How to Make a Small Kitchen Look Bigger? 7 Effective Ways

My kitchen is tiny. It’s a standard, one-wall configuration in a smallish New York City apartment that for years felt more like an airless gauntlet than central command.

Cooking was chaos, and it was a squeeze even to have one other person in that space with me. But I’ve learned that a small kitchen doesn’t have to feel small over time.

By changing a few key elements, I was able to turn my kitchen from a nightmare in the corner into a bright, usable space that actually feels surprisingly roomy.

It didn’t need a gut renovation and big budget. I went instead for easy tricks that … make my space appear larger than it really is and squeeze the most out of every inch I have.

If you’re in the same compact kitchen pickle, welcome to the club. I will share the same strategies I used to make my small kitchen appear and feel larger.

This advice is part light, smart storage and a bit of visual magic to make the space feel bigger and the people in it more relaxed.

Let There Be Light (and the Right Color)

One of the first things I did (and one of my most impactful changes, honestly) was paint my kitchen. It is amazing how powerful light and color can be in such a tiny space. Dark shades on walls can feel claustrophobic, but the right hue turns a place into the best.

Opt for Light and Airy Hues

I picked out a soft, off-white colored paint for both the walls and cabinets. Lighter colors (like white, cream, light gray and soft pastels) are great because they reflect light, so the whole room feels bigger and brighter.

That little adjustment alone made my kitchen feel less claustrophobic instantly. The same rule applies to your countertops and backsplash. Opting for lighter material in these areas will achieve the desired effect and open up the whole area.

Maximize Natural Light

If you’re fortunate enough to have a kitchen window, try and make the most of it. Instead of having heavy blinds, I got a lightweight curtain that lets in ample daylight but is also somewhat private.

Leaving the window space free and clear will ensure your room fills with natural light, making a big difference when it comes to making any room feel more spacious. If you don’t have a window, don’t fret. Good artificial lighting can help achieve the same effect.

Under-cabinet LED strips provide both task lighting for when I’ve got to chop vegetables and atmospheric warm glow that creates the illusion of more space.

Use Mirrors to Create Space

At first, that might sound like a parlor trick in the living room or hallway, but it also does wonders in the kitchen. Mirrors are a great way to make any room appear bigger and deeper.

“Because mirrors reflect light — and thus, the space itself — a strategically placed mirror can make your eye think that the room is much bigger than it actually is.”

I put up a big, plain mirror in the wall opposite my main kitchen counter. It bounces light from the window and the room back into the space, and our kitchen feels instantly wider.

You might also want to use a mirrored back splash. It’s a daring option, but everything used here is amazing for bouncing light around and creating interest in the cooking area.

Declutter and Get Organized

This step is non-negotiable. A small kitchen will always feel a little crowded, no matter how big it is. Gadgets, mail and random items covering your countertops create visual chaos and shrink your work space.

I started by ruthlessly decluttering. I did it with everything on my countertops and inside of the cabinets. Anything I didn’t use all of the time was donated, stashed or trashed. Which all meant being real with myself about that novelty avocado slicer and collective mismatched mugs.

Clear the Clutter Then, I moved on to smart organization. I placed my utensils in drawer dividers, my pantry staples (pasta, flour and the like) in clear containers and a magnetic knife strip on the wall freed up an entire drawer.

You want your countertops as uncluttered as they’ll ever be. Store small kitchen appliances such as toasters and blenders in a cupboard. A neat and tidy kitchen will feel (and look) bigger, not to mention, be a much more pleasant space for cooking.

Think Vertically

If you can’t develop outward, then upward. If you’re looking to add storage without losing too much floor- or counter-space, your kitchen walls might be what you need.

I put in one set of basic, open shelves above my counter. These are excellent for everyday plates, glasses, and a few ornaments. Open shelving is ideal for tiny kitchens because it doesn’t feel nearly as bulky as standard cabinets and encourages the space to feel a bit more open.

If you like the kind of hidden storage, try tall skinny pantry cabinets. These can store a surprising volume of food and supplies despite their small size.

I also utilize the space above my cabinets to place things I don’t use frequently — say, those gigantic serving platters — in nice-looking baskets; out of sight it feels underneath a hooded sweatshirt.

Choose Your Appliances Wisely

A small kitchen can be overrun by bulky appliances. When it came time to replace my microwave, I bought one of the small over-the-range models that’s also a range hood. This left me a lot more counter space open.

If you’re purchasing new appliances, search for smaller, “apartment-sized” versions. Now, many brands also make itsy-bitsy refrigerators and dishwashers that are 18 inches wide, not to mention ovens that can fit in a tiny apartment.

Multi-functional appliances are also your friend. A convection microwave can serve as a secondary oven, among other things; an Instant Pot can substitute for a slow cooker, pressure cooker and rice cooker.

Opting for more modern, built-in appliances that are flush with the cabinets will also provide a cleaner, larger feel.

It’s Time For You To Have A Larger Kitchen

Just because you live with a tiny kitchen doesn’t mean you need to think small. Through careful consideration of color, lighting, storage and organization — as well as the ever-important addition of an island or peninsula for high-top seating — you can design a kitchen that looks good and functions even better.

From painting my walls a lighter colour to going vertical with storage, these little ideas have had a big impact on the way I feel in my kitchen. It’s now somewhere I really want to hang out.

I suggest you try a few of these pointers. Begin with one or two that are easiest to manage and you might be surprised at the impact it can have.