How Do I: Make A Small Kitchen Look Larger?

The average American family spends 175 hours per month in their kitchen – almost one-quarter of our time! This central room has a large impact on our lives, so we’re providing tips on how to make the most out of your small space. Whether you’re looking to do a complete renovation or make some minor upgrades, these suggestions will help you create a clutter-free cooking environment.

Level of Difficulty/ Effort Required: Easy

Create an Illusion
Minor art adjustments can majorly impact your kitchen space. When decorating your small space, select similar color palettes and group them together. The streamlined shades will give the appearance of one cohesive item, as opposed to scattered show pieces.

Combat Clutter
Choose a few key pieces to highlight, whether it be children’s school projects, family photos, or vacation magnets, and swap them out frequently. This small adjustment will have a huge impact, clearing up space while still displaying some of your favorites.

Courtesy of The Way We Are

Display Your Utensils
Put your most needed items in central displays, such as spices in glass jars and utensils in a wicker storage basket. Keeping your most coveted kitchen items close at hand, organized, and as art work will reduce the amount of other decor items you need to give your kitchen a makeover.

Buy With Size In Mind
The newest line of dinnerware and food storage took small kitchens into consideration. Nested bowls and collapsible kitchen-ware are some of the latest innovations to gain popularity. This small change can create large results when it comes to storage.

Courtesy of My Kitchen Addictions

Space-Saving Furniture
Foldable furniture isn’t just for card nights any more. Tables with drop leafs and sophisticated folding chairs can be easily hidden in closets, allowing you to only use what you need. If you’re hosting guests or entertaining, you can extend the space for a few hours.

Courtesy of Vivia van Schagen

Use 360 Degrees of Space
Add Lazy Susans to your cabinets and pantries. These flexible features are cost-efficient and major space savers. They allow you to fully utilize available storage space and the 360 degree spin keeps digging for items to a minimum.

Store It
Another easy and virtually free renovation is to stop storing those rarely used appliances on valuable counter space and in cabinets. Box up that bread maker and hide the waffle iron. You can pull them out on the rare occasions you’re craving fresh from the oven bread and have several hours to spare.

Level of Difficulty/ Effort Required: Intermediate

Open Shelving
Open shelving is another trend that helps create a larger look and requires minimal effort. The lack of solid doors, or any doors for that matter, creates an open feel and allows your dinnerware to double as artwork.

Courtesy of Ariela Najman

Hang Mirrors
Illusion walls don’t have to be limited to the living room. Add a mirror on a focus wall in the kitchen. The reflection creates the appearance of double the amount of space with minimal effort.

Use Your Walls
Those plain white walls don’t have to just house art. Hang simple shelves, baskets, and bins to increase the amount of space available to store goods in a fashionable way. This will cut down on your counter clutter, opening up the kitchen for a ‘larger’ look.

Courtesy of Good Life Design

Overhead Pot Racks
Consider installing a pot rack that hangs over the central island or open bar area to give yourself an extra set of cabinets for less visually appealing items.

Level of Difficulty/ Effort Required: Experienced

Change Your Color Scheme
Dark colors that are popular in some current kitchen looks can create the appearance of a smaller space. Lightening up your palette will make your kitchen look larger.

Courtesy of N-Hance Wood Renewal

Courtesy of The Inspired Room

Remove a (Half) Wall
Consider removing a half wall or adding an archway between your kitchen and dining or family room. You’ll have the same amount of space, but by removing a confining element, the lack of wall will create a visually appealing and open look.

Courtesy of Better Homes and Garden

Lighten Up
Bright light creates the illusion of space. The right overhead lighting can make or break your big kitchen appearance.

Move Your Appliances
A solid wall of wood cabinets can close in your kitchen, making it feel smaller than it is. By breaking up the monotony of the look, you can create some space. Place your range and hood in the center of a wall of cabinets to make your room feel more open.

Tell us, what improvements have you made in your home to make your small kitchen seem larger?