Small kitchens that look bigger: 20 tricks that actually work (UK 2025)
If your kitchen is small but does big family duty, the aim isn’t to pretend it’s huge—it’s to make every inch work harder while the room feels calm and clear. When you’re ready to renovate your kitchen, these are the strategies we use on real UK projects. They don’t just change how a kitchen functions—they change how it feels.
What actually makes a small kitchen look bigger?
Keep the palette light and low-contrast. Add one quiet “anchor” colour, run horizontal lines continuously (worktops and plinths). Take at least one cabinet run full-height. Choose drawers over doors. Right-size and integrate appliances, and layer lighting (task + ambient) so evenings feel calm rather than bright-and-busy.
1) Cap the colour palette, then add one quiet anchor
Light, low-contrast cabinets and walls bounce daylight and simplify the view.A single darker base unit run or larger adds depth without shrinking the room. Keep ceilings pale to visually lift the space. If you love bold colour, tuck it inside—dresser backs, niches—so the main view stays light.
2) Take cabinetry to the ceiling (and tidy the skyline)
Full-height doors eliminate the "dust shelf" and pull the eye upward. Even one tall unit beside the fridge can make a galley feel taller. Where ceilings are wonky, a tidy scribe or shadow gap makes the top line look intentional - not improvised.
3) Swap swing doors for deep drawers
Drawers bring contents to you - no crouching, no blocked walkways. In tight spaces, a 600-mm drawer stack (cutlery → utensils → pans) outperforms two cupboards and keeps prep calmer. Full-extension runners help you "find" space you already had.
4) Choose a single-bowl sink (and keep the surface seamless)
A single, generous bowl frees up worktop space and looks more streamlined. Pair it with an undermount for an uninterrupted surface. If you’re torn between character and clean lines, our guide to undermount vs Belfast sinks explains where each shines in small rooms. Add a discreet pull-out spray tap and you get big-sink flexibility in a compact footprint.
5) Right-size and integrate the appliances
A 450-mm dishwasher and a single oven can reclaim a cabinet.Built-in appliances keep sightlines clean. Freestanding options break the run. If you’re deciding the look and trade-offs, read built-in vs freestanding appliances to pick the route that fits your footprint and style.
6) Layer the lighting like a grown-up room
Use task lighting for worktops, ambient lighting for evenings, and dimmers for control. Skip oversized pendants - they’ll fight cabinet doors. Keep fittings compact and use colour temperatures that flatter smaller rooms. For spacing, switching and colour temperature that flatter small spaces, lean on our kitchen ceiling lights guide.
7) Use reflective moments, not mirror walls
You don’t need a hall of mirrors. A glazed or metal splashback behind the hob, a satin brass tap, or a gentle gloss on stacked tiles bounces light without visual noise. Position reflectivity where it catches daylight (or your under-cabinet strips), not throw glare.
8) Keep horizontal lines continuous
Unbroken plinths and worktops help a galley feel longer. Avoid height changes and freestanding pieces that disrupt the run. If you’re adding a breakfast perch, keep it level with the worktop rather than stepping it up to maintain visual calm and help make the room feel broader.
9) Add a slim peninsula (only if the clearances behave)
A narrow peninsula or “mini-island” can add prep space and seating - without blocking flow. The secret is circulation: keep walkways generous on both sides so no one sidesteps a stool to reach the fridge. Round corners where traffic is tight. Let stools tuck fully under.
10) Let the floor run long and low-contrast
Lay flooring along the longest wall to visually stretch the room. Keep tones close to base units so the eye flows. If you’re choosing finishes, our kitchen flooring: tile vs LVT vs engineered wood guide explains which materials are quiet underfoot and practical in small spaces.
11) Design the morning routine (so mess disappears fast)
Big rooms can hide clutter; small rooms advertise it. Give breakfast its own appliance garage (kettle, toaster, beans) with a plug inside; add a slim pull-out for recycling where you actually prep veg; tuck a hand towel and a phone-charge cubby where you actually stand. When the daily choreography is friction-free, the kitchen feels bigger because it’s calmer.
12) Choose a slim worktop profile (and keep edges quiet)
A 20-mm worktop with a simple square or pencil edge looks lighter than a chunky slab with curves. If you love stone upstands, keep them low and nd stick to one calm splashback material.
13) Add glass—sparingly
One or two ribbed or clear-glass doors can lift a wall without turning it into display storage. Use them for glassware or whiteware so it feels curated, not busy.
14) Park tall units at the ends
Position tall units (like ovens or fridges) at the ends of the run. This keeps the centre open and avoids blocking key sightlines - especially important in narrow galleys.
15) Hide the busy things (and organise the rest)
Tuck bins, paper rolls and cleaning sprays inside cabinets. Use internal organisers to avoid the jumble drawer. Mount rails and strips on inside doors, not the backsplash.
16) Make corners work quietly
If you must have a corner base, use a quality carousel or LeMans unit. Skip bulky corner wall cabinets - end the run early and add one slim open shelf for everyday mugs.
17) Borrow space (without an extension)
A wider doorway or half-height wall can help the room breathe. Pocket doors, serving hatches, or internal windows push daylight and connection through, even without moving structure.
18) Keep the window simple
Let the window shine. Use a roller blind or café curtain. Avoid heavy treatments or cluttered sills. A splashback opposite a window can reflect light back in beautifully.
19) Limit your metals
Stick to two metal finishes, max. For example: brushed nickel taps + black lighting. Too many finishes = visual noise. Fewer = calmer (and more expensive-looking).
20) Small seating, done right
Use stools with slim legs or open bases. Keep the overhang around 250–300 mm. One well-chosen stool is better than three you keep bumping into.
A quick plan you can sketch in ten minutes
Draw your room to scale. Mark one bold anchor colour on base units or a short run. Add one full-height cabinet to tidy the skyline. Swap two cupboards for a drawer stack. Choose a single-bowl undermount sink. Right-size your appliances. Keep lighting layered and the floor running long. That’s the trick: fewer jolts for the eye, fewer obstacles for your hands.
Frequently Asked Questions
What colours make a small kitchen look bigger?
Light, low-contrast tones lift the whole space. Add one darker "anchor" for depth. Save stronger colours for internal features to keep the main view calm.
Are drawers better than cupboards in a small kitchen?
Yes. Drawers reduce crouching, swing-space issues, and help you access everything easily. One 600-mm drawer stack typically does the job of two cupboards.
How high should pendants hang over a small peninsula?
Aim for 700–850 mm above the worktop. That keeps sightlines clear and glare controlled. Choose compact shades and dimmable fittings.
Do integrated appliances really make a small kitchen look bigger?
They help. A continuous cabinet run reads calmer and more open. It’s about balancing seamlessness with practicality for your daily routine.
The Beams way
We start with how you cook and gather, then design storage, lighting, and surfaces to match. When you’re ready for a joined-up plan that doesn't ask you to babysit clutter, we’ll design, spec and build it - end to end.