How To Make A Small Kitchen Look Bigger

Is your kitchen smaller than you’d like? Does it feel cramped? It’s no secret that cramped and poorly lit rooms can affect our mood.

But there’s no reason why a small kitchen can’t look stylish and feel more spacious with a few clever tricks.

Many kitchens in cities like London and Paris are very small, yet they are usually some of the most modern, attractive kitchens around, incorporating both stylish city design and clever space-saving tricks.

If your kitchen is on the smaller side, there are several subtle design tricks to help create the illusion of a bigger kitchen.

Here’s how to make a small kitchen look bigger.

Use light colours

Lighter-colour kitchens are on-trend, and is a great way to visually open up a space.

Once you pick a light colour, though, stick to it.

Homeowners often make the mistake of incorporating an accent wall (one strong, statement wall in a different tone to the rest of the kitchen).

In a bigger kitchen, this can work. But in a smaller space, a strong contrast can create a feeling of division and will ultimately emphasise the true size of the space.

If you do want to add a little colour, play with the appliances and accessories. Keep the walls lights, and introduce colour via tea towels, kettles and toasters.

Add reflective surfaces

Shiny, reflective surfaces bounce light around the room and will make any kitchen feel larger.

Consider using reflective surfaces like:

• Mirrors
• Shiny floors and tiles
• Reflective splash backs
• High-gloss paint
• Stainless steel appliances
• Glossy cabinets

Reflective surfaces paired with under cabinet lighting is a wonderfully subtle way to open your kitchen space.

Consider open shelving

Open storage, such as floating shelves, offers an airier and more open look to your kitchen.

But be careful. This trick can only be done if you’re planning to keep your shelves looking neat and tidy!

If you have cluttered shelves, you risk making your kitchen feel even smaller.

However, if you’re a naturally tidy person, this trick is a great way to open your kitchen! Pairing chunky oak, floating shelves with copper accessories is an on-trend to consider.

Use cabinet lighting

Clever lighting is vital for creating the illusion of a larger kitchen.

Natural light is always best, so if there’s room to add skylights or even a glass door this will instantly make your kitchen feel larger.

But if there’s no room for skylights, adding subtle lighting features underneath wall cupboards or at the bottom of floor units is a great alternative.

The light will fill the shadows under the cabinet and reduce the contrast between dark and light, reducing the impression of a small kitchen.

Also consider using spotlights in place of a lampshade for maximum light.

Replace cabinet doors

Replacing dull, tired-looking cabinet doors will instantly give a fresh feeling to your kitchen.

But if you want to make your kitchen look bigger, opt for reflective cabinet doors with a gloss finish.

Gloss-finish cabinet doors will bounce like back into your kitchen and make the room feel much bigger.

How to make a small kitchen look bigger

Here at Happy Doors, we’re the replacement kitchen doors experts. We often speak to homeowners who are renovating their kitchens and are looking for an affordable way to make their kitchen look modern and stylish.

If size is an issue in your kitchen, take our advice and consider replacing your current kitchen doors.

We think this Zurfiz Gloss Door in the shade white is the perfect cabinet door if you’re looking to make your kitchen look bigger.