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8 small kitchen design tips

October 14, 2015 Leave a Comment

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When you only have a small kitchen it can beย challenging to squeeze everything you want into it, whilst still being a comfortable and enjoyable space you want to spend time in. Here are my eight top tips forย making it work for you.

IMG_7778

1. Keep it light and bright. This will make the space appear larger in scale. Solid, lighter colours for cabinets and benches will help to reflect light into every corner and keep things simple and tidy.

2.ย When in a really small property consider making the kitchen look like part of the furniture. By doing aย few small things you canย integrate the kitchenย into your living space rather than having it as just a utility space.ย Some tips includeย integrating the appliances to give a more seamless look, and making the kitchen less busy by fitting only the base cupboards with handles and opting for handle-less touch catches on the upper cabinetry.ย Even consider having the whole kitchen, including the bench top space, encased in a single wall of cabinetry that can open when needed and be shut off when not in use.

3. Multi-purpose everything. Choose a sink that comes with a range of accessories, such as an integrated chopping board, to make food preparation easier.

4. Deep and wide drawers make items more accessible and are a space-efficient option compared to a standard cupboard.ย Add dividers for greater accessibility and ease.

5. Downsize the appliances. Space efficient dishwashers, ovens and fridges (yes you can get mini versions of most things) will keep a small space from feeling cramped and allow for more storage.

6. Depending on your space, consider a galley layout. This has the prep/cook/wash and serve counters on either side of a narrow walkway and is a very space-efficient layout when designing a small kitchen.

7. Go up up up. When space is at a premium make sure you remember to look up and maximise your vertical space. For example continue the cupboards to the ceiling and use this top storage space for things that are not oftenย used or for display items to help soften the space.

8. Consider using mirrored panels orย splashbacksย to help explode the visual impact. There are so many good options available that are not reminiscent of bad ’90s mirrored wardrobe doors!

Employing just a few of these tips will help you get the most from your small space without feeling the squeeze on your lifestyle.

Read all of Naomiโ€™s articlesย |ย Read more about Naomi|ย Visit her website.

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Is there a more decadent and delicious soup than F Is there a more decadent and delicious soup than French onion?

I think not!

Grab the recipe on the blog this morning via link in bio.
Get to know me! I haven't done one of these in YE Get to know me!

I haven't done one of these in YEARS so there's possibly thousands of you who don't know my back story. Here's a few things you may not know about me!

โœ”๏ธ I'm English ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ and I moved here (just for one year) back in 2008๐Ÿ˜† 

โœ”๏ธ I can't end the day without a bath, even if I get home really late or on a really hot day. It's a mental health thing and my happy place. ๐Ÿ› 

โœ”๏ธ Before becoming a blogger and running my own small business, I was a journalist from the age of 18. My favourite news gathering times were as a newspaper crime reporter (bit different to interiors!) ๐Ÿ““ 

โœ”๏ธ I once worked at New Scotland Yard in London ๐Ÿš” 

โœ”๏ธI had an interview at Oxford (didn't get in!) but chose not to go to uni at all after being offered a job on the local paper #universityoflife ๐Ÿ˜

โœ”๏ธ My mum died when I was 3, I have an excellent dad and one sister (younger) in the UK โค๏ธ ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง 

โœ”๏ธ At school, my favourite subject was French ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท and I was head girl ๐Ÿค“๐Ÿค“

โœ”๏ธ I'm addicted to โ˜•๏ธ , long hot baths and๐Ÿ’„ (been wearing it since I was about 14!)

โœ”๏ธ I'm not a phonecall person and will never ever pick up an unknown number. Ever. They can leave a message ๐Ÿ˜

โœ”๏ธ My favourite cuisine is Japanese ๐Ÿฃ ๐Ÿœ and Damian and I honeymooned in Tokyo and Venice 

โœ”๏ธ I have zero design qualifications. I just started blogging about my passion, which is trying to persuade everyone to #heartyourhome That was 11 years ago...

