7 Things People With Small Kitchens Should Never Do

Updated on 10/15/2016 at 11:15 AM

Don't let anyone ever tell you that small kitchens can't be mighty. With the right planning and use of space, a small kitchen can be just as useful and stunning as a massive chef's kitchen. But the mistake that people often make when designing or making changes to their small kitchen is employing the same design tactics as a normal-size kitchen. By paying special attention to a couple of these common design mistakes, you can have the kitchen of your dreams — no matter how small!

Using Too Much Open Shelving

Open shelving is a huge design trend right now, but it's not always the best option for small kitchens. While one section of open shelving is fine, using too much can make your kitchen feel much smaller and much more cramped. Try to use open shelving sparingly to make your kitchen feel more open.

Not Making Use of Your Wall Space

One of the keys to small kitchen design? Making the most of the space you have, and that includes wall space. This utensil rack above the range is an excellent use of wall space, and the simple wire hanger still leaves the space feeling open and airy. The utensil rack frees up counter space by avoiding the need for a utensil holder, while hanging your pots and pans on the wall can free up space in your cupboards.

Not Having Enough Lighting

If you have a small kitchen, especially a galley kitchen, chances are you don't have a ton of natural light. But that doesn't have to prevent you from having a bright kitchen! Make use of lighting wherever you can, from beautiful pendant lights that make a statement to simple under-cabinet lighting. Great lighting is not just a clever way to make your kitchen feel spacious; it's also convenient and helps you make better use of your space.

Filling Up Counter Space

If you have a small kitchen, it's time to kick the clutter. This doesn't mean you have to completely eliminate those decorative accents, but be mindful of how much counter space you actually have. Keeping your counters relatively clutter-free will leave you more space to actually use your kitchen, and will make your kitchen feel more open.

Not Installing Upper Cabinets

In small kitchens, upper cabinets are your saving grace. In addition to giving you lots of extra storage, they also add extra height and the illusion of space. Foregoing upper cabinets can make your kitchen look squat and even smaller and more cramped than it is, so install some uppers if you can.

Displaying All Oof Your Appliances

Displaying some appliances is definitely a great style statement, and others can't be put away. Having your beautiful stand mixer and cute tea kettle on display are great ways to show off personality in your kitchen. And it's not always possible to hide appliances like microwaves. But do you really need your slow cooker or food processor taking up valuable counter space? Take stock of what you use often, what adds to the beauty of your kitchen, and what you can afford to hide away.

Using Different Colors For Cabinets

One of the keys to designing any small space is trying to limit the range of colors you use for decor, especially on the main areas of the room. When it comes to small kitchens, cabinets should be the same color. Using one color for your uppers and one color for your lowers — especially if they're highly contrasting, like this black and white kitchen — can really break up your space. But don't feel like you're limited to white — feel free to experiment with color, just remember to stick to one!

Kitchens