Spacious kitchen tips are some of the few ways home owners can abide by when it comes to making their kitchen area look bigger and more spacious than it already is. Here are 6 best ways that home owners can follow.
Spacious Kitchen Tips #1: Using More Natural Light Elements
One of the best ways to make a kitchen seem spacious is by maximising natural light. A light and airy place always feels bigger than its actual measurement and nothing boosts that more than natural light. Let windows be open so as to allow sunlight inside the room whenever possible. Remove heavy curtains or blinds — instead, use sheer or light-coloured drapes for your windows because these let some light inside while keeping the privacy intact. If there is no issue of privacy, leave the windows bare to have maximum exposure. If renovating, the addition of larger or more windows will flood the room with sunlight — making the kitchen feel much more open and inviting.
Glass doors to the outdoors also allow more light and continue the view outdoors, creating a sense of continuity and space. When changes in windows or doors are not possible, rely on reflective surfaces that can help distribute the light around the room such as shiny countertops, waxed floors or mirrored backsplashes. It brightens up the less illuminated corners of a room and provides an impression of a larger space. Light colour used in walls, cabinets and tiles also helps reflect sunlight — making the kitchen spacious.
Finally, reflect natural light into the kitchen using strategically placed mirrors. A mirror opposite a window will reflect light and can even give the feeling that the space is larger than it may be. Even small kitchens might become perceived as being more expansive, much brighter and more inviting with the reflective take on letting in natural light — changing the whole aesthetic of the house.
Spacious Kitchen Tips #2: Using Simple And Minimalistic Cabinetry
Minimalist cabinetry will be perfect for building up a kitchen that is functional yet visually uncluttered. Sleek and streamlined design of minimalist cabinets adds to the uncluttered and open atmosphere which is one of the crucial elements of gaining space visually. Flat-panel cabinet doors have popularly been used in minimalistic designs due to their smooth, uninterrupted surface. These clean lines cut visual clutter — making the kitchen appear far more put together.
This effect is heightened with handleless cabinetry or discreet, low-profile handles. In handleless cabinetry, the hardware is either a push-to-open mechanism or an integrated groove within the cabinetry — one that eliminates bulky hardware that can otherwise break up the clean aesthetic. It is this sort of seamless look that creates a cohesive flow throughout the kitchen and helps create the illusion of space and less crowding.
Colour wise, minimalist cabinetry works best in neutrals or light shades such as whites, soft greys or pale wood tones. Lighter shades, on the other hand, reflect more available natural light which is important to achieve airy and bright feelings in a small kitchen. The high-gloss finish or reflective surface on cabinetry amplifies this effect by bouncing light around the room, further enhancing this feeling of space.
Open shelving or glass-front cabinets with minimalist designs will serve to break up solid blocks of cabinetry and add depth and visual interest without overwhelming the room. Minimalist cabinetry makes smart, out-of-sight storage solutions a priority and provides ample means to keep countertops clutter-free which is the other key ingredient in keeping the space look open.
Minimalist cabinetry is a great look to enhance a kitchen visually but can also play an extremely significant role in making it calm, spacious and functional alongside being more open and inviting.
Spacious Kitchen Tips #3: Making Sure Countertops Are Neat And Clean
Decluttering the countertops is one of the best ways to make the home kitchen feel or look larger. A no-clutter countertop makes your kitchen appear bigger, cleaner and more organised. Remove all small appliances, utensils or objects on your work surfaces — starting with those you rarely use. These could be stored in cabinets or drawers, leaving only the most used items on display such as a coffee maker or fruit bowl. One simple step with all this reduces the visual noise and opens more usable space for meal preparation and other tasks.
You can take this further by adding some intelligent storage such as pull-out shelves, drawer organisers or appliance garages. These systems let you keep your essentials tucked away but within easy reach without the need for surface space. Add in some vertical storage such as wall-mounted racks or hooks and you will free up more counter space while designating handy spots to hang pots, pans and utensils.
Minimalist displays of countertop decoration are also to be maintained. Only a few decorations in strategic places will help such as a chic cutting board or a small-sized plant. You may also choose sleek-looking, compact appliances that just fit into the kitchen design.
Ultimately, it creates a less cluttered countertop that is in line with openness and calmness in the kitchen. In summary, minimising clutter in your kitchen enhances its aesthetic appeal but also provides an increasingly functional and efficient space for food preparation, cleaning and socialising. A clear, open countertop will eventually change the look of this place into a roomy and open area.
