Choosing a Small Kitchen Colour (2024)

The kitchen is the heart of any home. As such, you'll need to think carefully when selecting a suitable shade of kitchen paint for your walls and cabinets.

Ask any interior designer and they'll tell you that dark colours should be avoided when decorating a small space. However, darker shades can be used incredibly effectively with the right palette at your disposal.

If you're looking to make quick work of a kitchen makeover, whites and lighter shades that naturally reflect light are the way to go. Neutral walls give the illusion of more space and also pair well with dark cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

That being said, a white kitchen can be tricky to keep looking its best. What's more, if you pair neutral walls with white cabinets, it's easy for small spaces to look too clinical.

If you want to add depth and personality to your kitchen, don't be afraid to experiment with colour. A monochromatic palette is a stylish choice, although more vibrant shades can be used just as effectively.

Need some inspiration?

Read on for our essential guide on what you need to know when selecting small kitchen paint colours.

If you want to avoid white and neutrals entirely, a blue paint palette is a way to go. Looking to make full use of natural light? Go with sky blue or a lighter shade. Prefer a darker palette? A dark blue or rich navy can be used as a subtle contrast to darker walls.

Want to create an airy vibe with a winning light blue? Our TVT G437 is a great pick. Use this one for walls, then accent with slightly darker cabinets and white countertops. As with just about any blue, this classic colour also works well with stainless steel fixtures and appliances.

Prefer a bold hue? Our TVT X359 is a strong choice. The perfect fit for a small kitchen lacking in square footage, this light colour works well with cabinets coated in dark blues or classic white. If you want to embrace a contemporary aesthetic, consider having your cabinets and walls painted in the same colour.

Searching for the perfect shade for shelving and cabinets? Our TVT V359 paint colour will go down a storm. Use this one with walls painted in a paler shade of blue. This versatile blue also works well with classic white and stainless steel.

In a really small room, any use of colour can prove overwhelming. However, that doesn't mean you have to abandon a more daring colour palette altogether. If you're keen to introduce blue to your kitchen, think about treating your tiles and backsplashes to a new lick of paint.

A dramatic blue backsplash will turn an uninspired white kitchen into something truly special. If you're feeling overwhelmed by limited floor space and bulky white cabinets, it's an easy way to put your personal spin on a small kitchen.

Need some colour inspiration? Think about going all out with a bolder blue when painting tiles. Our TVT S361 is an eye-catching choice if you want to break up the monotony of a monochrome kitchen.

Worried that a dark blue will make your kitchen feel even more enclosed? Try a lighter shade instead. Our TVT G432 paint colour might be more muted than other options, but it's a great way of incorporating colour into an all-white kitchen.

If you're not afraid of darker shades, a tiled backsplash is the ideal kitchen accent to add colour to. Our TVT M431 is a striking choice that will look right at home in any contemporary kitchen. What's more, it's incredibly versatile. This stunning shade works well with white cabinets and stainless steel appliances and can be coordinated with a range of pastel hues.

When decorating a kitchen, many people reach for white paint to create a clean space. However, an all-white kitchen can be high maintenance. Not only will white walls and cabinets require more cleaning, but you'll also almost certainly have to touch up paintwork over time.

Thankfully, grey colours can be used to achieve an equally elegant look, without the added maintenance tasks involved. Although you'll want to avoid charcoal in smaller kitchens, lighter greys can be very effective in tighter spaces.

For best results, coat your walls with a light grey and go a shade darker when painting cabinets and integrated storage. A grey palette pairs well with white countertops and stainless steel, making it a fine fit with kitchen fixtures and fittings.

Struggling to find a suitable wall colour? Our TVT F428 is a great place to start. With undertones of blue, this striking grey is the way to go if you're after a stripped-back aesthetic that still packs a punch.

Choosing a much lighter grey gives you more freedom to add accent colours and play around with design details like backsplashes. Use our TVT L503 for walls, then experiment with bolder hues when painting cabinets and introducing accents.

Need more ideas? Our TVT H498 paint is the obvious choice if you can't decide between grey and blue. The bluish undertones ensure your kitchen isn't lacking in character while giving a solid palette to draw from when accessorising.

An all-white kitchen isn't for everyone, but if you're after a stylish kitchen that will stand the test of time, there's no better choice. White paint colours are also perfect for smaller kitchens, helping create a sense of airiness, no matter how limited your square footage is.

Use crisp whites and neutrals to coat kitchen walls and cabinets for a bright and airy space that will hold up well for years to come. What's more, white works well in any home. Use it to create a dazzling contemporary space or experiment with more muted shades for classic farmhouse chic.

If you're pining for dark colours, nothing is stopping you from working in more eye-catching hues. Add an eye-catching blind to a window or showcase colourful cookware on an exposed shelf.

