Kitchen Ideas for Small Kitchens

Cozy kitchens may conjure up visions of wonderful family memories from days gone by. In reality, small kitchens can be nightmares. Items stacked and not enough room for all the essentials pose problems to everyone trying to use this tight space. Decorating a small kitchen will not only make this little space look larger, but it can also make it much more functional than you might expect.

Use a light, cool paint color on your walls to make your small kitchen appear larger. Try a sunny yellow or a soft sky blue. You can use different faux painting techniques such as sponge painting, rag painting and crinkle painting to add depth and dimension as well as texture to the walls of your small kitchen.

Paint your cabinets a color that will both complement and contrast the wall color in your small kitchen. Make sure it is a lighter shade of the wall color. Avoid dark wood stains. Replace the solid doors of your cabinets with Plexiglas. You can even use chicken wire to add a country look. Use small and lightweight door and drawer pulls in soft colors or muted metallic tones.

Use one or two substantial pieces of furniture for storage in your small kitchen. Try a large buffet or hutch. Several small pieces will take up even more space and make your small kitchen look cluttered. Apply the same ideas for painting and doors that you used for your cabinets. This will give your small kitchen a look of continuity.

Declutter your counter space in your small kitchen. Store small kitchen appliances and other items in your cabinets, buffet or hutch. Use a few large baskets for kitchen items you use every day, such as hand towels. Hang floating shelves and use them as a spice rack for the seasonings you use often.

Keep your window treatments light and breezy. Use simple and light valances instead of heavy ones. Use a shelf as a valance. This can be used to display a collection such as old cookbooks or antique cooking utensils. Make sure your curtains are short. Long curtains can look heavy.