What is the best color for a small kitchen?

Since most people start their day in the kitchen it's a good question to ask What is the best color for a small kitchen when doing a kitchen remodel. Some colors are just going to work much better than others in a kitchen. For example colors on the warm side are going to help with your appetite and would be an excellent color choice. However red is most likely going to be a bit much for most folks so I would stick to red decor and accents. I can't really see a kitchen painted with all red walls or for that matter all red kitchen cabinets. I don't know about you but that would be a shock to walk into in the morning.

Now days gray is the new neutral color. A gray kitchen is a popular choice. It pairs up nicely with many colors. For example, gray and teal, gray and blue, gray and pink and the list goes on.

Painting strategies that make a small kitchen look larger

Gray is a popular kitchen color

Gray is a neutral that's been taking center stage lately in many homes. It often gets categorized as being too cold, but with the right shade, it can work wonders in a kitchen. Best of all, it pairs beautifully with a wide array of other colors and is the perfect base to build upon in a kitchen. It also works well as a countertop or cabinet color.

Neutral kitchen with contrasting backsplash

For small kitchens the best strategy is to go with neutral colors. Your kitchen will appear much bigger than it really is due to the amount of light the lighter walls and surfaces will reflect. To mix things up a bit use different shades of white and use different textures. For example, one wall or an entire backsplash can be done with white subway tile or a light colored tile of your choice. this give the kitchen wall a nice light color but a different texture. Therefore make it look much more appealing in contrast to an ordinary white wall.

Contrasting trim in kitchen

Another way of adding contrast and visual interest is to paint a lighter or darker color on the trim. All crown molding and trim can be painted in this color. And lastly add wallpaper in a light color. Again this adds a different texture to make thing more interesting and break up a solid white wall.

If you have dark cabinets you can either replace them with a lighter color or paint them. Dark cabinets absorb light so they then to make the environment darker and therefore make the room feel much smaller than it really is.

Best kitchen paint colors and  ideas for kitchen colors

Shades of blue in the kitchen

As I stated above my favorite color is going to be a neutral color. However there are conditions where a bolder color is wanted but one that looks good and does well in the kitchen. One such color is blue. Different shades of blue can be used for walls and even cabinets. One popular trend now is painted ceilings. A lighter shade of blue could be used to paint the ceiling. One great idea is to accent the blue with white or another neutral color of choice. This keeps the room from becoming too dark and the blue too overpowering. It adds more balance. To find out more about balance read my article called 6 principals of interior design.

Yellow kitchen color idea with painted ceiling

One of my favorite colors to use to brighten up any room is yellow. Yellow is a good color for the kitchen because it's a color that is beloved to make you hungry. So its a good color to make you feel bright and hungry, perfect for the kitchen.

Sage green kitchen walls

And lastly green is great in the kitchen. The reason why I like green in the kitchen is because it goes well with wood accents and white trim. Green can even be used as a accent color. For example, one wall can be painted green to add visual interest or give the room a striking shade.

How to make a small kitchen look larger

Light color kitchen floor

One important area that sometimes can be overlooked is the kitchen floor. By using a lighter color on the floor will open up a small space. Darker floors tend to make the space look closed in. Try a lighter wood color or you can even go with a lighter gray laminate or title color if you are into gray as in the image presented above.

Popular kitchen paint colors with pictures and ideas

Behr's Eiffel For You MQ2-37 paint

I'll start with some nice natural colors for your kitchen and then work up some some bolder colors. In this example, Behr's Eiffel For You MQ2-37 color is used on the walls. The neutral color goes well with the natural wood flooring. The kitchen has plenty of nice natural lighting and stainless steel appliances. This gives the kitchen a modern clean look. In addition flowers were added, all appliances were stored under the counter and a mirror was added next to the refrigerator. All these design schemes were used to make the space inviting and seem larger than it really is. The last touch of decor is the blue counter top which adds much visual interest to the kitchen.

Behr's Splendor And Pride MQ5-47

In this example Behr's Splendor And Pride MQ5-47 color is used for the walls along with a Nano White HDC-MD-06color paint for the trim.

Hawaiian Pineapple

Here are some other examples like Hawaiian Pineapple. The same kitchen is done in Hawaiian Pineapple a yellow paint color.

