Big design ideas for small kitchen spaces

Big design ideas for small kitchen spaces Bigger is not always better in the real estate world, and what's more, it's not always possible. You can edge up the excitement of this technique by using a mural for kitchens on the accent wall, rather than just a different paint color. Whether you hang some pots and pans overhead, replace traditional cabinet shelves with pullout drawers or use special racks to store plates vertically, you can find plenty of creative small-kitchen storage solutions. Smart-size your appliances - Sure that 30-cubic-foot stainless steel refrigerator is beautiful in the showroom, but how much will you love it when you cannot fully open the door in your small kitchen? Refrigerators come in several sizes, so you should be able to find one that will fit your space. Small kitchens are here to stay, whether as part of the trend toward smaller, more efficient homes or the reality of rental unit life. Pendant lights can produce ambiance and offer practical illumination without sacrificing any wall space. This unique product can be adhered and re-ahered hundreds of times so you can take it with you to your next house if you choose. Task lighting is essential for work areas in small spaces. Get creative with storage - One of the biggest challenges of a small kitchen is finding space for everything from pots and pans to flatware, dishes and foodstuffs. Liven things up with light - Often, a small kitchen will have just one window - or no window at all. Choosing appliances that make size-sense for the space you have not only improves the livability of your petite kitchen, it can improve your efficiency as well. Have an oddly shaped niche in your kitchen? You can turn that problematic space into a design statement with custom, repositionable wallpaper which can be custom-sized and custom-colored to fit your specifications. And if you crave natural light for your windowless kitchen, consider installing a skylight. If you're looking to make a big impact in a small kitchen, here are a few ideas to get you started: Work the walls - You may love your cozy kitchen, but that doesn't mean you need to make it look or feel any smaller than it already is. Tubular skylights can bring sunlight into your ground-floor kitchen even if there's a second floor above it. One winning decorating technique for small kitchens is to paint the vast majority of the wall space in a light neutral tone, like a pale cream or taupe and then add a pop of brighter or darker color to one accent wall or area. Big design ideas for small kitchen spaces Trade News selected by Local Linkup on 02/06/2012