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'Keep the upper walls a light neutral and introduce color on the lower half to avoid the room feeling top heavy.'Īvoid more than three colors in one space though, warns Patrick O’Donnell, Farrow & Ball (opens in new tab)’s Ambassador.
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'Choosing two or three paint colors for a small kitchen helps section off different areas, giving the appearance of more space,' says Anna Hill, brand director of Fenwick & Tilbrook (opens in new tab). Go wild with bright hues or zone more subtly with shades from the same palette. Alternatively, paint an appliance bank in a block color with storage in another. It can be as simple as painting wall cabinets in one color and base units in another or painting a multifunctional small kitchen island in a contrasting shade. While a single paint shade works well to unify a small kitchen, using two or three different colors is a clever design trick for zoning various functions. If you can carry the same color to the adjoining space, the effect is even better.' 6. 'The trick is to paint the ceiling the same color as walls so when the eye travels effortlessly, your space will expand visually. 'Lighter colors make the space feel larger,” adds Erin Davis, lead designer for Mosaik Design & Remodeling (opens in new tab) in Portland, Oregon. Farrow & Ball’s Wimborne White is a fantastic color for ceilings, especially if you are whitewashing beams, and Slipper Satin is a lovely, buttery color which makes any space feel like a warm hug.' 'Colors such as Benjamin Moore’s White Dove or Classic Gray both have a subdued gray hue which in turn adds character to any space. 'We tend to work with warmer ivories, so that the kitchen, in any light, has a sense of warmth rather than sterility,' says interior designer Becca Casey of Connecticut-based Becca Interiors (opens in new tab). Try softer neutrals, such as cream kitchen ideas, instead of white kitchen ideas such as oatmeal, taupe, pale green-greys and warm whites and use a soft sheen paint which is durable and lets light bounce around the space. However, advises the stylist, using pure whites or cooler off-white shades can often make the space look dingy rather than spacious. Paler shades are often the go-to paint colors for small kitchens as they can help to create an open and airy vibe, says Aaron Markwell, color stylist at COAT Paints Home (opens in new tab). Not only does this create a contemporary, monochromatic look, it’s also an easy way to create the illusion of bigger walls, making the room as a whole feel more spacious.' 5. Bold, saturated jewel greens and teals work very well for color drenching. 'By enveloping a small space in a paint color, the focus shifts from noticing the size of that space to just appreciation of the shades that surround us. 'Color drenching, especially when using darker, brave colors, works best in small spaces, like a small kitchen,' says Justyna Korcyznska, senior designer at Crown Paints (opens in new tab). Color-drenched small kitchens will also appear larger, as all-over color will help create the illusion of lengthening walls and surfaces, rather than being broken up by contrasting woodwork.
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Using the same color for painted kitchens, walls, skirting boards, window frames – even the ceiling – will transform a small space from a dull, uninspiring room to a modern, on-trend space, oozing with confidence and personality – as in the green kitchen above. Small kitchen paint colors used over cabinets and walls are a match made in decorating heaven. Rich yellows like our vivid Haymarket No.47 are known to make you feel calm and happy, and pair well with dark shades and white accents.' 4.
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'It is a welcoming, joyful and vibrant choice and ideal for small kitchens, particularly if there isn’t much light. 'Yellow reflects light in such a way that will make a smaller room look bigger,' says Dominic Myland owner of Mylands (opens in new tab). Your yellow kitchen will be a happy one whatever the weather outside. Otherwise, paint a run of tall cabinets in your favorite yellow shade, and, if you’re feeling brave, go all-out on matching yellow walls, too. Yellow is the perfect paint color for small kitchens that are designed around base cabinets – with open shelving above – as this powerful hue will draw the eye down and keep the layout grounded. Choose yellow room ideas to suit your architecture and style, from vibrant, canary yellow and daffodil to rich gold and ochre and warm honey and butterscotch tones. Bold citrus yellows can overhaul a small kitchen and transform it into the sunniest spot in the house.
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