How to make a small kitchen feel bigger | More Kitchens

Published: 7 January 2020 · Last Updated: 6 December 2023

Cramped and dark kitchens can make a space feel small and uncomfortable. However, there are several design tricks that can make a small kitchen feel larger and more spacious. By utilising these tips, you can create a stylish and roomy kitchen, no matter its size.

Are you tired of your small kitchen feeling cramped and claustrophobic? Do you wish you had more space to cook and entertain? Well, you're in luck! With a few simple design techniques, you can make your small kitchen feel bigger and more inviting.

Whether you're renovating your kitchen or just looking for some small kitchen ideas, these tips will help you create a more spacious and stylish kitchen.

Key takeaways:

> Utilise colour to create the illusion of space

> Incorporate geometric patterns for visual space

> Use see-through elements for an open feel

> Harness the power of mirrors

> Embrace open shelving for airiness

Thanks to our team of researchers and expert kitchen design team, we have broken down each point mentioned above providing you with an abundance of information on how to make your small kitchen concept feel bigger and improve the overall look.

1. Use colour to create the illusion of space

When it comes to making a small kitchen look bigger, the colour of your kitchen plays a crucial role. Generally speaking, opting for light and neutral colours is a way of making a kitchen look and feel bigger. Don't worry there are a host of colours available to create that huge kitchen feel.

Choosing a white kitchen design is a classic option for small kitchens. It is an excellent choice as it can create the illusion of a larger and more spacious concept. The bright and clean look of white not only reflects light but also adds a sense of openness and brightness to the room. It would be worth looking at using white for cabinets, walls, and countertops to add depth to the sense of openness.

However, if an all-white kitchen isn't your style, don't worry! You may fancy light neutral colours some of the options include:

> Pale green

> Teal

> Yellow

These are just a few options that are available and would help you transform your kitchen design with the incorporation of these either on walls or as accents throughout the design helping your kitchen feel larger and visually appealing and cohesive colour scheme.In addition to the colour scheme, it's important to pay attention to the overall design and layout of your kitchen. Keeping the cabinets, countertops, and walls within the same colour family can help create a sense of continuity and spaciousness. By utilising colour strategically, you can transform your small kitchen into a room that feels open and inviting.

Create a cohesive colour scheme:

> Choose a white kitchen for a bright and airy feel

> Experiment with other light colours such as pale green, teal, and yellow

> Ensure cabinets, countertops, and walls have a cohesive colour scheme

By using colour effectively, you can visually enlarge your small kitchen and create a space that feels bigger and more welcoming. So, don't be afraid to play with different colour schemes and find the one that best suits your style and enhances the illusion of a larger kitchen.

2. Incorporate geometric patterns for visual space

Incorporating geometric patterns in your small kitchen can create the illusion of more space and make it look larger. These trendy patterns are currently popular in interior design and offer a stylish way to enhance the visual appeal of your kitchen.

One way to incorporate geometric patterns is by using tablecloths, rugs, blankets, and cushions with bold geometric prints. These patterns can add depth and dimension to your kitchen, making it appear more spacious. Vertical or lengthwise patterns, such as stripes or chevron designs, can make the small kitchen appear bigger, longer, and taller, while intricate geometric shapes can create visual interest and draw the eye.

Additionally, you can make your small kitchen feel spacious with geometric open shelving units. The open kitchen shelving design allows the eye to look beyond the shelving making the kitchen feel larger than it actually is. Geometric shelving is a way of making a modern and uncluttered kitchen design.

If you're not able to change the tiles in your kitchen, consider using a geometric floor runner. This simple addition can have a similar effect by introducing a pattern that elongates the space. Alternatively, you can opt for urban subway tiles with thick black lines, which can create the illusion of a larger kitchen when used as a backsplash or as a focal point on a feature wall.

Consistency and repetition of geometric patterns throughout the kitchen can make the room feel more spacious and is because of its order and continuity throughout, and it gives it that sense of organisation and structure.

Key points:

> Geometric patterns can make a small kitchen look larger and more visually appealing.

> Use tablecloths, rugs, blankets, and cushions with bold geometric prints to add depth and dimension.

> Incorporate vertical or lengthwise patterns for an elongating effect.

> Consider a geometric floor runner or urban subway tiles with thick black lines for a similar visual impact.

By incorporating geometric patterns into your small kitchen design, you can create an environment that feels more spacious and visually captivating. These patterns have the power to transform the look and feel of your kitchen, making it a standout feature in your home. So, embrace the trend and let geometric patterns work their magic in your small kitchen.

