Choosing paint colors for your small kitchen can be one of the hardest decisions you have to make while renovating. In recent years, all-white kitchens emerged as a major kitchen trend that many homeowners were choosing during remodeling and painting projects. White kitchens are great for homeowners who want a bright kitchen with a clean look that also makes your small kitchen feel more open. However, if you’re looking to add a little color to your kitchen, we have some small kitchen paint color suggestions to get you inspired!

There are thousands of options, and if you don’t already have an idea of what color you’d like to go with, it can be an intimidating process. Before deciding on a color scheme, it’s important to understand how certain colors can influence your space. For example, if you have a smaller kitchen there are certain color palettes that will be more flattering in your kitchen than others. Whether you prefer boldly saturated gem-tones or subtle beachy neutrals, the right color combinations can drastically change your space.

So where do you start when deciding on a small kitchen paint color palette? Natural colors are the central idea behind many of the current design trends and the best paint colors for small kitchens in 2022. If you have a small kitchen, here are some ideas for colors that can inspire you with your next kitchen remodeling project in Newton, MA!

Light Paint Colors in Your Kitchen

If you have a small kitchen, you may want to avoid painting it a dark color. Dark colors can make your kitchen feel even more enclosed and claustrophobic – which isn’t how you want to feel in a space that’s already tight. One trick to make your space feel larger is using lighter colors, like neutrals or pastels in your kitchen’s color scheme. Where dark colors absorb natural light to make a room feel smaller, neutrals and pastels do the opposite and reflect the light that is available.

Neutral Kitchen Colors

Many homeowners have gravitated towards using colors that make their space feel cozy rather than crisp. Especially if you have a small kitchen, you want to be paying attention to how colors are interacting inside the space. Warm-toned neutrals can evoke feelings of coziness because of the red and yellow hues that are reminiscent of the sun or heat, and blue and greens can create feelings of peacefulness.

Neutrals like oatmeal, buttermilk, or sand are in high demand for kitchens in Newton, MA. Warm-toned off-white colors allow light to bounce around without giving a room the same sterile feeling that cool-toned whites can have. Neutrals are also a great option for kitchens because, in addition to brightening up your space, they’re easy to decorate. Neutral colors pair well with a range of colors and design elements, and complement any decorating style from modernism to art deco and more.

Pastel Kitchen Paint Colors

Pastels are popular in kitchens because they have the same brightening effect as off-whites. having a clean, visual appeal. Whether you want to give your walls or your cabinets a little pop, or just a subtle hint of color, pastels have the ability to inject a lot of personality into your kitchen without sacrificing design flexibility.

By color drenching your kitchen with a monochromatic palette, you can transform your small kitchen into a contemporary dream. A low-contrast color scheme makes your kitchen appear larger by creating a flow throughout the entire room. Without a large pop of color to break up different surfaces, a low-contrast color scheme in your small kitchen aids to the illusion of lengthening the walls and space.

If you’re wondering how to blend a small kitchen with a living room paint color, using a low-contrast color scheme will help you do so seamlessly. Blending a small kitchen with adjoining living room paint colors can be tricky to accomplish, especially when using severely contrasting colors. In this case, lighter colors will likely be your best friend, leaving the whole space looking and feeling larger.

Two-Toned Kitchen Cabinets

Two-toned cabinets are a hot design trend that creates depth in your kitchen by creating the illusion of sections with different paint colors. This stylistic approach can easily make a small kitchen appear more spacious without necessarily doing anything more than painting a set of cabinets – which can save you thousands of dollars and time on your kitchen renovation. If you’d like to achieve the two-toned cabinet look, consider painting your cabinets, there are many small kitchen paint colors to combinations to consider.

If you have an island in your kitchen, consider creating a focal-point shift by painting the island a different color than the rest of the cabinets. If you don’t have an island, you can still accomplish the two-toned kitchen look by painting the bottom cabinets a different color than the top. Be sure to keep the darker color on the bottom cabinets so that the top cabinets don’t overpower the room and make it feel topheavy. By keeping darker colors and finishes on the bottom, and lighter colors on the top you’ll have a more open feel.

