Not all of us have the luxury of an abundance of space at home. Unfortunately, feeling cramped in your kitchen can make cooking more difficult and laborious. Don’t worry. There are quite a few ways to make a small kitchen seem more spacious than it actually is. Here are just a few tips!
Have Some Open Shelving
Storage spaces are essential in small kitchens. Having all the storage in your kitchen as cabinets makes sense in terms of practicality, but don’t dismiss having floating shelves too. First, they make your kitchen feel airer and brighter. And, by having your most pleasing kitchen and dining items on display, they also become spaces that add visual interest and personality.
“’I think there is an instinct in small kitchens to fill every millimeter of wall space with cabinetry – the famous pursuit of ‘more is more’ storage,” says interior designer Ashley Macuga to Homes and Gardens. “The result can make a smaller kitchen feel heavy with the weight of the boxes.”
She adds, “We encourage clients to keep an open mind to floating shelves even in more petite spaces. Not only can they be very functional, allowing easy access to your most used items – but they also allow for negative space in a room, which is what enables light to filter in and fill in where cabinetry is not.”
Think About Lighting
Kitchens benefit from having three types of lighting: ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting. These create atmosphere and make a room feel comfortable to be in even if it is on the small side.
Ambient lighting is your ceiling lights which illuminate the whole room. Task lighting in the kitchen is placed under the cabinets and over the counters so you can see properly while you meal prep and cook. Accent lighting, which includes overhead pendant lights, not only provides additional lighting but also beautifies and adds style to the space.
Use Color and Paint to Your Advantage
There’s nothing wrong with an all-white kitchen. It’s a classic choice. For those of us who prefer a little more color though, for small kitchens, try a lighter shade paired with a neutral with the same undertone—either cool or warm. This will give the feeling of a brighter and airier space.
If you’re painting your cabinets, avoid flat sheens if you can. Instead, go for glossier finishes as these will bounce light around which can also make your kitchen seem larger. Bonus, glossier sheens are easier to clean too.
Need paint suggestions? Boysen Quick Drying Enamel has a glossy finish that’s both durable and beautiful. If you really want an impressive shine, there’s Boysen Automotive Lacquer too—just note that this coating is for interiors only and shouldn’t be exposed to sunlight.
Good luck!
If you have any questions or inquiries about Boysen products, our technical team will be happy to assist you. Send an email to ask@myboysen.com or call (02) 8363-9738 local 413 to 418 during office hours for a one-on-one consultation.
