A small kitchen was suitable ‘back in the day’ because it was not a place where everyone congregated. It was just a space for preparing food, cooking, and cleaning up dishes.

Now, kitchen spaces are easily among the most important in any modern home. Not least because they tend to be used on a very frequent basis for a variety of tasks and are often the hub of the home. However, if you have a small kitchen and can’t take out any walls to expand the space, then clever design solutions may be required. After all, it’s not the size that matters. It’s how you use it that truly counts.

Fighting back against limited space needn’t be the difficult challenge you’ve imagined. Take advantage of five simple tricks and you’ll find that the kitchen feels bigger and better than ever. What are you waiting for? Let’s get to work.

Small Kitchen BIG Improvements

Encourage more light.

This can be done in several ways. Upgrading to LED lighting can make a noticeable impact while brighter colour schemes for walls and furniture also help. The best trick, however, is to increase natural lighting.

Depending on the structural layout of your home, you may be able to install a glass roof over a section of your kitchen. Or can a green house window be installed? These are windows that extend out from the exterior wall in a boxed effect providing extra light from above and the side.

If these options aren’t possible, clear foliage from around the window and make smarter decisions on blinds or curtains. By removing obstacles to letting in more light and framing a window, you can completely transform a small kitchen vibe.

Utilise the storage space.

Wasted space is easily the greatest contributor a poorly designed small kitchen. Every inch matters. This is why a professional cabinet maker can work wonders for the room by building items for the exact specifications. Can you fit a slim, vertical, pull-out shelves between the fridge and the wall? This very clever solution is excellent for storing herbs and small jars.

Likewise, simple ideas like adding shelves or attaching a bin to the inside of the sink cabinet door can claw back valuable room. You don’t want to overcrowd the space, so making use of hidden areas can make a world of difference.

Bring personality to walls.

The kitchen shouldn’t feel bland and lifeless. This is an area where you spend a lot of time, which is why the character and charm are important features. Trading boring features for stylish splashbacks adds identity as well as function.

Similarly, decorative accessories bring a burst of fresh energy on a minimal budget without eating up the available space. While this doesn’t directly change the dimensions, it leaves more free space for improved perceptions.

Install sliding doors.

This option is perfect for homeowners with kitchens that lead onto the backyard. Still, when this is the situation, blending the internal and external areas can make the biggest impact of all.

This is a fairly costly task, but the impact is huge, especially if you have a deck or patio area. You’ll gain more natural light, and will feel like the whole garden has become a part of the kitchen. It also makes the home feel more practical when enjoying the backyard.

Otherwise, consider a sliding entry door to the kitchen or sliding upper cupboard doors which are very slick and slim for a small kitchen.

Go high, not wide.

Kitchens utilise a variety of appliances. Opting for a fridge freezer rather than two separate items can save floor space. Meanwhile, if the washing machine can double up as a dryer, you may find that there is more room for other items.

This can also allow you to use some of the counters as a breakfast bar. Taking this option over the idea of an island leaves the middle areas of the room open. When space is limited, this is arguably the most crucial factor of all.

Plush Design Interiors – Kitchen Design

Do you have a small or awkward kitchen space? Contact Plush Design Interiors to book an Interior Design Report with visuals and recommendations for just $AUS550