Lifestyles by Estelia… Making the Most of Small Kitchens

If you’re selling your home and you kitchen is small, don’t panic because with a little creativity you can accomplish big appeal.  Here are a few tips I hope will work for you.

• De-Clutter the counter tops and the walls. Most people have a tendency to let kitchen clutter build up on the counter tops and walls. Removing items from the counters, kitchen table, and even off the walls will make the space feel bigger.
• Clear off photos and miscellaneous papers that are stuck on your refrigerator door or kitchen walls. If you’re tight for space, mounted storage units can be added to your kitchen walls to free up limited counter-top space. But again, too many storage units, even the decorative kind, will give people a feeling like the walls are closing in on them. The same goes for hanging pot racks from the ceiling. Be sure to leave some open wall space and to use storage units that aren’t completely solid. The open units, if the shelves aren’t stuffed, will give a less closed-in feeling.
• Bring in the light. Small kitchens can be dark, making them feel even smaller.  If you remove the curtains from any windows in your small kitchen, it’ll let light in and open up the area. Instead of curtains, you can use small blinds that are recessed inside the frame of the window. These are easy to clean and still provide some privacy even when the blinds are open.
• Opt for lighter and brighter wall color. Going with lighter colors tends to open up a room. Light and bright colors are also very inviting and friendly, making them a perfect choice for the kitchen.

Remember:  Small kitchens don’t have to be an eyesore – some people prefer less space because there’s less to clean!