Kitchen Makeover Ideas for Small Kitchens

Size matters, and when you’re limited in the kitchen department, every change, adjustment and adaptation has to be carefully considered. If you’re planning a kitchen makeover in a small kitchen, you need to ensure that your plans don’t reduce the limited amount of space you have, and make the most of every precious inch! So what can you do to freshen up a small space – and on a small budget?

Use the size to your advantage

A small kitchen means that your budget will go that much further, so you should be able to achieve much more with less cash. You’ll also find that the amount of time it takes to make those changes will be shorter, so reviving a smaller kitchen can save you both time and money.

Optical illusions – keeping that sense of space

Keep the fixtures and fittings subtle – again remember that you’ll need to create the illusion of space in a smaller kitchen. Go too big and they’ll look clunky, disproportionate to the rest of the kitchen, and even downright ugly! Keep things small, subtle and in proportion to the rest of the space. Keep surfaces clutter free too, and utilise storage space as efficiently as possible.

Bright, light colours

Colours should be light, and mirrored tiles will create the illusion of extra space as well as adding a contemporary flourish to modern kitchens. Dark colours will make a space appear smaller, so go for light colours with pops of brighter tones to maximise the feeling of space.

Lighting things up

A well-lit space will appear larger than one that is dark and dull! So make the most of features such as up-lighting along the bottoms of cupboards or underneath overhead storage areas, and where possible maximise the use of natural lighting from windows by using roller blinds that can be pulled all the way up, instead of net curtains.

Replace the cupboard doors and drawer fronts

The units themselves may be perfectly serviceable and fit for another 10 years, but cupboard doors and drawer fronts often show their age much more quickly. They are more susceptible to knocks, bumps and scrapes, especially if you have pets or small, excitable children running around the house! Rather than putting up with an unintentional ‘shabby chic’ look, replacing the cupboard doors and drawer fronts can instantly revive the look of a kitchen, and by choosing clean, simple designs once again give the illusion of space. Glass fronted doors create a sense of increased area too, as well as making finding that food for tea much quicker and easier – but you’ll need to practice good housekeeping and keep things tidy!

New work surfaces

Work surfaces can become scruffy and grubby, especially if they’re subjected to chopping, cutting and general cooking activities on a regular basis. Not only do they look bad, but they can harbour bacteria and germs too, making them difficult to keep really clean. Resurface your worktops for an instant revival and a real ‘wow’ factor that won’t impact on the size of your kitchen – but remember to stick to light colours to keep that illusion of space!