Simplify the Color Palette in Your Kitchen

When deciding which small kitchen paint colors are right for your home, you need to decide on a color palette. For your small kitchen, it’s best to limit the colors to just one or two principal shades. A simple two-tone color palette or a monochromatic scheme prevents a small kitchen from getting overwhelmed and muddled with too many colors. By limiting your color palette and selectively using darker or bolder colors, you can create a dynamic kitchen design that distracts from the size of the kitchen, and refocuses on the design and use of color.

Any color you decide on will ultimately look great combined with a soft neutral, or white. These are a few small kitchen paint colors to combine with white cabinets if you’re looking to change the color of your lower cabinets while keeping your upper cabinets white.

Earth Tone Paint Colors in Kitchen

Earth tones and natural colors form refreshing color schemes in small kitchens and can make a huge difference in how your space is perceived. Earth tones are nature-inspired colors that contain some brown pigment. The hint of brown in earth tones creates a warming effect that mutes the appearance of the colors, making them feel comforting and cozy. Typical earthy tones that you may be familiar with are terracotta, sage, yellow ochre, turmeric, charcoal, tape, dusty blush, etc. Using these earthy colors in your small kitchen can make the space feel calm and inviting.

Blue Kitchen Paint Colors

Blues are another natural, versatile color tone that doesn’t tend to overpower a small kitchen. From a classic, deep navy to a stunning and bright turquoise, any shade of blue is sure to make a splash in your kitchen. The color blue has natural recessive properties that draw the eyes outwards, giving the impression of a never-ending space like the ocean, or sky. Blue is a very calming color, creating a relaxing atmosphere to cook and entertain.

Green Kitchen Paint Colors

Green is a great color to introduce to your small kitchen if you want to invigorate your space. Small kitchens can feel cramped and overcrowded, but by using the color green in your design you can invoke feelings of freshness, openness, and vibrance that will make your kitchen feel alive! A bold gem-toned green serves as an excellent accent color, whereas a more subtle neutral sage tone will create a balanced kitchen design that brings a hint of nature indoors. At the center point of the color wheel, green adapts well to both cool and warm schemes, which makes it great for an eclectic decorator who needs to tie various hues together.

Hire a Professional Painter

Whether it’s an earth tone, a pastel, or a neutral color, any of these color palettes are sure to leave your small kitchen looking amazing! If you decide to follow these trends or find another paint color palette for your small kitchen, the most important thing is that you love it.

If you feel like you’ve exhausted every color-combination and still aren’t pleased with how your kitchen looks, give us a call! Aside from paint color combinations, there are plenty of additional remodeling ideas for you to consider, like changing out the countertops and backsplash. No matter the size of your floorplan, Tom Curren Companies is here to help you create the kitchen of your dreams. When you’re ready to begin your kitchen transformation, contact our team.

Granite vs. Quartz vs. Marble, we’ll compare 7 of the most popular countertop materials below, to help you decide which one will work best in your kitchen.

7 Most Popular Countertop Materials

QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS

$$$ | (100+ years)

Quartz countertops deliver a high-class look without the stress of being high maintenance.  Whether you’re going for simplistic and elegant, or dark and modern, you’ll definitely be able to find a color and design that fits your style. Quartz is an engineered stone, so it can be manufactured to look however you’d like it to, leaving you with limitless options when it comes to design. Interested in black stone, or a marble imitation? Quartz is a great option to consider.

Quartz countertops are considered nearly indestructible for regular kitchen use. Able to withstand knife cuts and spill stains with ease, quartz is great for high-traffic kitchens or for homes with young children! As an engineered stone, quartz countertops are made by grinding up the natural stone quartz and combining it with other synthetic materials like resin. The resin is used to bind the quartz together, making it harder and more durable, however– it’s heat sensitive and can melt if a hot pot or pan was placed directly on the countertop material.

GRANITE COUNTERTOPS

$$$ | (100+ years)

Granite is a desired countertop material because of, not only its natural beauty and unique designs, but it’s one of the hardest natural stones available, making it a great option for durable countertops that can withstand the heat from a pan coming off of the stove, and scratches from the blade of a knife. However, despite being able to withstand heat and scratches– a bottle of wine hitting the corner of the countertop could chip the stone. There are many advantages and disadvantages to installing granite in your kitchen– as a high-end countertop material, having granite countertops can actually increase the value of your home, which offsets the annual maintenance expenses that go into caring for the natural stone. As a porous stone, granite needs to be sealed regularly to prevent oil from seeping into the counter and to protect your granite from stains. Overall, granite is a great choice for kitchen countertops!

