How To Make a Small Kitchen Look Bigger

BySimon Hours Posted on Hours Updated on Categories Tips
Make a Small Kitchen Look Bigger

Feeling cramped in your kitchen? You’re not alone. When space is tight, designing a kitchen that feels open and spacious can feel like a challenge. But the good news is, with a few strategic design choices, you can transform even the smallest kitchen into a bright, airy space that feels larger than life.

From selecting the right colour palette to maximising light and storage, there are simple ways to make a small kitchen look bigger without knocking down walls. For instance, choosing light-reflective finishes, installing open shelving, and picking the right-sized cabinetry can create an illusion of space. And at Ross’s Discount Home Centre, we know firsthand how effective these strategies can be—our customers have transformed countless small kitchens into stunning, functional spaces that look far more spacious than they are.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the essential steps of how to make a small kitchen look bigger, sharing tried-and-true tips I’ve gathered over the years helping Perth homeowners make the most of their kitchens. I’ll also include my advice on selecting the perfect paint to enhance openness—trust me, a smart paint choice can work wonders in a small kitchen. Ready to start designing? Let’s dive in!

Go for White Cabinets and Benchtops

A tried-and-true way to make a small kitchen look bigger is to opt for white kitchen cabinets and benchtops. White surfaces are fantastic for reflecting light, which instantly adds a sense of spaciousness. By keeping the cabinets and benchtops white or in soft, neutral tones, you’ll create a bright, airy foundation that helps open up the space visually.

When I updated my own small kitchen, the gloss white finish of our cabinets paired with a white Silestone benchtop worked wonders. The effect truly was remarkable—it not only brightened the room but also gave it a clean, uncluttered look. Plus, white cabinetry pairs well with almost any accent colour, giving you the flexibility to add personality through other elements without compromising that open, spacious feel. So, if you’re working with a compact kitchen, starting with white cabinetry and benchtops is a surefire way to make the space feel larger and more inviting.

Use Paint Strategically to Open Up the Space

One of the simplest yet most effective ways to make a small kitchen look bigger with paint is to choose colours that enhance light and depth. Soft, neutral tones like light grey, soft beige, or pale blue create an airy, open feel while subtly adding warmth and personality to your kitchen. Light colours reflect natural light, which makes the space feel expansive while also creating a calming backdrop for cooking and gathering.

If you’re looking to add a bit more character, try an accent wall in a slightly darker or complementary hue, but keep it within the same light colour family to maintain continuity. Painting the ceiling a shade lighter than the walls is another trick that can draw the eye upward, giving the illusion of more height and openness.

In my experience, a carefully chosen paint colour transforms the space, often without needing additional updates. If you’re on a budget, a fresh coat of the right colour paint can go a long way in opening up a small kitchen and creating a stylish, welcoming atmosphere.

Embrace Elongated Patterns for Added Depth and Height

Using elongated patterns in your kitchen is a tried-and-true design hack to make a small kitchen look bigger. Patterns that create visual length or height, such as horizontal stripes, elongated hexagons, or geometric tiles, can help draw the eye across the space, making it feel more expansive.

For a taller look, consider vertical patterns on your walls—think elongated subway tiles or Kit Kat tiles. This design approach adds a sense of height, making the ceiling feel higher than it is. Alternatively, placing elongated or linear patterns on your floors can create a sense of depth, making a narrow kitchen appear longer and more spacious.

At Ross’s Discount Home Centre, we stock a stunning range of kitchen tiles ideal for achieving this effect. Our Hexia Rapsodia, Hexia Rothko, and White Finger Mosaics offer stylish designs that add both character and a clever visual illusion to your kitchen. These popular choices will enhance the aesthetics and contribute to a more open, airy feel in your small kitchen.

Swap Solid Cabinet Doors for Glass to Add Depth and Openness

An effective way to make a small kitchen look bigger is by opting for glass doors on your kitchen cabinetry. Glass creates a sense of openness by allowing light to pass through, extending visual depth, and making the walls feel farther away. This simple change can visually expand your kitchen, making it feel more open and airy.

With glass doors, you’ll see into the cabinet rather than stopping at a solid door, which tricks the eye into perceiving more space. To maximise this effect, keep the interiors of these cabinets uncluttered and coordinate colours for a neat, cohesive look that adds style without overwhelming the senses.

At Ross’s Discount Home Centre, we offer the Glass Door Gloss White Cabinet, a popular choice among Perth homeowners for both its practicality and aesthetic appeal. This cabinet style seamlessly blends function with design, enhancing openness while maintaining a clean and contemporary look.

Opt for Sleek, Compact Appliances to Maximise Space

When it comes to making a small kitchen look bigger, the appliances you choose play a crucial role. Sleek, compact kitchen appliances create an uncluttered, streamlined appearance, which helps visually expand your kitchen. Large or bulky appliances can quickly overwhelm a smaller space, but compact, minimalist options fit seamlessly, allowing for a cleaner, more open look.

Consider appliances that combine form with function. For example, at Ross’s Discount Home Centre, we offer options like the 60cm Multi-Function Double Oven, which provides ample cooking space without taking up too much room. Our 50cm All Gas Freestanding Oven and the 45cm Freestanding Dishwasher are also excellent compact options that deliver big performance while saving on space. These appliances keep your kitchen practical and stylish, ensuring functionality in a layout designed to look and feel more spacious.

