Having a small kitchen can feel like a deal breaker in terms of hosting parties or even just enjoying making dinner. If you want your small kitchen to feel a little bigger, try out these suggestions to make the most out of your space.

Increase lighting

Poor lighting can make any room look smaller, let alone if the space is already on the tinier side. Increase the lighting in the kitchen and add window treatments if your budget allows for it.

Keep it simple

We all want the fanciest kitchen in town, but if the space isn’t there, adding too many colors, patterns, and decor can crowd the room and make it look tacky. Instead, keep it as simple as possible with the design.

Store things away

Sure, keeping things on the counters is convenient, but it also makes the kitchen look cluttered and disorganized. A few items are okay, but don’t overcrowd an area that’s already lacking space. Invest in storage that will keep the counters free from clutter.

Include whites

Incorporating white into your color palette is another great way to brighten up your small space. It will reflect the natural light coming in, opening up the room as a whole.

Bring the eye upwards

Part of making a small space look bigger—any space, for that matter—is drawing the eye up. If you have space above your cabinets to store a few key items, place them there. Fake plants or even a chic wallpaper print will do the trick as well.