Most people assume that white-painted kitchen cabinets will open up a kitchen and make it look larger, but this isn’t always true. The key to making your kitchen appear larger is to choose a color (or style) of cabinet that works within the space. The best color of paint for your cabinets depends on your kitchen.
Below, we’ll explore all the best ways to give your kitchen a spacious feel with only small changes to your cabinets. Once you explore these tips, you’ll be ready for the kitchen makeover of your dreams.
Prioritize Low-Contrast Colors
One of the keys to making your kitchen look larger is to paint your cabinets a color that does not contrast with your walls and countertops. This is because contrasting colors (black countertops and white cabinets, for example) clutter a space and make it feel much smaller.
If you have light-colored walls, counters, and flooring, then paint your cabinets a light color to make your kitchen feel larger. However, if you have dark countertops or a black marble backsplash, painting your cabinets a dark shade will actually be more effective at creating a spacious atmosphere.
Before you choose a color for your kitchen cabinet paint, look at the countertops, backsplash, flooring, appliances, and walls of your kitchen. The most important thing is to choose a color that is not significantly darker or lighter than the rest of your kitchen.
When Possible, Use Light Colors
As long as light colors will not contrast with the rest of your kitchen, painting your cabinets a light color will create a bright, roomy feel. Dark cabinets can make your kitchen feel gloomy and give it a cavelike atmosphere. So, don’t choose dark paint unless your walls, kitchen surfaces, or flooring are also dark.
If you currently have dark cabinets in an otherwise bright kitchen, it’s time to consider a light-colored paint for your DIY kitchen cabinets. From this point on, we’ll cover specific paint colors and finishing touches that will make your kitchen look bigger.
Cream and Off-White Go with Everything
Cream and off-white are ideal kitchen cabinet paint colors for making the room feel larger. These neutral colors work with any light-painted walls. It doesn’t matter whether your kitchen color is gray, blue, green, or any other color. Cream cabinets won’t look out of place.
If you’re considering changing the color of the walls or flooring in your kitchen in the future, I highly recommend painting your cabinets a cream color. This way, no matter what else you change in your kitchen, you won’t have to repaint your cabinets again. Plus, your kitchen will instantly feel larger when you paint the cabinets a cream color.
When Is White Paint the Best Choice?
White is often the go-to color for an old kitchen cabinet makeover, but it’s only the best choice in certain circumstances. First, only paint your kitchen cabinets white if the other surfaces in your kitchen are warm, light colors. Light gray, yellow, or green, for example. When used in this case, white kitchen cabinets are dazzling. They also open up the space.
If the other colors in your kitchen are cold or dark, avoid painting your cabinets white. Too many cold colors can make your white cabinets appear sterile and lifeless. This leads to a kitchen that feels small and cramped, like a hospital storage closet.
Yellow Brings Warmth
Soft yellow colors are great for kitchen cabinet paint. Yellow is a warm color, which means it makes your kitchen feel cozy at the same time it makes the room feel larger. If you’d like a country kitchen style or want to prioritize a cheerful space, paint your cabinets a soft shade of yellow.
If you already have a medium or large kitchen, painting the cabinets to make the space look larger can sometimes result in an “empty” feeling in the kitchen. Painting your cabinets yellow can prevent this problem. No matter how big your kitchen looks after you repaint the cabinets, it will never look uninviting.
Light Blue Gives a Soft Touch
Similar to yellow, pale blue kitchen cabinets create a homey kitchen that feels very spacious. If your counters or backsplash are a cold gray color, blue can soften up the look and create a bright, big kitchen.
It’s important to note that some blue paints have a cold color tone as well. To avoid an overly cold kitchen feel, I recommend using blue paint with a matte or satin finish to encourage a more friendly atmosphere. Semi-gloss and high-gloss blue paints can be a bit overwhelming. A matte finish enlarges the space and creates a welcoming kitchen.
Pale Green for Spacious Cottage Kitchen
Light green kitchen cabinets create a larger kitchen and have a stylish look. Pale green cabinets go well with gray, white, and most other common colors for kitchen counters and appliances.
I especially recommend light green kitchen cabinets if you have vintage appliances. Green cabinets are stunning when paired with a farmhouse sink or an older range. When side-by-side, pale green cabinets and white appliances combine to make your kitchen look far larger than before.
Light Gray for a Soothing Kitchen
Gray may not seem like an exciting kitchen cabinet color, but it really is one of my favorites. I’ve used light gray colors in kitchen remodels for years because of the results. Depending on the light and the time of day, soft gray tones can take on a blue or beige hue. This keeps your kitchen inviting and versatile.
Few colors are better for making a room feel larger than light gray tones. An overuse of white can make everything in the room feel “flat” and close together. Gray is my favorite color for adding depth. It creates the illusion of a wide, deep kitchen. So, consider going with light gray paint for your cabinets.
Light Wood Naturally Enlarges Your Kitchen
You may not need to use paint at all to makeover your kitchen cabinets. Light wood tones are excellent for making your kitchen appear bigger. If you sand off an old coat of paint and see blonde wood underneath, consider going with the wood’s natural color.
Similar to cream and light gray, pale wood tones create a warm, inviting kitchen that looks bigger than it is. If your cabinets are already made of light-colored wood, paint them with this clear finish. Your kitchen will feel homey and spacious.
My Secret Weapon: Glass or Mirrored Cabinets
While you’re repainting your kitchen cabinets, consider adding glass to them to make your kitchen look bigger. Glass-fronted cabinets allow you to see the contents inside. This means your gaze is traveling further everywhere you look, which absolutely helps your kitchen feel bigger.
Mirrored glass on cabinet doors is another excellent choice. Adding mirrors to spaces reflects the room and gives the illusion that the space is much larger. If nothing else helps your kitchen feel larger, installing mirrored glass on your cabinet doors will do the trick.
Make Your Kitchen Look Bigger with a Cabinet Makeover
When you’re painting your kitchen cabinets to make the room feel bigger, keep these tips in mind:
- Low Contrast: Choose a color that is not much darker or lighter than your kitchen walls and work surfaces.
- Light Tones When Possible: As long as your kitchen walls, counters, and appliances are not dark in color, choose light-colored paint.
- Cream is Better than White: Off-white colors are more inviting, create a larger kitchen, and are more versatile than stark white cabinets.
- White can be an Option: As long as the rest of the surfaces in your kitchen are warm colors, white cabinets are a good choice for enlarging the room.
- Yellow: Soft, pale yellow colors are great for creating a big-feeling country kitchen.
- Blue: Pale blue kitchen cabinets help to soften up a space filled with cold colors.
- Green: Paint your cabinets pale green to pair them with white and cream-colored appliances.
- Gray: Light gray is a versatile color that enlarges small kitchens more effectively than white.
- Light Wood Tones: Instead of painting your cabinets, consider embracing their natural wood tone.
- Glass and Mirrors: Glass front and mirrored cabinets will create the feeling of a bigger kitchen if the room still feels small after painting.
With this arsenal of cabinet makeover tips at your disposal, you’re ready to remodel your kitchen. Once you’re done, it will feel like a much bigger, friendlier room.
