Saving Space in the Kitchen

Thanks, House Beautiful

Last night I asked my dad a very serious question. "Pa", I said, "if I'm a take-out dinner wife, will you disown me?" 

The kitchen is a place full of potential. Some people (like every other girl in my family) have the patience and ability to create that potential. Me? Well, I longingly smell their food and eat their leftovers. It doesn't take much space to create those delicious masterpieces but for some reason we have it in our minds that a lot of space is needed. I came up with a few tips for opening up a smaller kitchen:

• The Right Color. Softer colors allow light to bounce around a reflect, creating more depth and life to the room. Darker shades absorb light and will only make the room look smaller. Whites, pale blues, soft yellows, and light grey's would be great choices for kitchens. Try to stick with a one or two colors for simplicity and cleanliness.
• Declutter. The task may be daunting, but if everything in the kitchen has a specific space it will make for a much smoother system. Try to have uniform containers if things like cereals need to be kept out, avoid knick-knacks and other decor around the tops of cupboards and on fridges, and put away appliances when you are finished. Extra shelving within cupboards can be added to most effectively use space.
• Emphasize Light. If you are lucky enough to have windows in your kitchen, emphasize the light it provides by keeping the window uncovered, clean, and freshly painted. Allow the kitchen to become a focal point. Under cabinet lighting is a practical addition to add to any kitchen. In the photo above, mirrors are used as the backsplash to create the illusion of more space.
• Multiple Purposes. Try to only purchase necessary things in regards to food and furnishings. Meal plans can be planned ahead to use the same ingredients multiple times throughout the week, saving on money and space. Consider how the furniture you have or are looking to purchase can double up in purpose - coffee table as kitchen table, bench seating with storage inside, a roll away island that can be hidden away when it's not in use.

Do these tips help? What unsolvable problems do you have with your kitchen?

Thanks Tidy Stuff and Great Interior Design

By the way, my dad's response to my troubled question was simply, "that would get boring, expensive, and unhealthy". Which I translated to "you better not".