We all dream of having a mega-size kitchen, complete with a center island, warming drawers, cabinets galore, and endless space for entertaining friends and family.

The reality is, your kitchen has limited counter and cabinet space, and just enough room for your appliances and perhaps a small table, especially if you live in an apartment, or a condo in the city. That doesn’t mean, however, that you’re limited in your design. In fact, through smart design, you can even make a tiny kitchen appear larger.

Less Is More: The more cluttered your kitchen is, the smaller it will seem. Having too much stuff on the counter takes away from how much space you’ll have to use when preparing food to cook. Keep counter space as clear as possible, and opt for smaller appliances that aren’t bulky. Store smaller appliances, like toasters, blenders, etc., when they’re not being used.

Let There Be Light: Keeping your kitchen bright is one way to make it appear larger. If you’re painting, go with light colors, and keep shades open during the day to let the sunshine in. You can also create the illusion of space by installing lighting under cabinets or counters.

Organize: To make the most of your space, make sure you are utilizing cabinets effectively. Opt to hang pots and pans instead of having them take up critical room or having to store them in the oven for lack of space.

Backsplash Basics: Backsplashes are often completely ignored in kitchens. However, you can design a functional backsplash by installing simple metal holders for things like paper towels, cutting boards, coffee mugs, etc., which clears up your counterspace.

The most important thing to remember when redesigning a small kitchen is to be creative and think outside of the box. If you implement the above tips, you can make your small kitchen efficient and beautiful.