Small Kitchen Design Tip: Color is great for creating illusion. A good rule-of-thumb for use of color in petite kitchens is to keep the design light from the countertop up. Light colors on the upper cabinetry and walls give the feeling of a bright, airy space and create the illusion the space is larger than it really is. Get more design tips on our blog! Photo by Jeanne Finnerty Interior Design via Houzz.