If your kitchen is short on space, it might seem like your design options are limited. However, much like in art, constraints can fuel creativity, and selecting a simple color palette can make your kitchen feel larger. Joanna Gaines, an HGTV star and interior designer, suggests that using lighter colors can create the illusion of a bigger kitchen. “I love to play with color,” Joanna explains, “because it’s all about an illusion.” Joanna Gaines advises on HGTV that using light shades from the countertop upward, including on walls, cabinets, and backsplashes, not only creates a light and airy vibe but also “gives the illusion that the space is a lot larger than it really is.”
When optimizing your small kitchen, your color choices can either open up or close off the space. It’s well-known that color significantly influences the ambiance of a design. Light and cool tones, for instance, can make a compact area appear more spacious, whereas darker hues tend to close off a room, making it seem smaller. This is because light colors reflect natural light, providing a sense of openness and increased space.
Tips on choosing a color scheme for your small kitchen
When selecting the ideal color scheme for your kitchen, Joanna Gaines has a few favorite combinations. Neutral creams, beiges, grays, and earthy green tones are delightful blends that can make a kitchen feel airy and open. Applying these combinations, particularly from the countertop upwards as Joanna recommends, helps maintain focus at eye level, which further enhances the spaciousness of your kitchen.
However, you’re not restricted to just creams and neutral hues to make your kitchen feel roomy. Introducing darker, moodier colors to lower cabinets, such as deep greens or rich navy blues, can add contrast, depth, and dimension, giving the space a more intimate feel. If your kitchen lacks natural light, consider installing under-cabinet lighting. According to Gaines, this lighting trick reflects off your backsplash and countertops, enhancing the illusion of a larger kitchen.
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