Lunar Surface color

And finally a gray tone Lunar Surface. The same kitchen in Lunar Surface paint color.

References:
Image courtesy of pin.it/ou6xbnwpd4noir
Image courtesy of pin.it/6adtkbk3xw72hk
Image courtesy of pin.it/ru22cu4m55g4ki
Image courtesy of pin.it/mg56243eom4bnl
Image courtesy of pin.it/2e4dojyqfxni7h
Image courtesy of pin.it/l4x2hdvppnvvdw
Floor color makes kitchen look bigger - Image courtesy of pin.it/v36zfwffuculsx
Kitchen paint image courtesy of Behr
Paint ideas image courtesy of Behr
Kitchen paint color image courtesy of Behr
Behr Lunar Surface color for the kitchen image courtesy of Behr

How can I make my kitchen look modern?

A very popular question for homeowners is how can I make my kitchen look modern? And it's a great question because that is where most of the activity occurs in a home, the kitchen. It's the most used room of a house. It's where all the meals are prepared and it's where most family and friends tend to gather during the holidays to find snacks. So only natural to want to have a modern looking kitchen.

1. Modern kitchen makeover with new paint

Updated kitchen walls and painted cabinets

A great way to update your kitchen is to update the color of your walls. Start out by choosing a lighter color. I prefer a neutral color as a base color and then build on that with color accents to match. By going with a lighter color you will make your kitchen feel larger and more expensive looking. I would suggest starting out by looking at Behr's Hazelnut Cream 750C-2 in the Marquee line. I have experience using Behr's paints from HomeDepot and found that over the years they hold up very well. But you are not obligated to use Behr. If you have experience with another brand that is great. Go ahead and use whatever brand you are comfortable with.

You can paint your kitchen cabinets to make it look more modern, but almost in all cases the paint will chip over time and it's not as durable as the original finish. So my recommendation is to paint your cabinets only as the last resort.

Chipped cabinets

I have experience painting cabinets using tow methods and both gave OK results one a little better that the other. Here is what I did. the first method and the most common is to scrub the cabinets with TSP, wearing gloves and a mask. Then paint with Zinsser primer. then paint with your favorite color. this method worked but after a few months paint was chipped in high wear areas. And my cabinets were a dark color and my new paint was whit so the chips were easily seen.

The second method I used was to again use TSP to clean the cabinets and scuff then using a scotch bright pad. Then paint using a spray can. Spray can contain glue mixed in with the paint so it drys to a much harder durable surface. But it makes a big mess. I had to wall off the rest of the house using giant sheets of plastic taped to the ceiling, make sure It was properly ventilated, wore gloves and a mask. The end result looked good. the finish lasted much longer than the first method, however over time, about a year you could start to see wear on the paint.

So, its for these reasons I really do not recommend painting cabinets. The finish just does not last.

2. Make your kitchen modern by replacing hardware

Depending on how many drawer pulls and cabinets your have it may be really easy ans cost effective to change out the hardware. It's a simple process to do because most hardware is just held on by a screw on the back of the cabinet. Just unscrew the screw and replace with a new handle.

The one thing you need to make sure of is to measure your hardware so you know what size to replace it with. It's a good idea to carry an old handle with you when you get ready to make your purchase.

3. Modern kitchens all have great lighting

Modern kitchen lighting

Lighting is one of the most important features of any kitchen. While preparing food and other cooking related activities you need to be able to see clearly. If you have a window and it provides natural lighting you are in luck. To read more see my fantastic article Kitchen lighting trends on this site. You will be glad you did.

4. Modern art elevates a kitchen

Who says artwork only belongs in the living room? Artwork can elevate any room including your kitchen. If you painted your walls a neutral color then you are in luck. Now you can go big and bold on your art by picking and choosing colors from the artwork and using them as accent colors. My matching colors form the artwork give the kitchen a flowing look, like it was all perfectly planned. In which it was, right? If you like this idea ans want to read more see my article entitled Is wall art the most important element in interior design?

5. Update kitchen window treatments

Kitchen windows design ideas

Add new window dressing in colors that match your artwork. this give the room a flowing personal touch. Just make sure you don't block too much of the natural lighting.

