Page 22 THE VILLADOM TIMES II & IV • August 1, 2012 (ARA) Bigger isn’t always better in the real estate world -- and it’s not always possible. With more baby boomers moving into smaller, more manageable houses, and a growing number of people opting to rent rather than buy, many families are looking for new ways to decorate, design, and work with smaller spaces. Kitchens sell homes, but this most-used room in the house has not escaped the “less is more” trend. Interior designers, decorators, and home product makers are responding to the growing demand for practical, beautiful options that make sense in smaller kitchens. Here are a few ideas to help create a big impact in a small space. Work the walls: You may love your cozy kitchen, but that doesn’t mean you want to make it look or feel any smaller than it already is. Lighter wall colors can help a little kitchen feel more open and airy. One winning decorating technique for small kitchens is to paint the majority of the wall space in a light neutral tone, like a pale Big design ideas for small kitchen spaces cream or taupe and then add a pop of brighter or darker color to one accent wall or area. To edge up the excitement of this technique, try using a mural on the accent wall, rather than just a different paint color. If there is an oddly shaped niche in the kitchen, turn that problematic space into a design statement with custom, repositionable wallpaper that can be customsized and custom-colored to fit your specifications. This unique product can be adhered and moved hundreds of times, so you can take it with you to your next house if you choose. Smart-size your appliances: That 30-cubic-foot stainless steel refrigerator may look beautiful in the showroom, but how much will you love it when you can’t fully open the door in your small kitchen? Refrigerators come in several sizes, so you should be able to find one that will fit your space. The same is true for stoves, microwaves, and dishwashers. Choosing appliances that make sense for the space you have not only improves the livability of your petite kitchen, it can also improve your efficiency. Get creative with storage: One of the biggest challenges of a small kitchen is finding space for everything from pots and pans to flatware, dishes, and food. Small spaces call for storage creativity. Whether you hang some pots and pans overhead, replace traditional cabinet shelves with pullout drawers or use special racks to store plates vertically, you can find plenty of creative smallkitchen storage solutions. Liven things up with light: Often, a small kitchen will have just one window, or no window at all. Yet light is an important way to make a tight space feel more expansive and inviting. Task lighting is essential for work areas in small spaces. Pendant lights can create ambiance and provide practical illumination without sacrificing wall space, and skylights will bring natural light into a windowless kitchen. Tubular skylights can bring sunlight into a ground-floor kitchen even if there is a second floor above it. Small kitchens are here to stay, whether as part of the trend toward smaller, more efficient homes or the reality of rental unit life. With some decorating creativity and practical design tactics, you can ensure your small kitchen yields large benefits in terms of enjoyment and resale value.