9 Ways to Make Your Small Kitchen Look Bigger (2024)

9 Ways to Make Your Small Kitchen Look Bigger (1)

4 Min. Read

Tearing out walls to create a larger kitchen isn’t in the cards for every renovation. When it comes time to start your kitchen remodel, how can you make the most of your space and be happy with the result when major structural changes can’t be made? Surprisingly, there are many solutions that can help open up a small kitchen and they’re quite convincing. Explore 9 ideas that can make your kitchen appear larger here.

1. Use a White Color Scheme

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Bringing white into your kitchen design will help the room appear larger. Not only does this color reflect light well and brighten your space, but it can also make the ceiling height look taller. Whether you use it for wall cabinets, countertops, or everything, this tip alone is sure to give you the appearance of a larger kitchen.

2. Improve Your Lighting

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Most homes do not have proper lighting for everyday functions. This includes ambient, task, and accent lighting. The easiest way to improve the appearance and size of your kitchen remodel is with updated lighting in all these categories. Your kitchen will be stunning, functional, and your eyes will thank you later.

3. Shorten Your Wall Cabinets

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Do you have a soffit or low ceiling? Remove the soffit if possible and install wall cabinets a minimum of 3”-6” below the ceiling or more if possible. Doing this will draw the eye up giving your kitchen the appearance of a taller ceiling. Creating space between cabinets and ceiling will reflect an airy, open design.

4. Add Reflective Materials

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The easiest way to visually increase your space is by adding reflective materials. This can include glass fixtures, glossy backsplash tiles, or mirrors. Light can reflect and bounce off these finishes making your kitchen look more spacious.

5. Trade Cabinets for Shelving

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Even if kitchen storage is minimal, open shelves can do a lot to enlarge a small kitchen. Shelving gives you the ability to create visual interest, warmth depending upon the finish, and a spacious design. This also give you the opportunity to have fun with some colorful décor and dishes.

6. Use Low-Contrast Color Schemes

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If white isn’t your favorite color, then try using low-contrast color schemes. Light blue, soft gray, or taupe are all great base colors to build from. Accessorize with lighter warm tones or brighter pastels to stay away from a dark closed off kitchen.

7. Choose a Sleek Range Hood

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Your hood choice will dictate the focal point of the kitchen remodel. It can either open up the floor plan or appear too large and bulky. Focus on a minimal design that matches your cabinet style while keeping the space light and uncluttered.

8. Remove the Clutter

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Use high-efficiency storage solutions to keep your small appliances, produce, and other foods off the countertops. In a small kitchen, countertops are valuable real estate, including visually. The less that’s on the countertops, the more spacious the kitchen will seem.

9. Change Perception With Lines

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For narrow kitchens, use lines to influence perception of the space. Any room can appear wider by using horizontal lines to your advantage. Try a long horizontal backsplash tile or subway tile to draw the eye across the room. You can achieve the same effect with horizontal tiled or herringbone flooring while enhancing the kitchen design.

As you can see, there are endless ways to trick the eye and make any room appear bigger. Now it’s up to you to decide which of these tips to use in your upcoming kitchen remodel. Your neighbors will soon be envious of your larger kitchen!

To start your remodel, Explore Cabinets now!

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9 Ways to Make Your Small Kitchen Look Bigger (2024)

FAQs

9 Ways to Make Your Small Kitchen Look Bigger? ›

Widen with horizontal lines

Those horizontal lines make the kitchen feel wider than it really is. Add open shelving to repeat and emphasize those lines and create a cohesive illusion of a larger space. Remember, helping a small kitchen look bigger is more affordable than remodeling it to gain square footage.

How to make your small kitchen look larger? ›

Widen with horizontal lines

Those horizontal lines make the kitchen feel wider than it really is. Add open shelving to repeat and emphasize those lines and create a cohesive illusion of a larger space. Remember, helping a small kitchen look bigger is more affordable than remodeling it to gain square footage.

What color makes a kitchen look bigger? ›

Go with Light Colors

Light colors are more reflective than dark colors and they will make your kitchen appear bigger as well as more open and airy. Light blues, greens, or pale yellows are other great colors to make your space look larger than life.