โœ”๏ธ My favourite tipple is a good GnT or๐Ÿท 

โœ”๏ธ Cheesy as it sounds, ๐Ÿ’โ€โ™€๏ธbeing a mum is my absolute biggest joy in life ๐Ÿง’๐Ÿ‘ฆ

โœ”๏ธ I will never give up my old school paper diary! Has to be A5 and week to view ๐Ÿ“– 

โœ”๏ธ My official surname isn't Bishop. I kept my maiden name for work after I got married but changed it for everything else. Often confuse myself!

โœ”๏ธ I didn't get my Ps until I was 37 and I'm still a terrible parker ๐Ÿ˜ฏ ๐Ÿ…ฟ๏ธ

Hope you feel like you know me a bit better ๐Ÿ˜˜

๐Ÿ“ธ @vanlowvanlow
Blue, green or lilac? ๐ŸŽจ @nood_co coloured con Blue, green or lilac? ๐ŸŽจ 

@nood_co coloured concrete basins is a great Aussie business success story. Although co founder Matt Di Costa first found fame as one half of Matt and Kim on The Block, he hasn't relied on this to build his brand.

โ€œWe are very honoured to have been a part ofย The Block, and all they have done for us. I am, however, a believer in letting the product take centre stage,โ€ he says.

Read our interview with Matt via link in bio now.

๐Ÿ™Share your favourite colour basin in the comments!

#colouredconcrete #noodco #colouredbasin #blockheads #the block #bathroomtrends2022

Pic 1 by @naibudesign_ and 2 by @twostyleinteriors
I'd love to see more colour in Aussie interiors! I'd love to see more colour in Aussie  interiors! ๐ŸŽจ 

At the end of the day though, it's a matter of personal taste. I love pops of colour but it's not for everyone. 

We couldn't resist featuring this Canadian house tour today. The amazing Kelly Green  hutch (swipe) was an upcycled $200 find ๐Ÿค—

Head over to the blog via link in bio to see the rest including one of the best playrooms we've seen in ages!

Project by @in.house.design
๐Ÿ“ธ @philcrozier
Create an unexpected city oasis with an emphasis o Create an unexpected city oasis with an emphasis on light and nature.

That was the brief for the conversion of a corner shop and a warehouse bakery into a luxury family home in Sydney's Newtown. And how about the library?!

Take the tour of this very special @annacarindesign project on the blog now, via link in bio.

Pic: @justinalexanderphoto
The things that excite me as a 40 year old ๐Ÿคญ N The things that excite me as a 40 year old ๐Ÿคญ

None of us enjoy laundry (OK, there are a few of you out there who do. Weird!) but we have to do it. And often. So if your laundry bin can be as good looking, functional and space saving as this, then why wouldn't you?!

I've lost track of how many baskets I've thrown out because they've gone soggy or mouldy. They look pretty, sure, but they're not fit for purpose and they're often messy and overflowing.

Here's what I love about his @brabantia_australia one:

โœ”๏ธ ventilation holes
โœ”๏ธ no need to remove the lid for small items plus it hides your dirty laundry from view
โœ”๏ธ easily removable and washable inner laundry bag that velcros back on 
โœ”๏ธ corrosion resistant so fine in bathroom or laundry 
โœ”๏ธ Brabantia make things as sustainably as possible
โœ”๏ธ compact, sleek, European design
โœ”๏ธ 10 year warranty
โœ”๏ธ tall and skinny so takes up less floor in my tiny laundry

The Rolls Royce of laundry bins? I think so ๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿป

TOLD you this was going to be exciting!

Now I need to know, do you have your laundry basket in the bathroom, the laundry, every bedroom? We used to have one in each bedroom but moved to the laundry-only situation which I much prefer (one for colours and one for whites). My boys know to put their used clothes in the bin in the laundry each night and they're 7 and 3!  #raisingfuturehusbands

#gifted
"Living rooms are important spaces where our publi "Living rooms are important spaces where our public and private lives intersect."

So says stylist @nataliewalton in her gorgeous new book Style, the Art of Creating a Beautiful Home.

