Painting Ideas for a Small Kitchen With High Ceilings

Roll a paint primer onto the kitchen walls and ceiling for optimum adhesion of paint. After the primer is dry, paint the kitchen walls and ceiling in a white or cream-toned paint color, which can expand the visual space in the kitchen. Choose a ceiling paint one shade lighter than the walls to make the room feel even more expansive. Lighter paint colors with a satin finish also reflect light, bouncing it off the ceiling and walls, resulting in the illusion of a brighter, more inviting space.

Apply a semigloss white paint to baseboards and door frames. Semigloss paints are more reflective than satin paint finishes and can make painted surfaces seem shinier and brighter.

Cover cabinets with a fresh coat of semigloss white paint to impart a fresh, clean and open ambiance. Semigloss paints are easier to clean and stand up better to wear and tear, making them ideal for kitchen cabinets.

Apply a glaze over white cabinets to achieve a weathered, antiqued, textured look without making the kitchen appear smaller. This is an optional idea, depending on your personal preferences.

Paint an accent wall in the kitchen one shade lighter than the other walls, if you choose. This creates visual interest, but it is not necessary to create the illusion of a larger space.