11 Ways To Make Your Small Kitchen Bigger

View our small kitchen design ideas page for inspirational ideas for decorating your small kitchen!

Big ideas for a small kitchen!

Grand dreams but short on space? What can you do when you have a small, cramped kitchen but dream of something bigger? Even if you cannot physically expand space, there are definitely things you can do. Here’s a few:

1. Know What You Want

First please - and I mean it - face it: you won’t have everything in a small kitchen you’d have in a large one. So think through what you really need - I think the first thing is cooking. Entertaining, laundry and the in-house cat paradise probably comes after, if ever. When you’re ready, concentrate on these functions and priorities. Now let’s see what you can do:

2. Storage (and more storage)

Even if your kitchen is small, it will hold much more things you’d think at first. With deeper countertops (and cabinets), ceiling-high pull-out pantries you can store everything you need.

You can create storage space with drawers in unused places: below the oven, beneath the sink, behind the toe-kick (It’s way down there, I know, but why just collect dust there if you need the space?)

3. Open Storage

Cabinets are great and all, but if you cram your kitchen full of them, it will feel even more closed-in. Consider using shelves, bars, racks for a lighter feel.

4. A Clever Layout

In most small kitchens you don’t really have that many choices in terms of layout, do you? Yes, you do. You might not have an island or two there, but even by just keeping the basics (like the work triangle) in mind, you’ll save a lot of headache.

5. Downsize

A huge fridge can be fantastic, if you have the space. Even if you can afford it, it’s not practical to put large appliances into a small kitchen. For example: if you don’t need four (or five or six or…) burners, there are stoves with only two of them. A sink with one larger bowl is better than one with two smaller ones. If you’re single, you don’t need a full-scale dishwasher: there are ones only 2/3 the width of the standard ones. You can even find dishwashers as small as a drawer. If you have a smaller microwave oven, you can hang it underneath a cabinet, so you get more counter space.

6. Open It

If your apartment allows it, consider opening up your kitchen towards your living room. While it probably won’t make the space pyhsically larger, it will surely make it feel that way. Ensure you have a proper hood installed.

7. The Grand Look

OK, you have your kitchen with the most clever layout, most efficient storage ever and just the ideal appliances. But your kitchen still feels small. Let’s create the illusion of something grander. Small miracles do exist, but don’t expect the Taj Mahal in your condo please.

8. Use Glass

Glass lets you see through things, thereby enhances the feeling of space. Use glass in a counter, a tabletop, or glass cabinet doors Use clear glass only if you’re very-very orderly. A glass door into the next room also expands space.

Mirrors are a classic trick: place a few (if you can, larger) in the good place and your space will expand like never before.

9. Lights

Recessed under-cabinet lights make a kitchen appear larger. Consider adding lights directed to the countertop from underneath the cabinet, for an even more airy feeling. Lights below the toe-kick make your cabinets float.

10. Colors

Light colors make everything look bigger. (Bad for clothing, good for your kitchen!) Paired with generous amounts of glass, a light color will make your space feel light and airy. Beware, however, light colors (especially green or blue-ish) tend to be cool - spice up your kitchen with brightly colored appliances or accessories.

Alternatively, you can go for a cozy feeling by choosing dark, rich colors if you’re entertaining, rather than cooking in your kitchen: it will make the space look small but inviting.

11. Pattern

Diagonal patterns on the backsplash, on wall tiles and flooring also create an expansive effect. If you use patterns right, you can steer attention where you want it to go as well.

And there you have it. Your new kitchen. Now how does it feel?

About Peter

Spanned from his kitchen remodel project, Peter writes about the things he has learnt in the process and things he finds at his blog, http://www.planakitchen.com. Read Peter’s great posts on step-by-step planning for a new kitchen.

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