7 Cabinet Colors To Make Your Small Kitchen Look Ten Times Bigger, According To Designers
Feeling cramped in your tiny kitchen? The right cabinet color can completely transform your space, making it feel much more open and airy. I’ve talked with top designers who shared their favorite cabinet color tricks for small kitchens.
These expert-approved shades can create the illusion of more space without knocking down a single wall.
1. Crisp White
Nothing opens up a cramped kitchen like pure white cabinets. They reflect natural light beautifully, bouncing it around the room to eliminate shadows that make spaces feel smaller.
I recommend Benjamin Moore’s ‘Simply White’ or Sherwin-Williams’ ‘Extra White’ for that clean, spacious feel. The brightness creates a seamless flow with your walls, making boundaries disappear visually.
2. Soft Sky Blue
The gentle whisper of sky blue brings the feeling of open air into your kitchen. Designer Nate Berkus often uses this trick in Manhattan apartments where space comes at a premium.
Light blue has a receding effect on walls and cabinetry. I’ve seen this shade transform galley kitchens into spaces that feel twice their actual size. Pair with white countertops for maximum expansion effect.
3. Pale Greige
Greige—that perfect blend of gray and beige—creates subtle dimension without closing in your space. Award-winning designer Sarah Richardson swears by this chameleon color for small kitchens. You get warmth without heaviness and sophistication without darkness.
My clients are always shocked by how much larger their kitchens feel with this versatile neutral. Try Farrow & Ball’s ‘Elephant’s Breath’ for the perfect pale greige tone.
4. Matte Black (Lower Cabinets Only)
Surprised to see black on this list? The secret is using it strategically only on lower cabinets. This creates a grounding effect that draws the eye horizontally across the room. Keep upper cabinets white or remove them entirely for open shelving.
Interior designer Emily Henderson uses this two-tone approach to make kitchens feel taller and wider simultaneously. The contrast creates visual interest without overwhelming the space.
5. Barely-There Green
Whisper-soft sage or celery tones create a fresh, botanical feeling that expands visual space. These nature-inspired hues have become favorites of designer Joanna Gaines for making small kitchens breathe.
The subtle green connects indoor spaces with the outdoors, tricking the eye into seeing beyond your kitchen walls. I love how these colors change throughout the day, shifting with natural light to keep the space feeling dynamic and open.
6. Glossy Cream
Cream cabinets with a high-gloss finish perform double duty in small kitchens. The warmth prevents the clinical feeling sometimes associated with pure white, while the reflective surface bounces light around magnificently.
Designer Kelly Hoppen regularly uses this trick in London’s notoriously tiny kitchens. The slight sheen creates depth without darkness. I’ve found this finish particularly magical in kitchens with limited natural light.
7. Soft Taupe
Taupe – that gorgeous mushroom-meets-gray neutral – creates depth while maintaining airiness. Designer Bobby Berk uses this understated color to make small kitchens feel instantly more expansive. The earthiness grounds the space while the lightness prevents visual heaviness.
I’ve watched clients’ faces light up when they see how much larger their kitchen feels with this sophisticated neutral. Pair with brass hardware for a touch of warmth that enhances the spacious feeling.
