Kitchen Planning: 10 Ways to Make the Most of a Small Space
Kitchen Planning: 10 Ways to Make the Most of a Small Space- While you might dream of being the proud owner of a capacious kitchen with space for a huge range cooker and an American-style fridge, the reality might be something a little more compact. But never fear – while giant appliances might need to be crossed off your wish list, if you have a super-skinny corridor or postage stamp-sized square to play with, it doesn’t mean a stylish and ultra-functional kitchen can’t be yours.
Be inspired by these compact yet cool and collected kitchen ideas. From slick, all-white minimalist designs to warmer spaces that mix colour and timber, these petite kitchens would definitely give their larger cousins a run for their money. And remember, less space means less cleaning. Tick.
http://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/kitchen
Be inspired by these compact yet cool and collected kitchen ideas. From slick, all-white minimalist designs to warmer spaces that mix colour and timber, these petite kitchens would definitely give their larger cousins a run for their money. And remember, less space means less cleaning. Tick.
Cream & Black Interior Design
Light up your space
Good lighting is crucial in a small kitchen. Even if your room benefits from masses of natural daylight thanks to large windows, glass doors and skylights, it’s important it still feels illuminated after dark.
Plan an efficient lighting scheme from the outset, including task lights targeted over working zones, where chopping and cooking require as much illumination as possible. Don’t forget ambient lighting, too, where ceiling pendants and wall washers – and even multicoloured plinth lighting – will add a sense of mood and atmosphere to this multifunctional space.
Good lighting is crucial in a small kitchen. Even if your room benefits from masses of natural daylight thanks to large windows, glass doors and skylights, it’s important it still feels illuminated after dark.
Plan an efficient lighting scheme from the outset, including task lights targeted over working zones, where chopping and cooking require as much illumination as possible. Don’t forget ambient lighting, too, where ceiling pendants and wall washers – and even multicoloured plinth lighting – will add a sense of mood and atmosphere to this multifunctional space.
Glenvale Kitchens
Utilise every corner
Great storage is key to the success of a compact kitchen. Utilise every nook and cranny with clever designs such as canny corner drawers, which are far more efficient and ergonomic than if you had to rummage around in the back of a dark cupboard.
Your kitchen retailer, architect or interior designer should be up to speed with all the latest storage developments, but it’s a good idea to make a comprehensive list of what you want to stash in your kitchen, so everything gets a home.
Great storage is key to the success of a compact kitchen. Utilise every nook and cranny with clever designs such as canny corner drawers, which are far more efficient and ergonomic than if you had to rummage around in the back of a dark cupboard.
Your kitchen retailer, architect or interior designer should be up to speed with all the latest storage developments, but it’s a good idea to make a comprehensive list of what you want to stash in your kitchen, so everything gets a home.
Mowlem & Co
Now you see it…
Mowlem & Co
…now you don’t
Open-plan living demands a fresh eye on how to configure your space, especially in compact apartments and studio flats. One solution is to commission a ‘hideaway kitchen’ that masquerades as a set of cupboards, opening up to reveal a fully working cooking and prepping area as and when needed.
Slide-and-hide pocket doors are a boon here, as they slot into narrow recesses between the units, completely out of sight. And don’t be afraid to play around with colour – the slash of red behind these doors is refreshingly unexpected.
Open-plan living demands a fresh eye on how to configure your space, especially in compact apartments and studio flats. One solution is to commission a ‘hideaway kitchen’ that masquerades as a set of cupboards, opening up to reveal a fully working cooking and prepping area as and when needed.
Slide-and-hide pocket doors are a boon here, as they slot into narrow recesses between the units, completely out of sight. And don’t be afraid to play around with colour – the slash of red behind these doors is refreshingly unexpected.
Susie Hammond Design
Try a classic look
Galley kitchens don’t have to be completely white, especially one like this that’s blessed with plenty of natural light and a high, pitched ceiling. This largely white scheme has cleverly been given masses of personality with a mix of Shaker-style units in a pale blue-grey hue, rustic stone mosaic tiles and even a black range cooker slotted neatly into the hearth.
Add as many windows as possible to your compact space – as this room demonstrates, natural light can work wonders.
Galley kitchens don’t have to be completely white, especially one like this that’s blessed with plenty of natural light and a high, pitched ceiling. This largely white scheme has cleverly been given masses of personality with a mix of Shaker-style units in a pale blue-grey hue, rustic stone mosaic tiles and even a black range cooker slotted neatly into the hearth.
Add as many windows as possible to your compact space – as this room demonstrates, natural light can work wonders.
TLA Studio
White it out
With a skinny space this compact, it’s wise to plump for all-over pure white on everything from cupboards and worktops to walls and floor for a sleek, uninterrupted look.
Maximise every inch – both horizontally and vertically – with cupboards that stretch right up to the ceiling and across into every corner. Also consider doing away with handles that protrude into valuable space and, before you know it, a slick, smooth-running kitchen shall be yours.
