As the kitchen is being used as the dining and living room these days, people tend to spend more and more money on the appearance of their kitchen. It should relate to the rest of the home's style and decor. A well equipped kitchen will increase your home's value significantly once improved and is especially a plus if you are planning to sell your home in the near future.
Create character
A kitchen's true character develops over time, and to truly make your kitchen your own, you will need to add a bit of yourself to it. Whether you have a passion for enamelware or you have a love for cookbooks, create a point of focus by creating a small arrangement thereof that are color- coordinated with the rest of your kitchen, says Cairey Slater, Decorex 's general manager of displays.
Let your kitchen breathe and do not smother it with everyday life. Cloths, kettles, toasters and all doorknobs can be eccentric without having to sacrifice functionality. Try to have your beloved blue retro toaster repaired rather than purchasing a new one on sale - it is also the green thing to do.
In the small
You can have a great functional kitchen - no matter how small the space - as long as it is designed right, says Jodie Stander, senior designer at Easy Life Kitchens in Cape Town. Planning is crucial. First determine what your storage needs are and plan from there. Modern work surfaces and floating shelves ensure a polished and seamless appearance, while the red splash back adds definition to the kitchen.
Make room in 3 steps
Integration and efficient use of space is the answer a small kitchen according to Mark Mackey of LG Electronics. Here is a few tips on how to make the most of the space you have available:
Discard
Make a list of all your needs. What items do you use regularly? What is only gathering dust and was an unnecessary purchase? You do not need to adopt a minimalist lifestyle, but it helps to do away with what is unnecessary.
Integrate
Once you have identified your needs, determine where you can integrate devices. A washing machine - dryer combination saves a lot of space, since it’s only one device taking up space. Choose a microwave oven that is a combination of a convection oven, grill and stove.
Create
Create proper workspace by keeping all counters clear of trash. Make use of spice rack drawers with cutlery sections and containers. Standing cupboards that pull out use less space than the traditional swing doors. Remember, a front loading washing machine can be a fitted underneath a work surface, saving more space.

Smart planning
Cutlery drawer, drawers for pots and general storage space is a must. Items that may cause the kitchen to appear cluttered like the broom cupboard, washing machine and tumble dryer can be kept in the garage. Cabinets that are installed all the way up to the ceiling for extra storage space will also create the illusion of a larger kitchen.
Less is more, so avoid complicated designs for your kitchen cabinets. Do not hoard and remember, clean long lines and light colors helps create an airy feeling in a room. Use the same theme in the kitchen and living room as it is a single living room.
Providing enough seating at the kitchen counter is very important, as it can serve as extra seating for the living area as well.