10+ Experts Share Tips to Make Small Kitchens Look Bigger

Limited space can be a hassle when renovating your kitchen.

So we’ve reached out to 13+ experts in decluttering, interior design and home organization with one question: “What’s your #1 tip to make a small kitchen look bigger?”

These tips can transform your compact kitchen into a more functional and visually appealing area.

Here they are:

1. Opt For Neutral Colors

Christine (Little House On The Corner)

The choice of paint color is vital when making a small kitchen look spacious. Opt for neutral colors like white or light grey.

These hues can reflect light, create an open atmosphere, and make the space feel larger than it is.

To create visual interest without overwhelming the space, consider incorporating a high-contrast color by adding dark lower cabinets, or a bold backsplash.

2. Hidden Furniture

Jules Yap (IKEA Hackers)

Hidden furniture is a great way to make a small kitchen look and feel bigger. A kitchen with too many furniture pieces can seem cluttered.

If you can hide them when not in use, you'll free up precious floor space to move about during meal prep. Visually, there's breathing space.

Hidden furniture need not be complicated. It can be a simple compact rolling cart with a butcher block top.

Roll it into place when needed and tuck away when not in use. Without a fixed kitchen island, your small kitchen will feel more spacious and efficient.

3. Minimize The Clutter On Your Countertops

Melanie (A Small Life)

To make a small kitchen look bigger, my easiest and least expensive trick is to minimize the clutter on your countertops.

By removing unnecessary clutter and storing necessary kitchen tools in drawers or on shelves, you'll create the illusion of spaciousness.

Clearing your countertops helps your kitchen feel lighter, brighter and bigger without taking much time or money.

Small kitchens are all about efficient organization to make the most of them.

My #1 tip to make a small kitchen look bigger is a simple but effective one: clear the clutter off counter surfaces.

By clearing everything off as much as possible, the eye has less to land on in a narrower focus, which visually opens up the space instantly.

Space is tight so everything in its place out of sight makes a big difference!

4. Consider Appliance Garages

Stacey Lapuk (Stacey Lapuk Interiors)

Consider appliance garages along the back wall recessed under the upper cabinets to hide appliances providing a sleeker look.

Also, use horizontal stripes in rugs, or a horizontal or diagonal installation of hardwood to visually expand a space.

For instance:

This kitchen in the Pacific Heights neighborhood in San Francisco has an appliance garage built into either side of the cooktop with tambour doors.

The hardwood runs horizontally and the cabinets go all the way up to the ceiling. The light fixtures lead one into the space (as opposed to one fixture in the center).

This larger kitchen also has the cabinets go up to the ceiling, and the vertical boards and pattern of glass on the doors help lead the eye up expanding the height.

The pewter in the coffers connects you back the hood and the red tile detail around the top of the backsplash, above the cooktop help connect the red counter stone, and bring your eye around the space pulling it all together.

 The Sea Ranch kitchen creates expansiveness by highlighting the view.

Note the range hood mimics the shape of the window, and the lines in the limestone countertops and the run of the white tiger wood floors all direct you to the window.

5. Don’t Try To Squeeze In A Freestanding Island

Beth & Jon (Fresh Start Living)

•  Don’t try to squeeze in a freestanding island if you don’t have the space. You’re better off having a peninsula off one of the kitchen runs, negating the need for 360 space around the island.
• Make sure you keep the work surfaces clear of small appliances and clutter.  You can do this by maximizing storage in the base units with pull out drawers rather than fixed shelving.

6. Considering Open Shelving Cabinets

Kel Harmer (Oh So Kel)

Consider replacing a wall cabinet with open shelving, which will immediately give the impression of more space and provide an opportunity to style items from the kitchen so as not to lose the storage.

Stacked bowls, wooden boards stood upright, a collection of mugs and pretty canisters all bring charm, but try to keep a cohesive scheme through color or neutral textures.

If open shelving is not for you, replacing a solid door with a glass one will also help.

7. Using Mirrored Splashbacks

Emily Brookes (Emily May Designs)

Mirrored splash backs can work wonders to make a small kitchen feel larger, visually enlarging the space and adding a touch of elegance to your kitchen.

For a Parisian chic look, try using an antiqued mirrored splash back over a range cooker.

This small change can have a big impact creating a focal point that will have the added benefit of making your small kitchen feel much much larger and brighter.

8. Stay As Monochromatic As Possible

Sofia Joelsson (Sofia Joelsson Design)

The key to making a small kitchen look bigger is to stay as monochromatic as possible; you can always jazz up the kitchen with a fun reflective backsplash and some decorative hardware.

Also, a key is to hide all appliances with panels so everything looks cohesive.

9. Maximizing Natural Light

Reena Simon (Hygge For Home)

Maximizing natural light is my top tip to make a small kitchen look bigger. Brightening up the space with natural light creates an illusion of openness and airiness.

Consider installing large windows or even a roof light if that is an option, or opting for glass cabinet doors to allow light to penetrate deeper into the room.

I have used this approach for my recent kitchen project for The Main Company where I designed a kitchen for their showroom, with no access to natural daylight or windows.

Choose Light colored paint

Additionally, choose light-colored paint for walls and cabinets to reflect light and create a sense of expansiveness.

Mirrors strategically placed can also enhance the feeling of spaciousness.

By letting in as much light as possible, you can transform even the smallest kitchen into a more open and inviting space.

10. Install Floor-To-Ceiling Cabinetry

Eve Gunson (Dot + Pop)

One of the best tips to make a small kitchen look bigger is to install floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, avoid bulkheads or overheads that stop short of the ceiling.

This design choice not only maximizes storage space but also creates a seamless and cohesive look that gives the kitchen a more designer and polished appearance.

We hope you get some helpful tips to maximize your small kitchen.

Now it’s your turn.

What is your favorite tip? Do you have additional tricks? Tell us by commenting below.