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Cramped and dark rooms can make us feel low, whereas walking into a lighter, brighter room can instantly lift your spirits.

There is no reason why a small kitchen can’t exude some serious style and feel more spacious than it actually is. A kitchen of any size can feel roomy if you know some simple design tricks to make the most of the space.

Many kitchens in urban areas such as London, New York and Paris are famously small, yet they are arguably some of the most attractive kitchens around, reflecting both stylish city living and some ingenious space saving solutions.

If you have a bijoux kitchen, there are a number of design tricks to create the illusion of a bigger space and maximise every square inch:

1. Use colour

Changing the colour of your kitchen is a low-cost, simple update that will immediately make a space feel bigger. White kitchens are on-trend and this is the best colour for visually opening up a space.

If you want to go for something brighter, yellow can create a welcoming, sunny kitchen, giving a country vibe even in the middle of a city.

Green is a colour that symbolises the natural world and tranquility. Pale green and teal are on-trend shades and the perfect colours for adding touches to a white kitchen. Complement this look with some delicate green plants or flower arrangements.

2. Add geometric patterns

Geometric patterns are highly fashionable in art and interior design at the moment. Instagram is filled with geometric patterned tablecloths, rugs, blankets and cushions, which are ideal for a small kitchen as you can use these patterns to create the illusion of more space, whilst making your kitchen look like it is straight out of an interior design magazine.

Patterns can be used to accent a small kitchen but don’t overdo it - if you use too much pattern you can make a small space feel overcrowded and too busy.

Geometric patterns can draw the eye vertically or lengthways to give the impression of a longer, taller kitchen. Urban subway tiles can give the sense of opening up the most miniscule area. The thick black lines between the subway tiles give the illusion that the kitchen is bigger.

If you can’t afford to change your kitchen tiles, a geometric can provide the same visual effect.

3. Use see-through elements

An unobstructed physical and visual path will make your kitchen look bigger. If you keep the sight lines in your kitchen open, your eye will continue to see through the space rather than come to an abrupt halt.

Clear plastic chairs, floating islands and bar surfaces, backless barstools or glass pendant lights all help to achieve this effect.

4. Add mirrors

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Mirrors are well-known to make a room feel more spacious, but it’s amazing how many people only use mirrors in the bedroom or bathroom, but don’t think to use mirrors in the kitchen.

A super-size mirror covering one wall can look extremely striking, especially when reflecting back a table or kitchen worktop which is sitting flush against it.

You can also use mirrored splashbacks or mirrored cupboards to create the same illusion.

5. Choose reflective surfaces

In addition to mirrors, other reflective surfaces can also make a kitchen feel bigger.

Consider:

Glass tiles
Shiny floors
High-gloss paint
Stainless steel appliances
Glossy cabinets

6. Opt for open shelving

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Open storage gives a more airy and spacious look in your kitchen. Remove some cabinet doors and take a step back - immediately you will see that there is an illusion of more space.

However, this trick can only be done if your cupboards aren’t currently bursting. If you have cluttered shelves you will only make the space feel even smaller!

Copper shelving is on-trend and super chic - if you are a naturally neat and tidy person this would make a stunning addition to increase the feeling of space.

7. Goodbye clutter, hello minimalism

The minimalist look works well for creating more kitchen counter space and helps create the illusion of a bigger kitchen. Avoid ornate, overly decorative details and keep the look fuss free for long sightlines and a roomier feel.

If it looks like you don’t have enough space for your all your stuff in the kitchen, the space will look cramped and small.

Stick to a rule of making sure that kitchen surfaces are always clear and that every item in the kitchen has a storage space. This includes keeping the space above your kitchen cupboards clutter-free. In a small kitchen you have to be ruthless with any items you don’t use and donate them to a charity shop.

Investing in a steaming hot water tap with allow you to free up a kitchen surface as you’ll no longer need a kettle.

Integrating a food waste disposal in your kitchen sink will allow you to get rid of that unsightly food waste caddy or bin.

