Making small kitchens look bigger with clever lighting

In an ideal world, consumers would have appealing and spacious kitchens, but in reality many people have to settle for small cooking areas.

However, by using clever techniques, they may be able to make the areas appear larger. Writing on Yahoo! Lifestyle UK recently, interior designer Wendy Newman suggested that it is possible to create the illusion of more square footage by using indoor lights effectively.

She remarked: “If you have a low ceiling, fit recessed lights. And make sure you have task lights under wall mounted units or shelves. LEDs take up no space at all and you can add ‘wow’ with lights in kick plates or even in the floor.”

To optimise the impact of clever lighting, consumers can also use mirrors. About these items, Ms Newman said: “Mirrors work particularly well in kitchens. If there’s a small eating area, try a large mirror on the wall behind, creating the illusion of more space. You can even get mirrored splashbacks and upstands.”

Of course, as well as investing in suitable mirrors and indoor lighting, there are also other techniques available to consumers.

The expert noted that there are a variety of space-saving options on the market. For instance, homeowners can invest in “secret corner pull-outs”, kickplate drawers, pan drawers under ovens and slim larder units.

Ms Newman added: “There are lots of things that can fit into a 150mm wide space in a kitchen – a slim wine fridge, a pull-out tea towel rail, even space for trays and chopping boards.”

Using light cupboards, cabinets, tiles and floors can also add to the feeling of space, the specialist suggested.

There is certainly no shortage of products for consumers to choose from these days and many individuals now head online to source products that meet all of their needs.