The kitchen is well known to be the most utilised area in the majority of households. So when you’re working with a small space, it can feel frustrating and limiting. Luckily, with a little creativity and organisation, a small kitchen space can be transformed into your dream cookery. All it requires is an inventive mind, allowing the space to show its true potential.
From paint tricks and illusions to storage hacks and interesting lighting, we’ll be discussing all of the best tips and tricks to transform that small kitchen space into a room you’ll be proud to host in. Hopefully keeping the costs involved with getting a new kitchen nice and low.
Keep it Light and Airy
Dark colours are well-known to make an already small space claustrophobic. One of the worst things you can do to a small room is to give it a dark theme. Keep your shades light and airy when working with a small kitchen, to give the illusion of a larger space. Stick to neutrals like beiges and creams. If you decide to go pure white, make sure you decorate accordingly for a more homely feel, to avoid making the area too clinical.
If you’re dead set on using colour, use a soft, muted tone like a light sage, or pastel. Or, try focusing the colour in one specific area of the room, such as a brightly coloured fridge or bar stools.
Work With Light
Lighting is a huge factor in ensuring your space looks as large as it can be. If your kitchen has sufficient window space, work with natural light to ensure as much of your kitchen is filled with it as possible. If you don’t have much natural light in your favour, use clever lighting to brighten up the space.
Just like with dark paints, dull rooms tend to look smaller and more confined. Add spotlights to your flooring, ceiling or under your cupboards, install under cabinet lighting to brighten up your work surfaces, and fix an extra light to those hard-to-reach, dark corners. The more light, the better!
Install Slim Counters
In a kitchen, countertops and cabinets tend to take up the most space, leaving you with barely any room to move.
One way to save space is to opt for slim counters. Rather than go for a bulky, average-sized cabinet, invest in smaller 20mm-thick or even 12.5mm thick designs. This will give you the space you need to fit in more storage and appliances and allow you to manoeuvre around your kitchen without feeling confined.
Add Mirrors
Ah yes, the age-old trick. When we see mirrors mainly in bathrooms and bedrooms, a lot of us tend to forget we can literally install them anywhere. And when they give an illusion of extended space in your home, why wouldn’t you?
Why not create a mirrored shelving design on a focal point wall, or between your upper and lower cabinets to create the illusion of a bigger space? A great option for allowing your room to extend its full potential, with the added bonus of extra storage space!
Declutter Your Space
A lot of us are grade-A hoarders, and it can be hard to get rid of belongings no matter how little we use them. But the more cluttered our homes are, the smaller they feel – and the smaller they actually become!
Rummage through your kitchen cupboards thoroughly and get rid of any items you haven’t used in the last 6 months – you’ll thank us later. Freeing up space in your compact kitchen can allow you to neatly organise the rest of your appliances, crockery and cutlery, and keep your countertops clean and refreshed.
Hidden Storage Solutions
Really think about how you can increase the amount of storage space in your compact kitchen, without minimising the space you have. There are plenty of alternative storage options to just having cabinets, such as storage furniture. Invest in storage seating, a great multitasker to keep you and your guests comfy, whilst hiding your clutter.
Use the space you wouldn’t usually think of. Cabinet tops? Add some cute wicker storage boxes. Extra shelving? Perfect for your extra cups, plates and spices. Wall hangers? Fantastic for your larger kitchen utensils.
Fold Away Furniture
Having furniture always present in a compact kitchen doesn’t always work how we’d like it to. If you’re tripping over your dining chairs, and table legs, why not try some foldable furniture options?
Fold-away furniture has a reputation for looking cheap and unappealing, but many modern versions of foldable chairs and tables are extremely stylish and in trend for a minimalist vibe.
On your next day off, head down to your nearest IKEA and scope out some pretty, Norwegian-styled foldable pieces!
