Get the Most from Your Small Kitchen Design

February 01, 2008

Have home and garden shows caused you to develop kitchen envy? You might grumble about your small kitchen's design. The cramped sink space, the overstuffed lower cabinets, and the too-large overhead cupboards. Fortunately, with some kitchen makeover magic, you can help even the smallest kitchen designs feel open and spacious. Here are some tips to get you started.

Remove Overhead Kitchen Cupboards and Cabinets

High kitchen cabinets can make a small kitchen feel cramped and boxy. Also, towering kitchen cabinets can be tough to reach, which limits their usefulness as storage space. If you have elevated kitchen cupboards, you should remove them with the aid of a professional designer. Then, install open storage, which may include magnetic knife holders, hanging wire baskets, utensil holders, and spice racks. Without your overhead cupboards, your kitchen won't just seem less boxed-in, your knives, Tupperware, and dishes can be readily available.

Amplify Your Space with a Kitchen Lighting Makeover

Do you have fluorescent lights installed in your kitchen? Fluorescent lights can make your kitchen feel flat and uninspired. Try offsetting your fluorescent lighting with some well-placed incandescent lights, which can enhance your kitchen's colors. You should experiment with incandescent lights under the cabinets, on the ceilings, and beneath your base cabinetry. Different positions can create various shadows and light effects that will breathe new life into your kitchen. To highlight your incandescent lights, you might think about repainting. White and pastel colors can reflect light and make a room seem taller.

If you are running short on ideas, investigate home and garden shows. Whether you're considering a small kitchen makeover or a complete remodeling job, home and garden shows can let you preview model kitchens before you make any investments.