When designing a small kitchen, Joanna Gaines tells HGTV, "I love to play with color, because it's all about an illusion."

It all comes down to choosing the right backsplash tiles, cabinet colors, and wall paint to make the space feel expansive, and here’s the rule she always goes by.

Keeping things light "from the countertop up" matters when it comes to making the room feel more spacious and uncluttered. Light upper cabinets will also make the area feel clean.

While Gaines recommends using light colors for the elements above the countertop to keep the room airy, those below can actually be quite dark.

For instance, in a 150-square-foot kitchen with white upper cabinets, Gaines adds dark green lower cabinets and a deep wood floor for a clean contrast.