MARBLE COUNTERTOPS

$$$ | (50+ years)

If you’ve ever wanted your countertops to look like Michelangelo’s sculpture “David” then you’re in luck– marble is a timeless, high-end natural stone that gives any home a classic luxury look. However, marble is considerably softer and more porous than other materials which requires more maintenance than other options– like quartz (which is non-porous). Marble needs to be sealed 1-2 times a year to help prevent scratches and stains. Without proper sealant, the marble is vulnerable to staining agents like wine. Marble best serves lower traffic kitchens, or as an accent counter that can elevate your kitchen without risking damaging your expensive marble countertops.

SOAPSTONE COUNTERTOPS

$$-$$$ | (20 – 50 years)

Not as common as other naturally occurring stone countertop materials, soapstone is one of the most functional countertop materials that you could add to your home. Soapstone can range in shades running from a creamy white to dark gray with subtle or considerable veining so there are options that can suit any homeowner’s style. The rustic and dark appearance of soapstone can add a classic charm to your kitchen due to the antique “patina” that develops over time. A patina is a gloss or sheen that develops on the surface resulting from age or polishing, and it makes the soapstone appear darker. Soapstone has many benefits as a functional kitchen countertop material. It’s heat resistant, so if you find yourself constantly putting hot pans on your kitchen countertops then this would be an ideal material for you. It is also a non-porous stone and doesn’t need to be sealed regularly like marble or granite making it resistant to any spills– including wine and acidic liquids! However, soapstone is also considerably softer than granite, which has pros and cons. The downside is that it’s prone to scratches, but those scratches can easily be sanded out! As a softer stone, it’s also less likely to crack, which is great for anybody who may be accident-prone!

CONCRETE COUNTERTOPS

$$ | (20 years)

While concrete counters don’t sound particularly glamorous, they are extremely durable and considered a  premium upgrade that can be a very stylish addition to any kitchen. Due to the customizability of concrete, it can be made to fit any style from rustic farmhouse to industrial to modern contemporary. With concrete counters, you have the ability to add color, change the shape, or even include inlaid materials like glass or metal to create a design or pattern on the surface. However, similar to marble and granite, concrete countertops are very porous and should be sealed regularly to help protect them from scratches, stains, and bacteria. Even after sealing, concrete is still at risk of staining from wine, coffee, oil, or other acidic foods because it is so porous. Another interesting characteristic of concrete is that over the years it will develop a patina, just like soapstone, so it will gradually develop a darker color. For homeowners who desire a low-maintenance countertop option, concrete would not be an ideal fit for your project; but homeowners who are willing to put in the time and effort to properly take care of them can fall in love with the limitless possibilities that concrete counters have to offer! If you’re seriously considering concrete countertops for your kitchen remodel it would be important to note that it can be difficult to find a reputable contractor to install the counters due to the specialized nature of concrete countertops. 

BUTCHER’S BLOCK COUNTERTOPS

$$ | (10-30 years)

Real wood countertops, or butcher blocks, are a classic material that adds warmth and a natural atmosphere to your kitchen. While they may look beautiful, they do have significant drawbacks and aren’t for homeowners who want a low-maintenance countertop. As a soft material, wood can easily scratch, so knives shouldn’t be used on a wooden surface unless you prefer the ‘used’ look. Cracks are also possible if the wood dries out too much, luckily, since it’s wood these things can most likely be sanded out before they become too big of a problem. However, stains are much harder to sand out. Standing water will create discoloration and leave stains on your countertops which makes this a less than ideal material for around a kitchen sink. With all the maintenance that comes with wooden countertops, they aren’t worth the price unless you love and appreciate the look of wood in your kitchen. We’d recommend if you really want a wooden countertop it could serve your kitchen better on an island or somewhere there isn’t a lot of traffic or prep work being done. 

