gray + beige), buff, parchment and buttercream.
Grays: Cool grays like silver, charcoal and sage green work well paired with crisp whites or stainless steel appliances. Avoid darker grays, which can look dreary. Stick to light grays with blue, green or purple undertones.
Yellows: Pale pastel yellows like lemon, butter and vanilla add a cheerful, welcoming look. Deeper golden hues can also warm up the space nicely. Stay away from mustard yellows, which may look dated.
Blues: Light sky blues, aquas and airy teals open up a small kitchen visually with a breezy, coastal vibe. Robin’s egg blue is a popular small kitchen hue. Avoid darker navy blues.
Greens: Sage green, seafoam green, pistachio and other soft greens complement white cabinets and stainless appliances beautifully. Keep the tones light and bright for a small kitchen.
Colours to Avoid in Small Kitchens
While light, neutral colours tend to work best in petite kitchens, there are some hues that are best avoided:
– Black – Makes kitchen look dark and closed in.
– Dark brown – Absorbs light instead of reflecting it, draining the energy of the space.
– Red – Bold and intense for small area, can overwhelm the senses.
– Orange – Hard to match with other colours, risks looking dated.
– Yellow-green – Can make walls look dingy and dated.
– Dark blue – Navy blue can be too dramatic and bold for a small kitchen.
– Purple – Hard to match decor with bold royal or eggplant purples.
– Glossy finishes – Reflective paints show more flaws on walls.
The best approach is to stick with lighter, more subtle shades that keep things looking bright and cheerful without overwhelming the petite space.
Factors that Impact Colour Choice
Although pale neutrals are generally the safest bet for small kitchens, the best colour for your space depends on a few key factors:
Natural Light: Rooms with good natural light can handle slightly deeper hues than dark, enclosed kitchens. Paint colours may look different in natural vs. artificial lighting.
Cabinets & Countertops: Choose wall colours that complement your cabinetry and counters. Cool tones pair well with white cabinets, while warm hues match wood cabinets.
Personal Style: Make sure the colour reflects your own tastes and personality. A beachy blue for coastal style, sage green for modern farmhouse, etc.
Purpose: Bold accent walls in red or orange can add energy and drama if desired. But limit bold colours to one wall only.
Also consider adjoining rooms and whether you want to match or contrast their colour schemes. This influences the palette possibilities.
How Lighting Impacts Colour
The type of lighting in a small kitchen dramatically impacts how paint colours appear. Here’s how:
| Lighting | Effect on Colour |
| Natural Sunlight | Enhances and warms up hues. Brings out their vibrancy. |
| Warm Incandescent | Casts a yellow/orange glow, subduing cooler tones. |
| Cool Fluorescent | Makes warm colours look muted and dull. |
| LED | Shows the truest colour tones. Crisp neutral effect. |
When choosing colours, be sure to view paint swatches at different times of day and under your actual kitchen lighting for the most accurate representation.
Paint Finishes for Small Kitchens
In addition to colour, the paint finish (sheen) also impacts how walls look in a tiny kitchen:
Matte: Flat matte finish that absorbs light, helps hide imperfections. Can look dull in low light.
Eggshell: Soft velvety finish with subtle shine. More durable than matte.
Satin: Smoother and more luminous than eggshell. Lightly reflects light.
Semi-Gloss: Shiny and bright-looking. Draws attention to flaws. Best avoided.
High Gloss: Ultra shiny and reflective surface. Shows imperfections. Not ideal for small kitchens.
In most cases, matte to satin finishes work best for small kitchen walls. Glossy paints show more flaws and become visually overwhelming.
Creative Colour Combinations
While a single neutral hue keeps things simple, you can also use colour creativity to enhance a petite kitchen:
– Two tone walls: Paint upper and lower walls different colours to add interest. Such as navy blue below, white above.
– Accent wall: Bright red or bold patterned wallpaper on one focal feature wall.
– Contrasting island: Navy blue cabinets with bright white island creates striking colour blocking.
– Coloured cabinets: Sage green or robin’s egg blue cabinets inject colour without overwhelming.
– Textured look: Use specialty glaze paints or textured rollers for subtle colour variations on one wall.
Be strategic and purposeful with your pops of color. Limit bold hues to smaller feature areas so they don’t take over the compact space.
Best Paint Brands for Kitchens
Quality paint makes a difference in coverage and durability. Here are some top brands for kitchen walls:
Behr: Behr offers extensive colour selection, quality satin finishes, and good scratch resistance. Great value for money.
Benjamin Moore: Known for premium quality paint in colours like Hawthorne Yellow and Revere Pewter. Soft matte finishes.
