Small Space Living: Big Ideas for Tiny Kitchens
Small Space Living: Big Ideas for Tiny Kitchens- Even the smallest of kitchen spaces needs to deliver big when it comes to both form and function. No matter how awkwardly shaped or compact your cooking space is, there are plenty of design tricks – from the strategic use of bold, bright colour to doing away with cupboard handles and choosing utilitarian stylings – to make even the tiniest of corners work hard and look good, too. Be inspired by the easy-to-implement ideas used to create these weeny wonders.
http://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/kitchen
Thibaut and Thewood
Use open storage as display
If your tiny kitchen is in the corner of a larger open-plan space, consider an island unit with inset open shelving. This will act as a storage and display unit, as well as a visual barrier between the practical cooking and washing-up elements of the kitchen space and the rest of the interior.
Use brightly coloured tableware, accessories and cookery books to great effect to transform simple kitchenware into a cheerful display.
Find more inspiration for styling open shelving
If your tiny kitchen is in the corner of a larger open-plan space, consider an island unit with inset open shelving. This will act as a storage and display unit, as well as a visual barrier between the practical cooking and washing-up elements of the kitchen space and the rest of the interior.
Use brightly coloured tableware, accessories and cookery books to great effect to transform simple kitchenware into a cheerful display.
Find more inspiration for styling open shelving
Roundhouse
Store high (and smooth)
A clever way to factor additional storage into a tiny kitchen is to position it high up the wall and make the most of any particularly generous ceiling height that may exist, perhaps above a built-in bench (combining storage with seating is another brilliant trick for teeny spaces).
For a clean, contemporary feel, fit the cupboards with push catches, removing the need for a door handle and allowing for a seamless, designer finish that also creats the impression of more space. A ladder stored away – perhaps inside a bench seating cavity – can be used to aid access to the cupboards at the top.
A clever way to factor additional storage into a tiny kitchen is to position it high up the wall and make the most of any particularly generous ceiling height that may exist, perhaps above a built-in bench (combining storage with seating is another brilliant trick for teeny spaces).
For a clean, contemporary feel, fit the cupboards with push catches, removing the need for a door handle and allowing for a seamless, designer finish that also creats the impression of more space. A ladder stored away – perhaps inside a bench seating cavity – can be used to aid access to the cupboards at the top.
Holme Design
Custom-build a larder cupboard
Well-planned storage is much more space efficient, so consider going bespoke if you’re designing a kitchen from scratch.
An all-in-one larder cupboard can really max your storage and keep your kitchen tidy if you have it custom-made to suit your needs. Source hanging rails and shelves designed specifically to fit on to the inside of cupboard doors, and shelf storage baskets, too, to really make the most of all the space inside.
A cupboard larder can be used to store everything from foodstuffs to china and kitchen equipment and, when the doors are closed, it’s all neatly out of sight.
Well-planned storage is much more space efficient, so consider going bespoke if you’re designing a kitchen from scratch.
An all-in-one larder cupboard can really max your storage and keep your kitchen tidy if you have it custom-made to suit your needs. Source hanging rails and shelves designed specifically to fit on to the inside of cupboard doors, and shelf storage baskets, too, to really make the most of all the space inside.
A cupboard larder can be used to store everything from foodstuffs to china and kitchen equipment and, when the doors are closed, it’s all neatly out of sight.
Harvey Jones Kitchens
Integrate cleverly designed appliances
Shop around for appliances that will work in compact spaces and consider integrating them into your kitchen design. The framework needed for integrated designs eats up a little more lateral space, but the tidy effect you achieve is worth the sacrifice.
Think laterally, too – dishwashers are available as drawers that pull out and can be teamed with a storage drawer with the same front for a fuss-free finish. Microwaves and ovens can be fitted into a bank of wall cupboards if necessary, freeing up space at base unit level for other kitchen essentials.
Shop around for appliances that will work in compact spaces and consider integrating them into your kitchen design. The framework needed for integrated designs eats up a little more lateral space, but the tidy effect you achieve is worth the sacrifice.
