Home Garden

How to Decorate a Long Narrow Kitchen

A long, narrow kitchen in your home may appear cramped if you use the wrong types of decor, colors and appliances. This type room is often referred to as a galley kitchen. Making the most of the available space is not challenging if you keep in mind that clutter and dark colors tend to diminish the size of a room. Purchasing the correct accouterments makes a large difference in the appearance of a long, narrow kitchen.

Things You'll Need

  • Wall paint
  • Decorative wood, plastic or wire shelves
  • Mirror
  • Decorative hooks
  • Curtains and rugs in a solid color or small print
  • Under-the-counter appliances
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Instructions

    • 1

      Paint the walls at either end of the long, narrow kitchen in a darker shade than the long walls. Choosing a shade that is slightly darker places emphasis on the longer walls, thus making the kitchen appear wider.

    • 2

      Hang a mirror on one of the long walls. If you have a large wall space on one side, hang a horizontally shaped mirror. This makes the kitchen appear wider and creates the illusion of a spacious area. Mounting it opposite the kitchen window seems to double the view.

    • 3

      Mount decor on the wall spaces instead of keeping kitchen gadgets and knickknacks on the countertop. Decorative wood, plastic or wire shelves are a wise way to do this.

    • 4

      Install decorative hooks to hold potholders, oven mitts and dishtowels. This adds color and texture to the room without making it appear untidy.

    • 5

      Pick solid colors for the curtains and rugs in the long, narrow kitchen. Another wise option is to use small prints. Bold, large patterns tend to minimize the space.