DIY ideas to enlarge a small kitchen

If you don't have the budget to enlarge a small kitchen there are plenty of tips and tricks that you can use to make a small kitchen feel less confined, provide extra storage and even boost up the light levels.

Floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall cabinets are definitely a space-saving option for a small kitchen.

Inspired by a kitchen that has sliding mirror doors to conceal floor-to-ceiling storage shelves, here are more ways to visually enlarge a small kitchen without losing floor space:

Adding sliding mirror doors to close off shelves not only creates the illusion of more space, the mirrors also reflect light into the room.

Plus, you can mount fixed or adjustable shelves behind the doors for pantry storage, or storage of kitchen appliances and equipment.

While open shelves have a certain rustic charm, in a small kitchen these add to the feeling of being in a confined space. A more practical option would be to have tall wall cabinets fitted, with frosted glass doors that still allow you to view what's inside.

Floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall cabinets are definitely a space-saving option for a small kitchen. With the width of 40 centimetres wide, this design takes up far less floor space than conventional kitchen cabinets that are 60 centimetres wide.
Keep a small kitchen light and bright with white walls and cabinetry. It's so easy to add splashes of colour with accessories.

A single wall contains cooking, preparation and washing all-in-one, leaving plenty of room to add a dining table and chairs, or a breakfast bar.

Many kitchens have cabinets that have wasted space at the top, and that gap between wall cabinet and ceiling only collects layers of dust.

Make use of this space by increasing the height of existing cabinets, or fitting new cabinets to make use of this space.

Keep a small kitchen light and bright with white walls and cabinetry. It's so easy to add splashes of colour with accessories.

• Paint walls with Plascon Double Velvet or Plascon Wall & All for a finish that is easily cleaned. Be sure to scrub walls with sugar soap, rinse and wipe dry before painting.
• Install white tiles with a gloss finish to reflect and bounce light around the space. You will find a wide selection of affordable tiles at your local Builders Warehouse.
• Paint cabinet doors with Plascon Velvaglo to immediately brighten a dark kitchen. You will find plenty of tips, tricks and techniques in the Kitchen section.
• A more practical option would be to have tall wall cabinets fitted, with frosted glass doors that still allow you to view what's inside.

With an all-white kitchen you can easily add colour using tiles and accessories. Adding a colourful or patterned kitchen splash back gives huge impact to a white kitchen.

Where there's no more place, use areas outside the kitchen for storage. A dresser or sideboard in the dining room can be used to store items for the dining table, or for entertaining. Or look at mounting cabinets and shelves on the walls for glasses and decorative items.

Where countertop space is limited, look at ways to mount appliances and kitchen utensils onto walls and cabinets to free up space.

Use wasted space for storage

Just like the space underneath a bed, most kitchens have wasted space at the base of the cabinet. While you might not think it offers that much space, you would be surprised at how easily a few drawers can be used for storing items that aren't in regular use.

Use plywood to make drawers and add sliders to the sides for easy access. You can match the design of your cabinets by adding a MelaWood panel - cut and edged so that all you have to do is screw it in place.

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