Small Kitchen Design Ideas: Big Functionality

July 12, 2012Dan JonesNo comments

For many homeowners, especially those living in a more urban environment and older homes, the kitchen is not quite as large as one would like. In a perfect world, we’d be able to wish our tiny kitchen away and replace it with a euphoria-inducing cook’s haven.

Sadly, however, genies do not exist, and we have to do what we can with what we have. We have to make our tiny kitchen work for us the best that it possibly can.

But just because your kitchen is tiny doesn’t mean it can’t function like the best of them! Here are several ways to get big benefits from your small space.

Let the light shine in!

Natural light has the wonderful ability to brighten any space and make it seem larger. Don’t block it out with heavy window coverings. Embrace the light! You can also help the light do what it does best by incorporating surfaces it can reflect off of into other parts of the room.

Dark colors crowd

If lighter neutral colors and small kitchens are best friends, then dark color kitchen cabinets, paint, and countertops are the sworn enemies. Dark colors in small spaces tend to feel heavy and have a crowding effect. Stick to lighter colors to make the space seem open and airy.

Smart storage and no upper cabinets

Just like dark colors, too many upper kitchen cabinets can crowd a small kitchen. By removing the uppers, and relying on smart and super functional storage on the bottom cabinets, the walls in your kitchen will seem farther apart, expanding your space. Also, without upper cabinets, you’re granted greater access to your countertops.

Glass doors and open shelving

If you really need more storage, consider upper cabinets with glass doors or open shelving on one side of your kitchen. Open shelves aren’t as visually heavy as solid wood upper cabinets, and glass doors let your eyesight and light travel farther, brightening your kitchen.

Clutter-free is the way to be

This is the easiest tip. Nothing drains the spaciousness of a kitchen like clutter. Keep the countertops clear except for the absolute essentials.