Source: Veneta Cucine

1. Avoid crowded prints on the walls tiles. Opt for self-coloured ceramic tiles in medium shades of your favourite colour. Very light colours are a no-no in the kitchen as they show stains easily and very dark colours close in on the room, making it look smaller.

2. Go with white lighting rather than yellow lighting that casts shadows making the place look dark and naturally smaller. If you must have yellow lighting for a particular ambience, introduce it inside glass-shuttered cabinets.

Also Read: Lighting Basics Around the House

3. Parallel counters are a better bet than U-shaped or L-shaped counters. Parallel counters running along the kitchen walls always give the room an illusion of depth.

Also Read: The Best Material for Kitchen Counters

4. Planning storage in a small kitchen can be quite a task. Go with cabinets under kitchen counters as they make compact storage for all your regular cooking utilities. You can also have a row of cabinets along the walls just under the ceiling. But avoid two rows of cabinets as they look very boxy and make the kitchen look tiny.

Also Read: 10 Space Saving Secrets for Small Homes

5. Try lighter coloured laminates for your kitchen cabinets. You could also try glass shutters at least for the higher up cabinets so that they reflect light and make the kitchen look brighter and bigger.

6. Have the gas stove flush with the counter tops. This way the stove doesn't crowd the counter top and the counter looks larger and more spacious.

Check out our Classy Kitchens photogallery for design ideas for your own kitchen!

7. Opt for sleeker appliances in your kitchen. For instance, a 5 kg. capacity washing machine would be available in different models. A sleeker model that fits well in line with the kitchen counters will not jut out and make the kitchen look pokey. The same goes for refrigerators and microwaves.

8. Choose stainless steel fittings and drawers and cabinet handles so that they reflect light making the kitchen look brighter and a little bigger too.

Also Read: 10 Steps to a Brighter Home

9. If a dining table is going to be too imposing, go with metallic bar stools along one counter in the kitchen. The kids can enjoy a quick evening snack on the counter or even do a little homework there.

Check out  our Beautiful Dining Rooms photogallery to choose a style that suits you!

10.  Finally, don't have too many things to clutter the counters. As far as possible don't use the counter space to dry washed dishes etc.