When Elena Lohse, the Toronto-based blogger behind This House 5000, renovated her small kitchen in the city’s West End, her main goal was to maximize natural light. Lohse and her husband had already renovated the rest of the semi-detached home before tackling the kitchen. And like the rest of the newly designed home, she incorporated neutral colors, natural lighting and an eclectic mix of décor to bring out the beauty in her kitchen and make the small space feel open.
Planning a renovation for your small kitchen? Consider these five design tips inspired by Lohse’s kitchen makeover before you get started:
1. Choose light paint colors to make a small kitchen feel more open.
Light shades are more reflective than darker shades, making them one of the best ways to make a space feel more open. Bright white paint on this kitchen’s walls evokes a fresh and airy space, while a slab of movement-rich quartz serves double duty as both the countertop and backsplash material.
2. Brighten up your kitchen with skylights.
Skylights can make the interior of any room feel bigger and brighter. With two Solar Powered Fresh Air Skylights with shades, Lohse had the right amount of fresh air ventilation needed to avoid a bulky vent hood over her oven and cooktop. The skylights allow Lohse’s favorite design elements, such as the countertops, cabinets, floating shelves and gold finishes, to shine and flood the kitchen with bright, natural light — without costing the kitchen any storage space.
Before the renovation, the kitchen was dark and dated.
3. Add warmth to your small kitchen with organic design finishes.
Lohse infused the kitchen with organic elements, such as plants, an exposed brick wall and a mahogany wood door. Natural light enhances the texture and detail of each, while the spacious countertop offers plenty of room to prepare meals and a place to keep frequently used appliances.
4. Consider a bold floor tile to define the space.
When it came time to choose her flooring material, Lohse didn’t sacrifice style or creativity. The half-moon floor tiles not only add beautiful lines but also create a bold motif that creates an illusion of a bigger space. Plus, we love how the tile pattern mimics clouds that can be seen through the skylights.
5. Get creative with storage.
When an island is not an option, consider how cabinetry or floating shelves can provide storage and a way to display your favorite kitchen tools. Lohse opted for both. Outfitted with antique brass pulls, upper and lower white cabinets make the perfect home for appliances. The wood floating shelves accentuate the kitchen’s open feel while also adding warmth and texture.
Interested in learning more about adding skylights to your kitchen? Contact a skylight installer today.
