No one likes the term ‘tiny.’ Amazing homes and expansive villas with spacious kitchen and bathroom are obviously what everyone dreams to have. But, the hard reality is that most of us have to manage with small spaces where every square foot counts. Most of the kitchens of the urban homes have a cramped counter and little space for appliances. The same thing happens in bathrooms also. Although we wish our bathrooms were large, only a few enjoy the luxury of spacious bathrooms, and most of the people have to manage with a small one.
There is no denying that cramped kitchens and bathrooms are quite depressing. Unless you live in a specially built home, you have to bear with small kitchens and bathrooms. The situation is very much frustrating for the rented homes as bringing walls down for remodeling of the bathrooms and kitchen is out-of-question. So what to do? Shall we all accept these as inevitable and do nothing, or try to do some design tricks so that these places have a roomy feeling?
In fact, some design tricks create an impression of bigger space. This article aims to suggest you some inspiring ideas that can make the kitchen and bathroom look much more spacious than what they really are.
Make the space bright
Brightening up space makes it look bigger. An imaginative combination of several layers of recessed lighting is sure to open up the kitchen and bathroom. If there are windows in the kitchen; keep those open for bringing in natural lights. For bathrooms, cover the windows with translucent window pane or stained glass for ensuring natural light and privacy.
Play with color
Colors can play havoc when it comes to making the kitchen and bathroom appear bigger than what they really are. The thumb rule is that when you paint the walls of a room with pale colors that reflects more light and it gives the illusion of a bigger space. While a light color scheme imparts a coherent look, combinations of different color palettes can also be used to make these big space look bigger. Painting the walls, kitchen & bathroom appliances & accessories, felt ceiling, and hanging panels in a unifying color also help the expansion of these places visually.
Have clean lines
As big corbel, ornate cabinetry and jumbo freeze make a kitchen crumble; oversized vanity also makes a bathroom yawn. Getting shallow cabinets and integrated appliances can make your kitchen space look roomier. Burying the protruding vanity and linen cabinet into the bathroom wall will create more space in the bathroom and also have an amazing look.
Mirrors can do wonders
Whether it is your kitchen or bathroom mirror can make space appear larger. It causes reflection of both natural and artificial light and makes the space brighter. Placing a mirror near a window will give more open feel in the kitchen. For the bathroom, mirrors can be used against sink for a roomier feeling. Installing a large mirror in the bathroom will let you see how you look, besides increasing the depth of the room. When used as backsplashes behind the kitchen counter, mirrors deliver an illusion of spaciousness. Other than hanging mirrors, using furniture with shiny surfaces also help to create an illusion of more space.
Petite furnishings help
Floor space of a small room is extremely valuable. Using slim chairs, stools and narrow tables in the kitchen keeps more floor space open, and it looks spacious. Also, place the furniture along the diagonal line, and it will lead the eyes to the longest distance in the room and make space appears bigger.
Add fake windows
Hanging framed natural scene in the bathroom is a great way for adding depth to the walls. Such framed picture looks like a window and gives the feeling of looking out into the distant horizon enlarging the size of the bathroom.
De-cluttering expands the room
Organizing is the key to increase space in the small kitchen and bathroom. A neat and clean kitchen or bathroom, with things kept out of sight, always appears large and spacious than the cluttered ones. You should only have the bare essentials in these spaces to make them look bigger. The kitchen counter should be clean with everything in the cabinet. Similarly, organize the vanity and linen cabinet in the bathroom for imparting a roomier look.
Look upwards
No matter if it is a small kitchen or bathroom; you should choose appropriate designs and patterns that direct the eyes to the ceiling. Painting vertical lines on the walls and lattice and molded designs on the ceiling also help to create an illusion of raised ceiling making the room look bigger than actual.
Grace with artificial silk trees
Keeping live plants in the small kitchen and bathroom is not practical due to temperature variations, deposition of fat, and presence of excessive moisture in these areas. As such, wholesale artificial flower arrangements are the only solution. These non-natural greens bring beauty and attraction and they can be placed on the cabinets in the kitchen or can be kept over the toilet or laundry for imparting a luscious look. Fake topiary tree and fake bamboo trees are ideal for infusing a pseudo-natural look in the kitchen and bathroom and expand the room as well.
Artificial greens have many advantages
The great thing about faux greens is that these can last for a long time without losing its charm and freshness. They have no caring demands and can be placed in poorly-lit areas. Unlike their live cousins, these do not attract insects or cause allergies making these a safe proposition. The artificial trees and plants are made absolutely realistic and are infused with UV blocking and fire-retardant chemicals. As such these do not fade and also do not help spread of fire.
Conclusion
Majority of the present day homes have small kitchens and bathrooms that create a claustrophobic feeling. Following these savvy décor ideas, such places can give the illusion of more space without adding a single a square foot. Why not try these easily implementable ideas for a facelift?
