Should you actually paint a small kitchen in a dark color? Designers to weigh in on whether it can be a chic choice or a major design mistake

While white will always have a place in our hearts, there's no denying that many of us are becoming bored with neutral schemes. Instead, bolder and darker colors are growing in popularity, but are they a good choice for smaller rooms?

Small kitchens need to be both beautiful and functional, so we naturally gravitate towards lighter kitchen colors. But have we ignored for far too long the beauty and unexpected space-enhancing qualities a dark kitchen can bring to the home? It could just be the dramatic statement your space is missing.

'Color is everything in kitchen design. It’s the first thing you notice and has the power to completely change the feel of a room. I love using it to bring a client's personality to life. But when you’re working with a small kitchen, choosing the wrong color is the single easiest mistake to make,' says interior designer Kim Harrison.

So, should you actually paint a small kitchen in a dark color, or is it a statement step too far? We've turned to designers to find out how they decide on the best color, and if you should really dare to go dark for a small yet personality-filled design.

Should you paint a small kitchen a dark color?

With newfound appreciation for decorating with moody hues on the rise, darker colors are having a moment, especially in our cooking spaces, adding unique character and visual interest to the space where many of us spend the most time in our homes.

Most of us have looked at a small room and instantly thought to paint it white or in a very light shade. But as these deeper, richer palettes continue to prove striking in a variety of rooms, it seems a shame to miss out just because you have a more compact kitchen. But what do designers think?

'My absolute 'never' for a small kitchen is any dark, muddy color that just absorbs light. Think of those deep, flat charcoal grays or earthy browns. I often see people gravitate towards them for a dose of drama or sophistication, but in a tight space that's likely short on natural light, it’s likely going to feel heavy,' says designer Kim Harrison.

'They make the walls feel like they’re closing in on you. The goal in a small space is always to create a feeling of openness, but a dark color visually shrinks the footprint. My go-to analogy is that it’s like throwing a heavy blanket over the room; it just smothers the light and confines the space, making it feel more stressful than inspiring to cook in,' she explains.

And she's not the only one who likes to stay away from deeper colors, simply for the fact that a dark room, especially one that lacks natural light, just doesn't benefit from being made even darker.

'I typically avoid very dark colors in a small kitchen. Dark cabinets and a dark wall color can actually make the space feel even smaller than it is, and very dark colors are actually associated with being an appetite suppressant, which is really the opposite of what you want for a kitchen,' says Cara Shahbandi, of Stanton Home Design.

'I typically choose paint colors or wood tones with a warm undertone. Swiss Coffee by Benjamin Moore is a good example of a warm white. Kitchens are often the room that people congregate in, so I've always felt that kitchens should feel warm and inviting because of this,' she adds, favoring these much lighter shades.

There's also an opportunity here for contrast, by adding moody tones as accent colors rather than a scheme drenched in dark hues. 'A well-placed moody accent, like a painted island, can be stunning, but wrapping an entire small space in that tone is more likely to suffocate the design than strengthen it,' says Lauren Lerner, founder and designer at Living with Lolo.

But there is an argument for braving darker colors in a kitchen. In spaces where you do benefit from natural light, wrapping your scheme in these moodier palettes can create a more statement, immersive feel. But the right approach to the application is key.

'Though it may seem counterintuitive, enveloping a small space in a dark color can make it feel expansive and immersive,' says Hannah Yeo, senior manager of color marketing at Benjamin Moore.

'Char Brown 2137-20, a rich hue with mossy undertones, wraps a kitchen from floor to ceiling. By blurring the boundaries between surfaces, it creates a dramatic and luxurious ambiance, transforming the space into a hidden gem within the home.'

There's also something alluring about embracing a small kitchen, rather than fighting it. If you work with the footprint and dimensions of your space, you can create a cozy, intimate space that's just as inviting as a sprawling one.

'I think color is a completely personal choice and a decision that should be primarily based around the atmosphere you want to create, rather than trying to make a small room look big,' says Helen Parker, creative director of deVOL Kitchens.

'There is a sense that big is better, but in fact, a small, richly colored kitchen can be the most alluring of spaces, holding a certain charm and beauty that is hard to achieve in a large space. Small means intimate, it means cozy and glamorous and petite. These all conjure up something quite special and not a feature to be disappointed by.'

There are no rules for the best kitchen colors for a small space. It's about designing a room that speaks to your design style and functions how you need it to. Dark colors can be a striking choice, especially paired with beautiful brass accents, marble decor, and layered lighting.

'It is also worth mentioning that a small room filled with dramatic colors, textures, and eclectic accessories can become big in personality, which can also visually give a sense of a large space.' Helen adds.

While there really are no rules, designers typically choose colors based on how much light a small kitchen benefits from. If natural light is lacking, lighter, brighter colors feel more fitting, whereas a room with plenty of windows can really thrive with these moodier tones.

And, as Kim says, 'At the end of the day, designing a small kitchen isn't about avoiding bold color altogether, but about being clever with it. The right hue, used strategically, can make even the most compact kitchen feel bright, inviting, and a place you truly love to be.'