12 Small Kitchen Remodel Ideas That Instantly Make Your Space Feel Bigger

Ready to transform your cramped cooking space into a kitchen that feels luxuriously roomy? You’re in exactly the right place, buddy 🙂 If you’ve ever tried to unload groceries in a tiny kitchen remodel and felt like you needed a degree in Tetris, welcome to my world.

IMO, making a compact kitchen remodel actually feel big is an art—and it’s about way more than just clever storage or trick mirrors.

Let’s walk through 12 small kitchen remodel ideas that instantly give you that “Ahhh, finally some space!” feeling. Spoiler: You’ll want to try these ASAP.

1. Open Shelves: Ditch the Doors

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Ever stared at a wall of cabinets and thought, “Is this making my kitchen shrink?” Yep, same here! Here’s my go-to hack: swap those upper cabinets for open shelving.

• Open shelves let your kitchen breathe—they trick your eyes into thinking the room’s bigger.
• Pop your favorite dishware on display and keep the rest minimal (FYI, no one needs to see your chipped mug collection).
• Use uniform colors for dishes—visually, it’s less cluttered.

Bonus: If you’re like me and need coffee FAST, open shelves keep your mugs within reach. Ever wondered why designers rave about this? Because it works!

2. Light It Up: Smart Illumination

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Let’s be real, bad lighting can turn even a palace into a cave. You want to go big? Go BRIGHT.

• Install under-cabinet lighting to bounce light off your countertops.
• Pick white or light reflective surfaces.
• Hang pendant lights or even add a cheeky LED strip behind your shelves.

A compact kitchen remodel instantly feels bigger when you don’t have to squint to find the spice rack. Because no one wants to cook in the dark—unless it’s a surprise dinner for raccoons.

3. Glass Cabinet Doors: See Through the Clutter

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Genuinely, glass-front cabinets are THE secret weapon for small apartment kitchen remodels.

• They reflect light and help the space feel open.
• Display your prettiest items—hide the rest behind a frosted panel if needed.
• They work for both traditional and modern styles.

IMO: It’s borderline magical how glass cabinets turn “cramped” into “chic.”

4. Mirrors and Mirrored Surfaces

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Yep, you heard me—mirrors in the kitchen. Don’t roll your eyes until you’ve seen it.

• Install a mirrored backsplash for instant depth.
• Use chrome and reflective stainless steel on appliances and hardware.
• Even a small mirror tucked in a corner can double the visual size.

If your narrow kitchen remodel feels more alleyway than kitchen, mirrors are your best friend. Why do restaurants use this trick? Dr-Mirror knows best.

5. Go Vertical: Maximize Wall Height

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Ever look up and realize you’ve wasted SO much wall space? Time to fix that.

• Install vertical storage—tall open shelving, pegboards, or magnetic racks.
• Use hooks for utensils, pans, and even cutting boards.
• Fit slender, tall cabinets in unused corners.

Dont Forget to Check : Small Open Kitchen Ideas That Make Your Space Look Bigger Instantly

Pro tip: I once hung a mini herb garden from my ceiling. Did it make my kitchen bigger? No. Did it make me feel fancy? Absolutely.

6. Pull-Outs & Roll-Aways: Secret Storage

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Get sneaky with storage! Not kidding, pull-out pantries and drawers are a life-saver in any small kitchen renovation.

• Use pull-out spice racks beside the stove.
• Try rolling carts for appliances—store them out of sight when not in use.
• Built-in cutting boards slide above drawers (double-duty!).

If you’re still stacking pots like they’re in an archaeological dig, check out these pull-out wonders.

7. Multi-Functional Furniture: Double Up

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In my last compact kitchen remodel, I swapped my ancient table for a drop-leaf version.
Game changer.

• Use folding tables or wall-mounted drop-down countertops.
• Bar stools tuck right under the counter, no wasted space.
• Opt for islands that work as dining tables AND extra prep space.

Ever wish your kitchen furniture could transform like a superhero? With the right picks, it can.

8. Light Colors & Simple Patterns

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Don’t underestimate the power of paint. A small apartment kitchen remodel needs to focus on palette—trust me.

• Soft whites, light grays, and pastels open up a room instantly.
• Avoid busy patterns; go for monochromatic or small-scale designs.
• For tiny kitchens, even the floor should be light-colored if possible.

Picture this—a white-washed kitchen with gold accents. See? The space feels twice as big by noon.

9. Minimal Hardware: Simplicity Wins

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Big chunky knobs and ornate handles stop here—less is way more.

• Try slim drawer pulls or integrated handles.
• Push-touch cabinet doors (no handles) keep things streamlined.
• Chrome or glass hardware helps bounce light around.

Would you rather catch your hip on a huge handle or walk through smoothly? Thought so 😉

10. Compact Appliances: Shrink the Essentials

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Quarter of my kitchen issues came from giant appliances hogging all the real estate. Solution: downsize!

• Get a two-burner stove or slim induction cooktop.
• Use an apartment-size fridge (they honestly fit everything you need).
• Try a drawer dishwasher instead of the full-sized monster.

Don’t buy industrial appliances “just in case.” Buy what fits your lifestyle.

11. Open Floor Plans (Sort Of)

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If you can knock down a wall between kitchen and living, you go from narrow kitchen remodel to full-on open concept.

• Consider a half-wall or window cut-out—less construction mess.
• Install a breakfast bar instead of a full wall.
• Remove upper cabinets between rooms for flow.

Can’t open the whole room up? Even visual connections—like matching flooring—work wonders.

12. Clever Organization & Decluttering

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Last but NOT least: If you remodel and don’t declutter, what’s even the point?

• Invest in drawer dividers, spice racks, and door organizers.
• Only keep what you actually use (yes, I’m talking to your fifth colander).
• Store items by frequency of use; keep daily stuff at arm’s reach.

Fact: A well-organized small kitchen renovation will always feel bigger than a cluttered mega-kitchen.

Quick Tips for a Small Kitchen That Feels Big

• Use bold color pops for accents, but keep main surfaces light.
• Store as much as possible vertically.
• Use mirrors or glass for reflection.
• Choose slim, simple hardware.
• Downsize your appliances—unless you’re feeding a family of ten.

Small Kitchen Remodel FAQ

Q: Should I go for open shelves if my kitchen is messy?
A: Only if you’re ready to embrace minimalism or get REALLY good at stacking plates.

Q: Are small appliances really worth it?
A: 100%. No one needs a fridge that doubles as a guest room.

Q: Does organization actually matter?
A: More than you think. A tiny kitchen remodel is 80% organization, 20% “Where’s my spatula?”

Wrap-Up: Make Your Space Work for You

So, we just covered 12 smart, bold, sometimes cheeky ways to transform your small kitchen remodel dreams into reality.

Whether you’re handling a compact kitchen remodel, a narrow kitchen remodel, or reinventing a small apartment kitchen remodel, these ideas actually work in real life. IFYKYK, right?

Don’t let a lack of square footage cramp your style. With the right tricks, a small kitchen renovation not only feels bigger but works harder. (And no, you don’t need to eat standing up in your hallway anymore.)

Try one—or all twelve—and send your photos when you’re done. Maybe we’ll start a club for recovered tiny kitchen owners 😉

Stay bold, stay bright, and remember: great food and great style never need a huge footprint. Now, are you ready to remodel that small space and make it shine? Let’s do this!