6. Update kitchen appliances

Matte appliance from GE are hot

As appliances break or get to their end-of-life replace them with newer modern versions. This can be a big expense to do all appliances at once so have a style in mind for all your appliances and as they go replace with the newer style. Over time all your appliances will be replaced.

7. Modern kitchen backsplash

Modern kitchen backsplash

A great and major bang-for-the-buck modern upgrade is to update or add a brand new backsplash. A nice looking well installed backsplash instantly makes your kitchen look modern.

8. It's super easy to add flowers

Hydrangea flower arrangement in the kitchen

Make your kitchen look better and smell wonderful. It's like a breath of fresh air. Bring in some of the outdoors. Add color with orchids. This is truly a super simple decorating idea.

9. Store small appliances

Keep small appliances out of sight in the kitchen

Another super simple idea is to remove all clutter. The clean look will make your kitchen look more modern and give you more usable space. Store all small appliances under the counter and bring them out only when needed.

10. Bring out the fruit and veggies to bring your kitchen to life

Vegetables are brightly colored and make for beautiful decor

Most fruit and vegetables are brightly colored and make for beautiful decor. Add apples, bananas, oranges, lemons or even green apples to a large colorful bowl.

11. Add fragrance

Fragrance diffuser

Get rid of the burning candles. It's just makes for indoor pollution by having something burning inside your home. Instead go for an aromatherapy fragrance diffuser or wax melts. Most diffusers cost less than $20.00 like the upgraded InnoGear. I like the InnoGear because it's white and blends in with everything white so it's not so noticeable. When turned on it fills your kitchen with a lovely fragrance that can lift the mood and relieve stress from stressful and tired day. It's also perfect for masking stubborn smoking and pet odors.

Wax melts

Wax melts work great as well. Most wax melts are less than $20.00. Wax comes in many different fragrances. For example Febreze Unstopables come in a nice Spring fragrance. a pack of 8 cost $3.51. Just put the wax melts in a wax warmer and place in your kitchen. I prefer the wax melts because I believe they last longer and are much cheaper that oils for a diffuser. When you are ready to replace the wax just put in the freezer for a few minutes (10 to 15 minutes) and the wax pops out with no mess.

How do you design a large bedroom

Whether your style is formal or casual many people often ask how do you design a large bedroom? For many folks the master bedroom is their favorite place in the house. It's a place they can retiree and get away from everyone else. A place to have some time to yourself. Therefore its a great question how to create the master bedroom of your dreams.

My top ten absolute best large bedroom designs

In this article I'll go over some of my best tips, tricks and inspirational photo examples of stunning large bedroom spaces. As always to get the perfect look you should be familiar with the 6 principals of interior design. Balance in particular color balance is an important concept and is referenced in the examples shown below.

1. Paint for a large bedroom

Dark paint for a elegant old world style

To close up some of the space and make your large bedroom feel much warmer and cozy try painting the walls a darker color. In the above photo the bedroom walls were painted with a darker colors, for example Behr Midnight Show paint. This gives the room an elegant old world style. And if you choose a modern color you can have a contemporary look.

2. Dark furniture for a big bedroom

The right balance between dark and light colors

Adding dark woods also give the room a much cozier feel the trick is to find the right balance of color and not going so dark the room becomes overly masculine. In the above photo to offset the dark paint on the walls and the dark wood furniture neutral colors were used for accents like, lamps, pillows, area rugs and bed linen.

3. Large bedroom darker flooring

Darker flooring in bedroom

Neutral palette is not dull or gloomy and when done right by mixing the right balance of dark and light you end up with a stunning bedroom. Try adding a darker floor in your bedroom. In the above photo a medium dark wood flooring was used. This gives both an old world so of traditional look along with a contemporary sensibility for a stunning big bedroom design.

4. Add a bedroom seating area

Add a loveseat at the end of your bed

One common big bedroom design is to add a seating area at the end of the bed. Position a loveseat for example at the end of the bed. If you do not have a loveseat then try using a matching pair of armchairs. Now you have a place to relax for reading or just chatting.

