TLA Studio
Make small beautiful
This streamlined, well-ordered galley kitchen shows just how stylish and uncluttered a little kitchen can be – with the right tricks…
This streamlined, well-ordered galley kitchen shows just how stylish and uncluttered a little kitchen can be – with the right tricks…
Chris Snook
Make use of window space
Having a great big window in front of your sink is lovely for letting in natural light and gazing out of while washing up, but that doesn’t mean it should be overlooked as valuable vertical storage space. With the sink for water and the window for light, this is the perfect place for a bit of life – so why not use it for a mini herb garden?
A shelf or hanging rail across the face of the window or up the inside reveal will provide space and good conditions for flourishing foliage. Not only will your herbs always be fresh, your kitchen will smell beautiful even when you’re not cooking. Hopefully you’ll have freed up space elsewhere for other things and, if not, at least you’ll have added something good for which you didn’t think you had room.
Having a great big window in front of your sink is lovely for letting in natural light and gazing out of while washing up, but that doesn’t mean it should be overlooked as valuable vertical storage space. With the sink for water and the window for light, this is the perfect place for a bit of life – so why not use it for a mini herb garden?
A shelf or hanging rail across the face of the window or up the inside reveal will provide space and good conditions for flourishing foliage. Not only will your herbs always be fresh, your kitchen will smell beautiful even when you’re not cooking. Hopefully you’ll have freed up space elsewhere for other things and, if not, at least you’ll have added something good for which you didn’t think you had room.
Crown Point Cabinetry
Investigate smart appliances
Have a look at all the great new kitchen appliances on the market: there are loads of products that can really improve small kitchens. One that’s becoming more and more popular – in kitchens of all sizes – is the boiling-water tap. The benefit for small cook spaces is that no kettle equals more worktop space to use for other things.
Appliances are now readily available in reduced sizes, too, even the integrated ones – slimline and compact dishwashers are brilliant and can more than cope with the needs of a two-person home.
When it comes to the oven, choose wisely, as the right small unit will do more than your mother’s whole kitchen. You could, for example, incorporate a combi microwave oven, which eliminates the need for a worktop microwave. You could also add in a steam cooking function or even choose doors that slide away into the unit when they’re open, meaning you can use the grill freely without having to manoeuvre around the door.
Read expert advice on choosing a built-in oven
Have a look at all the great new kitchen appliances on the market: there are loads of products that can really improve small kitchens. One that’s becoming more and more popular – in kitchens of all sizes – is the boiling-water tap. The benefit for small cook spaces is that no kettle equals more worktop space to use for other things.
Appliances are now readily available in reduced sizes, too, even the integrated ones – slimline and compact dishwashers are brilliant and can more than cope with the needs of a two-person home.
When it comes to the oven, choose wisely, as the right small unit will do more than your mother’s whole kitchen. You could, for example, incorporate a combi microwave oven, which eliminates the need for a worktop microwave. You could also add in a steam cooking function or even choose doors that slide away into the unit when they’re open, meaning you can use the grill freely without having to manoeuvre around the door.
Read expert advice on choosing a built-in oven
Simple Kitchens (Thame) Ltd
Pack in some plinth drawers
If an average ‘small kitchen’ has, say, six useable plinth spaces – ie, the ones under cupboards rather than appliances – that’s six drawers-worth of available, but often overlooked, storage space. Slot baking trays, oven shelves and cake tins in one; first aid kit and fire extinguisher in another… You can store all those things that usually take up a whole cupboard of primary storage space.
Plinth drawers are also great for pet owners, with pet food, bowls and mats all tidied away discreetly down by the floor, where they are used.
See more ideas for making the most of kitchen storage
If an average ‘small kitchen’ has, say, six useable plinth spaces – ie, the ones under cupboards rather than appliances – that’s six drawers-worth of available, but often overlooked, storage space. Slot baking trays, oven shelves and cake tins in one; first aid kit and fire extinguisher in another… You can store all those things that usually take up a whole cupboard of primary storage space.
Plinth drawers are also great for pet owners, with pet food, bowls and mats all tidied away discreetly down by the floor, where they are used.