Sherwin-Williams: Trusted brand with stylish hues like Naval and Accessible Beige. Durable and uniform finishes.
Valspar: Budget-friendly option carried at Lowes. Known for Oil Bond technology for kitchen washability.
PPG: Manufactures quality Pittsburgh Paints in colours like Frostwork and Garlic Vinegar. Good coverage and hide.
No matter which brand you choose, select kitchen paint that offers good scrubbability and stain resistance in a durable finish.
Paint Colours to Match Kitchen Tile
If your small kitchen features colourful tile backsplashes or floors, choose wall colours that complement (not compete with) the tiles:
| Tile Colour | Complementary Paint Colours |
| Blue and white | Warm beige, sand, pale yellow |
| Mint green | Cream, soft peach, robin’s egg blue |
| Terra cotta | Sage green, white, sunny yellow |
| Multicolored | Neutral white or beige |
Aim for wall colours about two shades lighter than the tile for balance. Carry a subtle tile accent colour onto the walls for unity.
Paint Colours for North, South, East or West Facing Kitchens
The direction your kitchen faces impacts the natural light it receives, slightly influencing colour choice:
North Facing: Receives indirect natural light with blue undertones. Green, blue or gray colours complement.
South Facing: Bright direct light, tends warm. Beige, yellow, red undertones recommended.
East Facing: Warm morning light. Warm terra cotta, peach, gold walls ideal.
West Facing: Intense afternoon light can cause reds/oranges to look loud. Cool blues or greens balance best.
Pick a shade one level lighter or darker if the room feels too cool and dim or overly bright and stark.
Small Kitchen Colour Schemes
Some popular small kitchen colour palettes include:
All White: Crisp, clean and open. Accent with glossy black fixtures and greenery.
Black and White: Classic high contrast look. Make sure room gets ample natural light.
Navy Blue & White: Coastal chic vibe. Warm up with butcher block counters.
Sage Green: Earthy and soothing. Complements natural wood cabinetry.
Lemon Yellow: Cheerful sunshine hue. Offsets bright white trim smartly.
Turquoise: Vintage, retro color combination. Especially with pink tile accents.
Keep the main walls/cabinets light, use smaller doses of color for accent walls, backsplashes, and decor items.
How to Test Paint Colours
Unsure how proposed paint colours will look? Test them out first by:
– Painting large swatches directly on the wall. Evaluate how the colour looks at different times of day.
– Taping up large pieces of cardboard painted in the colors. Lean against walls and view.
– Using AR visualization apps to digitally “paint” the walls.
– Getting sample sizes of paint. Paint small areas of each wall a different colour. Observe for a few days.
– Using temporary wall decals or removable wallpapers to preview pops of colour before fully committing.
Give yourself at least 48 hours to sit with the test colours before deciding. Painting just one accent wall can help inform your decision too.
When to Hire a Colour Consultant
Struggling to visualize the perfect small kitchen wall colour yourself? Consider hiring a professional colour consultant if:
– You’re overwhelmed by endless paint options and don’t know where to start. An expert can help narrow things down.
– You want objective feedback on which colours work best for your unique kitchen layout and dimensions.
– You need help blending and coordinating wall colours with existing tile, cabinetry and countertops.
– You have no sense of colour pairing and are hesitant about making a costly mistake. A pro can advise foolproof combos.
– You want to match the kitchen to overall house colour schemes for cohesive style. Designers help ensure continuity.
A small fee upfront can help you avoid expensive repainting down the road. Look for certified colour consultants who specialize in interior home painting.
Incorporating Colour Trends
While classic whites and neutrals never go out of style, some fresh kitchen paint colour trends can inspire:
Warm greens: On-trend sage and olive greens bring natural harmony. Especially nice with wood accents.
Brick reds: Rich crimson cabinetry makes a dramatic style statement. Balance with bright whites.
Twilight blues: From navy to cornflower blue, darker blues create cozy ambience.
Charcoal and black: Moody, sophisticated look continues to gain popularity. Requires very smart color placement.
Brass metallics: Subtle brass finishes lend upscale luxe appeal. Beautiful on one accent wall.
Don’t overwhelm a petite kitchen with too many trendy hues at once. Use them sparingly for focal areas only. The rest can stay neutral.
Conclusion
Choosing paint colours for a small kitchen requires careful thought. Stick with lighter shades like white, beige, gray and pale blues/greens to keep things looking open and airy. Stay away from dark, bold hues that close in a compact space. Strategically add colourful accents via a vibrant backsplash, colorful art or brightly painted cabinetry. Focus on finishes that downplay imperfections and enhance the lighting. With smart planning and test samples, you can give your petite kitchen a fresh look that pops with personality.