Browse more all-white kitchens
With a skinny space this compact, it’s wise to plump for all-over pure white on everything from cupboards and worktops to walls and floor for a sleek, uninterrupted look.
Maximise every inch – both horizontally and vertically – with cupboards that stretch right up to the ceiling and across into every corner. Also consider doing away with handles that protrude into valuable space and, before you know it, a slick, smooth-running kitchen shall be yours.
Browse more all-white kitchens
Maxwell & Company Architects
Maximise an L-shape
There’s a lot to learn from this simple, L-shaped kitchen, which might be low on space, but which makes up for it in terms of style. The inviting room squeezes in a decent amount of storage, fits in a freestanding fridge-freezer and even manages to work in a small perch for eating, thanks to the long worktop. The metro tiles on the end wall add texture that draws the eye through the space, helping it to feel less elongated.
There’s a lot to learn from this simple, L-shaped kitchen, which might be low on space, but which makes up for it in terms of style. The inviting room squeezes in a decent amount of storage, fits in a freestanding fridge-freezer and even manages to work in a small perch for eating, thanks to the long worktop. The metro tiles on the end wall add texture that draws the eye through the space, helping it to feel less elongated.
Element Studios
Try rows of shelving
Even though you might be tempted to cram in as much storage as possible with wall-to-wall overhead cupboards, sometimes it’s better to go for rows of open shelves that will create a sense of movement and space, especially if you have a decent number of base cupboards.
Look how fresh and airy this compact, U-shaped kitchen appears, with the sleek steel units at the bottom and piles of neatly stacked bowls, plates and cookware resting on the robust wall shelving. Shiny metals and spotless white surfaces work well, and if you don’t need a curtain or blind for privacy, do away with a window treatment altogether for a fuss-free, light-filled space.
Even though you might be tempted to cram in as much storage as possible with wall-to-wall overhead cupboards, sometimes it’s better to go for rows of open shelves that will create a sense of movement and space, especially if you have a decent number of base cupboards.
Look how fresh and airy this compact, U-shaped kitchen appears, with the sleek steel units at the bottom and piles of neatly stacked bowls, plates and cookware resting on the robust wall shelving. Shiny metals and spotless white surfaces work well, and if you don’t need a curtain or blind for privacy, do away with a window treatment altogether for a fuss-free, light-filled space.
Smartstyle Interiors
Consider a corner sink
You might assume the best place to fit a sink is in the centre of a worktop run, often below a window, but that’s not always the case for a small kitchen. In fact, fitting a sink into the corner is a brilliant alternative, as it utilises an often unused area and frees up valuable worktop space around it. This way, too, the tap heads and levers won’t interfere when you’re opening and closing the window.
You might assume the best place to fit a sink is in the centre of a worktop run, often below a window, but that’s not always the case for a small kitchen. In fact, fitting a sink into the corner is a brilliant alternative, as it utilises an often unused area and frees up valuable worktop space around it. This way, too, the tap heads and levers won’t interfere when you’re opening and closing the window.
marco joe fazio photography
Seek out clever racking
Magic corner cupboards, as they are known in the kitchen industry, are another boon for redundant corner spaces and can create all-important extra storage in a small kitchen. The clever internal racking pulls out completely, allowing you to access in seconds everything stored inside. That extra set of shelves can make the difference between a cluttered kitchen and a calm, ordered space.
Be inspired by more great kitchen storage solutions
Magic corner cupboards, as they are known in the kitchen industry, are another boon for redundant corner spaces and can create all-important extra storage in a small kitchen. The clever internal racking pulls out completely, allowing you to access in seconds everything stored inside. That extra set of shelves can make the difference between a cluttered kitchen and a calm, ordered space.
Be inspired by more great kitchen storage solutions
Icon Interiors Ltd
Streamline your space
While you might hanker after a big, beautiful range cooker, small kitchens are not the right place to go all out on a workhorse appliance. Keep to a slick, streamlined edge with a flush-fitting ceramic or induction hob (easy to keep clean, too), a built-in cooker, and dishwashers and laundry appliances hidden neatly behind matching cupboard doors.
Here, even the extractor fan is disguised within an overhead unit, while the corner tambour shutter (with a roll-up metal door) is a godsend for hiding a kettle, toaster and coffee machine to keep the worktop serenely clear.
TELL US…
Have you mastered a mini kitchen? We’d love to see photos in the Comments below.
While you might hanker after a big, beautiful range cooker, small kitchens are not the right place to go all out on a workhorse appliance. Keep to a slick, streamlined edge with a flush-fitting ceramic or induction hob (easy to keep clean, too), a built-in cooker, and dishwashers and laundry appliances hidden neatly behind matching cupboard doors.
Here, even the extractor fan is disguised within an overhead unit, while the corner tambour shutter (with a roll-up metal door) is a godsend for hiding a kettle, toaster and coffee machine to keep the worktop serenely clear.
TELL US…
Have you mastered a mini kitchen? We’d love to see photos in the Comments below.
http://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/kitchen