5. Add plants to a big bedroom

Add plants to a big bedroom

A popular trend nowadays for living rooms is to add plants. Lots and lots of plants are a big part of room trends noways. They can make an eye-catching statement most anywhere. In the photo above a tall plane was added in the corner of the bedroom. Just don;t forget to properly care for your plant. And do you homework on what kind of plant will work best for your room lighting conditions.

6. Canopy bed for a large room

Old world bedroom beauty with a canopy bed

Add a rich exquisite old world bedroom beauty with a canopy bed. A canopy bed will truly transform the look and feel of any bedroom decor. In the above photo the Martanny Bedroom Collection by BenchCraft features a medium brown cherry finish. The ornamentation and thick mouldings beautifully capturing the pure elegance.

7. Large bedroom painted ceiling

Large bedroom painted ceiling

Another hot trend nowadays is painted ceilings. This design scheme works great for large bedrooms. In the above photo the master bedroom ceiling was painted with a Benjamin Moore Midnight Blue to offset the dark ceiling and add color balance a neutral loveseat was added and the bedroom walls painted in a neutral color. Along with a dark blue bedspread and neutral flooring creates the perfect balance of color for a simple clean look.

8. Add large artwork to a big bedroom

Add large artwork to a big bedroom

Some will argue that wall art is the most important element in interior design and everything else should should be designed around the art. For example, furniture placed around the art and even the color scheme of the room to be pulled from the artwork.

9. Add a large headboard

Headboard and artwork above the headboard was added

By adding an oversized headboard give fullness to the room without being overcrowded. And to go a step further you can add oversized art above the bed to complement the headboard. In the photo above the addition of a headboard which is in a neutral color complements the darker wall calming blue color striking the perfect balance of visual appeal. A large artwork photo of a beach scene brings in the outdoors playing with the blue hues for a pleasing color palette.

10. Installing wallpaper in a large bedroom

Installing dark elegant wallpaper in the bedroom

By installing dark wallpaper it tends to make your space seem to feel much smaller than it really is. The tick is to find a wallpaper that will give an elegant look to your room. In the photo above a marble design was used to achieve an expensive looking wall design. Looks like real marble but at the fraction of the cost. This design give the room so much sophistication and elegance. This is a popular way of upgrading because you can make it so that it blends in with most any existing bedroom decor.

Conclusion and large bedroom design review

Well there you have it my top ten absolute best large bedroom design.

Simple bedroom designs for small rooms

Do you live in an apartment or vintage home and are in need of simple bedroom designs for small rooms? Well you can to the right place for some great bedroom makeover ideas. Yes, you can have style in small spaces. When decorating a home the bedroom is usually the last place that gets decorated because it's the last place that guests see, if it at all. Mostly, the only person that sees the bedroom is you, the occupants, right? So why spend a bunch of money on a room that no one sees. Well the time has finally come. You either have decorated all your other rooms or you are now sick of your old bedroom and are will to finally decorate. So let's get to it, keeping in mind you have a small space.

Bedroom designs you will not want to miss out on

Simple bedroom designs for small rooms  

Grey master bedroom

Warm and cozy bedroom ideas

Modern bedroom designs

Did you know your bedroom could be warm and cozy when winter time comes? All it takes is a few touches to harmonize your room with the season. Read my article to learn how: Warm and cozy bedroom ideas.

Small bedroom paint color

The first thing should be is to paint the walls and ceiling. That is provided you can. If you live in an apartment that might not be an option. And if that's the case you are stuck with whatever color is currently on the walls.

But that may not be all bad because it's most likely going to be a neutral color with is good. If you own your home or have permission to paint now is the time to decide weather or not you want a dark color or a light color bedroom.

My advise is since you have a small bedroom the practical choice is to choose a light neutral color. By using a light color this gives the illusion of a much larger room. It gets rid of the feeling that you are boxed in. It brightens up the room considerably. One of my favorite is Behr's Hazelnut Cream 750C-2 in the Marquee line.

Behr's Hazelnut Cream

Here is why I like this paint. The Marquee line of paint contains a primer and delivers exceptional hiding and advanced stain-blocking. It's their most advance paint. If you are going to go to the trouble of doing all the work go ahead and spend a few dollars more and get the best paint quality because most likely you are not going to repaint for years to come. There are many other brands of paint that are good so if you have first hand experience with a particular brand then get their best or top line of paint. It's not worth going cheap on paint.