LAMINATE COUNTERTOPS

$ | (20 – 30 years)

Perhaps the most budget-friendly option, laminate has changed a lot over the years since its rise to popularity in the 50s. Laminate is available in any color, style, or pattern that you could dream of– even in a faux-marble pattern. However, laminate is not considered a high-end material. If you’re looking for something that will add value to your home, laminate is not a good option– in fact, homebuyers have even declared that they are less likely to purchase a home with laminate countertops. There are benefits to laminate though– if you want a material that doesn’t require regular maintenance and is easy to clean then laminate is a great choice for those who aren’t looking to spend an arm and a leg on a countertop.

As you can see, there are a lot of options to choose from for your kitchen counters (even more than this list). If you’re exploring a kitchen remodel or thinking about changing out your countertops, contact our remodeling consultants to discuss which countertop material works best for you.

Hiring A Cabinet Painter Who Pays Attention to Detail

If you hire a painter who cuts corners and doesn’t properly prepare your cabinets before painting, your cabinets will not last the expected 8-10 years. In order to achieve a factory-finish look, it’s important to hire a professional cabinet refinishing company that will be thorough and meticulous when it comes to the cabinet painting process. Preparation is an important step for any task, but it’s especially critical when painting cabinets to ensure a quality finish that will last. If cabinets are improperly prepped or painted, they won’t last longer than a couple years. 

Our process begins by setting up floor and wall protection around the entire room, so the dust and smell doesn’t permeate the rest of the home. We completely seal off the room with plastic protection and zipper walls for easy access when needed. It’s important to set up proper ventilation to create a negative airflow pushing the air out of the home. Once the room has been properly sealed off and every inch has been protected, it’s time to get to work on the cabinets!

We’ll begin removing all of the cabinet faces and hardware. Once the doors and drawers have been removed, we’ll scrape and sand them using HEPA dust-extracting sanders to ensure no excess dust gets in your home. One major step that many painters neglect, is applying grain filler to the cabinets. This extra step is the difference between seeing wood grains poking through the final paint job, or having a smooth, factory-finish look that feels brand new. If the wood has especially deep grains, we’ll repeat these steps multiple times to create a smooth, factory-finish. 

Finally, once the cabinets have been prepared, we apply two coats of primer and three (or more) coats of lacquer to the cabinets. We apply at least three coats of lacquer to ensure that there is a thick finish that is durable enough to last. While you might be tempted to try and ‘DIY’ painting your kitchen cabinets, if you’re not willing to dedicate the time, energy, and cost for materials, then you’re better off hiring a professional.

Hiring a Cabinet Painter with the Right Tools

For long-lasting results, cabinet painting requires adequate experience, technical expertise, and the correct tools. Unfortunately, it’s you and your cabinets that will suffer the consequences if you hire a painter that cuts corners by using cheap products, or not applying grain filler in hopes to saving themselves a few bucks. Many painters skimp on buying the nicer products because it saves them money, but unfortunately it ultimately costs the homeowner by producing a subpar result.

Painters have a range of tools available to them for the application process which can produce different finishes and styles; for example, using a sprayer will yield different results than using a hand brush. A spray brush creates a solid finish on uneven surfaces without leaving any texture– ideal for cabinet painting, whereas brushes and rollers leave texture marks from the application process that can look messy and unfinished– not something that you want to be looking at on your kitchen cabinets. 

There are also tools outside of the application process that are very important to the safety of your family and your home. It’s not adequate for your painter to put a drop cloth down and paint your cabinets – it’s unsafe with all of the fumes. HEPA dustless- vacuums, large window fans, zipper walls and plastic wrap are all needed to avoid a long-lasting dust and smell problem in your home. Without proper setup and protection, your home will smell like dust and paint for months or years.

Every year there are new kitchen design trends, and 2023 is no different. While some kitchen elements are timeless, like stainless steel appliances, some features fade in and out of popularity each year. As a result of the ongoing global pandemic, we have seen changes in the way homeowners are making use of their kitchens. With an increased desire for spacious kitchen islands ideal for work-from-home setups. Here are the must-have design trends for 2023: 

Longer Kitchen Islands 

One of the hottest trends of 2023 is longer kitchen islands! A lot of newly installed kitchen islands measure over 7 feet long! Longer kitchen islands are ideal for everyday kitchen use, work from home, and provide additional underhand cabinet storage.

Closed Concept Floor Plan

With working from home and remote learning becoming the new norm for many people, there is a greater desire for more privacy within the home. More people are opting not to have open concept floor plans for their kitchen remodels. Instead, favoring closed concept remodels that allow for quiet environments ideal for those working/learning from home. 

