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Let’s create big style in a small kitchen with the help of designer Luc Crawford. Here’s a step-by-step plan on how to make a small kitchen look and feel larger. Text Luc Crawford 1. REPAINT. A simple coat of paint, like a bright white or a light grey will freshen up a kitchen. Adding pops of colour, will distract from the small space. Remember, light and bright. 2. CREATE A FOCAL WALL. Add wallpaper (a vertical stripe gives height) or even tile a wall that’s in a direct sight-line. 3. THE BACKSPLASH. Using mirror or glass subway tile with under-cabinet lighting, will eliminate dark spaces under upper cabinets. Mirror is very on-trend. 4. TILING. Depending on the tile on your kitchen floor, you may want to change it out. Ideal floor tiles for small spaces are rectangular in shape and larger-than average tile. 5. FOCUS ON FUNCTION NOT APPLIANCE. Create a low impact layout making sure that your tools crucial to working in your kitchen are within a proper working triangle. 6. LOOK UP AND THINK UP. Maximizing vertical space is the best way to reduce clutter and increase storage. 7. IF YOUR KITCHEN HAS SOLID WOOD CABINET DOORS, you may want to create glass inserts or change out the doors to glass cabinet doors. Another option is open shelving. This will help visually open up the room. 8. PAINTING THE CABINETS and walls the same colour allows for a complete flow. 9. REMEMBER THAT SLEEK, clean and tailored all help to achieve an overall look that will please everyone entering your kitchen. 10. FLOOD YOUR SPACE with as much light as possible. Dark rooms become claustrophobic and uncomfortable. Lighten up that small kitchen and you’ll never want to leave. Space designed by Creative Space Architectural Design Ltd., www.creativespace.co.nz 30 CANADIANHOMETRENDS.COM