Dark, cramped kitchens can often leave us feeling low, but lighter, brighter spaces have the power to lift our spirits instantly. There are ways to infuse serious style and create the illusion of spaciousness. A kitchen can feel roomy with the right design tricks and ideas regardless of size.
Take inspiration from urban cities like New York, where many kitchens are notoriously small yet inventively designed to be attractive and functional. While you may not be able to change everything about your small kitchen, you can certainly enhance its style and look by implementing these eight ideas provided by professional kitchen remodeling contractors.
8 Ideas by Kitchen Remodel Contractors to Make Your Kitchen Appear Spacious
1. Select Reflective Flooring Materials
One of the most crucial elements of a kitchen is its floor. To make your small kitchen appear spacious, start by changing its floor. The flooring can significantly impact the perceived size of your kitchen. The experts suggest using reflective flooring materials that have the power to make your kitchen floor appear more expansive. This includes:
Polished Tiles
Reflective flooring materials, such as polished tiles, bounce light around the room, creating a sense of spaciousness. Choose light-colored tiles with a glossy finish to maximize their reflective properties and brighten your dull space.
Glossy Hardwood
Second, we have glossy hardwood floors with reflective properties that can make your kitchen feel larger and more inviting. Soft-colored wood like white oak, maple, and red oak with a high-gloss finish can improve the room's brightness and add a touch of elegance to your decor.
2. Utilize Mirrors
The next idea by kitchen remodel contractors is to incorporate mirrors. Mirrors are practical tools for creating the illusion of space in a small kitchen. Here's how professionals suggest you can include them:
Install Large Mirrors
You can install a large mirror on one of the kitchen walls to amplify the sense of space. Position the mirror opposite a window or light source to maximize its reflective properties and brighten your kitchen space.
Mirrored Surfaces
You can also use mirrors instead of backsplashes or cabinet doors because they give a touch of elegance and reflect light, making the kitchen visually exciting and inviting.
3. Lighting Fixtures
Lighting is another feature that can make or break the look of your kitchen. Apart from setting the mood and ambiance of the kitchen, correct lighting can create an airy and open feel. Bright spaces tend to appear larger because light helps to eliminate shadows and dark corners, making the entire room feel more expansive. The kitchen remodel contractors suggest:
Incorporate Natural Light
Ample natural light can work wonders in opening up your kitchen space. Consider adding windows or skylights to introduce more natural sunlight into the kitchen. During remodeling, you can strategically position these openings to maximize light while maintaining privacy.
Install Under-Cabinet Lighting
Another idea is to add lighting underneath cabinets to illuminate the countertop and create a sense of depth, making the kitchen feel larger.
Utilize Overhead Lighting
Next, you can strategically place overhead lighting fixtures, such as recessed lights or pendant lamps, to illuminate the space evenly, eliminating shadows and darkness. Here, a tip is to choose fixtures with adjustable brightness to customize the light according to your needs.
4. Opt for Light-Colored Cabinets
The choice of cabinet color can significantly impact the size and look of your kitchen. Here's why professionals at kitchen remodel contractors suggest that light-colored cabinets are your best bet:
Reflective Properties
Light-colored cabinets, such as crisp whites, soft creams, or pale neutrals, reflect more light, giving the illusion of a larger space.
This brightness creates an airy and expansive atmosphere.
Glossy Finishes
Choosing cabinets made from laminate or glass doors with a glossy finish will reflect light more effectively, making the room feel brighter and more spacious.
Additionally, they are easier to clean and maintain, adding practicality to their aesthetic appeal
5. Maximize Vertical Storage
In a small kitchen, it's vital that you wisely utilize vertical space to maximize storage capacity.
Tall Cabinets and Shelving Units
Experts advise installing tall cabinets or shelving units that reach the ceiling to maximize storage capacity.
Adjustable shelves and pull-out organizers make it easy to customize the storage space according to your needs and bring a minimalist look to your kitchen.
Pull-Out Pantry Shelves
You can also incorporate pull-out pantry shelves or vertical dividers to keep items organized and easily accessible.
These space-saving solutions maximize storage efficiency while minimizing visual clutter, making your kitchen more spacious and functional.
6. Create an Open Floor Plan
With the help of kitchen remodel contractors, you can consider knocking down non-load-bearing walls to create an open-concept layout that merges the kitchen with adjacent living or dining areas. This eliminates barriers and makes the entire space feel larger and more interconnected.
7. Open Shelving Display
Instead of adding tons of shelves that block your kitchen and create dark corners, you can use open shelving to add character and personality to your kitchen. Open shelves make the walls appear farther back, making the kitchen more spacious. From expensive crockery to cookbooks and decorative plants, you can use open shelves to display anything without overwhelming the space.
8. Keep It Clutter-Free
Clutter can make a kitchen feel cramped. Try keeping the countertops clear of unnecessary items and invest in smart storage solutions to keep clutter at bay. Even if you have smart appliances you want to display on counters, make sure they are sleek, small, and can be accommodated nicely in a corner.
Conclusion
If you think transforming your small kitchen into a spacious and inviting environment is unattainable, you are mistaken. It is entirely possible with strategic planning, the right design elements, and ideas. The eight ideas mentioned above will assist you in truly transforming your kitchen into a functional and striking space, offering the perfect balance of coziness and beauty.
This ideal kitchen will bring a smile to your face and seamlessly blend with your home. We hope the ideas provided by kitchen remodel contractors will help you make the most of your kitchen’s available space.
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