Ideas for Making a Small Galley Kitchen Look Larger | eHow

The color of any room makes a big impact on how expansive it feels. Light colors generally make a room feel larger. A light blue, cream, pale yellow or other light color works well for a galley style kitchen. Paint all walls and the ceiling in the lighter colors to open up the room. Darker wall colors close in the room and make it feel more like a cave. In addition to the walls and ceiling, consider lighter colors for the kitchen flooring.

A room with lots of light feels larger and more open. Emphasize any natural light available in the galley kitchen. Choose light window treatments that you can open fully to allow in as much light as possible. If the kitchen includes an exterior door, consider replacing it with a door that has a large window. An option to consider for a larger renovation is to install a skylight.

The lighting fixtures also make a big impact on the perceived size of a galley kitchen. Avoid fixtures with dark shades. Clean lines on the light fixtures make the kitchen feel less cluttered. Track lighting or recessed lighting fixtures work well because they are simple and don't hang into the room. Add lighting above cabinets for ambiance and to draw the eye upward. Lighting under the cabinets also brightens the room and makes it feel bigger.

Installing shelving instead of upper cabinets can also make small galley kitchens seem bigger. Cabinets are bulky but shelving on the upper portions of the kitchen walls creates an open feeling. Open shelving might also inspire you to keep your kitchen items more organized because they are out in the open.