They say that the kitchen is the heart of the home, but when that heart is so compact that its arteries are getting clogged, then it’s safe to say that the most important room in the house won’t be functioning to its full potential.
A small kitchen can leave homeowners frustrated as it feels cramped and cluttered, making it difficult to cook and entertain guests. However, with some smart design tricks and organisation tips, including using lighter colours and clever storage solutions, you can make your small kitchen look and feel more spacious.
Before you settle on the most suitable kitchen design for your small space you will want to consider elements such as functionality, layout, storage, aesthetics, budget, and lighting.
Make the most out of the space you have by keeping designs practical and efficient, with essential features that match your cooking needs. Ensure the space is adequate to keep your small kitchen organised, while lighting will also play a crucial role in making the space feel brighter and more spacious.
Whatever design you opt for, you will want it to reflect your own personal style as well as complement the rest of your home. Be sure to consider your budget and look for affordable solutions, such as ready-to-assemble cabinets and cost-effective materials.
Anyway, enough bluster; the walls are closing in. Here are some fantastic tips for making your small kitchen look bigger…
Use A Light Colour Scheme For Small Kitchens
Choose small kitchen cabinet colours and wall paints that are light, such as white, pale neutrals, or pastels. These colours will all help to make a kitchen look bigger as they reflect lighter and create an open, airy feel. Dark colours can absorb light, overwhelming your kitchen space and making it feel smaller.
Maximise Natural Light
Create the illusion of space by allowing as much natural light as possible to enter your kitchen by installing larger windows or skylights. If installing large windows would mean you lack privacy, use window vinyl to distort the view without impacting the light .
Install Open Shelves
Replace upper cabinets with open shelves to make your kitchen feel more spacious. Open shelves also allow you to display your favourite dishes and accessories, adding a personal touch to the space. Consider using matching containers or baskets to keep things organised and visually appealing.
Use Glass Cabinet Doors
If you need upper cabinets, or don’t like the idea of open shelving, use glass doors to make your kitchen appear larger. Glass reflects light and adds depth to your space. You can also consider using frosted or tinted glass for a more unique look.
Use Reflective Surfaces
Mirrors, a glossy backsplash, and stainless-steel appliances reflect light, making your kitchen look brighter and more spacious. If you have some free wall space, consider adding a mirror on one wall to create a visual illusion of more space. If you have a dark kitchen and you want to make it brighter to open up the room, reflective surfaces are a great tool.
Choose The Right Kitchen Wall Tiles
The kitchen wall tiles you choose can have a surprising impact on how spacious your kitchen feels. Larger format tiles work well in smaller kitchens because fewer grout lines create a cleaner, more continuous surface that tricks the eye into seeing more space.
Stick to lighter shades and consider tiles with a slight gloss or sheen to bounce light around the room. If you’re set on patterned tiles, keep things subtle and consistent rather than busy, as bold patterns can make a compact kitchen feel chaotic.
Remove Clutter
Keep your countertops clean and clutter-free. Use vertical storage solutions, such as magnetic knife strips and pegboards, to save counter space. Installing a kitchen island can also help to maximise the availability of storage to you.
Read: The transformative power of having a clean home
Use Smaller Appliances
Choose compact and multi-functional appliances that can be stored easily when not in use to help free up counter space and make your kitchen look less cluttered. Consider appliances such as a combination microwave and oven or a compact dishwasher.
When it comes to how to display kitchen appliances, many of these items can be built into the kitchen units now which also keeps everything neater and more uniform.
Create A Focal Point
Add a focal point, such as a colourful backsplash or a piece of artwork, to draw the eye away from the small space. This creates a visually interesting element and takes attention away from the size of the kitchen.
Opt For A Minimalist Design
Simplify the design of your small kitchen by avoiding unnecessary decorative elements and sticking to clean lines and simple shapes. Using minimalist designs, such as a monochromatic colour scheme, can help to create a brighter, more open space.
What Should You Avoid When Trying To Make A Small Kitchen Bigger?
When trying to make a small kitchen look bigger, there are certain things you should avoid to prevent the space from feeling cramped or cluttered, these include:
- Dark colours – keep clear of darker colours on your walls or cabinets, as they absorb light and make the space feel smaller.
- Too much clutter – avoid overcrowding your kitchen with too many accessories, appliances, or decorative items, as they can make the space feel cluttered and cramped.
- Bulky furniture – bulky furniture, such as oversized kitchen islands or tables, can take up too much space and make the kitchen feel smaller.
- Lack of storage – insufficient storage solutions can overwhelm small spaces, avoid cluttered worktops and consider creative storage solutions.
- Poor lighting – using inadequate lighting can make the space feel dark and confined. Consider installing bright and energy-efficient lighting, such as LED lights, to make your small kitchen look brighter and more spacious.
The Bottom Line
By implementing these design tricks and organisation tips, you can relieve your frustrations of having a small kitchen by making the room feel more spacious. Remember to use light colours, maximise natural light, install open shelves, or glass cabinet doors, use reflective surfaces, remove clutter, use smaller, more ergonomically-friendly kitchen appliances, and create a focal point to make your small kitchen look bigger.
And with that, we can’t wait to be invited over for your next dinner party!
