Making a kitchen feel larger has less to do with square footage and more to do with perception. According to both the 2026 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study and the National Kitchen and Bath Association’s 2026 Kitchen Trends Report, designers report that many homeowners are willing to trade adjacent rooms, rethink layouts, or borrow views from outdoors to get there.
The most successful spaces aren’t louder or busier. They’re simpler. A combination of strategic layout changes + smart storage solutions + and visual tricks can fool the eye into seeing a much larger room. Here's what actually works.
Remove Walls to Connect Your Kitchen to Other Spaces
Over the next three years, designers predict that the overall footprint of the kitchen will expand. Open-concept layouts continue to dominate kitchen design, and for good reason: a multi-purpose hub improves how we gather and connect with family and friends.
Removing walls between your kitchen and adjacent living areas instantly makes both spaces feel more expansive; Houzz cited that 33% of renovating homeowners were willing to remove walls, but only 16% were interested in an addition.
In fact, the NKBA report confirms that clients are willing to sacrifice space in other areas of their homes to expand their kitchens, even if it means losing the dining room.
This doesn't mean you need to tear down every wall; even removing a partial wall or creating a wide pass-through opening can dramatically change how spacious your kitchen feels. The key is creating sightlines that extend beyond the kitchen's boundaries. When your eye can travel from the kitchen into the living room or dining area, your brain registers the combined space as one large area rather than separate small rooms.
Hide Clutter Behind Closed Doors and Concealed Storage
The single most popular strategy among design professionals is hiding workspaces, appliances, and food prep areas behind walls and doors. NKBA reported that 81% of respondents sought ways to reduce clutter, while Houzz’s report highlighted that 53% of renovating homeowners were likely to install appliances in their kitchen island to make better use of the space.
Visual clutter makes any space feel smaller, so concealing the mess of daily cooking creates an immediate sense of openness.
This approach doesn’t make kitchens less practical. It makes them easier to live with.
Homeowners are increasingly likely to favor:
- Tall pantry walls that absorb food storage and small appliances
- Panel-ready appliances that blend into cabinetry
- Prep kitchens or butler’s pantries tucked behind doors
- Appliance garages that clear the counters
Connect Your Kitchen to the Outdoors Through Windows and Doors
One of the fastest-growing trends involves visually expanding your kitchen by connecting it to outdoor spaces.
NKBA highlighted that 80% of respondents agreed that large windows, glass doors, and even glass walls create the perception that your kitchen extends beyond its physical walls. 71% also noted an increasing interest for kitchens that physically connect with outdoor living areas and outdoor kitchens.
Installing floor-to-ceiling windows or replacing a solid back door with a glass door brings in natural light while giving you views of your yard or patio. The outdoor space becomes a visual extension of your kitchen.
Some homeowners are taking this further by installing folding glass walls that can open completely, merging indoor and outdoor cooking and entertaining areas. And remember: even if you can't add an outdoor kitchen, simply enlarging your windows or adding French doors can make your kitchen feel significantly more spacious by borrowing visual space from outside.
Weigh It Out: Island vs Peninsula For a Small Kitchen
A peninsula’s thought to work better for smaller kitchens because it doesn't require clearance space on all sides, but to work right, it still needs a properly organized work triangle and great traffic flow. When it doubt, consider this rationale:
Choose a peninsula when:
- Your kitchen is less than 150 square feet
- You need to maximize every inch of floor space
- You want a casual dining area without adding a separate table
- Your kitchen opens to a living room and you want a subtle divider
- You're working with a galley or L-shaped layout
Choose an island when:
- You have at least 10 feet of clearance width in your kitchen
- You need workspace accessible from multiple sides
- You want storage accessible from both the kitchen and an adjacent room
- Your kitchen layout is large enough to allow 36-48 inches of walkway around all sides
- You entertain frequently and need a central gathering spot
The deciding factor for us comes down to traffic flow. Walk through your kitchen and imagine where you'd place each option. If you're constantly squeezing past an imaginary island, a peninsula makes more sense. If you have room to walk comfortably around all sides, an island gives you more flexibility and storage options.
Is sacrificing a dining room worth it for a bigger kitchen?
For many homeowners, it is. Formal dining rooms often sit unused, while kitchens handle daily meals, work, and gathering. Expanding the kitchen can improve how the home functions day to day. NKBA reports that more clients are choosing this trade-off to get a kitchen that feels open and comfortable rather than formal but cramped.