What kind of backsplash makes a kitchen look bigger? ›

Any room can appear wider by using horizontal lines to your advantage. Try a long horizontal backsplash tile or subway tile to draw the eye across the room. You can achieve the same effect with horizontal tiled or herringbone flooring while enhancing the kitchen design.

What flooring makes a small kitchen look bigger? ›

Install tile flooring

Parquet tiles, for example, laid in a wide herringbone, chevron, or basketweave pattern, will immediately give the impression of a longer and wider space thanks to the way the lines draw the eye outwards. Choose a design and colour that complements your kitchen's existing decor.

What color cabinets look best in a small kitchen? ›

Whites, creams, and light pastels reflect light, making the space more open and airy. These colors create a timeless and classic look, providing a neutral backdrop that allows other elements in the kitchen to stand out.

What is the most popular color for a small kitchen? ›

While conventional wisdom is that white always makes a space look bigger, choosing from the rainbow—bold yellow, rich blue, cozy tan, and fresh pink—allows you to create a more personalized atmosphere.

What color kitchen sells the best house? ›

“Most consumers prefer neutral colors—whites, grays, browns, and perhaps even some shades of antique blues or greens,” she adds. And while black can be a common finish elsewhere in the home, she says Toner discourages its use in the kitchen—a room that ought to feel joyful, bright, and airy.

What backsplash does not go out of style? ›

"Hexagons and herringbone's patterns don't seem to ever go out of style. A herringbone pattern with a Calacatta marble finish makes for a little subtle interest in an all-white kitchen." Angling your tiles is a great way to add interest without breaking the bank for special patterns or adding colored tile.

Should countertop be lighter or darker than backsplash? ›

So, if you have lighter cabinets and countertops, you should incorporate a darker backsplash to provide more visual interest and depth to your space. When you have darker cabinets and countertops, you should bring in a lighter backsplash to make your kitchen feel fresh and inviting.

What type of backsplash is best for a small kitchen? ›

Neutrals ensure the best backsplash for small kitchen

It takes the attention away from cramped or dingy spaces and gives the space a sophisticated effect. However, make sure you choose easy-to-clean materials like quartz, Corian, ceramic or granite when using neutral colours.

What colors make a small kitchen look bigger? ›

Keep colours light, bright and consistent

Bright white or cream is an obvious choice, but don't feel limited. Light greens, yellows, blues and even greys can work well too. Whatever colour you choose, try to make the cabinet doors and walls one consistent colour.

How do you make a small kitchen look classy? ›

20 Ideas for Making a Small Kitchen Look Bigger
  1. Use colour. ...
  2. Add geometric patterns. ...
  3. Use see-through elements. ...
  4. Add mirrors.
  5. Choose reflective surfaces. ...
  6. Opt for open shelving.
  7. Goodbye clutter, hello minimalism. ...
  8. Choose slimmer cabinets.

What is the best color flooring for a small kitchen? ›

Neutral colours like white and cream give natural wood space to shine; stick to pale wood for small or narrow kitchens where dark corners are a risk, or create contrast in a larger kitchen with white units and dark wood floors.

How to increase the size of a kitchen? ›

In many cases, taking down a wall is all you need to do to expand the space of your kitchen. For instance, removing a wall enclosing a breakfast nook gives you length in the room. To add storage that takes up minimal floor space, consider adding a peninsula or an island with seating.

What is the best color for a small kitchen? ›

White paint colours are also perfect for smaller kitchens, helping create a sense of airiness, no matter how limited your square footage is. Use crisp whites and neutrals to coat kitchen walls and cabinets for a bright and airy space that will hold up well for years to come.

How to make a small U-shaped kitchen bigger? ›

Stick to a neutral color palette: Pale colors like white, beige, light gray, and cream will help reflect light so your kitchen appears larger. Pass on plinths: Expand your floor space by leaving off the base plinths on your lower cabinets. This will help your layout look more open and spacious.

Do cabinets to the ceiling make a kitchen look bigger? ›

Using 42" Tall Upper Cabinets

It also helps make the ceiling appear larger by having the cabinets touch the ceiling. But, be warned, the extra space does come with a few caveats.

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