Feeling cramped in your kitchen? Don’t take out a sledgehammer and start knocking down walls just yet. Getting a bigger, more open look and feel may be as simple as changing just a few small things, like the color of your kitchen cabinets. And some of them take less than a day.

Change Up Your Colors

The most important thing you can do to change the entire look and feel of your kitchen is to change the colors. White or dove grey kitchen cabinets are the two colors with the most bang for your buck. They’re known for reflecting light, creating a much larger look and feel, no matter what the size of your space. Not ready to refinish cabinets in your kitchen? Paint the walls. A fresh coat of white paint can do wonders.

Reduce Visual Obstructions

Look around your kitchen and name off three things that block your view through the room. Cabinets, appliances, chairs, tables—they all have a role to play. Replacing kitchen cabinet doors with glass, buying backless stools, and installing clear glass light fixtures are all quick ways to eliminate visual obstructions and allow you to see through, and open up, your space.

Add Mirrors and Other Reflective Surfaces

You’re probably already familiar with using mirrors to create the perception of space in your home. Chances are, you’ve installed one or two mirrors in small hallways, bedrooms, and bathrooms. Take the same idea into the kitchen to create visual space and add an unexpected touch of class. But don’t stop with a mirror. Wax the floors, gloss up the countertops, and shine up your kitchen cabinets to reflect light and make your kitchen feel 2-3 times bigger.

Integrate Your Appliances

If you’re thinking about doing a full remodel with custom kitchen cabinets, plan to integrate your appliances, and don’t forget to think slim. Slim custom cabinets paired with slim, integrated appliances will free up actual space, rather than creating visual space. Slimming it down can add a foot or more of space to your kitchen.

Add More Lighting

Bringing space to your kitchen could be as simple as adding more light. This might mean adding a lamp to the wall or the ceiling. Or, it might be as simple as trading out your “soft kitchen” light bulbs for something more robust, like daytime bulbs or LEDs. Add lighting under kitchen cabinets to gain even more visual space.

From full remodels, to cabinet refinishing, painting the walls, changing the furniture, or even just changing the light bulbs, there are dozens of ways to bring visual and actual space back to your kitchen. What other small changes can you think of to help create space in your kitchen?