Little Kitchen, Big Style
by Charity Shumway

Your kitchen may be small, but that doesn't mean your kitchen design ideas have to be. A clever kitchen remodeling project can turn cramped kitchen quarters into a seemingly-spacious room without knocking down a single wall. Let these small kitchen design tips help you make the most of the space you have.

Small Kitchen Design Idea #1 – Scale it Back
Choosing smaller appliances can free up real space and can also make your kitchen look and feel larger. Replacing full-size appliances with smaller versions--say, a three-quarters size refrigerator or a two-burner range--can make a significant impact in the overall space available for working and moving around.

Small Kitchen Design Idea #2 – Make it Flexible
The more workspaces that can come and go in your new kitchen design, the better. Rolling islands that can be tucked away when not in use, built-in cutting boards that slide in and out of the countertop, and hinged countertops that can be folded down are crafty ways to make a small kitchen handle big tasks. Small kitchen remodeling is most successful when it's a little sneaky.

Small Kitchen Design Idea #3 – Throw out Tradition
Most kitchens rely on a significant amount of overhead cabinet storage, which can make a small kitchen feel cramped. Less traditional open shelving or hanging storage feels airier. Most kitchen designs include cupboards for food above or below the counters. If you just don't have the space, transform a closet into a pantry. The bottom line for successful small kitchen design is innovation.

Small Kitchen Design Idea #4 – Spring for Top of the Line
Kitchen remodeling can get pricey fast, but in small spaces, your money goes much farther. Choose sumptuous marble, elegant stainless steel, or fine hardwood. Pay close attention to fixtures. If the details are gorgeous, you (and everyone else) will notice them, not the size of the kitchen.

Small Kitchen Design Idea #4 – Incorporate a Variety of Light Sources
Sunlight, overhead, in-cabinet, and under-cabinet...variety in your small kitchen's light sources means greater interplay of light and shadow. The result is both general visual interest and a sense of depth, which makes any room feel larger.

A small kitchen doesn’t have to be a cramped space. With the right kitchen remodeling plan, you can transform it into a small kitchen that looks, feels, and acts much larger than it really is.

About the Author
Charity Shumway is a freelance writer and teaches writing at Oregon State University.