For many of us, the kitchen is the heart of the home, but it’s not always the most spacious of rooms. If you find yourself having to downsize your design plans significantly, you’re certainly not alone. The constraints of a small kitchen just mean that we have to be more inventive with our design ideas. Plus, smaller kitchens also mean less money being spent on cabinets and surfaces, potentially allowing more of your budget to be put towards lighting and appliances.
Take the time to ask yourself how your household uses the kitchen on a day-to-day basis and find ways to make the most of every square inch. You’ll be able to turn your small kitchen into one that works for you in no time. Here are some tips to get you started.
Make your worktops multi-functional
Above all, a kitchen should be a functional space – a place to prepare food and store utensils – but in a busy home it’s easy for it to quickly become cluttered. Uninterrupted kitchen worktops will help to create the illusion of more space, whilst also providing a practical area for cooking.
If your kitchen can accommodate a small dining area, position the table or kitchen island parallel to the worktop so it can double up as a second food preparation space when needed. Also make sure that chairs are small enough to tuck under the table – out of the way when cooking but easily accessible at dinner time.
Streamline your cabinets
Too many cabinets in a small kitchen can make the space feel claustrophobic. If your kitchen is narrow, try to keep cabinets in one or two neat lines – this will draw the eye forwards, emphasising the length of the room. For raised storage, leaving a gap between the cupboards and the ceiling will also give the illusion of a larger space.
When looking for kitchen units, opt for narrow cabinets and shelves. Ideal for fitting in corners or on short walls, you can store anything from dishware to ingredients in a convenient place that’s easy to reach.
Integrate your appliances
Careful placement of your kitchen appliances will improve the flow of your small kitchen. The kitchen work triangle is definitely worth considering – the sink, oven and fridge should be located within a working distance of each other.
Whenever possible, integrate kitchen accessories into workspaces. A microwave that’s built into the cabinetry, for example, not only looks great but also frees up a lot of counter space. You can also store appliances that you don’t use everyday – blenders, slow cookers, etc – in a cupboard to make the kitchen feel less cluttered.
Get designing
Based in Birmingham, Integrated Designs & Associates are leading experts in architectural design. Whether you need help planning your kitchen design, or are looking to extend your commercial property, our friendly, experienced team is here to help to make your project a huge success. For more information about our range of services, get in touch today.