Investing More In Counter Tops 

Not only are longer countertops increasing in popularity, but homeowners are notably splurging more on the material of their counter as well. Natural non-engineered stones are slowly gaining popularity over-engineered stones. Investing in your countertop is a decision that will elevate your kitchen remodel and be a gorgeous addition to your home. 

Cabinet Organization 

Spending more time at home has made homeowners prioritize decluttering their spaces. There is a rise in the popularity of specialty organizing cabinets and drawer organizers with that in mind. Installing these cabinets is a great way to maximize the space you already have and is a great way to revamp your kitchen design. 

What better time to take on a new remodeling project than Spring? The weather is nice and mild, and it represents a time for renewal and change. Spring is the perfect time to get ready for the summer, and a remodel can help make the warm months even better. How do you go about taking on the Spring remodel project? Depending on the scale of the project, it may not be as simple a task. There needs to be a level of planning and organization when planning your remodel if you want things to go smoothly. Here’s a step-by-step look at how to plan your Spring remodel. 

Start Off with a Vision for Your Remodel

It’s crucial to know what you want from the get-go. What are your goals and expectations for your remodel project? Create a list of things that you want to include in your remodel, like “must haves” and “want”. Think of it as a wish list and be as detailed as possible. Do you want your new space to be cozy and intimate or open and airy? Think about color and fixtures and anything else that you’d like to include in remodeling your space. 

Prioritize Important Features of Your Remodel

Draw on your list of wants and needs prioritize to keep things on track. Like with many projects, you cannot accomplish all that you have in mind to do. Think of your budget and the amount of time that you have to complete it. Prioritize getting the features that are most important to you and work on those first. The less important features can be tackled further down the line. Is this a DIY project, or do you need a licensed contractor for the job? Prioritize, prioritize, and prioritize!

Set a Budget and Determine a Timeline

You have to think about your budget and timeline when planning your remodel project. If you are limited to a budget, you have to be careful about spending. You don’t want to put yourself in trouble by running out of money before your project is completed. How much time do you have to complete the project?

You may find that time and money are both limited and that you have to work a bit harder to stay within the boundary of what’s possible. If you find that you have to budget, accept that reality. You may have to be a bit creative in your approach to your project if you want it to be a success. 

Your activities reduce greatly in winter, making it the best time for you to remodel your home. Indeed the winter weather can be harsh, but it shouldn’t be an excuse not to get your home renovated. Since the distractive activities aren’t in view, you can adopt these DIY home remodeling ideas to keep yourself busy. The advantage of engaging in home remodeling projects in winter is you can do it at a relatively low cost.

Below are a few renovation projects suitable during freezing temperatures:

Remodel Key Spaces

It could be the living room, the kitchen, or the bathroom; you can maximize your time to change how they appear. The rooms aren’t the same size, so the remodeling costs depend on what you choose. For example, suppose you intend to remodel your bathroom. In that case, the budget will be relatively lower than what you will spend renovating your kitchen. Updating the hardware in this room can light out any of the rooms you decide to remodel.

Work on the Walls

Winter is the perfect moment for interior painting projects as opposed to summer and spring. The freshly painted room tends to dry faster during this period. Additionally, you can get a bucket of paint at a lesser price in winter. This implies you are getting more value while you are paying less. Changing wall colors occasionally brings a home to life.

Insulate the Rooms

The best time for winter-proofing projects is at that time when it is happening. You can determine your home insulation needs effectively because everything becomes glaring. Insulation projects prevent you from spending excessively on utility bills the whole season. Insulation types and materials determine the cost you will incur. The first step to get your home insulated is doing home energy audits. It helps to know your home insulation needs.

Adding more Rooms

It’s normal for families to grow. As this happens, the available rooms might not be enough for everyone. You can leverage the winter season to create more rooms with an addition if you have no intention to relocate.

Complete the Basement

Understandably, you have been busy during summer and spring, making it difficult to complete your basement. Winter offers you the time you need to give your basement the final touch. A well-designed basement adds value to a property. A home remodeling project in the basement is relatively easy to plan because it’s a typical blank space.

If you’re ready to remodel your home, our team at Tom Curren Companies is ready to help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.