While it’s a lot harder to make a small kitchen look bigger, it is a lot simpler to make a dark kitchen look brighter, and in many instances, brightening a kitchen up can also create the illusion of space.
Here are 10 simple, cost-effective ways to brighten up your kitchen:
- Select light colors
Light paints, such as off-white, cream and pale gray can have the opposite effect on a kitchen than dark colors, which tend to make a space look cramped. You can echo the light colors on your cabinetry and countertops, too.
2. Use brighter bulbs
If the fixtures in your kitchen allow it, try screwing in brighter bulbs, such as those that are between 4,000 and 5,000 Kelvin, or for a warmer, cozier look, go for between 3,000 and 4,000.
3. Steer clear of big color contrasts
Mixing and matching light and dark colors in your kitchen can make it feel and look, imbalanced and closed-off, while a lighter color scheme throughout, will help brighten it up and make it feel bigger.
4. Use accent lights
Accent lighting can add an extra dimension to any living space, and works well in kitchens when lights are installed below the cabinets, or along the top of countertops.
5. Eliminate clutter
Clutter has the same effect in any room of the home, but especially in a kitchen. Making it feel congested and look much smaller and darker than it really is, the less clutter you have in your kitchen, the more open, bright and expansive it will look.
6. Choose smaller furniture
If you’ve got chunky, solid furniture taking up space in your kitchen and making it look and feel dark, try replacing it with smaller items, or go for an island, which will still give you the space to sit and eat at, but won’t take up so much space.
7. Hang up mirrors.
Mirrors are a fantastically effective way to create the illusion of space in any small room, and the way in which they reflect the light can work wonders for brightening up a dark space.
8. Switch to open shelves
Open shelving isn’t just convenient, it can also help to make your kitchen look bigger and will take up a lot less space. Cabinets and cupboards can quickly drain the light, too, and in some cases, even block natural light from windows and doors.
9. Add a white backsplash
This is another simple but effective way to brighten up a dark, dingy kitchen, and while your budget will determine the type of tiles you choose, even the most basic of backsplashes will have the same effect.
10. Install reflective surfaces
Stainless steel gadgets and equipment will reflect the light in such a way as to make the entire space look brighter, and you can even go further and have reflective surfaces on all your kitchen cabinetry and furniture.
When renovating your kitchen, keep these tips in mind to ensure that the space remains welcoming and bright, and for the very best results, always work with an experienced kitchen renovation company.