The kitchen is often referred to as the heart of the home. It is more than a place to make a meal– it is a spot to gather, talk over a drink after a long day, to make memories with our families, and to dance. What if your kitchen is small or your budget doesn’t allow you to completely gut it and start over? Or maybe your floor plan doesn’t offer room to take from other spaces even if you could? There are a few alternative ways you can create space and we’re here to help you get started…
8 budget-friendly ways to add the illusion of space to your cozy kitchen…
Choosing The Right Paint Colors
Paint is one simple and effective way to spruce up your small kitchen without breaking the bank. It can be used for a dramatic impact or to make the space simply feel cozier. Creative painting strategies are a great way to create the illusion of more space. A few ways you can use paint to make your kitchen feel larger are:
- Choose light, neutral colors.
- Keep your ceiling white (dark ceilings can make small rooms feel smaller).
- If existing cabinetry is dark, paint them a lighter color. Thinking of a bolder look? Leave your lower cabinets dark and paint the uppers a lighter color which will make the room feel taller.
- Add pops of color behind open shelving with paint or tile matching your backsplash.
- Use satin or eggshell paints as they allow light to bounce off them which will make your space appear larger.
Replace Solid Cabinet Doors with Glass or Add Floating Shelves
By replacing your existing solid cabinet doors with glass ones or completely removing some cabinets and installing floating shelves, you can create the look of more space. However, it is important that you keep newly visible spaces tidy and clean to avoid making your space look crowded and small. Tricks to making glass doors or floating shelves a good fit in your tiny kitchen:
- The dishes you choose for these should follow the same color palette– store mismatched items where they can’t be seen.
- Balance out small and large items.
- To make your space the most functional for your day-to-day life, place the items you use most often on lower shelves and put those you do not need as often up higher.
Use Geometric Patterns
Whether for tile, wallpaper, or decorative items, geometric patterns are becoming a popular choice for small kitchens. However, be careful when adding multiple geometric patterns as it can make the space look too busy.
Mirrors And Other Reflective Surfaces
Since mirrors are able to reflect light, they can open a space and make it feel bigger than it truly is. Don’t want to put an actual mirror in your kitchen? Add a mirrored backsplash. If you have an eat-in kitchen, you might choose to place a mirror in the dining area. This will make it appear bigger while also helping create better feng shui. Mirrors in the dining room is believed to help improve your ability to hold onto wealth.
Connecting The Outside With The Inside
If you have a nice outdoor space off of your kitchen and your budget allows, add french doors. This will let in a lot of light and extend your sightline which will make the space appear larger.
Accent Lights
The human eye is naturally attracted to shadows which can make your space feel crowded. By adding accent lights to shelving or underneath cabinets, you will eliminate those shadows and make your kitchen look and feel bigger. Not to mention, these lights will make your kitchen more functional so it’s a win-win.
Decluttering
Small kitchens often lack storage space which can leave them looking crowded and you feeling overwhelmed. An easy way to make your kitchen look tidier and larger is by routinely going through your inventory and getting rid of items you do not use. It can be difficult to decide what you need and will actually use versus what needs to find a new home, but we can assure you that you don’t need a dozen pasta forks. After you have decluttered, invest in necessary organizational elements like a lazy-susan corner cabinet. This is the perfect place to store your toaster or air fryer while still being able to easily access them.
Making The Space Feel Wider
Horizontal stripes are known to make things appear wider than they are– that’s why you won’t find them in my closet. But if you want to make your kitchen seem wider, consider adding horizontal stripes. You can do this with paint, wallpaper, flooring, rugs, or other textiles.
Having a small space and a tight budget does not mean that you won’t be able to have a Pinterest-worthy kitchen. Our team can help you create a space you will be proud of and that is sure to be a place you’ll want to gather for years to come.
Want to see what W.Stephens can do for you?
Contact us (859) 331-8100 today!
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About W.Stephens Cabinetry & Design
1-Source Turnkey Planning and Design Services
W.Stephens Cabinetry and Design provides planning and design services for the entire home including kitchens, bathrooms, wet bars, butler pantries, libraries, home theaters, and closets. Our designers follow a project from conception to completion, assisting clients in not only space-planning and design but also guiding clients through each step of the project.
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Our Process
- Initial Client Consultation – The design process begins with a consultation at our show room or in your home to obtain the necessary information needed to design your dream kitchen, bath, or space.
- Design – We carefully design the space, keeping your desires as the foundation of our creativity.
- Feedback / Design Approval – Working with you, using your feedback to get final Design approval.
- Installation Meeting – We meet with the installers, prior to installation to go over ALL the details.
- Post Installation Follow-up – We follow-up with you to make sure everything went well during installation.
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Our award winning designs collaboratively work together to create the perfect space for you.
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