Your kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the house, so it needs to be both functional and pleasant. Unfortunately, space is at a premium in London so kitchens in the capital can be a bit cramped. That's why we've put together a list of popular home renovations and advice on how to make a small kitchen look bigger.
There's a lot you can do to make your kitchen look bigger, from changing the colour scheme, furniture, cabinets and appliances to knocking down walls or building an extension.
This is one of the easiest, most cost-effective ways to make a small kitchen look bigger. Stick to one or two neutral shades and keep contrasting textures and big blocks of colour to a minimum. The idea is to create a continuous effect and avoid visual jumps from dark to light.
White is ideal as it reflects the most light, making the space look bigger. For the best effect, go for white walls, countertops and backsplash. If you don't want it to look too clinical, combine off-white shades or break it up with splashes of calming green or pale colour of your choice. Soft grey and warm yellow can work well in a kitchen. Paint cabinets in a neutral shade that blends in with the wall. This makes them recede visually, creating a feeling of more space.
If you can afford to lose some storage, removing a few cabinets will make a small kitchen look bigger. If this isn't an option, change them for slimline ones, which look the same but take up less space. Go for clean lines and replace handles with integrated or push/click versions to streamline them further.
Glass-fronted cabinets also create a feeling of space by allowing the eye to travel through them. Open shelving works in the same way but you must keep things tidy as clutter makes a kitchen look smaller! One option is to have solid doors on lower cabinets and glass fronts on upper ones. This allows you to hide pots and pans away below and display your best crockery above. Lighting along shelves or under wall units will also brighten your kitchen and show things to their best effect.
Chunky furniture has a large footprint and takes up visual space in your kitchen. An easy kitchen renovation idea is to opt for lightweight or slimline designs instead and look for compact versions of features like islands. This gives you functionality without compromising on space. If modern design is your thing, clear plastic chairs and glass tabletops are great for opening space up visually as they allow the eye to travel through.
Choose integrated or streamlined appliances that sit flush with cabinets to create continuous lines. Compact dishwashers and fridges are also good for saving a few cm of floorspace. These might not be for you if you have a large family, though.
An open plan living space is a great way to let in light and make a small kitchen look bigger without actually enlarging it. Just remove an internal wall to join it up with the dining or living room.
If you don’t want to knock down the whole wall, you can take it down halfway. This still opens up the space but without sacrificing storage at floor level. To make the most of the half wall, install a peninsula worktop or breakfast bar on top.
If what you need is real space and not just the illusion of it, your best option could be to build an extension.
Kitchens usually sit at the back of the house so they are ideal for rear extensions or side returns (at the side of the house). As well as giving you more space, an extension allows you to rethink the layout. Pining for more workspace? You can now have an island or peninsula. Kitchen dark and dingy? Patio doors and rooflights will fix that.
Extensions typically take 6-12 weeks, depending on the size and how you plan to use the space.