Finally, an Answer to Your Narrow Kitchen Woes – Emma Chamberlain's Vertical Design Hack is Genius, and it Looks Chic, Too

Let's face it, narrow, galley-style kitchens aren't the most practical, but when you don't have the option to change the layout of your home, you can use some visual tricks to make the space feel taller and counteract a narrow floorplan. Model and influencer, Emma Chamberlain, has done just that in her Proem Studio-designed LA home, by using vertically stacked tiling and panelled cabinetry to draw the eye upwards.

If you've been looking for stylish ways to make a smaller kitchen look bigger read on, as I've asked the experts for their take on this vertical styling trick and how to make it work in your home.

And if you love the look of Emma Chamberlain's kitchen, I've sourced some buys to get-the-look, from a soft green kitchen island (Wayfair) that echoes the cabinetry shade and style in the model's home, to some glossy porcelain subway tiles (Walmart) to create that vertical effect.

Shop the Look of Emma Chamberlain's Kitchen

When it comes to narrow kitchen ideas, Emma Chamberlain's vertical design trick is a simple, yet impactful one. 'In long, slim kitchens, vertical detailing is one of the most effective ways to visually rebalance the space,' explains Michael Hartel, Founder & CEO of Cabinet IQ. 'Vertical wood panelling on cabinetry, taller door fronts, or vertically stacked tiles naturally pull the eye upward, which helps the room feel taller and less compressed. We use this approach often when ceiling height is an advantage, but floor space is limited.'

You'll note the long cabinetry panels, vertically stacked tiles, and lengthwise wood flooring in Emma Chamberlain's kitchen, but she also incorporates other elements to interrupt the straight lines. 'The cleanest way to break up the linear look is to let the verticals sit on the cabinet fronts or the wall, then introduce one dominant slab surface that reads as a calm field, and stops the room from feeling like it is made of stripes,' says Alkis Valentin, Owner, Chief Bricks.

Michael agrees: 'To stop the kitchen from feeling too linear, it’s important to break things up,' says Michael. 'Solid stone countertops, like marble or quartz with natural movement, help ground all those vertical lines, while metallic accents or softer details add contrast.'

In Emma Chamberlain's kitchen, this visual full stop comes in the form of a statement green marble panels below the sink, which roll over from the countertops. Meanwhile, copper accent pieces, from the cooker hood to the cookware and even the faucet, play beautifully against the soft green cabinetry and natural wood floor and ceiling. 'A single metallic panel behind the hob or on the cooker hood adds reflection and a soft sheen without introducing more lines or extra colors, says Alkis.

But one thing to remember when trying out this vertical visual hack is that it works best with paler color schemes, like Emma Chamberlain's soft mint green kitchen. 'Lighter colors like warm whites, soft pastels, and pale neutrals will reflect light and keep the space feeling open,' says Michael, 'which is especially important when you’re trying to make a narrow kitchen layout feel more comfortable and balanced.'

Whilst using vertical lines in the form of cabinet panels and tiling can undoubtedly give the impression of a larger space, remember to keep the color scheme light and break up the lines with a contrasting piece. And if you're remodelling a slim kitchen, do read up on these narrow kitchen layout mistakes to avoid, first.

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