Top Design Ideas to Make a Small Kitchen Look and Feel Bigger

Is your cramped kitchen space dampening your culinary spirit? It’s true: not everyone has the luxury of affording spacious kitchens sporting sky-high ceilings and ample counter space. Thankfully, some simple light and design tricks can revamp your cooking sanctuary into a space you may never want to leave again.

Here are some kitchen design ideas to make a small kitchen look and feel bigger:

1. Use a Monochromatic Theme

A paint job is the single, most effective update you can make to your kitchen to make it feel newer and bigger. Using different shades of one color, preferably lighter ones, gives the illusion of a bigger space. The walls, trims, and ceiling should all be matched in a monochromatic theme for the perfect large space impression.

2. Install Custom Cabinets

According to Boyars Kitchen Cabinets, custom cabinetry can radically transform the look of your kitchen. They can help reduce clutter, utilize every inch of your kitchen strategically, and even create a minimalist aesthetic to enhance the perception of space. Deep drawers, pull out shelves and inside cabinets can all work wonders in your kitchen space.

3. Add a Large Mirror

A large mirror can be a fantastic addition in your kitchen to make it look big and stylish. Position it against the window or a spot that reflects back a kitchen top or the entire length of the kitchen.

4. Use Reflective Surfaces

Mirrors, glass tiles, shin floors, and glossy finishes are some cool ways to bounce some light around and make your kitchen look expansive. Such reflective surfaces allow the kitchen to have an airy ambiance, creating a sense of depth and visual continuity.

5. Install Floating Shelves

Another clever way of making your kitchen space look larger is ditching on the upper cabinets and using floating shelves instead. Using such shelves in the upper portion of your kitchen will stop any unnecessary blockage of light and the creation of shadows.

6. Get Rid of the Clutter

A sleek and clutter-free kitchen will allow you to get rid of that cramped space look that has been bugging you. Keep your space clear, install integrated appliances, and use cupboard space for storing your ingredients and other kitchen items.

7. Install a Single Sink

Sinks not only make or break the look of your kitchen but also have a major impact on space. Double sinks, for example, gather more of your countertop and make it look smaller. This is why installing a single sink is the right way to go.

8. Select a Slim Fridge

A big fat fridge is not going to look good in a small kitchen. A slim fridge will give your kitchen a sleek look and leave you more space for an expansive look. Remember, not all items you store in a fridge need to be stored there, such as eggs.

9. Install Integrated Appliances

Integrated appliances are appliances built within cupboards or panels to give a seamless look to the kitchen. This kitchen hack lets you blend the tools with the rest of the kitchen to give an overall smooth look.

10. Pick a Compact Dishwasher

When your kitchen is small, it only makes sense to have smaller appliances and machines. This is why it’s wise to pick a compact dishwasher, so it doesn’t take more space.

11. Let the Sunshine Come Through

Nothing beats natural light in making a kitchen look bigger and brighter. For this reason, keep the windows open and let the sunshine come in and reflect around on your sleek and shiny kitchen space.

12. Build a Pull-out Pantry

In addition to integrated appliances, a pull-out pantry can make your kitchen look sleek and help keep all your dried goods in a safe and seamless manner.

13. Use Lighting

Another way to make your small kitchen look and feel bigger is through lighting. Layering lights is one way to do so. By using a combination of overhead, task, and accent lighting, you can create lighting layers to highlight different spaces in the kitchen and give the impression of a larger space.

14. Hide the Clutter

Not all types of clutter can be tucked away neatly within cabinets and cupboards. For the clutter that can’t be eliminated, hide it instead. Stuff like exposed plumbing can be hidden with a sink skirt.

15. Clear the Counters

Having everything tucked away neatly in their designated places will always have your kitchen look sleek and expansive. This is why you need to have your counters cleared with only essentials on top. Better yet, have a rod installed for all your go-to essentials.