3. Utilise see-through elements for an open feel

When it comes to creating the illusion of space in a small kitchen, incorporating see-through elements can work wonders. These transparent or translucent pieces not only add a touch of modernity to your kitchen design but also give an open and airy feel. Consider incorporating clear plastic chairs, which not only provide seating but also allow light to pass through, making the space appear larger.

Floating islands are another great option for maximising space in a small kitchen. These freestanding countertops create a sense of openness and flexibility, as they do not touch the floor, allowing you to move around them with ease. By opting for a floating island, you can create additional workspace and storage without overwhelming the visual flow of the kitchen.

Another feature that can make the kitchen space appear bigger is floating shelves. Typically kitchen cabinets take up a lot of space within the kitchen. Depending on how you use the floating shelves around your small kitchen layout. This can also enhance your overall kitchen look.

Small kitchen designs will benefit from integrated appliances hugely down to their design. Appliances are concealed behind cabinet panels, giving the kitchen the illusion of a bigger feel with the kitchen appearing more streamlined and spacious.

Lighting also plays its role in making a small kitchen feel more spacious giving it that open feel. Usually recessed lighting is used for the kitchen due to the illusion that it creates. Installed in the ceiling draws less attention making the small space feel bigger and the ceiling higher.

However, there are other kitchen lighting ideas and clever design tricks that you can make to a small kitchen design.

Glass pendant lights not only provide ample illumination but also add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your kitchen decor. Their transparent nature allows light to pass through, giving the impression of a larger space. Hang them above your kitchen island or dining area to create a focal point that draws the eye upwards, making the kitchen feel taller.

Under cabinet lighting is another option that you can have installed as part of your kitchen design. Small kitchens with overhead lighting can cause visual barriers and make a kitchen design seem cramped, or certainly give it that feeling. Under cabinet lighting can definitely rectify that helping to eliminate those shadows and create a more even area.

By incorporating these see-through elements into your small kitchen design, you can achieve an open and expansive feel, even in limited space. The transparency of clear plastic chairs, the floating nature of islands, and the light-enhancing properties of glass pendant lights all contribute to creating a visually larger and more inviting kitchen.

Harness the power of mirrors

Mirrors are a powerful tool when it comes to making a room feel larger, and this applies to your small kitchen as well. By strategically incorporating mirrors into your kitchen design, you can create the illusion of more space and light.

Mirrors are well-known features that are used in different areas of a household to make a room feel spacious aside that it can certainly add to the room's beauty.

A smaller kitchen can benefit from a mirror being part of its design, especially a mirrored splashback. This is a genius design trick, appearing to open up the room by reflecting the surroundings of the room, if it is placed strategically.

The reflective surfaces protect your walls from splashes and stains as well as visually expand the space by reflecting light and creating a sense of depth. Consider having installed a mirrored splashback behind your stove or sink to instantly open up the room.

Having mirrored cupboards could be a reason why a small kitchen looks bigger, due to the depth it brings to the kitchen visually by expanding the space. By incorporating mirrored cupboards into your kitchen design you replace traditional cabinet doors with mirrored ones, you can create the illusion of additional space and make your kitchen feel more open and airy. The mirrors will reflect both natural and artificial light, brightening up the space and creating a sense of expansiveness.

To take the mirroring effect to the next level, you can go for a super-size mirror that covers one wall of your small kitchen. This large reflective surface will not only make the room appear bigger but also add a touch of elegance and glamour to your kitchen decor.

As easy and appealing as it may sound to add mirrored kitchen cabinets to your kitchen design, it is important that you're able to strike a balance between including the perfect amount and having an excessive. You should also consider the layout and other kitchen features such as the lighting to truly maximise the benefits of the mirrored cupboards.

Reflective surfaces for a spacious feel

> In addition to mirrors, there are other reflective surfaces that can help make your small kitchen feel bigger. Having glass tiles in the kitchen can make your space look larger, as their glossy surface will bounce light around the room and create a sense of openness.

> Choose shiny floors or high-gloss paint for your kitchen walls to further enhance the reflective effect. These surfaces will not only brighten up the space but also make it feel larger.

> Choose shiny floors or high-gloss paint for your kitchen walls to further enhance the reflective effect. These surfaces will not only brighten up the space but also make it feel larger.