Spacious Kitchen Tips #4: Incorporating Elements That Reflect Light
Another highly successful kind of approach in the effort to make kitchens appear spacious is by using reflective surfaces — reflective surfaces like glossy tiles, polished countertops and stainless steel appliances are able to bounce light around and give the impression of a larger and brighter area. One of the main merits of reflective materials lies in their ability to amplify natural and artificial light so as to enhance openness. A good example is how Silestone countertop adds to the kitchen — not just a sleek, modern look but functionality in reflecting light to create space.
Aside from countertops, high-gloss cabinetry can further enhance this feeling of openness in the kitchen. That sleek, reflective surface of such cabinets creates depth visually by mirroring the light and surrounding elements. Using stainless steel appliances, since their reflective quality scatters the light, can subtly brighten the room. Smaller additions such as glass or mirrored backsplashes can work wonders when trying to make a kitchen feel not so confined. Glass, in particular, breaks up solid surfaces and adds depth — an aid to the illusion of spaciousness.
Another often overlooked element is lighting. Under-cabinet lighting installed or pendant lights that would cast onto a shiny or polished surface will help make it feel much more expansive. When these reflective surfaces and lighting solutions are combined in just the right way, a bright, and airy space can be so much more than just seemingly spacious — it can be rather elegant. In smaller kitchens where every trick in the book to making the space visually larger is a must, these reflective surfaces can make all the difference and transform even the tiniest layout into a light-filled, open-feeling space.
Spacious Kitchen Tips #5: Being Smart On Flooring Layout
Flooring continuity is a powerful design principle that can really give one's home kitchen a sense of openness. This would involve using the same type of flooring in adjacent rooms such as the living or dining areas so that one continuous space visually flows from one room into another and integrates the kitchen into the rest of the home instead of a separated, enclosed area. The result is an uninterrupted flow that visually expands space and can help minimise the constriction that occurs when different flooring styles are used.
This works well particularly in open-plan settings where the rooms gently merge into one another. Even for more traditionally segmented homes, this unifying method might fulfil space by offering an expansive ambience. Choose durable floorings that work in kitchen and living areas such as wood, luxury vinyl or large format tiles. Many of these are durable enough to work well in a kitchen environment but provide visual continuity throughout the home. An example of such is hardwood floors or the natural finish of wood-look tiles — creating a feeling of airiness and warmth inside the kitchen and into adjacent areas.
Plus, having continuous flooring makes for easier traffic flow through a residence. The smooth transition cuts down on the visual breaks — allowing the eye to move across the space further and giving one the perception of having a larger area. Removing any abrupt shifts in materials contributes to such an effect, creating an uninterrupted canvas that is functional and stylish. Ultimately, the use of flooring continuity allows home owners to extend the overall design into one's kitchen to make it more open and connected without losing its cohesiveness or polished appearance throughout the house.
Spacious Kitchen Tips #6: Choosing Slim Fixtures In The Kitchen
The addition of slim features in your home kitchen design will enhance the area of openness and space. First is to choose slim or minimalist cabinetry. Cabinets with flat, handle-less fronts offer a sleek, uninterrupted look that visually reduces bulk — making the kitchen more open. For islands or countertops, consider going for narrow and streamlined ones. A thin island allows storage underneath it and gives plenty of function with ample walking space so the room will not feel cramped.
Slimline furniture such as stools, chairs and even tables, will go a long way toward keeping the feeling light. Ones with skinny or compact frames that do not take visual space in the kitchen will do the trick. Then there is the option of foldaway and stackable furniture — a brilliant solution to preserve more space. These provide versatility when you want it and are able to safely store items away when you don't need them.
Thin, long pendant lights or recessed lighting features are perfect for lighting since they illuminate the space that is needed but do not dominate it. If desired, smaller pendant lights can still be in. They are a great way to add personality to the space and really keep the airy, uncluttered feeling of the room.
Appliances can follow the slim rule. Compact, incorporated appliances for ovens, refrigerators and dishwashers are less visually bulky than larger units that give you the exact same service. Also, install a narrow range hood or choose one that camouflages itself into the cabinetry to streamline the space
Slim shelving or wall-mounted racks would save room while offering storage. Open shelves with narrow profiles enable additional storage with a clean, open look. These slim features combine functionality with design to help in creating a kitchen that feels larger, brighter and more organised.
