Make the most of a small space with these four tips that will open up your kitchen and create the illusion of a larger floor plan
With apartment living on the rise and compact houses becoming more common, it’s easy for a smaller kitchen to feel cramped and closed off. Thankfully, making a kitchen appear bigger and creating a more spacious feel is within easy reach with a few simple tricks.
1. LIGHT COLOURS
Neutrals are a great way to create an airy feel in the kitchen as paler tones reflect light and make the walls appear to recede. Maintaining a similar colour scheme across the walls and cabinetry can reduce the impact of contrasting colours, which can crowd a room. Using simpler elements and clean lines also allows the eye to glide over a space.
2. SMALLER APPLIANCES
Match a compact room with compact appliances. Most come in at least a few different sizes, giving you the option to choose a model that suits your lifestyle and floor plan. Certain types of ovens and fridges were designed with smaller spaces in mind and are narrower or shallower to accommodate this.
3. ABUNDANT LIGHT
Keeping your area light and bright is the easiest way to create a spacious feel. Mirrored splashbacks are perfect for this, bouncing light from all angles around the room. With the added benefit of being very stylish, a mirrored splashback can seriously elevate your kitchen to the next level. Other reflective surfaces like marble benchtops or stainless-steel accents can also create a brighter space.
4. CUT OUT CLUTTER
If you don’t use it, throw it! Minimising non-essentials and keeping benchtops clear allow a room to breathe. Utilising appliance cabinets in the kitchen or in surrounding rooms is a great way to hide less commonly used appliances and keep the space free and functional.
Featured Image: Dulux Colour Awards 2018: Multi Residential Interior, Lt Collins Apartment by DE.ARCH Pty Ltd
Image 2: norsuHOME
Originally in Kitchens & Bathrooms Quarterly Vol. 25 No. 4