8. Choose slimmer cabinets

Slimline base cabinets have a reduced depth - a handy trick which instantly provides that little bit more floor space, whilst visually looking like a standard cupboard. You won’t be able to fit bulky items in slimmer cabinets, but can hang your pots and pans from the ceiling and utensils from hooks underneath cupboards.

9. Stick to clean lines

Remove cupboard handles and use push/click catches or integrated handles at the side of the cupboard doors to create a much more roomier, sleeker small space. You also won’t catch your clothes on door handles - so annoying in a narrow galley kitchen!

10. Opt for a single sink

Choosing the right kitchen sink is important when planning and designing small kitchens. Take advantage of the fact that single butler sinks are fashionable - there is no need to get a double sink which will dominate the worktop and make your kitchen look smaller.

Single butler sinks are perfect for a small kitchen as they have depth so you can fit your pots and pans in them, but they don’t take up much space.

Another benefit is that if you have a last minute guest arriving, you can quickly hide away any dirty dishes or clutter in the sink!

11. Choose a compact dishwasher

Compact dishwashers are ideal for smaller households and don’t take up much space.

Standard dishwashers come in a standard 600mm width but compact dishwashers measure 450mm width, saving 150mm which makes a real difference in a small kitchen.

12. Pick a slimline fridge

Another appliance that you can put on a diet is your fridge! Slimline fridges are again great for a small household.

You might have to change your food shopping style to shop more frequently, but the food will only be fresher for it. Remember that many foods that people refrigerate can actually be stored outside the fridge, such as eggs, vegetables and bread.

13. Choose integrated appliances

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Integrated appliances blend in with the rest of your kitchen, usually with the same door front as the rest of the kitchen. A guest might have to open a number of cupboards before they find your fridge, but the overall look of the kitchen will be sleek and will appear bigger than a muddle of different designs.

14. Use cabinet lighting

Lighting is vital for creating a seemingly larger kitchen. The more light, the bigger the space will feel. Natural light is preferable, so if you have the opportunity to put in skylights or glass doors this will make your kitchen instantly feel larger.

Alternatively, add lights underneath wall cupboards or at the base of floor units. Make sure that you don’t use a lampshade that decreases the amount of light. Spotlights are ideal for maximum light.

15. Knock down a wall

If you can knock down an internal kitchen wall to flow into a larger space and create a natural extension of the area - do it!

If you don’t want to lose the functionality a wall can provide, then you can knock down the wall halfway and create a breakfast bar with the remaining half wall by adding a work surface and some stools. Alternatively, you can use a low half wall for storage shelves.

16. Look up

Another visual trick is to guide the eyes upwards with vertical lines on the kitchen walls, a striking lighting fitting or geometric window or glass dome. You will create an impression of more height and therefore make a small kitchen look larger.

17. Let the sunshine in

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Sunlight beaming into a small kitchen will make it look bigger. Keep the windows simple and free from blinds and curtains.

18. Use a horizontal stripe

Horizontal stripe wallpaper is a clever way of making a kitchen seem wider - especially useful for the end of a galley kitchen. Keep the shades of the stripes light and gentle in a small space - pastel shades are perfect.

19. Consolidate your workspace

If you are redesigning your kitchen you can free up your workspace by building your microwave into the cabinetry and keeping the oven and cooking area together in one set zone.

Use an appliance garage for small appliances, which allows you to keep appliances like a toaster and blender plugged in but hidden away. The decluttered kitchen surfaces will immediately make the space feel more bright, airy and aesthetically pleasing.

20. Keep the personal touches small

Personal touches to your kitchen reflect your personality and make the space feel like home, however too many kids’ paintings and novelty tourist magnets stuck to the fridge and little trinket pots on the windowsill will make a small kitchen feel too busy and more claustrophobic.

Select your favourite ornaments and arrange them on a shelf and frame any special artwork.
A trendy pinboard, chalkboard or mesh noticeboard can also create a single space for notes rather than a messy fridge surface, giving a feeling of order and more space.

Check out other ways to make the most out of your small kitchen.

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20 Ideas for Making a Small Kitchen Look Bigger