3 Design Tips to Steal from This 588-Square-Foot Modern Farmhouse-Style Condo

published Nov 6, 2021
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Ktichen with gray cabinets and black and white star-patterned backsplash
Credit: Rhonda Farnham

Kailee Olson’s Gorham, Maine, condo may be pretty tiny (measuring 588-square-feet!), but that didn’t stop her from packing a lot of personality into the small space. As luck would have it, Olson is the owner of an interior design service called Copper & Pine, and she knew exactly what to do and how to do it! We took the tour and discovered three kitchen design tips worth stealing. Come along — let’s take a look!

1. Don’t be afraid to use color.

One of Olson’s design rules is to experiment with paint. Rather than go with standard white kitchen cabinets, Olson went for a moody blue. “I fell in love with the star tile and chose the dark blue-gray cabinet color to complement it,” she says, pointing to her backsplash choice. “Paint can totally transform a space,” adds Olson, who gets her design inspiration from paintings, nature, magazines, and Pinterest. Once she found a bold tile to use as her kitchen’s focal point, Olson was able to play off of the colors, creating a stylish and eye-catching color palette.

Credit: Rhonda Farnham

2. Use the space over your cabinets.

Oftentimes, when cabinets don’t go all the way to the ceiling, that space just gets wasted. But Olson figured out a way to use it all. Between the wall-mounted lights and the open shelving, Olson was able to add functional storage space and a bit of personality! Of course, the lights serve a functional purpose, too.

3. Mix old and new things to create an eclectic vibe.

Olson says she is a huge fan of shopping for hidden treasures on Craigslist and at Goodwill. “I enjoy going to yard sales and antique shops and mixing items with new things from stores like Target and Wayfair,” she says. Her design strategy is simple: Mix old and new. The effect, she says, is an instant eclectic vibe.

Do you have any kitchen design tips for small spaces? Share your ideas in the comments below.