Think laterally, too – dishwashers are available as drawers that pull out and can be teamed with a storage drawer with the same front for a fuss-free finish. Microwaves and ovens can be fitted into a bank of wall cupboards if necessary, freeing up space at base unit level for other kitchen essentials.
deVOL Kitchens
Think industrial
Utilitarian styling is ideal for making the most of a compact kitchen, as it echoes the kitchens of days gone by and its robust aesthetic says it means business, despite being a tiny space. Look out for metro tiles, industrial factory lighting and Shaker-style units that combine beauty with utility so effortlessly.
Explore more rooms full of inspiring industrial details
Utilitarian styling is ideal for making the most of a compact kitchen, as it echoes the kitchens of days gone by and its robust aesthetic says it means business, despite being a tiny space. Look out for metro tiles, industrial factory lighting and Shaker-style units that combine beauty with utility so effortlessly.
Explore more rooms full of inspiring industrial details
Maxwell & Company Architects
Squeeze in a space to eat
Having a space to sit and eat in a kitchen, no matter how small, will elevate it to another level by doubling the room’s functionality, making it feel far more substantial.
Compact breakfast bars are easy to factor in to kitchen space and will, of course, double up as an additional work surface for food preparation. For maximum tidiness, ensure the accompanying bar stools will tuck right underneath and out of the way when not in use. To zone this tiny tabletop, try giving it a separate visual identity using bold accessories, such as bright artwork and designer lighting.
A fold-out, wall-mounted table is an alternative that might also suit your space.
Having a space to sit and eat in a kitchen, no matter how small, will elevate it to another level by doubling the room’s functionality, making it feel far more substantial.
Compact breakfast bars are easy to factor in to kitchen space and will, of course, double up as an additional work surface for food preparation. For maximum tidiness, ensure the accompanying bar stools will tuck right underneath and out of the way when not in use. To zone this tiny tabletop, try giving it a separate visual identity using bold accessories, such as bright artwork and designer lighting.
A fold-out, wall-mounted table is an alternative that might also suit your space.
Brian O'Tuama Architects
Highlight character with colour
Flashes of vivid colour are ideal for adding a wow factor to a tiny space – it might be small, but it can still have presence.
Against a pure white background, neon shades will really stand out, so use these to emphasise any design features that add character and style, such as old school radiators, lighting and kitchen units. Maximise the different sizes and configurations of drawer and cupboard fronts to create eye-catching colour combinations and design appeal.
Stick to a restricted palette, though, and keep clutter stored away so as not to overcrowd your little kitchen.
Flashes of vivid colour are ideal for adding a wow factor to a tiny space – it might be small, but it can still have presence.
Against a pure white background, neon shades will really stand out, so use these to emphasise any design features that add character and style, such as old school radiators, lighting and kitchen units. Maximise the different sizes and configurations of drawer and cupboard fronts to create eye-catching colour combinations and design appeal.
Stick to a restricted palette, though, and keep clutter stored away so as not to overcrowd your little kitchen.
David Churchill - Architectural Photographer
Go top of the range
Being small on space doesn’t mean a kitchen can’t be big on style. Adopt a high-end approach and factor in some smart fixtures and fittings to an otherwise minimal design to give a compact kitchen a designer look. If it looks important, it will feel substantial.
Smart handles, inset lighting, state-of-the-art integrated appliances, contemporary taps and moulded draining boards are all design features often found in larger, more expensive kitchen designs, but they can add a big style hit to a tiny kitchen, too.
TELL US…
Have you made the most of a compact kitchen? We’d love to hear your tricks. Alternatively, share a photo of a troublesome teeny space, and ask other Houzz users for their tips in the Comments below.
Being small on space doesn’t mean a kitchen can’t be big on style. Adopt a high-end approach and factor in some smart fixtures and fittings to an otherwise minimal design to give a compact kitchen a designer look. If it looks important, it will feel substantial.
Smart handles, inset lighting, state-of-the-art integrated appliances, contemporary taps and moulded draining boards are all design features often found in larger, more expensive kitchen designs, but they can add a big style hit to a tiny kitchen, too.
TELL US…
Have you made the most of a compact kitchen? We’d love to hear your tricks. Alternatively, share a photo of a troublesome teeny space, and ask other Houzz users for their tips in the Comments below.
http://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/kitchen
