This tiny kitchen proves small spaces always look better when you go big with the design decisions – it's the bold colors and characterful details that give it grandeur

There a certain 'rules' we often feel we need to stick to when designing a kitchen. One of the most common is that a small space should be kept neutral. And while this is a beautiful option, there's no reason you can't go bold on color.

Cue this small kitchen design by kitchen designers deVOL, which proves that the right color pairings can be striking and characterful without overwhelming a room. Green cabinets pair with warm neutral walls and classic brass hardware to create a traditional yet personality-filled space.

We've spoken to the designer, Iain Chatburn, to find out exactly how they brought this little green kitchen to life and their approach to maximizing the smaller footprint. From the shade choice to the curated decor, it's a space that proves even the smallest kitchens can feel grand.

The goal with this kitchen remodel was to create a characterful kitchen that maximized the available space in the small footprint and replaced all of the previous dated kitchen features, including the 'intense' primary yellow walls and tired-looking cabinetry, appliances, and flooring.

And it wasn't just the features that needed a change – the kitchen layout also needed a rethink. 'One major layout change was to extend a straight run of furniture that faced the wall into an L-shape, creating more work surface and incorporating the window view,' says Iain Chatburn, senior kitchen designer at deVOL Kitchens.

'One extra-large wall cabinet provides much-needed storage, replacing several smaller ones that did not take advantage of the ceiling height. Maximizing storage in one place like this helps other areas to feel lighter.'

This project wasn't without its challenges – unsurprising considering the mews house dates back to the 17th century, so wonky walls and floors are a given. The age of the home also means that some of the proportions were difficult to work around, including the large sash windows.

'When windows finish below countertop level, there can be a hesitancy to cover them, but it was the perfect spot for the kitchen sink. Running the copper upstand across gives a considered look from the inside and out,' explains Iain.

'When surveying the room, we realized how wonky it is. This is where the skill of our production and installation team comes in. Extra tall skirting was planned and carefully scribed into the wobbly flooring.'

Despite the initial challenges, the result is a space that feels vibrant, welcoming, and full of characterful details. Even with the small footprint, the space has a sense of grandeur about it, and it's all thanks to the striking kitchen color choices.

'The colors are the real showstopper. The green was mixed specially for the customer and is the dominant shade. The walls are a calming complementary color, and a few pops of blue add freshness,' says Iain.

It proves that subtlety isn't always best in a small space. Covering every cabinet, deVOL's Real Shaker range, in the bold green hue has given this kitchen a real sense of style and personality – it's the epitome of dopamine decor.

Pairing it with the warm neutral paint on the walls and the slightly softer sage green on the window frames has created a perfect balance. Light bounces beautifully around the room, and the space still feels open and bright.

The aged copper kitchen countertops are another feature that ties in seamlessly, and help to create a more aged, lived-in, and patinated look that you wouldn't be able to achieve with a lighter finish or a stone alternative. It's unexpected, but it really does work in this scheme.

But for Iain, there's a different feature that really steals the show. 'A huge Lacanche range cooker tells you this is a kitchen for a cook who won’t compromise on aesthetics. The customer’s personality shines through in details such as the pineapple chandelier and the vintage table and chairs.'

As well as embracing the new, it was important to retain as many of the original features as possible. And while there wasn't much left, there was one element that could be restored and allowed to shine again.

'The original wooden floor was refinished, and sympathetic features like the cast iron radiator were added, helping retain the character of this historic property. The vertical ridges of the fluted sink, radiator, and reeded glass add a subtle cohesion to the design,' he explains.

There are a few new additions to the kitchen to help reduce the visual clutter, particularly on the countertops. 'A countertop cupboard now covers the boiler and pipework in the corner, a more grounded and neat solution than the previous high wall cupboard. Small appliances can also be hidden on the work surface behind the door,' explains Iain.

And while the previously mentioned features, from color to materials, add character and create a more traditional, lived-in feel, there are plenty of smaller, more decorative decisions that aid this, too.

Layered lighting, for one, is key. Brass double-armed wall lights add functional light sources above prep spaces, such as the coffee station, while the green and white gingham light shades add pattern and interest. Kitchen countertop lamps add a secondary light source, offering a softer ambiance and the option to move them as the homeowners need.

Throughout the kitchen, potted plants, stacks of recipe books, and colorful kitchenware add personality to the space. The blue floating shelves have become a curated place for decor such as art, collected candle holders, and elevated kitchen canisters to be displayed.

This kitchen truly is a lesson in designing a small yet colorful space without completely overwhelming the room. It might be a new kitchen, but it feels right at home in the property – it truly feels like it's always been there.

Shop the look

If there's anything to take from this kitchen redesign, it's that bold colors can really elevate a small kitchen layout. Bold green cabinetry and warm neutral walls are a kitchen color combination that feels characterful yet utterly classic – the perfect way to create a timeless kitchen that still showcases your vibrant personality.