Embrace Open Shelving for a Spacious Look

Incorporating open shelving into your kitchen is a stylish and practical way to make a small kitchen look bigger. Open shelves reduce the visual weight typically associated with solid cabinetry, giving your kitchen a lighter, more expansive feel. Plus, they’re ideal for showcasing your best dishware or adding decorative touches, which can bring personality and warmth to your space.

Personally, I’m a big fan of floating shelves mounted with wall brackets. They offer a modern, streamlined appearance and are incredibly versatile—perfect for creating a sophisticated look without the bulk. Just remember, with open shelving, organisation is key. Keep items tidy and colour-coordinated for the best effect.

Before committing to open shelving, check out our comparison article, Open Shelving vs. Traditional Cabinets, to ensure it’s the right choice for your kitchen needs

Choose Reflective Surfaces for a Spacious Feel

One of the simplest tricks to make a small kitchen look bigger is incorporating reflective surfaces. Light reflection not only brightens the room but also creates the illusion of a larger, more open space. By thoughtfully selecting shiny finishes for your cabinets, splashback tiles, and benchtops, you can significantly enhance the spaciousness of your kitchen.

At Ross’s Discount Home Centre in Perth, we make achieving this effect easy. Our high-gloss kitchen cabinets, with their 2-pack epoxy-painted finish, maximise light reflection beautifully, giving your kitchen a bright, expansive feel. Pair them with our sleek stone benchtops for a polished look that feels both stylish and roomy. For a bit of extra shimmer, consider glossy splashback tiles like our ceramic or mosaic options to complete the look and further open up your kitchen space.

By incorporating these reflective surfaces, you can enjoy a kitchen that feels inviting, bright, and deceptively larger—without the need for a major renovation.

Conclusion

When it comes to how to make a small kitchen look bigger, a few thoughtful design tweaks can have a big impact. Choosing light, reflective colours, installing streamlined cabinetry, incorporating open shelving, and adding glass accents are all effective strategies to expand your kitchen’s visual space. Thoughtful choices in splashback tiles, benchtops, flooring, and appliances can further enhance the feel of a larger kitchen without compromising on style or functionality.

Visit Ross’s Discount Home Centre for everything you need to make your kitchen look larger. From high-gloss white cabinets and space-enhancing splashback tiles to compact, modern appliances, we offer affordable kitchen solutions to fit any budget. Drop by our Guildford showroom or browse our online selection, and let us help you create a kitchen that feels open, airy, and truly inviting!

FAQs

The colours that make a small kitchen look bigger are typically light and neutral shades, such as whites, soft greys, light blues, and beige tones. Light colours reflect more light, creating an open and airy feel that expands the visual space. However, you can add subtle contrast with darker accents in accessories or cabinetry hardware, which can add depth without overwhelming the room. If you’re looking to create warmth, consider pale pastels or gentle earth tones, which maintain a spacious feel while adding character.

Read our Tips to Make a White Kitchen More Interesting for more ideas on adding colour to a white kitchen.

The flooring that makes a small kitchen look bigger is usually light-coloured and uniform in design, such as light wood or pale tiles. Large-format tiles or wide planks create fewer grout lines or seams, which helps to reduce visual clutter and make the space feel more expansive. In addition, flooring with diagonal patterns or elongated planks can create the illusion of length, drawing the eye across the room and opening up the space. Glossy or polished finishes also add a reflective quality, enhancing the brightness and perceived size of the kitchen.

View our SPC flooring and timber-look tiles to see your wood options, or explore our expansive tile range for a more modern options.

To maximise space in your small kitchen, consider a few strategic choices: use open shelving or glass-fronted cabinets to reduce visual weight, opt for multi-functional appliances, and install pull-out drawers and organisers inside cabinets. Wall-mounted storage options like magnetic knife strips, hanging racks, and hooks are also effective ways to free up counter space. Choosing compact, slimline appliances and a light colour scheme can help your kitchen look and feel bigger. Adding reflective surfaces, like a glossy splashback or high-gloss cabinets, can increase the light and make the room appear more open.

For more tips and advice, read our articles ‘Organising Your Kitchen Cabinets‘ and ‘How to Arrange Kitchen Cabinets for Optimal Functionality‘ to maximise your kitchen space and functionality.

The splashback that makes a kitchen look bigger is typically a light-coloured, glossy, or reflective option, such as white subway tiles, mirrored tiles, or high-gloss glass. Subway tiles laid horizontally can create a sense of width, while vertically stacked tiles can draw the eye upward, adding height to the room. For a seamless look, choose tiles that blend with your cabinetry or benchtop colour, helping to avoid strong visual breaks. The reflective surface of glass or polished ceramic splashbacks can amplify light in the space, making it feel brighter and more expansive.

The colour appliances that make a kitchen look bigger are generally stainless steel or white, as they blend more easily with light-coloured cabinetry and walls, reducing visual clutter. Stainless steel appliances are especially effective as they have a slightly reflective quality, which can help to bounce light around the kitchen.

For a truly seamless look, you could opt for panel-ready appliances that match the cabinetry, giving a clean and cohesive appearance that visually expands the space.

The best colour benchtop for a small kitchen is a light shade, such as white, soft grey, or beige. Light benchtops reflect more light and can make the space feel open and airy. If you prefer a bit of contrast, opt for a benchtop with subtle veining or patterns, such as a light marble or quartz, to add texture without overwhelming the space. Matte finishes can create a more grounded feel, while gloss finishes add light reflection, helping to further enlarge the visual space.