Clever Small Kitchen Remodeling Ideas

Kitchens come in all shapes and sizes, and just because your kitchen might be on the small side, that doesn’t mean you’re limited in what you can do with it.

In many cases, a small kitchen can be an advantage. If you spend a lot of time cooking, a small kitchen keeps everything you need close by and easy to access. They’re more efficient and can free up space in other parts of your home for other purposes.

Best of all, having a small kitchen means you won’t be spending a fortune to give it a fresh new look.

Here are some things to consider when planning your small kitchen remodel project.

1) Take Advantage of the Small Size

In some homes, kitchens are used for more than cooking. They’re where families gather to eat, socialize, play games, do homework, and more.

Small kitchens, however, do better when they’re designed for the kitchen’s primary use—cooking. The benefit of a small kitchen is that everything is usually within easy reach. Pots and pans are an arm’s length from the spices and stove. Knives and counter prep space are near the sink.

When you design a small kitchen, take advantage of the limited space and design it with utility in mind. For example, stand in the cooking area and determine what you would like to have nearest you. Likewise, stand by the sink and dishwasher and think about where you want things like cabinets and drawers.

Consider taking advantage of limited space when sketching out your small kitchen.

2) Consider a Gallery-Style Kitchen

Gallery kitchens were explicitly designed for small spaces.

Essentially, this design revolves around two opposite countertop spaces, one of which usually accommodates the stove, sink, and dishwasher, while the other is for counters, food prep, and cabinets. Usually, the counters and cabinet are against a wall, whereas the cooking side can be either against an opposite wall or sit against a high-top counter that can be used as an eating area.

Another galley kitchen option for long but narrow spaces would put everything along one extended counter with some shelving or shallow cabinets where possible.

While the galley kitchen is considered a “classic” layout for small areas, it can easily be given a sleek, modern look with contemporary-style appliances and fixtures.

3) Replace Cabinets With Open Storage

In some kitchens, overhead cabinets can make you feel closed in and crowded.

While cabinets can work well in many kitchen designs, smaller kitchens can benefit from more open-style storage. Shelves can be easily repositioned and adjusted depending on your changing needs. And everything you need is within easy reach.

Other options include racks for pots and pans, magnetic knife holders, and hanging wire baskets for produce. Spice racks don’t take up much space, are simple to put up, and don’t have to be limited to spices only.

Cabinets are often the most expensive part of kitchen redesign. While they can be seen as essential for many larger kitchens, they don’t have to take over the space of your smaller kitchen.

4) Rolling Kitchen Islands

Kitchen islands make great central food preparation spaces with additional storage spaces. However, if there’s not much space available, they can sometimes get in the way and make a kitchen more challenging to use effectively.

The solution for this would be getting a rolling kitchen island. You can find these in many kitchen goods stores. They tend not to take up a lot of floor space and can be moved as needed in the kitchen area or out of the kitchen entirely when necessary. In addition, rolling islands can provide sturdy counter space and come with storage below for items you want to have nearby but not necessarily immediately on hand.

Tricks For Making a Kitchen Look Bigger

Even after you’ve optimized your kitchen space, you might still get that claustrophobic feeling. To combat that, here are a few tricks to make your kitchen space seem more spacious.

Use Light, Neutral Colors

Neutral color schemes can make kitchens feel more light and airy.

While “neutral” can mean using colors like cream or beige, you aren’t limited to just those two. Grab some paint samples of Apple Crisp, Popped Corn, Gray Owl, Balboa Mist, or similar hues and see what works for you.

Consider Large Tiles

Large tiles can deliver a couple of benefits for small kitchens. First, large tiles give the impression of more space. This works whether your tile is on the floor, backsplash, or the wall. Another benefit is that there’s much less grout to worry about keeping clean, and what’s there is easier to manage.

12-inch tiles can give your kitchen a bold look, and you have numerous color options, so you can pick the ones that suit your kitchen and style best.

Let the Sun Shine In

If you have windows in or near your kitchen space, don’t block them with shades or opaque curtains. Instead, allow the sun to shine in whenever possible to help give your kitchen an open, airy feel.

Depending on your home’s style and architecture, you may also want to consider installing skylights to help bring in some sun.

Good Lighting

If sunlight isn’t viable, you can take control of the lighting situation by installing new light fixtures.

Under-cabinet lighting can give the illusion of more counter space and make a kitchen seem more open. Overhead lights can be put on a dimmer switch so you can control how much light you’re getting at any given time.

Get a New Kitchen Consultation Today

No matter the size of your kitchen, 7 Day Kitchen can help bring your vision to life. We are ready to assist you if you’re planning to redo your kitchen and make better use of your space. Contact 7 Day Kitchen at 980-777-1777 or visit us online to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can help.