What are the Best Cabinet Colors for a Small Kitchen?

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Selecting an appropriate color for cabinets in a compact kitchen can really affect the space dramatically. Proper color selection can help to visually expand a space and make it look brighter and more welcoming. In this blog post, we’ll share our ideas on the best cabinet colors for a small kitchen.

1/ What Colors are the Best Choices?

Neutral Tones for Harmonious Aesthetic 

A small kitchen with light gray cabinets (Haven Gray)
seamlessly blending into a living room for an airy, open feel

Neutral colors are universal and timeless, making them ideal for small kitchen designs. Whether they are various light tones of grays, tans, and creams, they can be matched or contrasted against more dramatic tones to create depth and a sense of space.  

Best Cabinet Colors for a Small Kitchen
A serene kitchen with warm wood color cabinets (Savannah Sand), an elegant island, and subtle accents, create a harmonious and inviting neutral-toned aesthetic.

Maximizing Space with a White Theme

Bright white (Asheville Cotton) is the most popular and also one of the best cabinet colors for a kitchen.
A beautiful small kitchen with off-white cabinets (Spartan White) blending with the soft marble accents.
Cream-colored cabinets (Venice Creme) with bright lighting effect enhancing the kitchen’s spaciousness and blending seamlessly with refined decor.

White cabinets are especially common in small kitchens and because of their versatility, they can be paired with any color to help create the sense of a larger area… Whether they are bright white, off-white or even cream, they give the kitchen an airy and spacious look. 

Creating Contrast with Dark Cabinets

Though it is recommended to use lighter colors in small kitchens, you can still use dark cabinets if they are strategically placed and well incorporated into the rest of the decor. Dark colors for kitchens are perfect for anyone who wants to add a bold, glamorous appearance to their space.  However, there are certain strategies you should use when introducing dark colors to your kitchen.

  • It is best to introduce dark colors cautiously like in the lower cabinets or an island.
  • It is best done with light-colored countertops and walls so that they complement each other.
Dark gray cabinets (Fossil Nuovo) add bold elegance, contrasted by light countertops and walls, creating a stylish, spacious, and modern kitchen atmosphere.

Opting for Two-Tone Cabinets

Two-tone cabinets refer to the practice by which two contrasting colors are used for upper and lower cabinets or where different colors are used for the island and the main cabinetry. Small kitchens can benefit from using two-tone cabinets as they will create patterns and focal points in the space. 

  • Off-Whites and Dark Grays: A typical color scheme of white and gray can create a dramatic appearance..
  • White & Light Gray: A nice, but more reserved look is white with light gray or light blue, to create a subtle but effective contrast.
  • Dark Gray & Bright White: This color combination creates a dramatic and sleek modern look.
Striking, modern contrast and sophistication by the combination of two-tone cabinets with white uppers and deep gray lowers.

 

2/ What are Must-Known Factors Before Choosing The Best Cabinet Colors for Your Small Kitchen?

Wall and floor colors: Consider coordinating with wall and floor colors to create a harmonious look that ties the entire space together. Your cabinet colors should match the overall kitchen theme. Whether it is darker colors such as deep browns or blues, or bright colors such as white, by matching the colors while at the same time, creating contrast, you can give your kitchen an expansive look.

Kitchen layout: Where you place your cabinets and the number of them you install can have a dramatic effect on a person’s sense of space.  Making sure to add larger cabinets where they are needed, or limit them in tighter spaces, can produce a sense of space as well as functionality. In addition, what color cabinets you use in your layout and design will heighten that sense of space if used properly. 

A parallel kitchen layout with bright white cabinets

Lighting conditions: Using ambient lighting from natural sources, as well as strategically placed artificial lighting, can influence the way we perceive colors. When choosing the best cabinet colors for your small kitchen, remember to consider a suitable lighting set in your kitchen.

Style and model of kitchen appliances: Your cabinet color should be in harmony with your appliances’ style and finish to create a cohesive and unified look. For a small kitchen, streamlined and cohesive design elements are essential, as they will help you avoid clutter while creating a sense of spaciousness.

Read More: Minimalist Cabinet Storage Solutions For Small Kitchen Appliances

Personal Style and Preferences: The design of your kitchen should express your personality. Select colors that appeal to your tastes and blend them with the rest of the home décor. 

3/ Other Useful Design Tips For a Small Kitchen

  • Opting for Vertical Storage Solutions: Opt for tall cabinets to save on space and avoid congesting the area by having the cabinets reach the roof.
  • Utilizing Glass Fronts or Open Shelving: Open shelves, in particular, or glass-fronted cabinets, give a small kitchen an open and airy feel.
  • Reflective Surfaces and Mirrors: Using reflective surfaces, such as the ones you find on glossy cabinets or mirrored backsplashes will reflect light and create a much more open feel to your space
  • Blending Your Kitchen with Your Living Room: to enhance the flow and maximize space.

Upgrade Your Small Kitchen: Choosing Perfect Cabinet Colors

Selecting the best cabinet color for small kitchens can help turn a tiny kitchen into a comfortable and aesthetically appealing zone. Through layout, lighting, and personal preferences, as well as possible cabinet solutions, you can create a stunning look for your small kitchen with the help of 405 Cabinets & Stone.

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