If you live in a condo, chances are, you sigh and wish that you had a larger kitchen everytime you even have to fry an egg. Well, you have to make do with what you have, but just because you can’t extend your kitchen, doesn’t mean that you can’t at least “make” it appear bigger? Here are a few tips to create an illusion of space and breathe easier in your condo kitchen.
Use color
If you are looking for a simple, low-cost update that will maximize the look and feel of your kitchen space, you should think about repainting it. While you are at it, give your kitchen a fresh, white coat of paint to open it up visually. If white walls are not your cup of tea, go for something bright like yellow to give your kitchen a sunny, welcoming, country vibe. Or how about green? Green embodies tranquility and nature. Teal and pale green are not only trending right now, they go perfectly with your white kitchen. You can complement this look with some floral arrangements or plants.
Add geometric patterns
Geometric patterns are all the rage in 2019, ask any interior decorator. Or just notice how your Instagram feed is brimming over with geometric patterned cushions, blankets, rugs, and tablecloths, since they create the illusion of more space in your tiny condo kitchen, while making your kitchen look absolutely chic and sophisticated. However, don’t go overboard with patterns, use them only to accent your condo kitchen. Over-use of patterns can make your space appear busy and crowded.
Geometric patterns can be used to draw the eye lengthways or vertically to create the illusion of a taller, longer kitchen. Urban subway tiles can make even the most miniscule area look bigger. The subway tiles are interspersed with thick black lines, which gives the illusion of more space. If you are pressed for budget, don’t change your kitchen tiles; simply provide the same visual effect with a geometric patterned floor runner.
Use see-through elements
A seemingly clear, unobstructed visual and physical path will inevitably give your kitchen a clean and open feel. Keeping the sightlines open in your kitchen area will make the area appear larger since you can keep looking at the space on the other side. Think glass pendant lights, backless barstools, floating bar surfaces and islands, and clear plastic chairs!
Add mirrors
Mirrors are known to make a room feel more spacious, so it only comes as a surprise that so many people use mirrors only in their bathrooms and bedrooms. No one ever really thinks of using mirrors in the kitchen. Cover an entire wall with a super-sized mirror to grab the eye. Make sure to set a kitchen worktop or a table against it for maximum impact. Mirror cabinets and mirrored splashbacks give off the same effect.
Lighter color for the cabinets
When you have a small kitchen, dark hued cabinets tend to absorb light, making the space look even more cramped and oppressive. Ward off the claustrophobic feeling and breathe life into your kitchen by painting those cabinets a lighter shade. Varnished and stained cabinets need more preparation, but you will be surprised how painting them a lighter color will completely revamp the look and feel of your kitchen. If the cabinets are not up to the par, why not resurface them with lighter veneer and install drawer fronts and lighter doors to give them a new look.
Revamp your appliances
Does your condo kitchen look clunky? Sleek, modern appliances will change that for sure. Size matters loads as well. If you think that American sized fridge or a double dishwasher is too much for your needs, buy smaller alternatives. When you are working in a smaller space, a smaller fridge will lend a much more elegant look to your kitchen.
Leverage Vertical spaces
Small condo kitchens are pressed for floor and storage spaces. Leverage vertical space by installing magnetic knife stripes, peg boards, and hanging shelves on your walls. This tip is especially useful when you want to expand the space of a galley kitchen or an apartment kitchen. One of the best small kitchen design ideas is to keep your workspace clear by installing sleek open shelves to store things like kitchen towels, foil, spices, and herb jars.
Opt for Open shelving
One of the best kitchen design trends we are falling in love with are open shelves. They look utterly modern and sophisticated, especially when complemented by a meticulously selected array of serving ware. Include more open shelving in your kitchen by removing the cabinet doors, replacing some of the cabinet doors with see-through glass doors, or swapping out some of the cabinets for open shelves.
Use cabinet lighting
Lighting is the key to creating an illusion of spaciousness. The more well-lit an area is, the bigger it appears. Natural light works wonders, so if you can, allow ample sunlight to stream in through the windows. You can install glass doors or put in skylights to instantly make your kitchen feel larger. According to an interior designer at TorontoCondoTeam, “you can add lights at the base of floor units or underneath wall cupboards, but don’t use a lampshade as it can decrease the amount of light. For best results, use a spotlight.”
Blend Surfaces
You can enhance the look and feel of a tiny kitchen by connecting your countertops and backsplash for a cohesive look. For instance, imagine white and black granite countertops seemingly extending up the wall for a unified, flawless look.
Post a comment