When it feels like the walls are closing in on us in our kitchens, it makes cooking a bit stressful and we may even avoid it altogether. It shouldn’t be that way. The kitchen is the heartbeat of a home, a place for gathering, and a place to create healthy and fun foods. If yours make you feel like you’re cooking in a closet, it’s time to learn how to make your small kitchen feel bigger. Stick with us as we explore some fun options.
Color Me Light
Light colors are the secret to any small space looking larger and brighter. Paint your kitchen walls a nice bright white, yellow, or a soft gray or blue to give it a more open feeling. Complement your light-toned walls with sage green cabinets, evoking an airy and rejuvenating atmosphere. Backsplashes should follow suit as well. Clear glass or white subway tiles are a great choice for small spaces.
Ditch the Clutter
An easy way to get started with decluttering is with some empty boxes or garbage bags. Label them as needed for donation or trash. Clear off those counters to make a better workspace. Do you really need that shot glass collection anymore? Donate, throw out, or pack away as much as possible to open up the kitchen counters. If you have open soffits, consider those areas as well. We tend to fill spaces like that with collections, but they are just adding clutter and shrinking the kitchen.
Open Shelves
Kitchen cabinets are like large boxes hanging on your kitchen walls. We understand—they’re necessary and the more the merrier. Still, in small spaces, cabinets can really shrink the room. Removing an area of cabinets and replacing them with open shelves brings a whole new feeling to the kitchen as well as instant openness.
Become a Minimalist
A bit of a drastic option, but if minimalism is something that’s intrigued you for a while, the kitchen is a great place to start. After decluttering and lightening up the colors, go through all your kitchen decorations, supplies, and gadgets again. Is there still more you can toss out? The point of minimalism is to live with less in order to have less stress. We aren’t saying it’s the answer, but for your small kitchen it is certainly worth a try.
Remodel
Is it time for a remodel to make your kitchen feel bigger? A remodel isn’t in everyone’s budget, but some small changes have a big impact and don’t cost a lot. Remodeling doesn’t have to mean building an addition to expand the kitchen. Consider colors, appliances, lighting, and how you use your space, and you may find a remodel is your best option to make your small kitchen feel bigger.
As you consider some of these ideas to make your small kitchen feel bigger, keep in mind your personality and style as you redecorate and redesign. In the end, your kitchen should feel like an extension of you and an overall fun place to be.
