16 Colors To Paint Your Small Kitchen Cabinets That Aren’t Just White
Tired of the same old white kitchen cabinets? I know how it feels to want something fresh but worry about making a small kitchen feel even tinier with the wrong color choice. The right cabinet color can actually make your small kitchen feel bigger, brighter, and way more personal.
Let me show you 16 alternatives to white that will transform your kitchen from boring to breathtaking!
1. Pale Mint
Fresh as a summer breeze, pale mint cabinets bring a whisper of color that makes small kitchens feel instantly larger and airier. This soft green-blue hue has magical spatial properties!
My friend’s tiny apartment kitchen underwent a complete transformation with this delicate shade. The light-reflecting quality of pale mint visually pushes walls outward, creating a sense of expanded space. For a cohesive look, I recommend pairing with white countertops and subtle wood accents for warmth.
2. Sage Green
You won’t believe how this earthy tone can breathe life into your kitchen! Sage green brings the outdoors inside with its calming, natural vibe.
I painted my tiny apartment kitchen this color last spring, and guests always comment on how spacious it suddenly feels. The muted quality of sage creates depth without overwhelming the space, making it perfect for cabinets in kitchens with limited square footage.
3. Matte Black
Contrary to what you might think, black can actually make a small kitchen feel incredibly sophisticated and spacious! The secret is in how it blurs the boundaries of your walls.
When I helped my sister renovate her studio apartment, we took the plunge with matte black cabinets. The dramatic color created depth that made her kitchen feel like it receded into the background. Just be sure to balance with plenty of light elements elsewhere and good lighting to avoid any cave-like feelings.
4. Soft Sky Blue
Ever noticed how looking up at a clear blue sky makes you feel free? That same feeling comes to your kitchen with soft sky blue cabinets.
My friend transformed her galley kitchen with this shade, and it instantly created an illusion of more space. The light blue reflects natural light beautifully, making even the tiniest kitchen feel airy and open. Pair it with brass hardware for a touch of warmth that balances the cool tones perfectly.
5. Blush Pink
A soft blush pink brings unexpected warmth and character to small kitchens without overwhelming the space. This gentle hue acts almost like a neutral but with more personality.
During my rental renovation last year, this color transformed my kitchen from forgettable to Instagram-worthy overnight. The pink reflects light beautifully, creating a rosy glow that makes the space feel larger and more inviting. Pair with matte gold hardware for a touch of luxe that elevates the entire look.
6. Navy Blue
Navy blue cabinets create a striking anchor in small kitchens while making the space feel surprisingly expansive. The depth of this classic color draws the eye without overwhelming.
My neighbor’s galley kitchen underwent a dramatic transformation with navy lower cabinets and white uppers. The contrast created visual interest while the dark base grounded the space. Navy pairs beautifully with virtually any metal finish – from copper to chrome – making it incredibly versatile for different kitchen styles.
7. Buttery Yellow
Morning sunshine bottled up and painted on your cabinets – that’s what buttery yellow brings to small kitchens! This cheerful shade instantly brightens tight spaces.
When I helped my parents update their cottage kitchen, this color transformed the room from dreary to delightful. The warm yellow reflects light around the room, making the space feel larger and more open. For balance, I recommend pairing with neutral countertops and backsplash to let the cabinets be the star.
8. Charcoal Gray
Forget what you’ve heard about dark colors making spaces feel smaller! Charcoal gray creates sophisticated depth that can actually enhance your kitchen’s dimensions.
My downtown condo kitchen went from basic to breathtaking with this versatile neutral. The rich undertones change throughout the day, creating visual interest in a small space. Charcoal works especially well in kitchens with good natural light, where it provides beautiful contrast without the harshness of pure black.
9. Emerald Green
Ready for something bold? Emerald green cabinets turn small kitchens into jewel boxes that feel both luxurious and surprisingly spacious.
My sister’s tiny Brooklyn kitchen became the highlight of her apartment after we painted her cabinets this rich hue. The saturated color creates depth that draws the eye and makes the boundaries of the room seem to disappear. Balance this strong color with simple white walls and countertops to keep the space from feeling overwhelmed.
10. Warm Greige
Can’t decide between gray and beige? You don’t have to! Warm greige (that perfect gray-beige hybrid) offers small kitchens sophisticated neutrality with cozy undertones.
During my kitchen update last fall, this chameleon color transformed the space completely. What makes greige special for small kitchens is its ability to shift appearance based on lighting, creating visual dimension throughout the day. The warmth prevents the space from feeling cold or clinical while the gray undertones add modern sophistication.
11. Terracotta
Bringing the warmth of Mediterranean summers to your small kitchen, terracotta cabinets create a cozy, earthy atmosphere that feels both timeless and on-trend.
My vacation rental renovation with this color became an instant hit with guests. The rich, orangey-brown tone creates warmth without darkness, making even the smallest kitchen feel welcoming and special. Terracotta particularly shines in kitchens with lots of natural light, where it glows beautifully throughout the day.
12. Dusty Blue
Somewhere between gray and blue lies this sophisticated shade that adds character to small kitchens without overwhelming them. Dusty blue feels both classic and contemporary.
When renovating my mother’s condo kitchen, this color transformed the space from forgettable to fantastic. The muted quality creates visual interest without demanding attention, perfect for small spaces where balance is key. I’ve found this color works beautifully in both modern and traditional kitchen styles, making it incredibly versatile.
13. Deep Plum
For the color adventurous, deep plum cabinets create dramatic impact that paradoxically makes small kitchens feel larger through their depth and richness.
My adventurous client’s galley kitchen became the talk of her friend group after we installed these purple-toned beauties. The unexpected color creates visual interest that draws attention away from the room’s limited dimensions. To keep the space from feeling too dark, we balanced with light countertops and plenty of good lighting.
14. Olive Green
Neither too yellow nor too gray, olive green strikes the perfect balance for small kitchens seeking character without chaos. This earthy neutral has serious staying power.
My brother’s compact kitchen remodel with olive cabinets created a sophisticated space that feels both trendy and timeless. The muted quality allows for visual interest without overwhelming tight quarters. What makes olive especially perfect for small spaces is how it connects to nature, bringing the outdoors in and making the kitchen feel like part of a larger world.
15. Coral
Energetic without being overwhelming, coral cabinets bring warmth and personality to small kitchens that need a cheerful lift. This peachy-pink hue is surprisingly versatile!
My weekend cabin kitchen makeover with coral cabinets transformed the space from forgettable to fabulous. The warm undertones create a flattering glow that makes everyone and everything look better. For balance in small spaces, I recommend pairing with plenty of white and natural wood elements to keep the color from becoming too dominant.
16. Slate Blue
Neither navy nor gray, slate blue offers small kitchens sophisticated color with remarkable spatial versatility. This moody hue creates depth without darkness.
My city apartment renovation with slate blue lower cabinets completely transformed the galley kitchen. The blue-gray quality creates visual interest while remaining neutral enough to pair with virtually anything. What makes this color special for small spaces is how it recedes visually, creating the illusion of more room while still offering character.
