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Kitchens Remodeling The Old House

Kitchen Cabinet Color that Won't Overwhelm Tiny Open Concept

2 years ago

Our little house is 880 square feet, with about half of that being kitchen, living room, and "dining." The kitchen is a complete separate room that we have definitely decided to eliminate, and go with open concept. However, I am against installing white cabinets as I think they would overwhelm the living room. Recommendations?

Featured Answer

Angela Zuill

2 years ago

I love some of the mushroom colored painted cabinets I've seen on here lately! Still light but just a little different. Also love the lighter quarter sawn oak cabinets!

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Comments (11)

Alex Jones
2 years ago
I am in almost the exact same situation. Although I was thinking white cabinets with butcher block counters tops . Did you have cabinet colours in mind?
ptreckel
2 years ago
Do you have photos of these rooms? Why do you assume that white cabinets in the kitchen will overwhelm the other rooms in the home?
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I wish your kitchen cabinetry and the entertainment center were the same finish for a more coordinated look in such a small space. Lack of lighting (other than one lamp and what appears to be light from a skylight) is the main issue that might force you to go with white. If you can improve the lighting, I think you can add some color if you want to. How about installing some LED lighting in the e-center? Your end tables are too short for the sofa; replace them and add table lamps for that side of the room at night (see chart below for measurements.) You could move the floor lamp slightly behind the two chairs for a reading spot. Last step would be lowering the three pictures so they are centered 5' above the floor and only one hand's breadth apart. A more interesting way to hang them would be vertically where the lamp is now with the middle one centered 5' above the floor and one hand's breadth between them. If two are the same size and one different, use the larger one in the center for a focal point. May be the camera angle that makes them look different sizes.
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Here is the problem - you are looking for a paint color based on 2 inch square swatches compared to huge expanses of the colors already in your home. If you have a sample of the countertop that you can take outside - that it the ideal answer. If not you will need to make do with a gerry rigged method using the counter top in place. Get a large white sheet. Gather samples of the colors that must stay ( a drawer front, a sample of flooring that closely matches if an actual sample isn't available, a sample of the granite. Gather as many colors as you can from the neutral and heavily muted colors at the paint store. The lighting in the paint store will confuse your brain - pick up everything even if it doesn't seem good in the store - you may be suprised by what works when you get them home. If possible, take all the colors outside and cover a table with the white sheet. Lay the samples of the colors that must stay on the sheet and place one color sample at a time next to the colors that have to stay. If it works in natural daylight it will work anywhere. If it is not possible to take a sample outside cut a hole in the sheet and let a small section of the counter show through the hole in an area near a window. If that is not possible get a good lamp with a 5000k lightbulb and place the lamp so it shines on the hole in your sheet. You can limit the amount of any sample of the things that must stay by doing cutouts on the sheet. Typically one or two colors will feel right. This is going to be the hue you want. More than likely when you purchase a sample and paint a large section of wall it will read more vivid than the color you picked from a tiny sample. More space- more color. But you will know that you are in the right ball park and can use tools like EasyRGB to discover similar colors that are slighly less saturated. I worked with Miller Paint when I first discovered Devine. They were amazing. Don't know how they are today, as it has been 20 ish years ago. If I were in their service area I would work with them again in a heartbeat. Hope this helps narrow your choices :-)
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I feel your pain! I got the Accessible beige sample and almost don't want to try it just go for it. Colors are so weird and can make you feel crazy! At least me:) We have divine white cabs and I feel they change from warm to cool. My husband has his office cabinets painted DW too and they look totally different from our home (actually I think better and his counters are slightly more cool). This is DW next to Nomadic Desert. Have you ever thought of hiring a color expert like Kylie? Maybe for such a large space would be good to get a 2nd set of eyes? Or just go for one and hope for the best. I know I have stressed too much about it:) And no one needs to do that.
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Truly I think your kitchen eating area should be a bridge between the great room and the kitchen and all work as one space; so you cabinet choice will probably direct the table design, but the dining room is off to itself and is seem as the first room you see when you walk in? It should provide the feel of the house with colors and modern, country french, MCM, etc. but the execution should stand alone and be a WOW factor design wise. Just my opinion.
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peggysgirl4
Original Author
2 years ago
I'm leaning toward greige or mushroom, or even creamish color. Also really like medium gray.
peggysgirl4
Original Author
2 years ago
It's too late for photos 😂🥴 My husband tore out most of the two walls yesterday, and everything is a wreck. (Yes, structural engineering was already done in attic).
White is just too sterile to have in our living room.
wolfgang80
2 years ago
Farrow and Ball shaded white or draw string (a little darker) are nice calm receding light beige-gray colors.
PRO
ProSource Memphis
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Open concept is one big room. Design it like one big room. The colors you pick should not be isolated to “kitchen” or “dining room”. They are used overall, everywhere. Low contrast, or the same color cabinets as walls will make it seem more spacious if you have an adequate lighting plan. Consider a single color, in different sheens, for the walls, trim, cabinets, and even ceiling. That might read boring to some, but it will read bigger and more soothing to everyone. It’s a neutral palette, ready for the touches of emphasis of natural materials like wood, stone, leather, fabric, and art.

Create the whole design plan first. Never do demo without a design plan.
peggysgirl4
Original Author
2 years ago
We did have the design professionally planned, and have moved a door and a window already in accordance. Because the crawl space is too short to even low-crawl through, some demo needed to be done in order to access wires and pipes. I realize we'll be living in this mess til Thanksgiving, but am willing to do so.
peggysgirl4
Original Author
2 years ago
Having opened up even this much space is very encouraging! Lighter, brighter, and a much roomier feel!
PRO
Greta Interiors
2 years ago
Stick with no more than 3 colors. A light, neutral ground or main color, a deep or bright accent and if necessary a deeper version of the light main color for trim or contrasting elements. The entire space will need these colors repeated. Also be careful with your metal elements (pulls, knobs, faucets). Repeat them in the rest of the space for consistency.
peggysgirl4
Original Author
2 years ago
Yes, they are really beautiful and leave many options...

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