Dreaming about having a large kitchen isn't going to change much if you're stuck with something that resembles a ship's galley. All the hoping and praying simply won't change the architecture of your home. While expanding your kitchen might be an option, it might be an expensive and time consuming one and not worth the effort. Remodeling and thinking grand can make your kitchen appear larger as well as make it a more pleasant room to work in and entertain in. You might actually find that you like your petite kitchen more than a larger one once the process is complete.
Acceptance that your kitchen is the size that it is should be your first step in your kitchen remodel. While you might envy other big kitchens with a center island, big stainless steel range hoods and room enough to dance, small kitchens can be pretty stylish. Small kitchens are cute, cozy and unique. Packing everything into a small space means that everything is handy. Also, think about how much quicker it is to clean a small kitchen!
Next, comes the planning phase of your kitchen remodel. Again, your smaller kitchen is going to be much less expensive to remodel than a larger kitchen so thank your lucky stars. One of the great things about having a small kitchen is the fact that you can afford high quality materials. Often you can find small quantities of high quality materials like stone counter tops, tile flooring and lights that have been discontinued or are leftovers from previous jobs. High quality materials will make you proud of your small kitchen. Don't skimp on quality or getting what you really want. It makes a big difference when you're all done.
Good lighting is one area of your kitchen remodel that you need to pay attention to. Light can make a room appear larger than it is. Planning out your lighting is something that many people don't put a lot of thought into. Find some nice light fixtures that you really like and forget about the price. Make use of under cabinet lighting and accent lighting for both aesthetics as well as to light dark corners of your kitchen. Under cabinet lighting makes a big difference when you're cooking and track lighting adds some style. Put your lights on different switches so you can have multiple lighting designs. Having some accent lighting to light your way when you visit your kitchen for a midnight snack can be very helpful and romantic.
Try to keep everything to scale in your small kitchen. Smaller appliances such as refrigerators and microwaves can add space and give the illusion that the room is a little bigger than it actually is. Allow this thinking to come into play when you're choosing flooring and wallpaper, if you want to go in that direction. You can also find small coffee makers, mixers and blenders that won't overwhelm your space. Even your central lighting fixtures should be smaller as well as your hardware for you sink. Try to keep this in mind when your choosing these elements for your remodeling project.
Planning our your storage is also another concern that you should think about before you begin to remodel your kitchen. Finding storage for things that you don't use often such as mixers and blenders can free up counter space and keep things looking uncluttered. Buying some of these appliances and household items that come ready to mount under a cabinet is another option. Microwaves, can openers and even coffee makers are made to go under the cabinet these days. Take advantage of this nifty option. Putting other large items tucked away in a cabinet is a good idea also. While it might be nice for your mother to see the mixer that she bought you when she comes to visit, allowing it to live in an upper cabinet or in a nearby closet might make things easier at other times. In a kitchen, less is often more.
Even though we have only touched on a few aspects of kitchen design and remodeling, you should be encouraged and excited about the options that lie ahead for you and your project. Your petite kitchen is nothing to be ashamed of and with a little ingenuity and planning you can make this space rich with the latest trends and materials. The hard work and effort is bound to pay off for you in a work space, meeting place and attractive center of your home that you, your friends and family will enjoy for years to come.
Acceptance that your kitchen is the size that it is should be your first step in your kitchen remodel. While you might envy other big kitchens with a center island, big stainless steel range hoods and room enough to dance, small kitchens can be pretty stylish. Small kitchens are cute, cozy and unique. Packing everything into a small space means that everything is handy. Also, think about how much quicker it is to clean a small kitchen!
Next, comes the planning phase of your kitchen remodel. Again, your smaller kitchen is going to be much less expensive to remodel than a larger kitchen so thank your lucky stars. One of the great things about having a small kitchen is the fact that you can afford high quality materials. Often you can find small quantities of high quality materials like stone counter tops, tile flooring and lights that have been discontinued or are leftovers from previous jobs. High quality materials will make you proud of your small kitchen. Don't skimp on quality or getting what you really want. It makes a big difference when you're all done.
Good lighting is one area of your kitchen remodel that you need to pay attention to. Light can make a room appear larger than it is. Planning out your lighting is something that many people don't put a lot of thought into. Find some nice light fixtures that you really like and forget about the price. Make use of under cabinet lighting and accent lighting for both aesthetics as well as to light dark corners of your kitchen. Under cabinet lighting makes a big difference when you're cooking and track lighting adds some style. Put your lights on different switches so you can have multiple lighting designs. Having some accent lighting to light your way when you visit your kitchen for a midnight snack can be very helpful and romantic.
Try to keep everything to scale in your small kitchen. Smaller appliances such as refrigerators and microwaves can add space and give the illusion that the room is a little bigger than it actually is. Allow this thinking to come into play when you're choosing flooring and wallpaper, if you want to go in that direction. You can also find small coffee makers, mixers and blenders that won't overwhelm your space. Even your central lighting fixtures should be smaller as well as your hardware for you sink. Try to keep this in mind when your choosing these elements for your remodeling project.
Planning our your storage is also another concern that you should think about before you begin to remodel your kitchen. Finding storage for things that you don't use often such as mixers and blenders can free up counter space and keep things looking uncluttered. Buying some of these appliances and household items that come ready to mount under a cabinet is another option. Microwaves, can openers and even coffee makers are made to go under the cabinet these days. Take advantage of this nifty option. Putting other large items tucked away in a cabinet is a good idea also. While it might be nice for your mother to see the mixer that she bought you when she comes to visit, allowing it to live in an upper cabinet or in a nearby closet might make things easier at other times. In a kitchen, less is often more.
Even though we have only touched on a few aspects of kitchen design and remodeling, you should be encouraged and excited about the options that lie ahead for you and your project. Your petite kitchen is nothing to be ashamed of and with a little ingenuity and planning you can make this space rich with the latest trends and materials. The hard work and effort is bound to pay off for you in a work space, meeting place and attractive center of your home that you, your friends and family will enjoy for years to come.
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