Making A Small Kitchen Look Bigger
Homes in the UK have been getting smaller since the 1970s, and the kitchen has not escaped this widespread downsizing.
Kitchen space is at a premium – especially for those living in city flats.
It’s no surprise, then, that many homeowners are looking for ways to make their small kitchen look bigger. Luckily, there are a number of things that you can do to maximise the space in your kitchen.
It just takes a little design know-how.
Keep It Clean, Clear & Light
Dark and dingy, big and bright. These phrases aren’t just alliterative, they’re indicative of something designers have known for a long time.
Light creates space, shadow destroys it.
Maximising kitchen space often means maximising the light in the room.
There are a few ways you can do this. Big windows and reflective surfaces bounce natural light around the room, creating the illusion of a bigger space. This effect can be enhanced by keeping the colour palette simple and light.
It’s also important to minimise clutter on shelves and worktops if you want your kitchen to look bigger. You can see the difference this makes yourself – the next time you do the dishes, notice how much larger the kitchen looks after all the pots and pans have been cleared away.
Reclaim Space With Clever Storage & Multi-function Items
Great lighting might create the illusion of space, but there are ways you can reclaim the space that is already in your kitchen.
There are many clever storage options for the kitchen that can help you to reduce the amount of furniture taking up precious space.
Rollout cabinets, revolving racks and fold-out surfaces are all great ways to fit more in to a smaller space. Extra shelving inside cupboards and double layering drawers can make use of dead air, provide a surprising amount of extra storage for your kitchen.
One interesting option is to use a peg board for kitchen utensils. Not only does this save space, but it also keeps your most used utensils close at hand.
Go Open Plan
Open plan kitchens benefit from a lack of pesky walls taking up space, blocking light and dividing the whole floor.
While it may not be possible for you to go fully open plan with your kitchen, you can achieve some of the same benefits by removing the doors.
If you are able to go open plan, you can keep the kitchen separate from adjoining rooms with a kitchen peninsula.
This is often preferred over a half wall as, while both allow more light in to the kitchen, a peninsula can provide even more options for storage as well as a dual purpose worktop for preparing food and eating it.
Small Kitchens Don’t Need To Be Cramped
A small kitchen doesn’t need to look small. While you might never have a sprawling kitchen island or a massive chest freezer, there are plenty of options for making a small kitchen look much bigger.
So keep it light, keep it clear of clutter and get creative!
