How to Decorate a Small, Windowless Kitchen in an Apartment

Indirect lighting is vital when you have a windowless kitchen.

A small, windowless kitchen is a fact of life in many apartments or condos where space is at a premium. Dark and usually narrow, windowless kitchens can put a damper on the urge to cook. You can open up the space through the use of artificial light and make the kitchen feel cozy with the introduction of brightly colored accessories.

Instructions

1. Paint the walls and cabinetry in the kitchen a glossy white. This helps to reflect artificial light and creates a sense of brightness in a small space.

2. Attach under-cabinet lighting. Choose a sleek design that can be hidden by cabinet trim or that is otherwise unobtrusive. Use bright white light bulbs.

3. Place a light rope or cabinet lighting above cabinets near the ceiling. Arrange the lighting on the top of the cabinet so that it provides an attractive glow while the cabinet trim hides the fixtures.

4. Hang track lighting from the ceiling to target task areas in the kitchen.

5. Choose stainless steel cabinet pulls and appliances to make the space look bright and modern. Use peel-and-stick faux stainless steel material to cover dated refrigerator, stove and dishwasher fronts.

6. Line the top of the cabinets with cheerful yellow or blue glassware, such as vintage bottles or vases. When these are placed in front of the light fixtures on the cabinet tops, they will provide a soft glow that softens the white and stainless steel in the room.

7. Use an area rug in the kitchen to cover the floor and add more cheer. Coordinate the rug with your countertop colors or with the colored glassware in the room.

8. Hang a collection of small mirrors on the area under the cabinets to help bounce light and color around the room.

Tips & Warnings

• Replace some cabinet doors with glass doors to visually open the space.

• Limit the accessories on the kitchen countertops to keep the small kitchen looking neat and spacious.

• Avoid a patterned area rug in a small kitchen. A patterned rug will bring the focus downwards in the room.

References

• Decorating Savvy Cafe: Take Your Small Kitchen from Drab to Fab

Resources

• Re Nest: 10 Well Designed Windowless Kitchens