Reducing clutter makes kitchen seem bigger

"Beauty of style and harmony and grace and good rhythm depend on simplicity." Plato (427 B.C. – 347 B.C.), ancient Greek philosopher, The Republic (4th century)

Q: Help! We have a tiny kitchen and really do not have the budget to add on. Do you have any suggestions for making the most of our small kitchen?

A: I recently attended the kitchen and bath show and was able to see the latest industry looks and trends. The show, put on by the National Kitchen & Bath Association, also provided a lot of tips for your kitchen and bath; and here are some they offered for making the most of a small kitchen.

* Use unique storage solutions. Add pullout shelves, rotating inserts and tilt-out bins to increase accessibility. Light-colored cabinets, open shelves, wire organizers and glass-front doors will help to lighten the space.

* Choose appliances wisely. Try to keep your cooktop and stove in the same area. This saves valuable counter space. Have microwaves built into the cabinetry to get them off the counter; and keep all small appliances stored in a pantry or close by closet to keep counters clear.

* Pay attention to lighting. Try installing a skylight for extra light and additional ceiling height. Bay or greenhouse windows also provide extra light; add task lighting (over the breakfast bar or under the counter) to complement the ambient light.

While these are excellent ideas, it totally depends on your personal space as to whether you can implement them. If you are stuck with the current layout and have appliances in place, you probably can’t do a lot with that.

However, you can lighten up your cabinets by painting them, replacing the doors with glass fronts or removing the doors altogether. Keeping clutter to a minimum always makes any space seem larger, and you can install the pullout shelves and rotating inserts.

Keep your window treatments to a minimum; and avoid putting things on the floor (i.e., trash can, storage bins, etc.).

Work with what you have; keep it clean and clutter-free, and it will feel larger instantly.

Check out the upcoming August Home & Garden magazine for more on kitchen trends.

Q: Can you define transitional décor for us? I keep hearing about it as some sort of "designer mantra" but nobody ever says exactly what it is. Could you shed some light on it please? Thank you.

A: Transitional furniture and style are terms that have come to light over the last couple of years defining a look that is a combination of traditional and contemporary.

It’s not hard edge like ultra modern, nor is it curved legs and overstuffed furniture like traditional. I would describe it as modified eclectic.

So what does that mean?

By the very definition of transitional (Merriam-Webster says, "a: passage from one state, stage, subject or place to another; change. b: a movement, development, or evolution from one form, stage or style to another."), the style is not married to one form.

Envision clean, classic lines, simple but sophisticated, featuring predominately straight lines. Upholstered pieces could feature wooden frames and are generally void of ornamentation or decoration.

The color palette for transitional design tends to be known more for lack of color, rather than bright colors. White cotton, luscious chenilles, microfibers and soft leather work well in this décor.

For example, chintz and plaid are a no-no.

Accessories are kept to a minimum. Less is definitely more, with solid-colored vases or bowls; a single orchid on a chest or table; black and white photographs; and silver and crystal candle holders.

In essence, transitional is a very easy décor style to live with. It’s uncluttered appearance provides a peaceful and serene environment, and it’s easy to achieve with a keen eye.

Carolyn Muse Grant is the editor of Southern Nevada Home & Garden magazine. Her Inside Spaces column appears weekly in the Home & Garden section of the Review-Journal. Check out other decorating tips in Southern Nevada Home & Garden magazine, which is published the first Saturday of each month. Send questions to cgrant@reviewjournal.com.