See more ideas for making the most of kitchen storage
GT Residential Contracting, LLC
Maximise your worktop area
When it comes to active utility of the kitchen, the most valuable space is probably the worktop area. There are several ways to create extra work surface – your choice will come down to the style of the kitchen and personal preference. Check out these four ideas:
When it comes to active utility of the kitchen, the most valuable space is probably the worktop area. There are several ways to create extra work surface – your choice will come down to the style of the kitchen and personal preference. Check out these four ideas:
Von Fitz Design
Worktop maximiser No 1
The pull-out worktop – one that slides out when you need it, and tucks away when not in use, just like a drawer – is a very practical option.
The pull-out worktop – one that slides out when you need it, and tucks away when not in use, just like a drawer – is a very practical option.
Paul Craig Photography
Worktop maximiser No 2
A well-designed floating shelf or extended windowsill will act perfectly as extra worktop; try a 250mm-deep shelf about 160mm to 180mm above the worktop to allow you to rest an average dinner plate or saucepan comfortably on it. In this kitchen, the owners have made use of both the space adjacent to the extractor hood and the top of the wall separating the space from the living area in this way.
A well-designed floating shelf or extended windowsill will act perfectly as extra worktop; try a 250mm-deep shelf about 160mm to 180mm above the worktop to allow you to rest an average dinner plate or saucepan comfortably on it. In this kitchen, the owners have made use of both the space adjacent to the extractor hood and the top of the wall separating the space from the living area in this way.
S2 Architects
Worktop maximiser No 3
Another option is what I would describe as the ‘mezzanine bar’. Kitchen bars are nothing new, but to maximise your worktop area, try raising a bar up on legs – like a mezzanine floor – so the worktop below is still useable. A glass bar with brushed-chrome legs looks very chic.
Another option is what I would describe as the ‘mezzanine bar’. Kitchen bars are nothing new, but to maximise your worktop area, try raising a bar up on legs – like a mezzanine floor – so the worktop below is still useable. A glass bar with brushed-chrome legs looks very chic.
Bath Kitchen Company
Worktop maximiser No 4
Many integrated sinks now come with infill covers, too, which are super-useful and double up as chopping boards.
Read expert advice on choosing the perfect worktop
Many integrated sinks now come with infill covers, too, which are super-useful and double up as chopping boards.
Read expert advice on choosing the perfect worktop
Jacobsen Architecture, LLC
Aim high
Wall units stretching up to the ceiling are not perhaps traditional. The obvious objection is that, unless you’re tall, such high cupboard space would simply be inaccessible. But this usually dead space can be incredible useful for storing rarely used utensils, small appliances and long-life or non-perishable items.
To reach the highest shelves, find yourself an attractive set of foldable steps, or a stepstool that can tuck under a table or into a corner and double as extra occasional seating. And talk about killing two birds with one stone – you’ll also just have eliminated that terrible dust trap that is the space between the top of the cabinets and the ceiling!
Wall units stretching up to the ceiling are not perhaps traditional. The obvious objection is that, unless you’re tall, such high cupboard space would simply be inaccessible. But this usually dead space can be incredible useful for storing rarely used utensils, small appliances and long-life or non-perishable items.
To reach the highest shelves, find yourself an attractive set of foldable steps, or a stepstool that can tuck under a table or into a corner and double as extra occasional seating. And talk about killing two birds with one stone – you’ll also just have eliminated that terrible dust trap that is the space between the top of the cabinets and the ceiling!
Knight Associates
Use ‘air’ space in open-plan rooms
A common feature of small kitchens is that they’re often open-plan with the dining and/or living area. This is an opportunity not to be squandered. Use the air space above the worktop facing the rest of the room for storage without blocking light or the link between the two spaces.
A backless shelf or two here provides open storage, ‘service station’ style, as you’d find in an open restaurant kitchen. This is also a beautifully elegant way to demarcate the kitchen area from the living area while maintaining an open-plan feel.
TELL US…
Are you inspired to incorporate any of these space maximisers into your kitchen? Or have you done so already? Share your thoughts and tips in the Comments below.
A common feature of small kitchens is that they’re often open-plan with the dining and/or living area. This is an opportunity not to be squandered. Use the air space above the worktop facing the rest of the room for storage without blocking light or the link between the two spaces.
A backless shelf or two here provides open storage, ‘service station’ style, as you’d find in an open restaurant kitchen. This is also a beautifully elegant way to demarcate the kitchen area from the living area while maintaining an open-plan feel.
TELL US…
Are you inspired to incorporate any of these space maximisers into your kitchen? Or have you done so already? Share your thoughts and tips in the Comments below.
http://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/kitchen
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