How to Make a Small Kitchen Look Bigger

If you find yourself with a small kitchen, don’t be dissuaded from kitchen storage and decoration ideas. A small kitchen can still be stylish, supremely functional and spacious-feeling with a few key design choices. Whether you’re in a city apartment, a quaint bungalow or a small home with a galley-style kitchen, it’s totally possible to make your kitchen look and feel roomier.

In this guide, we focus on smart decorating ideas, space-shaping layouts, color choices, and furniture arrangements that make even a small kitchen feel just a little bit bigger. Here are some of the tricks of the trade that interior designers and Kitchen remodeling experts use to make small kitchens shine.

Smart Decorating Ideas to Maximize Your Space

Small Kitchen Decorating Ideas

Begin with simplicity in mind. Clutter is the enemy of open space, so make sure to clear counter tops and keep wall decor to a minimum. Opt for streamlined hardware, open shelving and vertical storage with which to lead up. Hanging pot racks, magnetic spice canisters and under-cabinet lighting bring your kitchen to the 21st century.

Choose light-reflective materials glossy countertops, stainless appliances, glass decor. These elements bounce light around, so the space doesn’t feel quite so confined.

Easy Ways to Decorate Small Kitchens for a Spacious Feel

Choose sleek appliances that fit into the larger color palette. A clean palette is one way to achieve visual unity that can make your space feel more expansive. Add rugs that have less intricate designs, thin pendant lights and a few pieces of art that aren’t so bold that they take over the room.

Use decorative hooks to hang utensils or perhaps mugs. A rail system on the backsplash saves drawer space and gives the new space a charming, lived-in vibe.

Decorating Ideas for Small Kitchens That Make a Big Impact

Even in cramped quarters, there’s nothing like big impact. Think of a statement light fixture or a colorful backsplash tile just behind the stove. Consider a chalkboard wall, a fun and functional addition for some extra personality and utility.

Floating shelves displaying some decorative items (not too many) can trick the eye by making walls look larger. Put in a plant or two — foliage takes the edge off the harshness of cabinets, appliances, the works; it adds a sense of warmth and patina.

Color and Layout Choices to Create the Illusion of Space

How to Choose Colors for Small Kitchens

Color can be a space enhancer or space buster. Keep the palette unified throughout the kitchen light neutrals like white, soft gray, or beige or pastels are all gorgeous. If you love color use it as an accent (colored bar stools, back splash, décor pieces) rather than on the walls or cabinets.

Opposite colors can add depth but be careful. Too much contrast breaks up the space; strive for gradual shifts.

Light and Bright Colors to Open Up a Small Kitchen

There’s a reason white is a classic color. It bounces light and walls appear to recede. Combine white walls with light woods and glass for an airy, Scandinavian vibe.

Pale blues, minty greens and buttery yellows also work well to inject personality without weighing down the overall feel of the room. Don’t forget ceiling also matters, paint it a shade lighter than the walls to lift the eye.

Layout Tips to Make Small Kitchens Feel Larger

The role of layout in space perception. If you’re renovating, you might also consider an open-concept kitchen or knocking down partial walls to connect it to other spaces. Galley or L-shaped kitchens, meanwhile, put every thing within close attain of the cook dinner, and supplies every little thing else with a contemporary and modern aesthetic (although not so trendy that all the issues outshines or clashes with literally the rest within the house).

Skip the bulky islands, choose a narrow option with built-in storage or a fold-down table that leaves wall space available for work. Remove wall cabinets to open the eye to that space between your counters and ceiling with open shelves and get rid of that bulk from the upper field of vision.

Design Ideas to Enhance Small Kitchen Spaces

Art Deco Ideas for Small Kitchens

Art Decoration can lend drama to an otherwise clutter-free small kitchen. Add geometric prints into the backsplash, sleek gold or brass hardware, and high-gloss cabinets. Lean on strong, symmetrical design, However, keep the colour in check, you don’t want visual clutter.

Mirrored backsplashes, a throwback to Art Deco, a cup of glamorous and a pinch of space-maximizing. Polish can be introduced with glass pendant lights and chrome fixtures while keeping things light.

Creative Design Ideas for Small Kitchen Spaces

Think vertical! Take advantage of tall cabinets, ceiling-mounted racks, and even bring backsplash tile all the way up to the ceiling. If floor space is tight, floating furniture, such as wall-mounted drop-leaf tables or tucked-away stools, adds flexibility.

Pocket doors or sliding barn doors are also imaginative alternatives to conventional swing doors that take up space. Don’t discount the importance of lighting a few well-placed can lights and under-cabinet LEDs can do wonders.

Kitchen Designs for Small Spaces That Make a Big Difference

Contemporary minimalist models are effective especially in small kitchens. Frameless cabinets, slab doors and integrated appliances produce a clean look. Use handleless cabinetry for an uninterrupted look.

Glass cabinet doors or open shelving (partial). Keep the space feeling less “boxy” versus fully closed storage. When executed well, even a tiny galley kitchen can feel substantial and airy.

Additional Tips for Making a Small Kitchen Look Bigger

Mirrors and Reflective Surfaces for Visual Expansion

Mirrors aren’t only for the living room and the bathroom,  they can make a big difference in how spacious a kitchen feels. A mirrored backsplash amplifies both light and depth. You could even add mirrored cabinet doors or ornamental wall mirrors.

And other reflective surfaces, including high-gloss paint, polished stone countertops and shiny tiles, play into this illusion perfectly.

Open Shelving and Glass Cabinets for a More Airy Feel

In tight spaces, upper cabinets can seem imposing. Trade them for open shelves or glass-front cabinets to allow your eye to wander the distance. Even if the square footage hasn’t changed, this will give you a sense of openness.

Keep the objects on the shelves tidy and color-coordinated — messiness on open shelving can end up making a room feel cluttered.

Using Multi-Functional Furniture to Maximize Space

Use dual-purpose furniture. A mobile island with storage below or stools that slide up into the cabinetry, or even a bench seat with hidden storage could give you more function without taking up more room.

Wall-mounted racks, fold-down tables and expandable dining counters are all lifesavers in a small kitchen, providing convenience without bulk.

Conclusion

Small kitchens have their restrictions in terms of design and decoration, however when executed correctly, your small kitchen will look every bit as functional and beautiful as a large culinary space. From bright colors and reflective surfaces to selecting furniture wisely, every small element adds up to give the appearance of spaciousness.

Whether you’re sprucing up, building out or renovating, there are endless ways to make the most of your kitchen.Ready to transform your tiny kitchen into a big dream? For superior remodeling services, custom-fit to your place and the way you live, turn to the professionals at A to Z General Contractor.

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