Breathing New Life Into Smaller Home Kitchens

Images courtesy of Diane Berry Kitchens

The humble kitchen is undoubtedly the hub of the household, the room in which daily exploits are planned and often ended.

It is frustrating when this space is much smaller than needed.

Without having to contemplate house renovations and extensions, there are very simple ways to breathe life into your kitchen making it feel brand new.

Here are a few introductory tips which are hugely influential:

SCALE DOWN

Most importantly, the kitchen must be viewed as a functional living space. Creating a visual dream kitchen is of no worth or help if it is impractical and awkward to work in.

Consider scaling things down a little.

Clear out those things you may have never used or no longer need, and consider having smaller appliances. Scaling down will not only declutter your kitchen but also empower you to use the space more efficiently.

Returning to basics will help you realise what is essential and highlight what you can live without in the kitchen.

OPEN THINGS UP

When your space is full to bursting, and you don’t have room to tidy away things neatly, it’s time to think outside the box…..or the kitchen units. 

Using open storage not only solves a practical problem but also adds decoration and character. Be smart when choosing items such as ceiling racks for pots and pans, magnetic knife holders, and a good variety of shelves, etc. This practical approach to storage will make you feel resourceful and in control of your kitchen space.

This allows your kitchen to be not only decorative but also fabulously functional!!

NEGATIVE SPACE

Designers regularly use the term “negative space.” It refers to how one can create a sense of enhanced spaciousness by simply incorporating glass and plastic.

Because these materials can be seen through, they add an illusion of space and brightness. For example, glass panels in cupboard doors or a glass-topped table. This doesn’t require a large degree of effort or, indeed, the need to change the space, but the benefits are marvellous, and the end result is a kitchen with added brightness and sparkle.

LIGHT IT UP

When lighting your kitchen, following the same guidelines as you would for other interior living spaces is critical.

For the kitchen, which is more petite, installing additional tasks and feature lighting would bring about the most immediate and effective changes. This would light the areas of the room that are dark or affected by shadows.

Additionally, consider the colour of the lighting used in your kitchen. There is a huge difference between the effect of a fluorescent strip bulb and that of a coloured LED bulb.

Explore the different choices you have, and why not try something different? Don't be afraid to experiment with lighting to create a unique and inviting atmosphere in your kitchen. This sense of adventure will make you feel more connected to your living space.

GET COLOURFUL

Finally, you must recognise that the colour of everything in your kitchen impacts the way it looks and feels.

If you want to make your kitchen look and feel more spacious, you should definitely use bright colours.

Bright colours can help even the smallest of spaces feel larger than they are, so keep your kitchen as light and airy as possible.

To learn more about getting the most from your lighting, download our Definitive Guide To Lighting HERE.  It's incredibly user-friendly and includes many top tips, basics of indoor and outdoor lighting, all the technical stuff explained and our unique printable Walk Through Guide!