Most people want a bigger kitchen or at least the illusion of a bigger space.  But before you start tearing down walls, there are tips and tricks to make those small kitchens seem bigger.  Plus, bigger doesn’t always equal better. Small kitchens can be intimate, you become more diligent about being smart with storage, plus you know how to be effective while utilizing the space. So you have a small space, but how can we make it feel bigger and more open? Well, continue reading below for our favorite tips and trick to achieve just that!

Go Crazy with Lighter Color Tones

The number one tip we can give is to go light with your materials. Keeping your cabinetry, countertops, backsplash, walls lights will give the illusion of a more open space. Compare this to having dark materials, you’ll get the feeling of being closed in. Keeping things on the whiter side with your color scheme will reflect more light and feel more open. Our suggestion? Try paring white painted cabinetry with some light and neutral countertops, backsplash, and walls.

Have a Raised Bar? Lower it.

Yes, we’re literally telling you to lower those bars (if you have one) you have in your kitchen. The raised bar is usually somewhere around 42” tall and by lowering it to counter-height at 36” you will instantly get a feel of openness. We know 6” doesn’t seem like much, but it really does make a difference!

Tear Down a Wall

I know, I know. We said to not start tearing down walls, but if you can – this could be an incredible transformation for your space. Now, you don’t have to go crazy. In our example below, we’ve torn down a portion of a wall and created a peninsula island for the kitchen. This really does make a difference and has completely changed the feel of the space.

Utilize Your Lighting and Natural Light

Lighting is a gift, and natural light is an even greater gift. If you’re lucky to have a window in your kitchen, keeping it open and allowing the light to shine through is one of the greatest ways to get a feel of openness to the space. Don’t have a window? Get creative with the lighting fixtures. Whether it’s ceiling lights, cabinet lights, or decorative pendants, these can also add brightness and airiness to a space making it feel larger.

 

We hope you enjoyed some of our tips and tricks! Check in again tomorrow as we present our First Friday Feature for May… hint, hint, it’s light bright and airy!