There are three major design elements that help determine how spacious a room feels- lighting, color, and materials. If you have a small kitchen and are looking for ways to make your space feel and appear larger, then take these tips from our designers into consideration when remodeling.
Keeping a bright and airy feel flowing throughout the kitchen space gives the illusion of more room. Bright painted walls such as white, cream, and beige open the space and allow light to bounce off the walls. From adding glass front cabinet doors to avoiding contrasting materials, here are tips from our design professionals on making your kitchen look bigger!
1. Add New Cabinets
Let us start with adding new cabinetry to your kitchen. When choosing new cabinets, go for taller-than-standard upper cabinetry. This raises your eye level, making the ceiling feel higher than it is. Taller cabinets also mean more storage space, which we are a fan of.
By adding more hidden storage space in your kitchen, you will free up your countertops. A countertop with no cookbooks, spices, cooking utensils, or appliances will make the space look bigger. When picking your cabinetry, also remember to maximize its function. Choosing to install built-in storage racks or spice pull-outs are great organization features.
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2. Glass Front Cabinet Doors
Another tip our interior design experts recommend making your kitchen appear bigger, is to replace solid cabinet doors with glass-front doors. Glass-front cabinet doors add visual depth which tricks the eye into thinking that the room is more spacious. If going with this option, make sure to choose a white or light wood on the inside of the cabinets to maximize this effect.
Say you do not want to have your guests see exactly what is in your cabinets, you can still achieve this effect by using opaque glass. This still reflects the light and will brighten your kitchen space.
Are you considering a kitchen remodel? you have no idea how to expand or make your kitchen look bigger? Let our experts help. Contact Sea Pointe Design & Remodel for a consultation.
3. Open Up Floor Space
When choosing furniture to go in your kitchen space, a small or foldable kitchen table is a great option. This will give you and your guests more floor space to move throughout the kitchen. Smaller pieces of furniture increase your space for foot traffic and makes cooking more seamless.
A dining table or island are easier to downsize than large appliances such as a refrigerator, stove, or dishwasher. The less clutter in your kitchen, the bigger it will look.
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4. Install Skylights
Another tip to making your kitchen look bigger is by installing skylights. Lighting is such a key component to setting the tone in an atmosphere. Skylights in the kitchen will provide plenty of natural daylight to pour in, making the space appear bright and large.
The additional natural light will not only make the atmosphere feel larger, but it will bring a sense of positivity and calmness to the space. With a skylight, you also create more cabinet space without losing natural light versus having the window on the side of your kitchen. It’s all about maximizing!
5. Add More Storage
Everyone loves more kitchen storage and countertop space. Maximize your small kitchen space by adding cabinetry for hidden storage. In the corner cabinets of your kitchen, be sure to add a Lazy Susan and double-jointed cabinet doors. This design feature takes advantage of the space inside the corner and is great for storing pots and pans.
If you are not a fan of extending your upper cabinets all the way up to your ceiling, that space above can still be great for storing decorative pieces. You can store special occasion serving platters and supplies that you do not need in your reach every day.
6. Avoid Contrasting Materials
Once you choose your bright color for the walls, it is best to not include a bold accent wall that may create a strong visual contrast. A bold contrast like this tends to bring a feeling of segmentation and restricting the space.
Therefore, our designers suggest going with a monotone design in smaller kitchens. Keeping it bright and simple allows the light to move throughout the space and make it feel bigger than it is. You can still add color through other nonpermanent elements such as accessories like dishtowels or flowers.
Related: Small Bathroom Remodeling Ideas
Get your kitchen expansion done right the first time. We’ll help to ensure your redesign isn’t just beautiful but spacious as well. Contact Sea Pointe Design & Remodel today!
7. Install a Sliding Door
Installing a sliding door instead of a swinging door can save so much space in a small kitchen. For instance, a barn-style sliding door takes less room when opening and closing and can also hide other elements when not in use like laundry machines.
Sliding doors do not obstruct foot traffic the way swinging doors do. From wood to glass, there are many options to choose from when considering a sliding door for your remodel. Sliding doors also can give a more modern and minimal design to a space in addition to its great function.
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8. Remove a Wall
Lastly, if you have a larger remodeling budget to spend and are looking to really expand the space in your kitchen, we recommend an open-concept layout. This means you can remove a non-load-bearing wall to create an open floor plan that will enlarge the visual space of your kitchen.
Opening the space will make your kitchen and family room more attractive and functional. However, before getting your hopes up on deciding on which wall you want to remove, make sure to consult with your designer. Not every wall can be removed since some are needed to hold up your house, also known as load-bearing.
Overall, before your remodel your kitchen, we suggest following these tips to make your small kitchen look bigger. A larger space really sets the tone for your living needs and can be helpful when having to entertain family and guests.
From adding new cabinets, to opening your floor plan, to sticking with bright colors and avoiding dark contrasting materials, these are tips to bring to your designer when planning out your space. It is best to work with a professional such as a design and build remodeling firm. Our team of professionals guide you through the process from design to construction with a seamless process, giving you the outcome that you are looking for!
Call us to schedule your complimentary design consultation at (949) 861-3400.
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