If you are close to Memorial Day you are in luck because Behr usually has this line of paint on sale or you can get a rebate for $10.00 per gallon. They may have other sales but this is the only one I am familiar with.

The Hazelnut Cream color gives enough of a contrast from the White trim and White ceiling. So now that your room is all in a nice light color you are ready to add accent colors to liven up the space. Plus the great thing is you can change out the decor at any time using a completely different color and get a new look. It's now becomes simple and easy to change up the look of your bedroom.

Say no to big bulky bed frames designs

The last thing you want in a small bedroom is a big bulky bed frame or canopy frame dominating your space. You need all the space you can get. I even recommend going as far as getting a bed with no foot board. A good option is a Serta SER-1870BRG-I premium elite clamp style bed frame. If you can't find this particular model there are others out there that are similar. Please note if you go this route you will need a box spring.

Serta clamp style bed frame

Another option is just use a simple frame like the one shown below. You can get these in different colors to suit your needs. Plus the big advantage is that no box spring is needed. The biggest drawback of going this route is you will have no space under the bed to store anything unless you purchase a bed riser.

Simple framed bed

Items listed in the picture are as follows:

1. Baxton Studio Mia Mid Century Fabric Upholstered Platform Bed $304.29 - Target
2. Warwick Solid White 300-Thread Count Supima Pillowcase (Set of 2) $49.95 - Homedepot
3. Ivy Bronx Auttenberg Throw Pillow $71.99 - Wayfair 

Small bedroom storage ideas

IKEA Rattan Underbed storage box

Storage is extremely important in small bedrooms. So if you can you want to utilize under bed storage options. This is a huge area of wasted space that you can use if you get the right storage containers. One option is from Ikea Rattan Under-bed storage box - $50.00

Ikea under bed storage plastic container

Also the clear plastic under bed latching boxes works great. They are lower in cost and have wheels on the bottom for easy sliding. You actually can pack a lot of items in two of these plastic bins. For example, you can store extra sheets and or clothes. Like winter clothes in the summer. Items you may not need for a few months. $43.99 HOMZ 60 Qt. Twin/King Under Bed Latching Clear Storage Box (2-Pack)from Ikea.

Mirrors for small bedrooms

Yelton full length mirror - Wayfair

Any kind of mirror is great for the bedroom. Like mentioned above it gives the illusion of more space. Make sure to mount the mirror on the wall or position it so that it reflects light from a nearby window. This increases the effects of the mirror. Any shape or kind of mirror will do but the bigger the better. And if you can fit two mirrors in your room that that is super! The mirror above is the Yelton Rustic Full Length Mirror from Wayfair - $232.99

Use two mirrors for double the effect - making a small room feel bigger

My favorite design is to use two mirrors. Hang a round medium sized mirror over a dresser and utilize another stand-up mirror in the coroner for the room. This technique works well to reflect a lot of light and makes the room appear much bigger. Sometime you can find mirrors on close-out for $60.00 at Wayfair like the one pictured below.

Floating shelves for a small bedroom is a must 

Floating shelves down to the floor

Floating shelves give you added storage and decor space above dressers and other furniture. the big plus is even if you do not have any furniture you can run the shelves all the way down to the floor like in the image shown above. Many of these shelves can be built by the DIY person or purchased while on sale like in the image below.

A picture frame ledge shelf is a perfect way to show paintings, photos and other decor. You can read my other article on this site entitled, picture frame ledge shelf. This article shows different option and costs and also covers a little about DIY shelves.

Chrome for small bedrooms

The more chrome you can use the better provided you like chrome. This technique uses the same principal as the mirrors. It's another shiny reflective surface adding more light and making the room appear much bigger than it really is. If you are not a big fan of chrome or it does not fit into your style then that's OK, just choose a lamp and or other items that are not bulky but rather slender and more light weight looking. This gives the room a simple uncluttered look which looks much bigger that a cluttered room. The lamp picture above is the Ikea Stockholm table lamp with an led bulb -$54.99.

Small bedroom ideas review