By harnessing the power of mirrors and reflective surfaces in your small kitchen, you can transform it into a room that feels bigger and more spacious. The strategic placement of mirrored splashbacks, mirrored cupboards, and large mirrors can make a significant difference in opening up the space and creating a light-filled environment.

Embrace open shelving for airness

Open shelving is a fantastic design choice to create an airy and spacious feel in your small kitchen. By removing some cabinet doors and opting for open storage, you can instantly create a sense of more space. The lack of closed-off cabinets allows for an open view and a lighter atmosphere in the kitchen. However, it's important to keep the shelves organised and clutter-free to avoid making the space feel smaller.

Aside from being one of the tricks to make your small kitchen look bigger, let's look at open shelving from a design perspective. Open shelving allows you to showcase your attractive dishes and cookware, for those who come to visit.

Now we have to cast our mind to the ease of access items will be with an open shelve kitchen. This makes the kitchen more functional, efficient, and organised.

One trendy and chic way to incorporate open shelving is by using copper shelving. The warm tones of copper can add a touch of elegance to your kitchen while maintaining a sense of openness. Whether you choose floating shelves or wall-mounted racks, copper shelving can contribute to the overall aesthetic appeal while creating the illusion of a larger kitchen.

Benefits of open shelving:

> Enhances the kitchen's visual appeal by creating an airy and spacious look.

> Provides easy access to frequently used items and displays decorative pieces.

> Allows for a lighter atmosphere and better visibility within the kitchen.

> Offers an opportunity to showcase your style through curated displays of dishes, glassware, and cookbooks.

Remember, open shelving is all about balance. While it can make your kitchen feel more spacious, cluttered shelves will have the opposite effect. Keep only essential items on display and consider incorporating decorative storage solutions, such as baskets or jars, to maintain a tidy and organised look. With the right approach, open shelving can be an effective design choice to optimise space and create an inviting atmosphere in your small kitchen.

Embrace minimalism and decluttering

Removing clutter and embracing a minimalist look is key to making a small kitchen feel bigger. Clear the kitchen surfaces and keep them clutter-free by ensuring each item has a designated storage space. This includes keeping the space above your kitchen cupboards clutter-free.

Goodbye clutter

> Invest in storage solutions such as baskets, hooks, and hanging racks to maximise kitchen counter space.

> Organise utensils, pots, and pans in drawers or hanging racks to free up valuable counter space.

> Keep appliances that are not frequently used in cabinets or on shelves to reduce visual clutter.

A minimalist look

> Opt for sleek and simple designs for cabinets, countertops, and kitchen accessories.

> Choose a neutral colour palette to create a clean and minimalist aesthetic.

> Minimise the number of decorative items on display to maintain a clutter-free environment.

Consider investing in a steaming hot water tap to free up a kitchen surface and integrating a food waste disposal in your kitchen sink to eliminate unsightly food waste bins.

Creating a minimalist and clutter-free kitchen not only makes the space feel bigger but also enhances its functionality. By adopting a minimalist approach and ensuring everything has its place, you can transform your small kitchen into a clean, organised, and inviting space.

You may want to consider investing in hidden kitchen storage helps to keep things in the kitchen organised and out of sight. Some of the options that are available to you are pull-out cabinets and built-in kitchen cabinets.

Optimise storage with slimmer cabinets and clean lines

When it comes to making a small kitchen feel bigger, optimising storage is crucial. One effective way to do this is by choosing slimmer cabinets. By opting for cabinets with a narrower profile, you can create more floor space and give your kitchen a sleeker look. Not only will this make your kitchen feel more spacious, but it will also provide you with additional room to move around freely.

In addition to slimmer cabinets, incorporating clean lines in your kitchen design can further enhance the sense of space. Avoiding excessive ornamentation and opting for sleek, minimalistic designs will create a streamlined and uncluttered appearance. Consider removing cupboard handles and using push/click catches or integrated handles instead. This will not only give your cabinets a more modern look but also create a roomier feel by eliminating protruding hardware.

In terms of your kitchen sink, choosing a single sink instead of a double sink can make a significant difference in the visual perception of your kitchen. A single sink takes up less counter space and avoids dominating the worktop. This simple adjustment will help create a visually larger kitchen by maximising the available workspace and maintaining clean lines throughout the design.

Investing in a multifunctional kitchen feature such as a kitchen island with storage, or a dining table with built-in drawers could prove to be beneficial for a small kitchen design. These design features can help as they provide an extra place for you to put utensils or other kitchen items which could be the make or break of a bigger and brighter kitchen design.

Share this Post