Ready to make your white kitchen dreams a reality? We've got plenty of premium paint colours for you to choose from. Our TVT L503 is a great choice if you want to avoid lifeless whites. This stunning shade has subtle blue undertones, making it easy to coordinate with kitchen extras and accessories.

Need an off-white colour for cabinets to offset all-white walls? How about our TVT F496 paint colour? Packing plenty of pale blue character, it's an easy choice for introducing colour to a small kitchen.

Even if you've gone the all-white route in a kitchen, there are plenty of ways you can add colour pops to your space. One of the simplest ways to undercut white walls and cabinets is to introduce a wooden worktop.

Just about any wood works well with white cabinets. For a premium finish, there's no better option than solid oak, although just about any hardwood will make a welcome addition to your kitchen. If your budget won't stretch to oak countertops throughout, reserve it for a centre island.

Don't forget, you can also use cabinet hardware to add some character to your units. Chrome and stainless steel are affordable choices, although bronze and pewter handles are the way to go if you prefer something more sophisticated. Finally, under-cabinet lighting will mix things up in even the most monotone of kitchens.

In contemporary kitchens, darker colours work best for cabinets. If you've painted your walls in a pale neutral like classic cream, greens are an effective choice for kitchen cupboards and shelving.

You've no shortage of options when it comes to treating your cabinets to a new lick of paint. Looking to make a statement? A dark green or emerald green is a fine choice and can be accented with gold or copper hardware. Prefer a fresher, more airy interior while you cook? Go for mint green and accent with earthy tones.

Planning a modern kitchen makeover? Our TVT J369 paint will instantly transform tired cabinets. Perfect for stripped-back units with integrated handles, this shade also works well with metallic hardware.

If you'd prefer a more muted take on teal, give our TVT K442 paint a try. Because it's not as imposing as other greens, this shade is just the ticket for creating a contemporary kitchen, even when you're limited to a small floor plan.

If you're really short on space, it's best to stick to a light shade when painting cabinets. Our TVT F373 is a stylish choice, boasting delicate undertones of blue and green.

Just because you're working with a small kitchen, doesn't mean you have to say goodbye to bright colours entirely. In fact, with a little creative flair, vibrant colour palettes have a place in even the tiniest of kitchens.

Our TVT G380 paint will instantly liven up cabinets in a small kitchen. Perfect with white walls, this gorgeous green paint also works well with vibrant orange and enhanced grain oak.

Not vibrant enough for your liking? Not to worry. We've no shortage of choices when it comes to eye-catching greens.

Our TVT J373 and TVT S372 paint colours should satisfy those looking for a more daring colour to coat their cabinets with. Both shades work well with white walls and metallic accents, leaving you plenty of options when it comes to finishing touches.

If you're decorating a small space, it's easy to rule out anthracite and dark greys entirely. However, these contemporary colours can still prove an effective choice for the more compact kitchen.

To avoid these darker shades overwhelming your kitchen, make sure you're offsetting anthracite cabinets with plenty of neutral touches. Use grey and off-white rugs and runners to lighten things up. If your wall units are making your kitchen feel cramped, investigate under-cabinet lighting to brighten things up.

Struggling to decide on the right shade for your kitchen? Our TVT V493 paint is an attractive choice. Use this colour to coat cabinets and units, then offset the darker palette with light oak and wooden accents.

If a palette with grey paint colours is too lifeless for your liking, there's always our TVT N429 paint colour. This premium shade has a backbone of brilliant blue but still achieves the same effect as anthracite. While it's perfect for painting cabinets in white spaces, it can also be used with yellow walls for more daring colour combinations.

If you're taking the anthracite route with your cabinets, you'll need a first-rate colour for your walls. To keep things simple, it's best to stick to an off-white shade. Our TVT L503 ticks all the right boxes. It's crisp enough that it will give the illusion of space in smaller kitchens, while a subtle blue undertone brings added depth.

Kitchen makeovers are difficult design projects at the best of times. When square footage is limited, it's even more of a challenge. Thankfully, finding first-rate colours isn't something you have to worry about.

Want a timeless style that works in any home? All-white kitchens are the way to go. An easy way to give the illusion of extra space, a solid white colour scheme works equally well in contemporary kitchens and more traditional spaces. If you're itching to incorporate a pop of colour, a painted tile backsplash is the way to do it.

Prefer a more vibrant colour palette? Experiment with tonal blues and green gradients. Choose a light shade when looking for wall or ceiling paint, then make a statement with a darker paint colour for your cabinets.

Anthracite and dark greys are a popular choice for fans of contemporary design, although they're often seen as incompatible with smaller kitchens. However, provided you're using a more muted wall colour, they can be an effective palette for smaller rooms. To open things up, use natural materials and under-cabinet lighting to transform tiny spaces.

Ultimately, colour is a completely personal choice, so go your own way when creating your dream kitchen. Need some colour inspiration? Our range is packed with premium colours for kitchen walls and cabinets, with shades to suit every taste and budget.