Make a Small Kitchen Look Roomier

By H.L. Staples
RefacingCabinet.com Columnist

The self-help movement encourages positive thinking. But when it comes to remodelling a small kitchen, it's best to think negative. Negative space produces a sense of spaciousness in a room. Interior designers make the most of a small kitchen by clearing negative space.

Remodelling for Spaciousness

Here are three home improvement ideas for a roomier kitchen:

• Through a Glass Lightly: Add glass where you can. Glass cabinet doors, glass countertops, glass tables open up the space. Mirrors can also be incorporated as wall hangings and into backsplashes. If you really want to create an improvement in the room's airiness, simply let in more air! Install another window or two.
• Tear Down the Doors: If you'd like to open up your kitchen but don't have the money for a big remodelling job, take down your cabinet doors. Open shelving offers a casual, airy improvement, while also keeping your kitchen items close at hand. If you prefer a more finished look, hire a contractor to custom-build open shelves for your kitchen.
• The Pleasures of Monotony: Walls, cabinets, countertops, and appliances all in light tones keep the eye from settling on one area, which creates the impression of openness. Be sure to include a few dashes of accent color in your remodelling, however. While monotones can create a big improvement with regard to your room's spaciousness, you want to avoid the sensation of looking out over artic tundra.

Positive thinking is generally a good way to approach life. But when it comes to remodelling your kitchen, you're better off dwelling on the negative.  

Source

"Eight Ways To Make A Small Kitchen Sizzle," HGTV

About The Author
H.L. Staples has renovated three older homes and has just purchased her fourth. Her articles have appeared in The Boston Review, Denver Quarterly, The Georgia Review, and elsewhere.