How Do I Remodel a Small Kitchen?

how to Remodel a Small Kitchen

The kitchen is a room in the house where food preparation, cooking, and clean-up happen. It is sometimes used for dining purposes as well. As a space often full of activity, it can become cluttered and difficult to move around in when it becomes too small.

Remodeling can help increase the size of your kitchen without building an addition or moving walls by using clever design ideas. You can also get help from reliable kitchen contractors in your locality.

Is it Necessary to Spend Much on Remodeling?

Remodeling a kitchen can be an expensive project, but it is usually worth the cost. It will increase the resale value of your house and make cooking time more enjoyable for you and your family.

However, before getting too excited about the possibilities of a larger space there are some important things to think about first. Think about how many people will be using this space regularly or whether it is only going to be used during special occasions.

The number of users should determine how much countertop space you need as well as additional seating arrangements.

A Common Mistake When Planning Out the Design for a Small Kitchen

is forgetting to take into account traffic patterns. If two people are working in the kitchen at the same time, who is going to get out of the way first? It should not be too difficult for one person to leave room for another.

Think about the flow of traffic when you are having your design meeting. Kitchen remodeling experts could also give you good advice on what to avoid doing.

Simple Remodeling Ideas for You

1. Use Open Storage

Open storage solutions maximize vertical space while freeing up floor area under counters for comfortable walking/standing room, or seating at a bar or island countertop. For even more space savings, use baskets on shelves to hold cookware rather than stacking it in cupboards below countertops.

2. Maximize Light

A bright and airy feeling in your kitchen will make the design feel bigger. Maximize windows to take advantage of natural light by placing them strategically, or install skylights to have more control over where you want additional light.

3. Paint Colorfully

A brightly colored paint can create a sense of space and openness in any room. Different colors are perceived differently depending on how much natural light there is available so consider that before choosing which shade to use for your walls.

A color palette consisting of lighter, neutral shades makes it easy to change up furniture items when you’re ready for a change.

4. Pare Down Appliances

Kitchen remodeling doesn’t have to mean upgrading all your equipment at once! Replacing older appliances with newer ones is a common way to update the look and function of your kitchen, but it can be pricey.

Instead, choose higher-quality models with the features you want on your must-haves list. Then add matching or complementary kitchen tools such as coffee makers, blenders, and slow cookers over time.

5. Start Small

When remodeling long-neglected kitchens, big changes may not be practical or sustainable until you’ve got more cash in hand. For example: try starting with some basic low-cost cosmetic updates — paint walls, add new hardware and knobs and swap out old carpeting for vinyl flooring — before tackling bigger projects like changing appliances and cabinetry.

It’s also wise to have a larger budget in place so that you can negotiate for bulk discounts on big-ticket items like cabinets or flooring.

6. Think of Multi-Functional Spaces

While it’s true that you can use an island in place of a second kitchen sink, why not go beyond the basics to create additional space while minimizing clutter? A smaller size (or lack thereof) often leaves room for creative thinking.

For example: instead of trying to fit another cupboard next to your refrigerator, consider having countertops installed so you have more storage and prep/dining areas available.

7. Avoid T-Shaped Kitchens

T-shaped kitchens are common layouts found in older homes, but they tend to waste valuable real estate because there is limited wall space between two opposing traffic corridors. When possible plan accordingly to have a galley-style kitchen design with an L-shape layout instead.

8. Optimize small appliances

Countertop appliances such as microwaves can easily create clutter that makes a kitchen feel smaller than it is, but they’re often necessities in busy households so it’s smart to find ways to keep them organized and accessible.

A microwave cart or island allows you to move your stove or oven off the countertops while still having easy access when preparing meals.

9. Organize Strategically

Maximize cabinet space by using ‘pantry organizers’ from popular retailers like IKEA, The Container Store, and Bed Bath & Beyond. These high-quality storage solutions make the most of every inch inside cabinets by adding hanging bars or attaching drawers so spices, utensils, and other items are within easy reach.

10. Utilize Your Walls

Wall space is one of the most under-utilized areas of small kitchens, especially if you’re working with limited cabinet space. It’s also possible to install additional wall cabinets or even wall shelves that can store plates and glasses without taking up floor space as typical open shelving does.

Hanging appliances like microwaves or blenders on the backsplash (wall area behind countertops) is another way to create more storage in a smaller kitchen.

11. Pull it All Together

Be strategic when choosing colors for paint, tiles, and other features so they complement each other as well as the rest of your home interior design. Pulling in the same color family (i.e., shades of blue, green, yellow, or orange) helps balance out smaller spaces that may otherwise feel visually off-balance when adding new colors.

12. Choose Higher-Quality Finishes

High-quality cabinets and flooring not only look nicer than inexpensive alternatives but also tend to be sturdier for longer use with less maintenance required. Cutting corners on materials is one way to save money during a kitchen remodel, but in the long run, it could cost you durability especially if repairs are needed within the first few years after moving in.

13. Go from Square to Round

Square shapes create an uncomfortable feeling since there’s not much space left along edges even when furniture is pushed up against them. The solution is to use round or oval-shaped furniture like tables and chairs instead to create softer interior designs that feel more spacious.

14. Pick the Right Table for Your Space

Dining room tables can be an especially difficult aspect of kitchen design due to height restrictions in tiny homes, but there are plenty of options to choose from (e.g., breakfast bars, counter height stools, etc.).

One example is a ‘drop leaf’ table where the leaves fold down so you can fit it into smaller spaces when necessary while still having seating for 6-8 people when opened up fully.

15. Avoid Plumbing Above Counters

A common mistake made by homeowners who haven’t redesigned their kitchens before is having water/drain pipes running through the countertops. This typically happens when a sink or dishwasher is installed after cabinets have already been put into place, but it’s an easy fix by having plumbing installed in the wall behind your fixture instead.

Making the Most Out of a Limited Kitchen Space

One of the best ways to deal with limited space in small kitchen design is to have patience and take your time to plan well. Investing in high-quality materials can help make a difference, but it’s even more important to find creative solutions that work for you.

The last thing you want after spending thousands on renovations is buyer’s remorse due to poor design/selection or not fully utilizing the space provided. Choosing the right kitchen remodeling services will help you save money, time, and effort.

Improving any room inside your home may seem overwhelming at first, but it’s much easier when moving forward one step at a time rather than trying to do everything at once.

Keeping the focus on small spaces will result in better results since it forces you into making smarter decisions along the way based on what works well within that space.

About Amanda

I love to buy a lot of products for the home, and dissect them out. I split them into duds and winners, and share the findings here on my site. As a reader of my site, I'm aiming for your next purchase to be an informed and inspired one.

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