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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