Keep things simple and streamlined and avoid the fussy and ornate. Anything too detailed or decorative will only add to a sense of busyness which will make the space feel smaller and more crowded than it is.
Go for classic doors with concealed or shark nose handles. Avoid anything protruding too far into the space. Go ‘minimalist’ as much as you can.
A slimline bench-top can add to a sense of spaciousness, so opt for this rather than a big, heavy bench-top. Stone is by far the best option here as it is durable, long-lasting and comes in a huge variety of colours.
Colour
Light colours open a space up while dark colours close a space in. Similarly, colours that contrast too much can also close a space in.
It’s often a good idea to have the bench-tops and base in the same colour, with the splash-back a shade lighter. Grout should be the same colour as the cupboards, tiles or walls.
Overhead cupboards can be in the same colour or a contrasting colour, but don’t go too dark or it will make the space look overcrowded. Whatever colour you choose, keep it in the same colour family as the bench-tops and base cupboards in order to promote a greater sense of space.
Often cabinetmakers and builders advise homeowners to go for a stainless steel colour on the kick strip, but this draws attention to it and closes the space in. It’s far better to have the kick strip in the same colour as the base cupboards so it all blends – and it’s far more 2018!
Texture
With all the streamlined cupboards and smooth bench-tops, you now need to add shape and texture without compromising on the sense of spaciousness. The best way to do this is through the tiles you use on the splash-back. You might use something like penny round tiles, mosaic tiles, hexagonal tiles or pebble tiles; something with detailed texture but not a multi-coloured pattern.
Make it pop
Because the kitchen has so many neutral colours, you want to add something to make it pop, and lighting can do that for you. Your choice of lights can make the space more inviting and interesting to look at.
If you have a lot of white in the kitchen, try some lights that suggest timber, rattan, or some other sort of warm colour to take away the starkness and sterility of the light or white colours you use. Pendant lights can also offset neutral colours and they add a bit of punch to an otherwise plain kitchen.
Lighting underneath the overhead cupboards can add interest while also helping to visually push the space out.
So, there you have it. Use these designer tips and tricks and you will soon have a kitchen that looks and feels more spacious. If you have any questions or you would like some help redesigning or reconfiguring your kitchen, give us a call or drop us an enquiry.