How to Make a Small Kitchen Feel Bigger (without major building work)

Lisa Foote
2 days ago
3 min read

Small kitchens are one of the most common frustrations in homes, especially in older properties, flats, and terraces. Making a kitchen feel bigger doesn’t necessarily have to involve building work, planning permission, or a full refit.

Often, it’s less about the size of the room and more about how the space is used, arranged, and perceived. Here are some simple, realistic ways to make a small kitchen feel more open and easier to live with.

1. Let in as much light as you can

Light makes a huge difference to how spacious a room feels.

If your kitchen lacks natural light, avoid blocking what you do have. Heavy blinds, dark window frames, or cluttered sills can make a small space feel boxed in. Consider lighter window treatments, or none at all if privacy allows.

Artificial lighting matters too. A single ceiling light often isn’t enough. Adding under-cabinet lighting or a couple of well-placed wall lights can remove shadows and make the room feel more open.

2. Rethink upper cabinets

Wall units are useful, but they can easily overwhelm a small kitchen.

If your kitchen feels top-heavy, try reducing the number of upper cabinets or replacing some with open shelving. Even removing one or two units can create a sense of breathing space.

Another option is choosing cabinets that match the wall colour. When cupboards blend into the background, they feel less dominant.

We offer these smaller tweaks and adjustments as part of our refurbishment service. Get in touch with us today to learn more.

3. Keep colours simple and consistent

A calm, limited colour palette helps make a small kitchen feel bigger.

Light doesn’t have to mean white, but softer tones such as warm neutrals, pale greys, and muted greens tend to reflect light and make a space feel more open. Using the same colour across cabinets, walls, and even ceilings can blur boundaries and create the illusion of more space.

Too many contrasting colours or finishes can break the room up visually, making it feel smaller than it is.

4. Make better use of vertical space

When floor space is limited, vertical space becomes more valuable.

Tall cupboards, shelves that go higher up the wall, or slim storage units can provide extra storage without increasing clutter at eye level.

Keeping everyday items within easy reach and storing rarely used items higher up helps keep worktops clear - which immediately makes a kitchen feel bigger.

If you want to learn more about storage, give our blog post on top 6 kitchen storage solutions a read.

5. Clear the worktops

This is one of the simplest changes, but also one of the most effective.

Busy worktops make a kitchen feel cramped. If everything lives out on the counter - appliances, jars, chopping boards - the space quickly feels smaller than it really is.

Try being honest about what needs to be out all the time. Even moving a few items away can dramatically improve how open the kitchen feels.

6. Choose fewer, better pieces

In small kitchens, every element has a bigger impact.

Instead of lots of different finishes, handles, or fittings, keeping things simple and cohesive can make the space feel calmer. Fewer visual interruptions allow the eye to move around the room more easily.

7. Think about how you move through the space

A kitchen can feel small if it’s awkward to use.

Notice where doors clash, drawers block walkways, or cupboards are hard to open fully. Small changes like swapping hinged doors for drawers, or changing which way a door opens can improve flow without altering the structure of the room.

A kitchen that’s easier to move around will always feel more spacious.

8. Use reflective surfaces carefully

Reflective materials can help bounce light around a small kitchen.

Gloss finishes, mirrored splashbacks, or even simple stainless steel can subtly increase brightness. The key is not to overdo it. A little reflection goes a long way, and too much can feel harsh.