How do I brighten and make a small dark kitchen better?

Frances
by Frances

Kitchen 7ft.x11ft wall to wall .North facing . Very gloomy and small. HELP!



  6 answers
  • GrandmasHouseDIY GrandmasHouseDIY on Jan 21, 2021

    Hi Frances, depending on what type of cabinets you have you may consider painting the space out in different shades of white. Removing upper cabinets and replacing them with open shelving can really give a space some breathing room. Lighting is absolutely important. Under cabinet lighting can help a lot in a small kitchen especially if the overhead lights are really harsh. If you have fluorescents overhead you might want to consider changing them out.

    Another thing to think about when it comes to small dark spaces is to try to embrace the idea and go further with it. Instead of small and dark how about "cozy" - we have a regular table lamp on our kitchen counter that adds a wonderful warm glow at night.

    • See 3 previous
    • Frances Frances on Jan 22, 2021

      Cozy is a problem if the room is small as the smaller the space the more intense the claustrophobia! MRIs are an impossibility. The kitchen has a door and a window onto the garden which , while it looses a wall , is wonderful . I’m really signing off for a while now.

  • Mogie Mogie on Jan 21, 2021

    Does the kitchen have a window? A picture would help a lot so we can see what you have to work with.

    Rope light run under your cabinets would give you more light and highlight the cabinets at the same time.

    A solar tube would bring in a lot more light.

    What color are the cabinets and walls right now?

  • William William on Jan 21, 2021

    Paint cabinets a light color. Add more ceiling lighting. Under cabinet lighting may help. Paint the room a lighter color.

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Jan 21, 2021

    Hello. Paint could be a room brightening option. We live in a log cabin and understand how dark rooms can be. An example is our previous homeowner placed simple wall paneling over the logs in the bedrooms and painted it improve the darkness situation greatly.

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Jan 21, 2021

    Hi! Color makes a huge difference in a room, as does window treatments. Go as light as you can, so light doesn't get "sucked in" by dark colors. Good luck and stay safe!

  • Rymea Rymea on Jan 22, 2021

    Paint everything warm light shades of white. Put some plants in the window and use warm accents in pictures, hand towels etc. Oppt for reflective stainless steel appliances whenever you can.

    • Frances Frances on Jan 22, 2021

      Vast amount of plants outside window. All except stainless steel I will encorporate. Thanks