While we all dream of a home with a large, spacious kitchen, sky-high ceilings, and plenty of counter space, sometimes you need to make do with what you have!
Small Kitchen Ideas With Grey Shaker Cabinets
If you’re working with a smaller kitchen, you need to get creative and develop solutions and design ideas that make it work. Read on for some clever small kitchen ideas that will work for you.
Start With Your Kitchen Cabinets
Grey shaker cabinets are a classic feature that works in any kitchen. Grey is a shade with a lot of depth, available in light, medium, or dark grey. Shades on the lighter end of the spectrum are better in small kitchens, as darker colors can weigh a room down and make it feel even smaller.
When working with a smaller space, you can adjust your cabinets in many ways.
First, ditch the bulky hardware. Using sleek knobs or pulls on your cabinets and drawers will make your space look more streamlined and also prevent you from banging into any protruding knobs.
You can also play with the finish of your cabinetry. A high gloss or lacquered finish can make your cabinets look more reflective and bounce the light around, which creates the illusion of a bigger space.
If you can, add more cabinets in space above your stove or range hood. This can free up valuable floor space! You can skip the cabinets that go to the ceiling and use the space above your cabinets for extra storage.
This spot is perfect for storing lesser-used tools or items, while your most-used pieces can be closer to your workspace.
Add Lots of Lighting to Brighten Your Space
Bringing in lots of light can help small spaces look bigger and brighter and add extra function. Task lighting above the countertop or sink will provide essential lighting for your workspace, and a statement light can make the room stand out. Choose a dramatic pendant light to draw the eye up and elongate your space.
Mirrors are an old trick for making spaces look larger. They reflect light across the room. Try hanging mirrors or reflective surfaces across from your windows to bring in extra light.
Use Decor to Brighten Things Up
Adding a rug is a way to warm up your space without making it feel cramped. If your shaker cabinets are warm grey, opt for a rug that pulls in similar tones like red or orange. Long or narrow galley-style kitchens can use runners, which elongate the room.
You can also use your decor to create visual interest in your kitchen, like potted plants or decorative vases. Another way to create visual interest is with a statement wall.
You can paint or use wallpaper on one wall to make it stand out. Bright, bold colors pair well with your grey shaker cabinets and can create a stylish and modern-looking space.
Eliminate Clutter And Clear Your Counters
Clutter instantly makes any space look smaller. Pare down your kitchen by eliminating unnecessary items. If your cabinets are overflowing with extra bowls or fancy gadgets you’ve never used, you might want to purge. You’ll be surprised at how much space you actually have!
Another way to clear up clutter is by adding a pot rack to hang your pots and pans. This clears out some cabinet space and adds some style to an empty space. You can also keep the countertops clear with an appliance garage to hide your small appliances like coffee makers or toasters.
Add A Versatile Kitchen Island
While you may think a kitchen island would just add unnecessary bulk to a small kitchen, it can provide valuable counter space and extra storage. You can opt for an island with storage space underneath for stowing items or storing stools when not in use.
You can even opt for a moveable kitchen island to easily roll it out of the way when entertaining. If a kitchen island does not fit in your space, you can get a bar cart for extra storage.
A kitchen island can also double as a breakfast nook. Adding a breakfast spot can help connect your kitchen and dining areas. You can use your kitchen island as a breakfast counter by adding stools. Choose low, backless stools to keep open lines when in use and make them easier to store under the island when you’re done.
Keep a Uniform Color Scheme
An easy way to make your small kitchen feel light and airy is to use a neutral color scheme. Pair your grey shaker cabinets with similarly colored walls, countertops, or backsplash.
You can keep it monochromatic by having the walls and cabinets in the same shade or use slightly different colors. You can add a marble countertop and white horizontal subway tile, which has the added bonus of making the space feel wider.
Upgrade Your Sink and Faucet
Small kitchen ideas often come with small, divided sinks that also come with a straight, short faucet. This setup makes it harder to clean large items like pots and pans. Make your life easier by switching out this setup for a better sink and faucet.
A deep-set farmhouse or apron-front sink that sits directly on your counter is not only a practical option but a stylish one as well. You can add a new tall and curved faucet to add more space to your sink. This way, you don’t have to struggle to watch your larger items like cutting boards or pots.
