Small kitchen, big problem
In modern life where every inch of land is valuable, small kitchens have become standard for many families. Although this type of kitchen is fully equipped, it often brings many troubles to daily life due to the cramped space. The narrow operating table makes it difficult to place the ingredients during cooking. Every time you cut a few vegetables, you have to move them around; the limited cabinet storage space makes it difficult to properly place all kinds of pots, pans, bottles and jars. The cabinets are often stuffed full, and you have to search through the cabinets to find something; the aisles are difficult to turn around, and you will bump into the cabinet doors or other items if you are not careful. If two people are in the kitchen at the same time, it will be even more crowded.
But don’t worry, by cleverly using colors and lights, small kitchens can also achieve “gorgeous transformation”, visually expand, and make cooking and life more comfortable.
Color magic, open visual expansion
White – a classic and bright choice
In the color selection of small kitchens, white cabinets are classics among classics. White has a strong ability to reflect light, which can make limited space appear brighter and more transparent. Imagine that in a small kitchen of only a few square meters, white cabinets are like mirrors, reflecting light to every corner, and the originally cramped space becomes open instantly. It not only brightens the overall environment of the kitchen, but also creates a simple and clean atmosphere, making the cook happy.
In a small Nordic-style kitchen, white cabinets are often matched with light wood floors and white walls to create a fresh and natural home atmosphere. The purity of white cabinets and the warm texture of light wood floors complement each other, making the small kitchen full of a warm atmosphere of life, as if in a quiet Nordic town. In a small modern minimalist style kitchen, white cabinets are matched with black handles and gray marble countertops. The simple black, white and gray color scheme shows a fashionable and atmospheric texture and highlights the owner’s elegant taste.
The gentle power of light colors
In addition to white, light colors such as light gray and light wood are also excellent choices for small kitchens. Compared with white, light gray cabinets are more calm and low-key, while still bright, which can add a high-end texture to the small kitchen. In the industrial-style small kitchen, light gray cabinets are matched with exposed cement walls and metal lamps, which perfectly interpret the coldness and fashion of the industrial style, making the small kitchen full of personality charm.
Light wood cabinets bring a natural and warm feeling, which complements the green plants. In the Japanese-style small kitchen, light wood cabinets, white walls and wooden floors, and a few pots of lush green plants such as Monstera and Pothos, create a quiet and comfortable Zen space, making cooking a kind of enjoyment. These light-colored cabinets will not give people a sense of oppression visually, but make the small kitchen appear more spacious and warm, as if the space has been extended invisibly.
Clever use of color combinations and embellishments
Clever color combinations can bring unique visual effects to small kitchens. For example, matching white with light wood, the freshness of white and the warmth of light wood make the kitchen bright and warm, full of natural atmosphere. In some modern minimalist small kitchens, the white cabinets on top and the wood cabinets on the bottom make the white wall cabinets on top look light, while the light wood floor cabinets on the bottom add a sense of stability and enrich the sense of spatial hierarchy.
Small area embellishments such as colored countertops and sinks can add liveliness and personality to small kitchens. A red sink instantly becomes the visual focus of a small kitchen, injecting vitality into the entire space. In a simple white small kitchen, with a blue countertop, the blue and white are as fresh and natural as the blue sky and white clouds, making the small kitchen full of artistic atmosphere. However, when combining and embellishing colors, pay attention to the coordination of colors and the unity of the overall style, and avoid being too messy, so as not to be counterproductive.
Lighting secrets, light up spacious spaces
Basic lighting, illuminate the overall situation
Basic lighting is the “bright cornerstone” of a small kitchen, which provides uniform and sufficient light for the entire space. In terms of lamp selection, chandeliers and ceiling lamps are common choices. For small kitchens with smaller areas, simple ceiling lamps are a good choice. They are directly adsorbed on the ceiling, do not take up extra space, and can make the kitchen look more simple and open. When choosing a ceiling lamp, pay attention to its brightness and color temperature. Generally speaking, natural light with a brightness of 1000-2000 lumens and a color temperature of 4000-5000K can create a bright and comfortable atmosphere for the kitchen, making the cooking environment clearly visible.
If the kitchen space is slightly larger and has a certain height, a unique chandelier can provide lighting while becoming the visual focus of the space, adding a sense of fashion to the kitchen. The installation position of the chandelier is very important. It should be located in the center of the kitchen to ensure that the light is evenly spread around and avoid lighting dead corners. The installation height should also be noted. Generally, 70-80 cm from the kitchen countertop is more appropriate, which can ensure sufficient light without making people feel depressed.
Functional lighting, worry-free operation
Functional lighting is a “powerful assistant” for small kitchens, focusing on meeting the actual needs of cooking operations. Under-cabinet lighting is a key part of functional lighting, which can effectively solve the problem of insufficient light on the operating countertop. Install LED light strips or recessed lamps under the cabinets. When you cut vegetables and prepare ingredients on the countertop, the light can directly illuminate the operation area, avoiding shadows caused by blocked light, making every operation clearly visible, greatly improving the safety and efficiency of cooking.
Accent lighting can highlight specific areas of the kitchen, such as the stove and sink. Install a spotlight above the stove. The focused light allows you to observe the state of the ingredients more clearly when cooking and accurately control the heat; the lighting above the sink should not be ignored. Sufficient light allows you to ensure that every corner is clean when washing ingredients and tableware. You can choose a small wall lamp or downlight and install it in a suitable position above the sink to provide sufficient and concentrated lighting for the sink area.
Mood lighting, full atmosphere
Mood lighting is the “romantic magician” of the small kitchen, which can create a warm and comfortable atmosphere for the kitchen. Indirect lighting is an important means to achieve mood lighting. For example, light strips are installed inside the cabinets. When the cabinet door is opened, soft light emanates from the inside, which is not only convenient for taking items, but also adds a unique charm to the kitchen. A light trough is set between the ceiling and the cabinet. The hidden light shines upward and then illuminates the entire space through reflection. The light is soft and uniform, making the small kitchen full of a warm atmosphere.
On some special days, such as family gatherings and romantic dinners, different atmospheres can be created by adjusting the brightness and color of mood lighting. Dim the lights and replace them with warm yellow lights to add romance and warmth to the dinner; and when friends gather, turn up the lights to create a cheerful and lively atmosphere. Mood lighting makes the small kitchen no longer just a place for cooking, but also a space where you can relax and enjoy life.
Magic tips to create a perfect small kitchen
In the design of a small kitchen, color and light are like a pair of close partners, cooperating with each other to perform the magic of space expansion. Colors create a bright, warm, or personalized atmosphere for small kitchens through different hues, brightness, and purity, visually stretching the sense of space; lighting, in the form of basic lighting, functional lighting, and mood lighting, illuminates every corner, eliminates darkness and crampedness, makes every corner of the small kitchen clearly visible, and creates a romantic and comfortable atmosphere.
When you are ready to renovate your own small kitchen, you might as well try these color and lighting matching techniques boldly. Start by choosing a favorite light-colored cabinet, and then carefully select the right lamps to let them collide in the small kitchen to create wonderful sparks. I believe that with the dual blessing of color and light, your small kitchen will be completely renewed and become a warm and unique food paradise at home, making every cooking full of fun and enjoyment.
