A small kitchen can be cozy and feel spacious with the right interior design choices. Paint your walls a lighter color, or add floating shelves for a more open space.

With any small room, you must use your space wisely. You can use color, lighting, and optical illusions to make your space look bigger than it actually is. As a place where you and your family gather, cook, and eat, your kitchen should feel light, bright, and welcoming.

The last thing you want is a cramped, dark space that makes everyone feel uncomfortable and claustrophobic. This can be challenging to achieve with a small kitchen if you don’t know what you’re doing. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place. From color to cabinetry, here are some easy-to-do design tips and tricks to make a small kitchen look and feel bigger.

Add Light, Bright Colors

There are many ways to make your small kitchen look more spacious. Painting the room a different color is an excellent, affordable way of doing so without investing in costly renovations or additions. Here are some great options:

• Classic White: Both a timeless and on-trend color option, white opens up a space adding a lightness that will make your kitchen seem bigger.
• Light grey: Go with a light grey, which will create a neutral, yet welcoming, homey space.
• Sage green: For a tranquil, natural feel, opt for a pale green or teal, and is beautifully complemented with delicate green plants. These hues are on-trend and can either be used throughout or as an accent color to a white kitchen.

The Mirror Effect

One of the oldest tricks in design around making a small kitchen look bigger is using reflective surfaces. Reflective surfaces add brightness and life into any space, as it reflects anything flush against them. It also gives an illusion that the room is much more spacious than it is! There are many ways to include reflective surfaces, including the following:

• Mirrors: Not commonly found in kitchens, mirrors are the most reflective material you can use. Using super-sized mirrors, you can cover one wall of your kitchen, add mirrors as a backsplash or opt for mirrored cabinets.
• Shiny Floors: Whether you use glossy floor paint or high-gloss laminate flooring, shiny floors will create brightness from the bottom up.
• High-Gloss Cabinets: With various materials and finishes, you can add a high-gloss finish to your cabinetry. Try going with Thermofoil cabinets with a gloss finish or solid wood cabinets with a high-gloss finish.

• Stainless Steel Appliances: For a more subtle reflective surface, opt for stainless steel appliances. From your fridge and microwave to your sink and dishwasher, stainless steel elements in a small kitchen will give the illusion of more space.

Open Shelving

Opening shelving has been a staple in many small kitchens for decades because this type of storage gives the space a more airy and spacious look and feel. By removing a few cabinets, you immediately see the illusion of more space. However, open shelving only works if your space is clutter-free, and your cabinets are not bursting with stuff.

Minimalist Style

Less stuff will lead to more space when it comes to a small room, including your kitchen. Clutter can add heaviness and fullness to a small kitchen. To get rid of or avoid clutter, here are a few tips to follow:

• Avoid Detailing: Avoid ornate, overly decorative detailing, and instead opt for simple, clean lines that will keep the look and feel of your kitchen fuss-free.
• Declutter Your Kitchen: If you have too much stuff in your kitchen, you may want to give away or donate a few things. It would be best if you were ruthless with items you don’t use and remember that those items will only take up space.

• Keep It Clean: Try to keep your kitchen surfaces clean and clear as a clean kitchen always looks bigger than it is. Ensure everything has its place in your kitchen and attempt to keep it there when you’re not using it.

Custom Storage Options

Cabinetry and other storage can be bulky, especially in small kitchens, so opt for unique storage. Here are a few storage ideas for a small kitchen:

• Slimline Base Cabinets: Opt for base cabinets that have a reduced depth than standard cabinets. You may need to hang pots and pans from the ceiling and utensils from hooks underneath your cabinets.
• Add Cubbies: Cubbies are a great storage solution that can quickly fill the space above a window or range hood. However, you might need a step ladder to reach things stored in these areas.

• Use The Space Above Your Cabinets: The area between your cabinets and your ceiling is overlooked. In a small kitchen, this space is essential and can be used to store less-used appliances.
• Hang A Few Things: Bulky pots and pans can take up valuable space in a small kitchen. A great way to get around this is to install an industrial pot rack on an empty wall. Not only is it functional, but it is also stylish and will give your kitchen a country feel.

Suitable Lighting is a Must

Lighting is vital for creating a seemingly larger kitchen. The more lighting, the bigger your space will look and feel. Opt for any of these options to light up your kitchen:

• Natural Lighting: There is no better lighting than natural light, so if you can add this type. The best way to do this is by adding a skylight or glass door to flood the space with sunlight, which will make your kitchen instantly feel larger.
• Under Cabinet Lighting: By adding lighting underneath your cabinets, you’ll light up dark corners and your countertops, as well as avoid the use of lamps that can get in the way. Add a dimmer to this cost-effective option that will allow you to set the mood using lighting.
• Statement Lighting: Guests are always attracted to beautiful, shiny objects, so why not add some statement lighting to your kitchen. Not only will it make your kitchen seem bigger, but it will also be a focal point in the room.

Final Small Kitchen Touches

When it comes to opening up a small kitchen, there are many ways you can do so. If your budget is more flexible and large, then purchasing new appliances or cabinets might be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if money is tight but the design isn't as much of an issue, perhaps painting over old paint will freshen things up without breaking your bank account. Lastly, even adding better lighting may help brighten any dark area that appears cramped due to lack of space!

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