When you only have a small kitchen it can be 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 for making it work for you.
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. When in a really small property consider making the kitchen look like part of the furniture. By doing a few small things you can integrate the kitchen into your living space rather than having it as just a utility space. Some tips include 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. 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. 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 often used or for display items to help soften the space.
8. Consider using mirrored panels or splashbacks 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.
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Comments
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!
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?
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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.
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.