You see dark green, navy, or black kitchens online and they look amazing. Then you paint yours and suddenly it feels smaller, darker, and heavier than expected. The truth is, most of those pictures are taken in kitchens with big windows, skylights, and studio lighting.
In real homes with one small window, dark colors absorb light and show fingerprints and dust easily. Every touch leaves marks, especially on matte finishes.
This doesn’t mean dark kitchens are bad — it means you must balance them with:
bright lighting
light countertops
reflective backsplash
good ventilation
Always test colors on your actual wall first instead of trusting the store sample. What looks beautiful online can feel totally different in your real space.