Timothy Dahl, editor of Charles and Hudson, a D.I.Y. blog, lives in a small apartment in the West Village neighborhood of New York. He wrote to us about a simple trick he used to make his 7x4 foot kitchen feel bigger:  a mirrored backsplash.

To install it, Tim paid $4.99 for a 4-pack of mirrored tiles from Ikea, each measuring 11 ¾ x 11 ¾ inches and backed by double-sided foam tape. The reflection behind the sink, complimented by framed mirrors on the opposite wall, gives the illusion of space. White-painted cabinets also provide relief.

Tim managed to squeeze in a full-size dishwasher, after finding a 4.5 inch deep sink, and installing a high-arching faucet. He also creates impromptu counter space by placing a butcher block over the oven burners. “I think we’ve made the best of what we’ve got,” he told me.

To share your kitchen tips, tricks, and questions with us, email audrey@dwell.com.