Small Kitchen Ideas
Many people worry that having a small kitchen means that they will have to compromise on design or function.
It doesn’t have to be that way.
It might be more difficult and require more planning, but with a little hard work you can turn your small kitchen in to the kitchen of your dreams.
Laying Out A Small Kitchen
When space is at a premium, how that space is laid out is key.
Think about how you use your kitchen on a daily basis – and be specific! For example, if you often make a cup of tea and some toast first thing in the morning, then it would be better for you to have the fridge, toaster, kettle and small plates within easy reach from each other.
Don’t just think about meal times, though.
If you use your kitchen for other things, such as for eating, or the kids use it for doing their homework, then keeping those areas away from the areas used for cooking is often a good idea.
In terms of shape, a U-layout is great for saving space and keeping things within reach, while a galley layout might be your best option for a thin kitchen.
Making The Most Of Storage Space
Kitchens hold a lot of stuff. Between cookware, crockery, cutlery and countless jars and tins, even a large kitchen can have some trouble storing it all in an efficient way.
For a small kitchen, clutter can make or break the whole room.
Luckily, there are space-saving storage options such as pull-out or folding cupboards. These can really save on space, allowing you to store more while still allowing you to reach things that might otherwise be hidden at the back.
Placement is important for storage, too. For instance, if you like to cook up batches of food for freezing, dedicated storage for tubs and tupperware could really pay dividends in saved time and hassle.
One thing people often forget when laying out their small kitchen is bin placement. If possible, hanging a bin on the back of a door or inside a cupboard can save a small but significant amount of space – while also hiding the bin away, which is always a plus.
Small Can Be Stylish
So a small kitchen can be practical if well designed, but a kitchen is more than just a cooking room – it is often central to the home.
As a rule of thumb, a small kitchen should utilise a small palette with light colours.
White is great for making a space look bigger than it is, and can give your kitchen a contemporary look while maximising lighting for cooking and food preparation.
A great way to add colour to a mostly white kitchen is to add a feature wall.
You might also consider the styling, preferring a sleeker, cleaner style to create the impression of a bigger space.
All in all, there are plenty of ways a small kitchen can work for you. With a little hard work and a lot of planning, you can have the kitchen you want without compromising on design or function.
