Small Kitchen Makeover

A good kitchen makeover can make a big difference in how functional and aesthetically pleasing your small kitchen is. By adding a few minor upgrades, you can transform your kitchen and make it not only more efficient, but also more enjoyable to be in. You’ll be able to improve the look of your kitchen without going through a major renovation project.

This article will teach you how to maintain a level of efficiency and effectiveness that will transform your kitchen without breaking the bank.

Small Kitchen Makeover Tips

This small kitchen makeover is easy to follow, inexpensive, and the results will make a huge difference to your space, so let’s get started.

Set a Budget

Before starting any renovation, you first need to decide on how much you want to spend on the specific project. It’s useful to break down the budget into categories, such as demolition, electricity, painting, tiling, cabinets, appliances, and so on. Just remember to include labor costs as they will be a big part of your budget, unless you’re DIYing everything, and add about 20% more from your total budget in case you have any setbacks.

Budgeting ensures that the project can be finished in its completeness and helps you get more bang for your buck. If you don’t know where to start when it comes to budgeting, our budget estimator can help you plan your budget.

Decide on the Areas of Intervention

When planning your renovation, your priority should be having enough space to move around and using the equipment in your kitchen efficiently. Figure out the pain points in your kitchen and tackle them first. It’s a good idea to create a priority list and start with the upgrades that are top priority, and move along the list as much as your budget allows you.

Choose a Design Style

Decide whether you want to create a rustic, traditional, vintage, minimal, or contemporary look, and consider what each style entails. If you’re into colors rather than neutrals, choose a dominant color or have a two-toned kitchen, and use other colors in small increments here and there.

Maximize the Space and Storage

Small kitchens don’t have a lot of storage space, so think carefully about how you plan to use it as every centimeter counts. When planning the kitchen, take some time to consider how you use your space, whether it's exclusively for cooking or also for dining, working, etc. Consider what appliances are essential, and what smaller appliances you can go without.

There are different storage options when it comes to kitchens. You can have lower and upper cabinets, a separate pantry, a credenza, or even some open shelving. However, small kitchens have a limited amount of space, and you need to be very creative to make sure you have as much storage as you need.

If you have the space, install both lower and upper cabinets, add extra storage under your bench intended for seating, include a small island, or use the space under your stairs. Consult with a kitchen designer or architect who’ll help you find creative ways to store kitchen equipment, dishes, and utensils.

Create an Open Plan Kitchen

Small kitchens often seem smaller if they’re enclosed in a separate room, however, by combining the kitchen and living room, dining room, or common area, you will instantly create the illusion of having a larger kitchen. Check whether the wall that separates your kitchen from the other rooms is a supporting wall and if it’s not, you can ask your contractor to tear it down so you can open the area to the living room.

Kitchen Island

There’s no rule that says you can’t have a kitchen island if you have a smaller kitchen, rather, you need to be mindful of how big it is. A small kitchen island can be the perfect addition to your small kitchen since it gives you extra storage space and a place to sit if you have the space for bar stools.

Kitchen Decor

Decor can really personalize a space, however, in small kitchens where you don’t have a lot of space, adding more clutter doesn’t seem like the best option. If you do want to add a personal touch to your kitchen, focus on the ceilings and the walls by including paintings, pictures, a tile backsplash in an interesting pattern, mirror frames, a wall spice rack, small plants, interesting light fixtures, etc.

Adding Windows

If tearing down the kitchen wall and combining it with the other room isn’t an option for you, you can add an extra window to make the space feel more spacious. Windows not only add light, but they also make your space feel more luxurious and provide you with additional natural ventilation.

Layouts for Small Kitchens

Since every small kitchen is different, there isn’t one layout that works best, so it all depends on the space you have and your personal preference. People that have small kitchens often go with some of the following layouts:

• Galley (kitchen cabinets on two sides and a hallway in the middle)
• Single-wall (the cabinets are lined against one wall)
• L-shaped (the cabinets are lined against two perpendicular walls)

If you want to learn more about kitchen renovations, check out some of our previous articles.

Use Color to Highlight Areas

Getting the colors in your kitchen right is one of the most important things in small kitchen renovations. Little pops of color make the space feel lighter and more inviting, especially if you go with bright colors. Popular colors you find in small kitchens include yellow, blue, green, or another color that fits the overall aesthetic of your home.

Focus on Good Lighting

The lighting in small kitchens can make or break the atmosphere in the room. The best type of lights to focus on in small kitchens include:

• Recessed lights beneath wall cabinets
• Lights over the cabinets
• Pendant lights over the kitchen island if you have one

The goal is to have layers of lights so you can adjust the type of light based on the atmosphere you’re trying to create and the type of work you’re doing in the kitchen.

Maximizing the Space When Remodeling a Small Kitchen

Easy ways to make your small kitchen appear bigger include:

• Islands that double as breakfast bars
• Sliding doors for kitchens
• Pull-out chopping boards that come out of the lower cabinets
• Basin cover to create an extra surface over the basin
• Small shelves under the cabinets which are perfect for storing your spice collection and smaller utensils

Additional Tips to Save Money

If you decide to spend a bigger chunk of your budget on higher quality materials, there are some other ways you can save a bit of money during the remodel.

Do Some Work Yourself

If you feel confident in your DIY skills, you can do some of the work and hire contractors for the rest. Depending on your skills, some of the work you may be able to do includes:

• Painting
• Refinishing cabinets
• Redoing floors
• Putting up a new backsplash
• Installing cabinets

Get More Bids From Contractors

When working with contractors, you’ll need to establish a strict timeline to make sure everyone stays on schedule and the project is finished efficiently. Before you decide on a contractor who will work on your kitchen, it’s important to send out a few offers. This helps you learn what the rates for such a project are and helps you figure out the most affordable option before you make a commitment.

How Much Does it Cost to Remodel a Small Kitchen?

A small kitchen is a kitchen that has an area of about 6 square meters. Depending on where you live and the size of your kitchen, the remodel can cost you anywhere between $5,000 and $20,000 for a small kitchen. However, the price can be lower or higher, depending on how much of the work you do yourself, whether you use high-end materials or cheaper ones, how many upgrades you decide to do, etc.

Getting the Most Out of Your Small Kitchen Makeover

For the ultimate kitchen makeover, you need to be organized and stay on top of your budget above all else. Be mindful of how you use each space, wall, corner, and storage. The floors in your kitchen should be light and practical to make the space feel bigger, and the same goes for the walls. Last but not least, make sure that your character comes through in your design, so you can make the kitchen your own.