If you have a small or dark kitchen, you have probably wondered how you can welcome in some extra light and make it brighter. Let’s look at some tips to get you started.

Use reflective surfaces

Matt surfaces absorb the light, but reflective surfaces bounce it around the space. A high gloss surface can work particularly well for cabinets in a smaller kitchen.

Think about colours

Working on a similar principle, dark colours tend to absorb the light and make a space feel smaller and cosier. This is great for a spacious lounge or bedroom, but less so for a small kitchen. Choose pale and light colours that will allow the light to bounce around the space.

Use mirrors

A mirrored splashback or a wall-mounted mirror opposite a natural source of light such as a window will make a real difference to the feel of your kitchen. Mirrors are great for creating the illusion of space.

Consider a kitchen refurbishment

You don’t need to completely change your kitchen, but a smart kitchen refurbishment will allow the experts to come in and give you ideas about your space. A kitchen refurbishment can be a smart and affordable way to make a real change.

Remember the lighting

In a dark kitchen, more lighting will inevitably be better. Invest in good lighting and you will see a difference. Be smart about where you use it; for example, LED strip lights look great under cabinets. You can also add recessed lights, under-plinth lights, spotlights, and all kinds of flexible lighting around your space.

Remove the clutter

One of the quickest and easiest ways to make your kitchen feel bigger is to remove the clutter. Put small items away in cupboards, do a good sort-out, and be very mindful about the things you choose to have on display on your surfaces. This will make a huge difference to the feel of your space.

Try these tips to make your kitchen feel lighter and brighter without the hassle and expense of a complete renovation.

Related: Why Millions of Microplastics Are in Your Kitchen

More ways to let the light in

Some of the biggest gains come from outside the room. Trees and shrubs that have grown up in front of a window can block a surprising amount of daylight, so prune them back regularly and think carefully before planting anything large close to the house, particularly on the sunny side, where it will also block useful winter warmth. Dirty glass makes a noticeable difference too; cleaning windows inside and out lets in more light than you might expect.

Look at what surrounds the window. Heavy curtains and blinds that cannot be drawn fully clear of the glass cut out daylight even when they are open, so choose dressings that stack back beyond the frame. Keep windowsills clear rather than lining them with plants and ornaments. In other dim spots, such as hallways and landings, a few well-placed mirrors help bounce light along. Making the most of daylight matters most in winter, when short days can leave many people feeling low.

Finding more natural light

Before deciding on changes, walk through your home at different times of day and notice where light comes from and where it gets lost. In a kitchen, the problem might be a small window, a tall unit or a dark wood floor soaking up the light, or heavy furniture in an adjoining room blocking it. Daylight lifts mood and energy, so it is worth tackling the cause rather than just adding more lamps.

Sometimes the answer is structural. Replacing a solid back door with a glazed one, or a wall of glazed bi-fold or sliding doors, can transform a kitchen that opens onto a garden, and a rooflight brings in light from above where wall space is limited. Smaller touches help too. Polished metal handles, lamp bases and picture frames catch and reflect light in the same way as gloss cabinets, and keeping window sills clear and blinds fully raised during the day lets in every bit of daylight available.

Small layout tweaks that let light in

Beyond paint and mirrors, the way you arrange a dark kitchen can make a noticeable difference. Large pictures, posters or noticeboards tend to absorb light rather than reflect it as a bare, pale wall would. Save them for brighter rooms or walls that get more sun during the day.

Think about where shelving and tall units sit. Placed parallel to a window they can block the light, while positioning them at right angles to the window lets daylight flow through. Painting the ceiling a lighter shade also helps light bounce around.

The window itself is your main light source, so keep the glass clean and free of dust and grime. Heavy, dark curtains can be swapped for sheer curtains or translucent blinds that let more light through. Lack of light is more than a cosmetic issue, as a dim home can raise the risk of falls and affect mood, so these simple changes are worth making.