11 Small Kitchen Remodel Ideas for Your Home

Modern Kitchen Ideas to Optimize Your Small Space

It’s a new year, so there’s no better time to think about revitalizing some of the most important spaces in your house, like your kitchen. If you’re used to whipping up delicious meals in a small kitchen, odds are you’ve longed for ways to open up the space and remodel it for easier cooking and better aesthetics.

Modern kitchen design is flexible and varied. By prioritizing natural light with energy-efficient windows and counter space maximization with cabinets, you’ll make your small kitchen feel much larger and have a better time cooking meals or sitting with your family to discuss the day’s events.

Not sure where to start? No problem! Let’s take a look at some small kitchen remodel ideas that you can implement, whether you have a big budget or a limited one.

1. Enjoy easy access with floor-to-ceiling kitchen cabinets 

For most home chefs, the number one problem is a lack of storage space. The more ingredients and dishes you buy, the more they seem to scatter over the countertops. But you can solve that and make your kitchen look much more modern and put together with a simple kitchen renovation: adding some floor-to-ceiling cabinets.

The right kitchen cabinets can maximize your storage space without requiring extra square footage. Plus, they're more affordable for small kitchens – check your local furniture store or even retailers like Target for some decent options.

2. Place clever roll-out shelves beneath the kitchen counter

Still have storage woes in your small kitchen? You can install affordable roll-out shelves beneath your countertops, so they hide within your kitchen cabinets. These are handy dandy and (most importantly) compact storage solutions where you can store spices, Ziploc bags, and anything else you can imagine. Once you’re done retrieving what you need, push them back under the countertop and get back to business.

3. Set up fruit bowls

If you like having fresh fruit in reach for your family or guests, there’s only one way to display it: a dedicated fruit bowl you can position on a kitchen countertop or dining room table. Bowls in rustic or classic materials like wood look great and help contain your kitchen items, so they aren’t spread out all over the place.

4. Aim high with hanging pot and pan hooks

Ever wanted to emulate those pristine, expansive kitchens you see on TV? You can, even if your kitchen is smaller than average. One of the best small kitchen ideas is to install a few pot and pan hooks so you can hang those dishes above the sink or kitchen island. But be sure that the hooks are tough enough for your dishes and that you don’t hang them too high. Otherwise, you’ll have to break out a step ladder every time you want to use one of your favorite pots!

5. Expand prep and seating space with a kitchen island

Speaking of kitchen islands, your small kitchen might need one. If you have the space in the center of your kitchen or in the area between your kitchen and dining room, consider installing a brand-new island with a marble or granite top (or a top that matches the material of your existing counters).

A kitchen island doesn’t just make your small kitchen look larger by extending its space further into the home. It’s also practical! With a new, spacious kitchen island, you’ll have more room to prep tasty meals, extra space to stack dishes before doling out servings, or a built-in breakfast bar, provided you pick up a few extra chairs or barstools.

6. Invest in an embedded fridge

If you have a little extra cash to spare and really want to increase space in your small kitchen, consider using that money for a wall-embedded refrigerator that sits alongside your kitchen walls or counters. Ideally, the fridge door will be even with the cabinet doors underneath your countertops.

Such stealthy fridges look great and maximize floor space in tight kitchens since they don't extend out from the wall like other units. Pick a wood finish you love for the exterior, and voila! Your kitchen will feel brand new.

7. Open up the area with new kitchen windows

New windows are some of the easiest improvements to make a small kitchen feel bigger and maximize its style. Brand new kitchen windows offer tons of benefits, ranging from energy efficiency to extra natural light: a major factor if you’re in the kitchen during the day prepping breakfast or lunch. Natural light helps your kitchen feel more expansive, even if it's still a little small.

Fortunately, you can install many different types of windows depending on your home’s current architectural style – if your house takes after the colonial architecture found throughout Wilmington, for example, one or two architectural windows could be just the ticket.

Or maybe you prefer something smaller and functional. In that case, a new garden window, complete with a built-in windowsill and shelf for small plants, will give you the space to plant your very own indoor herb garden and bring some more natural light into your kitchen. When it comes to kitchen window ideas, the sky’s the limit!

8. New interior lighting to dazzle guests

If your small kitchen still feels a little dark and cavernous, even with new windows, you can fix that by replacing your kitchen lights. Use LED energy-efficient light bulbs as they can help you save on your energy bill.

Recessed or “can” ceiling lighting will brighten the room, but if you’d like to spotlight work areas like an island, stove, or sink, add some pendant lighting. If you already have recessed lights, they can easily be converted to pendant lighting with a simple kit.

9. Apply a fresh, light coat of paint

Your kitchen’s paint coat significantly affects how spacious or cramped it feels. Darker paint on the walls or kitchen cabinets usually results in smaller-feeling spaces. The reverse is true with light paint, especially colors like white, cream, or light blue.

Whatever color you choose, pick up a few cans of paint from your local home remodeling store and get to work. Consider painting your kitchen cabinets a different shade from the color of the walls – otherwise, your kitchen area may blend in with the walls of the rest of the home, so it won’t look as inviting or effective.

10. Install a new faucet or bigger sink basin

To save money on your small kitchen remodel, consider making targeted but meaningful improvements, like installing a brand-new stainless-steel faucet. A new kitchen faucet will sparkle and shine from day one and feel better to use (especially if you've been dealing with weak water pressure or leaks for some time).

Alternatively, consider swapping out your current kitchen sink basin for a deeper one. Deep sink basins are super practical and convenient since they let you stack more plates and bowls inside or prep more soapy water before doing dishes.

11. Invest in a new tile backsplash

Over time, the tile backsplash in your kitchen behind your counters and above your stovetop can get worn down, cracked, or discolored from grease and smoke. A brand-new tile backsplash will improve the look of your stove, plus give your entire kitchen a minor figurative facelift. If you’ve already repainted your kitchen, pick a tile backsplash that goes well with the color of paint you applied and the aesthetic of the surrounding surfaces. Lighter colors can help make small kitchens look bigger too!

While lots of these small kitchen remodel ideas can be tackled by yourself or your family, others require professional help. When the time comes to install new kitchen windows, Window World of Port City is ready – contact us today for a free quote on your windows!