​Maximize Profits with Kitchen Optical Illusions

One thing all people have in common is the need—and sometimes the love—of food. That is the reason the kitchen is a major selling point in any home real estate transaction. When your home suffers from a small kitchen, it is time to use optical illusions to make it appear larger.

Light It Up

Good lighting has an amazing effect on the eye. If you take two identical white eggs and paint one black, inevitably everyone you ask will tell you the white egg is larger. Make sure your kitchen has as much natural light as possible. You may want to add a skylight or under counter lighting to make the space shine. Remove curtains or replace them with light white ones and show the house with the blinds open.

Woodworks Matters

While mahogany cabinets may give your kitchen a rich look, the dark color also makes it look smaller. Consider painting the cabinets a lighter color, or you may want to consider replacement cabinet doors with glass doors to give the room a more open feel. If a clear glass door feels too revealing, opt for a frosted glass.

Clutter Free

The more clutter you have in your kitchen, the smaller it tends to feel. Store small appliances and mount the microwave to free up counter space. Clean, clear counters give the illusion of wide open spaces.

Reflection Deception

Install a mirrored backsplash to instantly fool the eye into believing your kitchen is twice as big. This works exceedingly well in a monochromatic kitchen, especially when it is light colored.

Size Matters

When space is tight, large appliances can make it feel even smaller. Replace oversized or dark appliances with smaller, apartment-sized appliances in a white or stainless steel finish.

Wasted Space

Look at your kitchen with a critical eye. Is there wasted space that you can make useful? For example, empty place above cabinets can be made into an asset by filling with decorative containers for storage or by adding lighting there to make the dead space a point of interest.

In Kitchen Dining

If you have a dining room and a breakfast area in an already cramped kitchen, consider replacing the kitchen table and chairs with a small movable island or an open baker's rack. If you must keep your kitchen table and chairs, trade out large pieces for smaller, sleek lines. Remember, when creating the illusion of space, sleeker furniture is better.

The Floor Is More

A lot of people overlook the floor when prepping a kitchen for an open house. Take a good look at the floor. A larger tile will give the impression of a bigger room. If a new floor is not in the budget, consider a large rug that is a similar shade to the flooring.

The Island of Death

While a kitchen island is functional, it can also wall off the kitchen from another room. If it is movable, consider the placement. An open floor plan is more inviting and does not define what is strictly the kitchen. The size of the island also matters. While counter space is good, many islands seem to take over the kitchen.

Replacements

Replace that clunky knife block with a magnetic wall strip. Not only does it show off how functional the kitchen is, it helps you clear off the counter. You can also make up for a lack of drawer space by creating a hanging glass rack or pan rack.

As a rule, any money you invest into upgrading your kitchen increases the selling price of your home, but sometimes, a little optical magic can go a long way toward making your kitchen look bigger without busting your budget. Use these tips to turn your kitchen revamp into a profitable real estate sale.