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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.

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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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One half of popular parenting podcast @wedonthavet One half of popular parenting podcast @wedonthavetimeforthis, turns out former Neighbours actor @gemma_peanut is even more multi-talented than we thought! Will you check out the joyful and colourful reno of her holiday home (and airbnb) @yo_caba_caba?!

Head over to the blog via link in bio to read all about why she went bold and full of pattern in this project, which is a stark contrast to her zen and neutral Northern Beaches abode.

There's also plenty of details about where things are from etc.

"Iโ€™m not an interior designer so I just chose what I liked and followed my gut. Ultimately this home has been an opportunity to explore my alter ego โ€“ it allowed me to do things that I wouldnโ€™t normally do.โ€

๐Ÿ“ท @tanikablair_photography 

#interiorsblog #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #gemmapeanut #wedonthavetimeforthis #parentingpodcast #parentingpodcasts #holidayhousesofinstagram #cabaritabeach #airbnbstyle #airbnbstyling #colourandpattern #wallpapergoals #patternedtiles #featuretiles #poolgoals #sparkjoy #yocabacaba #boldinteriors #funinteriors #colourfulkitchen
Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial family category and they're a special gift. So ends three weeks with @danisteve81 who left her husband and son in the UK (I'm forever grateful they lent her to me!) to come and cheer me up and help me in the most practical ways after I spent Christmas and New Year in hospital. There were tears and I miss her so much already but how amazing to have had all that time together as adults. Such a rare treat and would never have happened without having been through something so challenging. Silver linings and all that. So many other friends have also been incredibly thoughtful and kind. There aren't many times I'd say this without cringing but I am 100% blessed!

I still cannot believe we have been friends since we were 12! 12! Are you still close with your childhood besties?
The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_ho The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_house is a work of art and while almost every surface was updated, the decision to keep the original slate floor was genius if you ask us. 

Owner @clarehillier__ says: "With its purple, pink, red and brown tones, the slate was the starting point for our interior palette."

Come and check out the before and afters via link in bio now and read the reno story. It's a real beauty.

And you can book it for your next holiday too!

Blair Smith Architecture @kateshanasy

#slatefloor #slatefloors #80shouse #80sbeauty #camillohouse #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #realreno #holidayhousesofinstagram #morningtonpeninsulahomes #morningtonpeninsula #morningtonpeninsulasmallbusiness #blairgowrie #blairgowriebeach #airbnbstyle
Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’— Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’—
Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for thr Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for three decades going out for a child-free dinner ๐Ÿ’“๐Ÿ˜
Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damia Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damianfrancis 

This doesn't happen often these days!
Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks since leaving hospital and I'm doing much better than I expected to be at this early stage. A long recovery road ahead but making progress in how much I can move my arm and although I drag myself through some days non-stop yawning, others I can go for a little walk or out for lunch before collapsing on the couch! I can now tie my own hair back and put on a real bra which is very exciting ๐Ÿคฃ Having my bestie here to help us with the boys, drive me places and just be brilliant positive company is the best thing I could have asked for not to mention the many Dinner Ladies vouchers from friends! Thanks for all your kind messages, cards, flowers, gifts and offers of help โค๏ธ
I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping to raise some awareness off the back of my misfortune (and also very lucky escape).

@newsouthwaleshealth have just put out this warning about a rise in serious bacterial infections. iGAS (invasive group A streptococcus) is what caused my necrotising fasciitis and sepsis.

Apparently there's similar happening in VIC too.

It's extremely rare but very serious nonetheless so please have a read and be aware of symptoms. I've linked to the article from a button via my link in bio.

#interiorsaddict #jenbishop #necrotisingfasciitis #groupastrep #groupastreptococcus #sepsis
While new technologies continue to shape the inter While new technologies continue to shape the interior design scene, one that has been getting a fair bit of traction of late isย marble-look porcelain. A cheaper alternative to natural stone, the latest printed porcelain tile technology makes it difficult to distinguish from the real thing.

Founded by husband and wife duo Anton and Rita Bourtsev, Sydneyโ€™s @kaolintiles has a unique offering in this space with over 100 different marble-look tile designs in small and large formats.

More via link in bio now.

#porcelain #porcelaintile #porcelaintiles #largeformattiles #largeformattile #marblelooktiles #bathroomtrends2023 #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #realrenovations #goldsink #brasssink #jenbishop #kaolin #kaolintiles #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger
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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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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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