"They are where we gather to welcome guests and entertain. But they are also where we decompress and relax at the end of the day. Increasingly, they are open-plan spaces and need to work within a greater scheme. Bringing all the elements together cohesively requires care and consideration. And, if you want a space that lives up to its true potential, make it personal and create with conviction."

Read an extract, the chapter on elevating your living room, on the blog today via link in bio.

Published by @thamesandhudsonau Pix by @chriswarnes 

#livingroomdesigns #nataliewalton #coffeetablebooks #designbooks #interiorsbooks #livingroominteriors #elevateyourspace
Kids and husband messing with my vignettes again๐Ÿคจ

PS. The coaster was RIGHT THERE ๐Ÿคช
#weatherforit ๐Ÿฅถ Need a new blanket? Look no fu #weatherforit ๐Ÿฅถ

Need a new blanket? Look no further than these gorgeous South African blankets from @baobabcollective, sustainably sourced, ethically crafted and imported by a Southern Highlands couple.

On the blog now via link in bio.
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Visit Jen's profile on Pinterest.

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About Olivia Shead

When she's not writing for Interiors Addict, Olivia is now a TV and radio news producer. She's a journalism graduate of UTS Sydney.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarNash Rich says

    April 1, 2016 at 5:36 am

    I’ve always been a fan of making things multi-purpose because I like to optimize everything. There are some really great things you can do if you really think outside of the box too. I also thought the idea of using mirrors to make things look bigger and cooler. Thanks for the tips!

    Reply
  2. AvatarPatricia Anderson says

    April 12, 2016 at 1:05 am

    I love the idea of a sink that has an integrated chopping board! That would be the best home renovation I’ve ever done! If the chopping board is right there next to the sink the cleaning will be so much easier! Do you suggest a certain brand of sink for this renovation?

    Reply
  3. AvatarDavid Hawkins says

    May 25, 2016 at 11:35 pm

    I really like your idea about downsizing your appliances. Currently my kitchen space is extremely limited with how things are laid out, but having less will mean more room. I’ll have to get rid of some things before I remodel to help the transition go more smoothly. Thanks for the tips and advice!

    Reply
  4. AvatarKyle O'Ren says

    June 28, 2016 at 5:18 am

    I like the idea of building upward in the kitchen to maximize your space. When I last replaced my cabinets I made them go all the way up to the ceiling. I can’t recommend this enough because of how much space it frees up down below for other household items and common use items. Great tips!

    Reply
  5. AvatarTobias Armstrong says

    July 7, 2016 at 4:26 am

    I really like the tip to make sure you’re keeping the kitchen light. I have a tendency to like darker colors, but when you put dark colors in a small room, it makes it look smaller. I really like the tip to make sure you’re making as much use as possible for multi-purpose things, because I feel like that’s going to save a lot of space. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  6. AvatarAlise Harper says

    July 12, 2016 at 5:33 am

    I have a smaller kitchen and am looking into remodeling it. I like everything you mentioned! I especially liked to make sure to add drawers that are deep and wide to help the small kitchen be more space efficient. I will definitely have to contact my contractor to see if we can add the deep and wide drawers. Thanks for all your helpful information!

    Reply
  7. AvatarKendall Ryder says

    August 31, 2016 at 2:40 am

    It is smart to keep the space light and bright. That way, your kitchen can appear cleaner and larger! Plus, I love the way a bright kitchen looks. It adds such a cheerful feeling in the home. And, lighter colors look better in my opinion!

    Reply
  8. AvatarRobert Smith says

    October 19, 2016 at 12:39 am

    Thanks to Author for sharing with us this amazing article. The best article ever for a small kitchen design tips. Very easy and smart ideas for our kitchen.

    Reply
  9. AvatarDeedee Lewis says

    February 17, 2017 at 9:51 am

    I love the idea of a multi-purpose sink to make life a little easier when preparing meals. My husband and I recently moved into a home that needs a bit of work and we are trying to decide the amenities that we would like. I will be passing these kitchen design tips on to my husband.

    Reply

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