Kitchens in today’s homes are taking on a larger role than ever. As the center of everything, your kitchen space must accommodate both your family’s needs and those of guests. To meet all of these demands, many homeowners look for ways to make a small kitchen look larger. If it looks larger, it will feel larger—and that’s the ultimate goal.
To get the most out of your kitchen, you must first understand what makes a space feel small and cramped versus large and open. Take time to seek inspiration: visit home decorating stores and browse websites to learn about the different products and techniques used in spacious, open family kitchens. You’ll quickly notice that a “large” kitchen isn’t necessarily defined by vast open space, but by well-defined and effectively used space.
Taking Advantage of Paint
Selecting colors for your kitchen is perhaps one of the most defining and gratifying steps in design. The mood, character, and style of the room all hinge on this one choice. So where do you start, and what should you be thinking about?
Understand the Rules of Color
We’ve all heard that dark colors make a room feel small, while light colors make it feel large. Is that true? Not exactly. Many people fall into this trap and end up with light-colored rooms that still feel tiny—or dark rooms that feel empty and dull.
The real rules of color have less to do with the actual hue and more to do with technique. Using dark colors with proper shading and placement can make a room feel just as spacious as uninspired, washed-out neutrals.
Create an Illusion
Start with your primary color and have it mixed in two slightly different shades. You’ll need your base color plus a version of that same color that’s just one shade lighter. Your local paint technician can help you with the mixing.
Apply the darker shade to the walls closest to the kitchen entrance and use the lighter shade on the farthest walls. This subtly draws the eye inward, exaggerating the room’s length and making it feel deeper. It’s a tried-and-true trick used by interior designers to make a small kitchen look larger.
Creating Space with Flooring
Use Larger Tile
Some assume that many small tiles will create the illusion of a bigger room, but that’s a myth. Using larger tiles (18″ or more) instantly gives the impression of a more expansive space. The psychology is simple—if you’re laying large tiles, the mind assumes the room must be big enough to accommodate them.
Lay Tile Diagonally
Laying tile diagonally instead of in a straight line can trick the eye into perceiving more space. This method eliminates harsh edges and creates a visual flow that extends beyond the room’s physical borders. Avoid stiff lines, which highlight the room’s true dimensions—something you want to downplay in a small kitchen.
Create Space with Light
Natural Light
Resist the urge to heavily dress your windows. The more natural light your kitchen receives, the larger it will appear. Sunlight and soft shadows can define and uplift a space more effectively than any elaborate curtain or drape.
Install Light Fixtures to Scale
While dramatic chandeliers and exotic light fixtures may be beautiful, few small kitchens have the space to support them. Fortunately, many lighting options replicate the look and feel of larger designs in smaller, more practical sizes. Think carefully about how much light you need and select lighting that is both stylish and functional. There’s nothing worse than entering a kitchen where the light fixture becomes the focal point, overshadowing the rest of the design.
Under-Cabinet Lighting
Installing under-cabinet lighting can expand your kitchen visually by highlighting more of the space. It also sets a peaceful, ambient tone—perfect for a cozy evening in.
Open the Room with Cabinetry
Cabinet space in a kitchen is essential, and cutting down on it isn’t always realistic. Instead of removing cabinets, consider updating their look to achieve a fresh, uncluttered feel.
Paint or Stain with Lighter Colors
If your kitchen walls are dark, using lighter paint or stain on the cabinets can balance the space and reduce visual heaviness. Since cabinets function like the “furniture” of your kitchen, lightening them up can make the room feel bigger overall.
Glass Cabinet Doors
Cabinet doors are often bulky and utilitarian, meant to hide away clutter. Replacing some of your upper cabinet doors with glass or Plexiglas can create a more open, airy feel. This small adjustment adds visible depth, making the space feel larger and less closed in.
Take Advantage of Appliance Options
Perhaps the priciest route to a bigger-feeling kitchen is through appliances—but the impact is undeniable. As homeowners become more space-conscious, appliances are being designed in new, compact, and efficient forms.
Oven and Stove Top
Today’s appliance stores offer a wide range of oven and cooktop styles. One of the best modern solutions is separating the oven and cooktop—installing a wall oven and a countertop cooktop. This setup removes the need for a bulky range and can free up significant space, instantly making your kitchen feel larger.
Counter-Width Refrigerator
A recent innovation, the counter-width refrigerator offers the same functionality as a traditional fridge, but with a shorter width. That can save six to eight inches of floor space—seemingly small, but extremely valuable in a compact kitchen.
Built-In Microwave
Counter clutter is a major reason kitchens feel cramped. Opting for built-in appliances, like a microwave installed above the stove, removes visual and physical clutter. Bonus: built-in microwaves can also function as vent hoods and include overhead lighting.
Whether your budget allows for a complete renovation or just a few smart upgrades, there are many ways to make a small kitchen look and feel larger. And most importantly, remember this: a kitchen that looks bigger, feels bigger—and that should always be your goal. The trick isn’t necessarily to create more space, but to use the space you already have more wisely.
