6 Tips for Making Your Kitchen Look Bigger Than It Really Is

Many of us dream of living in a home with a big kitchen, with ample counter space, storage, and large appliances. Plus, when you incorporate the right mix of kitchen and dining furniture in the room, you can turn your kitchen into a space where you can entertain guests.

However, achieving that goal takes time, effort, and a lot of resources. If you have a modest kitchen at home, you may have to settle for the meantime. Thankfully, there are several design ideas you can use to make your kitchen appear bigger than it actually is and even help you achieve a more efficient, space-maximizing layout. Here are some tips you can follow.

Use White or a Low-Contrast Color Scheme

The color scheme of your kitchen can contribute to how big or small the space feels. If you want your kitchen to be roomier to look at, lighter or low-contrast colors are your best options. Colors like white, taupe, and soft gray reflect more light, which helps brighten the surroundings and “open” up the area.

To pull this off, however, you have to stick to a cohesive theme. For example, if you want to use white, don’t start and stop with the walls. Embrace the all-white kitchen design by selecting white cabinets and countertops, as well as white dining chairs and dining tables. You can find plenty of options, both new and second-hand, in LookingFour’s ever-growing catalog.

A monochromatic approach eliminates visual clutter, making the room feel airy and spacious. If an all-white look feels too clinical, consider soft neutral tones like light gray or beige. These colors maintain the airy feel while introducing a touch of warmth.

Add Reflective Surfaces

Incorporating reflective surfaces into your kitchen can work wonders in creating the illusion of depth and expansiveness. Mirrored or glossy surfaces, such as glass, chrome fixtures, or shiny tiles, bounce light around the room, creating an illusion of spaciousness. There are several design elements you can use to add a reflective touch to your kitchen, including a mirrored backsplash, drawers with a high-gloss finish, and cabinets with glass panes on the doors.

Consider Your Choice of Cabinets

Speaking of cabinets, they’re one of the most important components of any kitchen. They provide storage spaces for everything in your kitchen, from all your plates and small kitchen appliances to an array of herbs and spices. Although having plenty of cabinets allows you to store more stuff, they can also make your kitchen feel small pretty quickly. Thus, it’s essential to carefully consider your choice of cabinets so that you can get ample storage while maintaining a spacious vibe.

You may want to opt for shorter wall cabinets or open shelving to visually elongate the walls and create a sense of height. Floating cabinets, on the other hand, can add an airy feel to your kitchen; they’re also a great way to incorporate minimalism while maintaining functionality. If you want to be more creative with your cabinetry, you can combine open shelves with closed storage solutions so that you’ll get storage for everyday items while visually expanding the space.

Choose Slender Furnishings and Appliances

Slender furnishings and appliances can maximize your kitchen’s floor space and create a more open environment. They also eliminate the visual heaviness that’s associated with cluttered kitchens, as well as enhance the overall flow of the space. Fortunately, many modern home essentials now have slimmer designs. A tall but narrow refrigerator provides both style and function so you can store a good amount of food while saving on floor space. If your kitchen has a small bar, you can place bar stools with slender legs and a minimalistic design to contribute to a more open and uncluttered look.

Add Adequate Lighting

Proper lighting plays a crucial role in creating the illusion of space in a kitchen. After all, a well-lit space appears larger and more inviting. A strategic combination of natural and artificial lighting, for instance, can eliminate shadows and brighten every corner of your kitchen. Install under-cabinet lighting to illuminate countertop workspaces, as well. This not only enhances functionality but also visually expands the counter area. You can also hang pendant lights to add a decorative element while ensuring even illumination. Pendant lights also draw the eye upward and create an illusion of more vertical space.

Invest in High-Efficiency Storage Solutions

When choosing storage solutions for your kitchen, invest in those that allow you to maximize every available space and designate places for all your essentials. A pull-out pantry or pull-out shelves within cabinets, for instance, let you access items stored at the back with ease. You can also get nested or stackable containers to organize dry goods, utensils, or even pots and pans. Moreover, furniture pieces that serve multiple purposes, such as a kitchen island with built-in storage or a dining table with drawers, reduce the need for additional storage furniture. Selecting these furnishings contributes to a more open and spacious feel in your kitchen.

Even if your kitchen is small, you can incorporate a variety of ideas that can open up the space without having to do any extensive renovations. The simple design tips in this list are easy enough to implement, enabling you to make your kitchen look and feel bigger in no time.