Light colors are more reflective than dark colors and they will make your kitchen appear bigger as well as more open and airy. Light blues, greens, or pale yellows are other great colors to make your space look larger than life.
There's no rule that states cabinets need to be lighter or darker than walls or that they have to match it but depends more so on what kind of effect or mood you're going for. Light colors can make a space feel bright, clean, and timeless while darker colors can make a strong statement that instantly grabs attention.
Light Colors
Use a light color palette to create a light kitchen decor. Paint the walls a light hue, such as soft tan, creamy white or buttercup yellow, to help reflect the light in the room and give the entire space a light-filled backdrop.
Use a striated backsplash to make the kitchen look bigger
You can even choose bigger or smaller tile cuts — the idea is to trick the eye into making the kitchen feel longer than it is.
Most people find that satin or semi-gloss paint works the best in kitchens. A common scheme is to use satin paint on walls, with semi-gloss paint used on any cabinets or woodwork that are also painted.
The trade range of Dulux Light and Space are acrylic copolymers and are far less permeable than polyvinyl acetate emulsions. You should therefore ensure that this new plaster is absolutely dry before you apply any of this paint otherwise adhesion may fail, especially in a kitchen.
Bright and summery, yellow is an instantly uplifting colour that will make you feel calm and happy. It's the perfect shade for a kitchen and looks great whatever the size of your kitchen.
Dark cabinets: small kitchen – You can make it work
The good news is, contrary to what you may have heard, dark cabinets can work in a smaller kitchen. However, there is a caveat… and it's an important one. When you choose dark colours, you always run the risk of overpowering a space. The key is balance.
Simple but very effective, white kitchen ideas will always be the top choice to make a space appear bigger and brighter. 'Despite bolder colors becoming more popular in the kitchen over the last few years, white has never gone out of style.
In some cases removing or moving a wall can give you the space you need. For example removing a wall enclosing a small breakfast nook giving you extra length in the kitchen. You can add a breakfast bar peninsula or an island with seating which would add storage space, and take up much less floor space.
A small kitchen design can actually benefit from a large tile. With fewer grout lines the walls and floor are less cluttered and the room visually expanded.
Kitchen walls and cabinets don't need to be the same color, but that certainly doesn't mean they can't. In fact, it can create an alluring, uniform look! Kitchen cabinets naturally draw the eye with the amount of space they cover.
Your kitchen island does not have to match. Although matching an island to surrounding cabinets and countertops creates symmetry within a kitchen, using different cabinet colors or different countertops can turn an island into a beautiful focal point that complements the rest of your kitchen.
A 10x10 kitchen is a standard kitchen in size, it is a total of 20 feet of wall space. 10x10 pricing is a common method used by kitchen cabinet retailers to help customers gauge which cabinets cost less and which cost more.
Currently, the trend is to use lighter countertops with darker cabinets. This concept enhances the contrast between your tops and cabinets, but it also has its practical reasons too.
High gloss finish reflects light on the surface whereas matt finish absorbs light. However, matt finish won't look dull, especially with light colour shades. A matt finish is perfect for traditional or country style kitchen cabinets having routed fronts.
Cabinets Come First
It is best to paint the kitchen cabinets before you paint the walls. In fact, we suggest painting the cabinets before you even finalize your choice for the wall color.