The best paint colours for a small kitchen

Known as the ‘heart of the home', the kitchen is the space in our homes where many of us tend to spend most of our time. It’s a place to cook, snack, and perch as we mindlessly scroll on our phones and socialise. It’s also one of the main rooms where the design and style can affect your property’s value. So naturally, decorating your kitchen is a pretty important task.

If you’re working with a small kitchen, all is not lost. There are plenty of ways to open up the room and add the illusion of space through your interior decor choices. 

Discover the best paint colours for your small kitchen and learn how to maximise space whilst playing with colour.

Paint colours for a small kitchen: yellow

Let’s start with one of Pantone’s 2021 colours of the year: yellow! Not only is this uplifting colour super on-trend this year, but it’s also well suited to kitchens from a colour psychology perspective. According to our Lead Colour Specialist Tash: “Yellow affects our emotions and is a great choice for kitchens, particularly if there is a lack of natural light. It’s bright and cheerful and brings positivity to the heart of the home.” 

So how to introduce a bit of yellow into your kitchen? If you’re working with a darker room, brighten it up with a shade like the creamy Yellow 01 for instant good vibes. If you simply want to add a pop of yellow, we’d recommend painting your kitchen cupboards in the warm Yellow 02. 

It’s worth pointing out that opting for the same colour all over can make a room feel bigger, as the whole space blends into one. With less detail for the eye to take in, your space can seem larger than it actually is. Tash says;

“Yellow is a great choice for kitchens. It’s bright and cheerful and brings positivity to the heart of the home.”

Paint colours for a small kitchen: green

Bring a bit of the outdoors in and start eating healthier with a splash of green in your kitchen. Yep, that second part is true from a colour psychology point of view! According to Tash, “Greens can encourage you to eat healthier and lead a good balanced lifestyle.” And hey, that’s not a bad thing, ever. 

To open up a small kitchen, opt for a fresh and cool light green such as Green 09. The soft yellow and grey undertones of a green such as this are the perfect blend to reflect light and energise a space, instantly making your room look a bit bigger. Alternatively, a rich smoky green like Green 03 is irresistibly inviting and can actually add depth to a room.

“Greens can encourage you to eat healthier and lead a good balanced lifestyle.”

Paint colours for a small kitchen: white

Classic for a reason, white paint is known for its light-reflecting properties, making your walls ‘recede’ and opening up small spaces. Our top picks include the creamy White 03, a soft white with yellow undertones that can open up your kitchen while keeping those warm, cosy vibes. If you want to ultimate in light reflection, White 01 or off white paint White 02 are brilliant whites but with grey undertones that can boost the energy levels of any small space. 

According to Tash: “White creates a feeling of calmness. When used in a kitchen, it can make the space feel clean, sophisticated, and elegant.” Bring in some more energy by painting kitchen cupboards a different colour. As Tash would advise, “Having pops of colour or lots of plants will make sure the space doesn’t feel sterile and cold.”

“White creates a feeling of calmness. When used in a kitchen, it can make the space feel clean, sophisticated, and elegant.”

Paint colours for a small kitchen: grey 

Working with a darker kitchen? Tash recommends choosing a warm or rich grey with a strong undertone like Grey 03 or Grey 04. Add lots of green plants to bring out the depth of the colour. 

We’re also slightly obsessed with this kitchen makeover where Athina from Topology Interiors used the greyish taupe Greige 02 on the walls and contrasted it with green kitchen cupboards for a cool and contemporary finish.

Need a little more expert advice before starting your very own kitchen makeover? Check out our advice on the best neutral paint colours for a dark room and how to brighten up a dark room.

Check out how to paint kitchen cupboards and transform your kitchen with just £40, or get inspired by a full kitchen makeover by Topology Interiors.