Where, in your home, do you spend the most time? If your family is like mine, it's most likely in the kitchen. When everyone gathers in the kitchen, not matter how large your kitchen might be, it never feels big enough.
Finally, after completely redesigning the floor plan, several years ago I was able to remodel my kitchen. The first renovation we did was to knock down a wall (we had the best time doing this). We then installed a garden window over the sink, lowering the bottom of the window to be even with the countertop. Finally, we added an island with an overhang, with room for three or four stools, and a food-prep peninsula at table height, which has an overhang with room for three or four stools.
So do you want your kitchen to feel and look larger? Following are several ideas to help make that a reality. You don't have to implement all of them, but even following one of these suggestions will make a big difference in your kitchen.
Create More Storage
For better, more efficient storage, install a base cabinet with roll-out shelves rather than one with a door that swings open on hinges. With a cabinet like this, you have a convenient place to store your most used appliances. With pull-out shelves, you can easily reach those items stored in the back of the cabinet.
Redo Your Cabinets
Try adding glass fronts to your wall cabinets. Better yet, replace those solid cabinet doors with glass fronts along one wall. This is a great way to give your kitchen a more open feel.
Add Light
You can easily make your kitchen appear larger by choosing under-the-counter lighting. Another great option is to use light colors when decorating, especially with your cabinets and countertops.
Create Height with Taller Wall Cabinets
Try removing those soffits. Install your cabinets to the ceiling. Another option is to 'stair-step' the cabinets. You can do this by starting with a taller cabinet and then lining the others progressively shorter. Above the shorter cabinets, you now have a great space to display your collectibles, baskets and teapots. The top shelves of the taller cabinets make a great place to store those seldom-used items such as holiday dishes or serving pieces.
Bring the Outdoors In
Try enlarging your windows, or replace one with a garden window installed at countertop height. Want an even brighter kitchen? Add a skylight or sky pipe.
Streamline Your Kitchen
Most of us go through our clothes closet once or twice a year and get rid of those items we no longer use. The same should be done in the kitchen. A regular reorganization of the kitchen, where you get rid of all those things you don't use, will make your kitchen feel much more roomy. When your kitchen is cluttered, it will always feel smaller. Build a Useful Island For those of you with an eat-in kitchen but no room for an island, consider replacing the kitchen table with an island. This will give you, not only an eating area, but you will gain added storage for seldom-used items. This is an easy project. Start with base cabinets either table height or counter height. Then top them with countertop material. Extend the counter 12 to 16 inches beyond the cabinets to make room for chairs or stools.
Install Storage Trays
You can find specially made narrow trays at your local hardware store or home center. These are easy to install on the back of false drawer fronts at the sink and cooktop. By doing this, you can significantly reduce your clutter around your sink and stove, thereby creating a larger-looking space.
Free Up Counter Space
The easiest way to free up your counter is to install an under-the-counter microwave, can opener, spice rack or toaster.
Open Up Those Walls
In situations where the dining room is next to the kitchen, knocking out the adjoining wall is often a wonderful way to create space. Before you begin, make sure the wall is not load-bearing. If it isn't then this can be an easy do-it-yourself project.
Create Open Shelving
Add open shelves to your kitchen, especially if you have colorful plates, glasses, teapots or other collectibles to display. Open shelving always makes a small kitchen look larger. One option is to simply remove the doors from your cabinets and paint the inside a bright color. Another way to go is to take down the cabinets altogether and instead add colorful shelves to make the room feel more open.
By:Leon Tuberman
|
