A Design Expert Explains Why A Dramatic Light Fixture Doesn't Belong In A Small Kitchen

When you have a small kitchen, your main priority is making it look more spacious. Cooking or cleaning in an enclosed space can sometimes make you feel claustrophobic. Decorating your kitchen with fewer items will open up the space. While you want your kitchen to look luxurious, leaving out fancy design features and bulky appliances is best. 

Design expert Ben Burbidge claims using oversized items makes a small room look even smaller. For example, lighting can make or break the way the kitchen's size looks. Installing oversized chandeliers when a kitchen has low ceilings or a tight walking space will make it more cramped. Instead, minimal light fixtures will help open up the kitchen.

Finding the best way to decorate your kitchen can be challenging when you want it filled with multiple features. However, starting with the basics and slowly incorporating things you need — like appliances or minimal décor — will transform your space, making it look more expansive. Here's how to replace dramatic lighting fixtures with toned-down designs, in order to make your tiny kitchen appear larger.

If there's a specific interior you want to use in your kitchen that involves chandeliers, take your time finding the perfect one. Decorating with chandeliers can be tricky since you don't want them to overwhelm your space if they're too big for your small kitchen. Ben Burbidge, a Managing Director at Kitchen Makers, told Ideal Home, "If you are set on including grand items, like chandeliers or upholstered barstools, ensure the size suits the actual space and is not too imposing." Opt for a sleek but stylish fixture.

There are different chandelier styles that are made specifically for tiny kitchens; you don't have to buy an elegant crystal chandelier to elevate your kitchen. For example, you can place a wide chandelier with round glass shades in a brass or stainless steel finish over your island. The wide style works over islands because they're wide enough to cover more than half of the space below, so you won't have to worry about including additional lighting. On the other hand, be sure to pick a chandelier that doesn't hang too low from the ceiling because, if you already have low ceilings, the light fixture will make the space look cluttered and cramped.

Finding the right placement for a chandelier will help you pick a properly sized light fixture for your kitchen. If you have an open layout with an adjacent kitchen and dining room, you can place a chandelier over the dining table and use statement light fixtures above your island.

Using an oversized light fixture can illuminate one area in the kitchen but creates shadows in other spots. You want balanced light throughout the interior so that you can see everything in front of you wherever you're standing. Layered lighting prevents you from using only one light fixture and allows you to use multiple lights to help you achieve specific tasks throughout the day. For example, suppose you have an open kitchen layout with an island in the middle and cabinets and counters lined along the walls. In that case, you'll want functional and fabulous overhead island lighting, a few cabinet lights, and under-cabinet lighting to prep food easily. Only lights above the island create dim corners and shadow spots, making the kitchen appear darker when cooking at night.

There are three types of lighting to consider when decorating your kitchen; task, ambient, and accent. The under-cabinet lighting is an excellent example of task lighting. Ambient lighting tailors to ceiling lights illuminating the entire room; dim lighting features can be used for ceiling lights. Accent lighting is a decorative fixture that fits the kitchen's aesthetic. However, for a small kitchen, accent lighting should still be a reasonable size to prevent making it the room's main focal point. You can use sconces or pendant lighting to add a stylish touch, making the kitchen feel more spacious.