When people say “good things come in small packages,” they probably never had to deal with small kitchen challenges like crammed cupboards and limited counter space. If your kitchen seems more cramped lately, it might be time for a revamp. Different design strategies can help create a more spacious feeling without literal room expansion. This blog will discuss renovation options—from reorganization to countertop replacement—that can pay off in a big way. Here are 9 ways to make your kitchen look and feel bigger.
If you are trying to make room but aren’t ready to get rid of your appliances or install more lighting, try repainting. Antique whites, off-whites, creams, light yellows, and shades of gray create openness. Dark walls can make a kitchen feel crowded, while lighter shades create an airy feel.
Once you pick a light color, you should commit to it. Some homeowners make the mistake of incorporating one accent wall that is strong and bold-hued in an otherwise light-toned kitchen. A better way to add a visual change in a one-tone kitchen is to play with your kitchen additions. Keep your lights nice and bright, and introduce another color with your sink, countertops, or cabinets. Choosing colorful window frames, tea towels, and other kitchen accessories allows you to incorporate color without creating a harsh visual contrast.
Your kitchen can feel cramped when shadows create a noticeable visual line between the cabinets and the ceiling. You can soften these shadows with accent lighting above your cabinets. These lights create a gentle illumination that eases the contrast created by shadows. It also helps makes the whole room feel more open. Lighting installed beneath upper cabinets and just above your countertop works similarly. At Concepts by Design, we come to your home to determine the best lighting for your kitchen.
When choosing cabinets, taller-than-standard upper cabinets raise your eye level and make the ceilings feel higher. Taller cabinets also mean more storage, which is necessary for compact kitchens. Remember to keep the color of the cabinets light, like your walls, and avoid intricate door designs that can make a small kitchen feel busy. Flat door styles compliment a kitchen’s clean lines the best. Keep cabinet hardware simple by choosing concealed hinges, low-profile bar pulls, or recessed grooves rather than large, ornate knobs and pulls.
Cookbooks, spices, and small appliances can take up valuable workspace and point out the size of a small kitchen if left out. Customizable cabinets can create a place to store these miscellaneous items. Taller upper cabinets, concealed storage racks, and pull-out or swing-out shelves maximize storage space behind closed doors. Remember: The less cluttered the kitchen, the larger it will feel.
Using glass-front doors for your cabinets can add visual depth by tricking the eye into thinking the kitchen is more spacious than it is. Your gaze goes into the cabinet rather than stopping at the door. When choosing glass panes, use white or light woodwork to maximize their effect. You can also choose opaque glass if you would rather not have your cabinets’ contents on display. Even opaque glass reflects light, which brightens the kitchen.
Shiny surfaces reflect the hues of your kitchen’s walls and cabinets and make any kitchen feel larger. For example, if you have antique white cabinets, your shiny stainless-steel appliances will reflect some of this off-white hue and amplify the effects of your cabinet color and how it makes the space look larger. You can also add reflectivity by installing a glass tile backsplash. When glass tile backsplash is paired with undercabinet lighting and a reflective countertop, the transition between countertop and cabinet becomes attractive and space-enhancing.
A small kitchen table gives you more floor space to maneuver in the kitchen. Choosing downsized models for items that take up a lot of floor space will increase room for foot traffic and meal prep. These items are much easier to downsize, unlike your large kitchen appliances. Smaller, apartment-sized models for major appliances like stoves, refrigerators, and dishwashers won’t always fit in the spaces you’ve designated for them and might not be suitable for the needs of a larger family. Open up floor space by downsizing the items that won’t affect the usability of your kitchen.
The view from a kitchen window should make the outdoors seem like an extension of the kitchen. Natural lighting that comes in through the window will not only visually expand the space but also help it feel light, airy, and open. Choose sheer curtains or a valance instead of heavy drapes and blinds to leave your window and the view visible.
When you have a smaller kitchen, there are a variety of ways that you can make it look bigger without having to knock down any walls. A designer can be the helping hand that guides you toward choosing the best ways to expand your kitchen using the items you already have or by making non-invasive smaller changes. At Concepts by Design, we have years of business helping homeowners create their dream homes, and we hope to do the same for you. If you are looking for ways to expand the look and feel of your kitchen, call (858) 414-7816 or click here to schedule an appointment.
