How I used Joanna Gaines’ ‘Visual Continuity’ trick to save my tiny kitchen

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Okay, so I finally did it. I stopped crying over my 40-square-foot kitchen and actually listened to Joanna Gaines. You know that feeling when you’re trying to prep a massive batch of my spicy garlic noodles and you literally don’t have space to set down a bottle of Diamond Crystal kosher salt? Yeah, that was my life. But then I saw her 2026 spring guide on ‘Visual Continuity’ and it clicked. joanna gaines’ trick for making small kitchens look bigger isn’t about expensive renovations; it’s about tricking your brain into thinking the walls aren’t closing in. I spent about $150 at Home Depot and Target to make my kitchen look like a Magnolia set, and honestly, I’m never looking back.

The ‘No-Break’ Color Rule (It’s not just white!)

Look, everyone says ‘paint it white,’ but Joanna’s 2026 spin is more about the finish and the flow. She uses Sherwin Williams Alabaster—which is about $68 a gallon these days—to paint not just the walls, but the trim, the ceiling, and even the back of the pantry door. When everything is the same shade, your eyes don’t stop at the corners. It creates this seamless vibe that makes the room feel like it goes on forever.

I tried this in my galley kitchen last weekend. I even painted the weird little soffit above my fridge that I used to hate. It took me two days and three podcasts to finish, but the difference is wild. My kitchen used to feel like a box; now it feels like an actual room.

Why the ceiling matters

If you paint your walls white but leave the ceiling that ‘builder-grade’ flat white, you’re cutting the room in half. Joanna suggests using the same color in a satin finish for the walls and a flat finish for the ceiling. It draws the eye upward, making your 8-foot ceilings feel like 10-footers.

Ditch the uppers (The scary part that works)

This step is annoying but worth it, I promise. I took the doors off my upper cabinets. I know, I know—now everyone can see my mismatched mugs. But removing that visual ‘weight’ from eye level is the core of joanna gaines’ trick for making small kitchens look bigger. If you’re feeling brave, take the cabinets down entirely and put up some $15 pine boards with brass brackets from Amazon.

I did this and used the extra space to display my pretty glass jars from IKEA. It makes the kitchen feel open and airy. If you’re lazy, just start by taking the doors off one side. You’ll see what I mean immediately. It opens up the ‘breathing room’ around your head while you’re standing at the stove.

The ‘Power of Three’ Styling

Once the shelves are open, don’t clutter them. Joanna uses the ‘rule of three’—group a stack of plates, a wooden bowl, and maybe a small plant. It looks intentional, not messy. I get my wooden bowls at Target for like $20.

The Big Rug Hack (Don’t go small!)

Real talk: most people buy those tiny 2×3 mats for in front of the sink. Stop doing that. It chops up your floor space and makes the room look like a series of stamps. Joanna’s trick is to use a large-scale runner or even a 5×7 rug that covers most of the floor.

I went to Costco and grabbed a 2.5′ x 7′ Ruggable runner for about $130. Because it stretches almost the whole length of my kitchen, it leads the eye down the room, making it feel way longer than it actually is. Plus, it’s washable, so when I inevitably drop a spoonful of marinara, I don’t have a heart attack. It’s a total lifesaver for messy cooks like me.

Pick a low-profile pile

Make sure the rug is thin enough that your pantry door or dishwasher can still open. You don’t want a shaggy rug in a kitchen anyway—that’s just asking for trapped breadcrumbs.

The ‘One Appliance’ Countertop Rule

Joanna is the queen of clear counters. In a small kitchen, every square inch of granite (or in my case, cheap laminate) is prime real estate. My rule now? Only the KitchenAid stays out. Everything else—the toaster, the air fryer, the blender—gets tucked into a bottom drawer.

I found these great pull-out organizers at Walmart for $25 that make it easy to grab the heavy stuff without breaking my back. When your counters are clear, the kitchen feels instantly bigger. It also makes cleaning up after making my famous 15-minute lemon pasta so much faster because I’m not wiping around a dozen cords and bases.

The hidden prep station

If you’re out of counter space, get an over-the-sink cutting board. I got mine for $30, and it basically gives me an extra two feet of workspace when I’m chopping veggies for Sunday meal prep.

⭐ Pro Tips

• Use ‘Command’ hooks inside cabinet doors to hang measuring spoons and save drawer space.
• Swap your standard light bulbs for 3000K ‘Warm White’ LEDs to avoid that depressing yellow tint in small spaces.
• A giant mirror on a backsplash or an adjacent wall can literally double the visual size of the room for under $50.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Look, you don’t need a $50,000 renovation to love your kitchen. Joanna’s trick is really just about clearing the visual clutter so you can actually breathe while you’re boiling water. Try the paint first—it’s the biggest bang for your buck. Then, grab a big rug and hide that air fryer. You’ll be amazed at how much more you enjoy cooking when you aren’t feeling trapped in a closet. Now, go make some pasta and enjoy your ‘new’ space!