I’ve been through several home renovations and most of them have involved small and even tiny kitchens. Over the years I’ve learned how to make the most of the space so that the kitchen is both practical and stylish.
Kitchens are the hardest working rooms in a home and even when they’re tiny, they need to include cooking appliances, storage, prep-space and a sink as a minimum. But with a little thought and careful planning, a small kitchen can be both functional and beautiful. With that in mind, here are some ideas on how to maximise space in a small kitchen without making it look cluttered or chaotic.
How to make the most of a small kitchen
keep it simple
Simplicity is key in a small kitchen and by that I mean things like opting for sleek, fuss-free cabinets in white or very pale neutral colours like a light beige or light grey. Pale wooden cabinets work well too. You could even go for a tone-on-tone look where your worktops, cabinets and walls are all the same colour. This blurs the lines of a room, making it look larger. If you do want a little variation, go for it but try and stick to no more than three colours. Also black is a great accent colour in neutral kitchens.
Handleless cabinets work well too as they reduce visual clutter but if you do go for handles, opt for subtle ones instead of something big and chunky. Finally natural materials like wood and stone are always a good idea as they add character and texture which will benefit even the smallest of rooms.
maximise natural light
Natural light can make any space feel brighter and bigger. If you have windows in your kitchen, keep them curtain-free or if that’s not an option, opt for the sheerest coverings. If space and budget allow, consider a roof window or skylight which can be transformative in a small kitchen.
plan every inch of space
If you had to takeaway just one tip from this list, this is the one. Think about how you’ll use your kitchen and what your must haves are. Once you’ve done that, plan the space down to the last inch — it’s likely that you’ll have to do this a few times to work out the best layout that delivers on practicality without overwhelming the space.
If budget allows, opting for custom-made cabinets and countertops is a good idea in a small kitchen because you can have any depth/height/width of cabinet that works for you. It will also allow you to take advantage of any awkward corners or dead spaces where standard sized cabinets wouldn’t fit.
go without wall cabinets
While this may sound counterintuitive, wall cabinets can really make a small kitchen feel cramped and closed-off. They look bulky and imposing, especially in a small space. Going without wall cabinets will give your kitchen an airier look, making it feel bigger. If you’re worried about storage, there are other ways to maximise this which I’ve included below. If you feel like you can’t do without wall cabinets, stick to one or two at most and opt for glass or fluted glass fronted ones for a lighter look or go for a combination of open and closed wall cabinets.
The one exception here is if you have an open plan kitchen — perhaps a kitchen against a wall in a living room or part of a dining space. Since the kitchen isn’t enclosed in a small room, wall units and tall units can work here without making the kitchen feel cramped.
opt for open shelving
Open shelves are a great alternative to wall cabinets since they look far less bulky. They’re practical too as you can keep everyday items within arm’s reach. Open shelves also allow you to create displays with things like potted herbs, pretty ceramics, cookbooks and more. This will add warmth and personality to your kitchen.
Some people are resistant to open shelves because they can become clutter magnets and start looking messy. But by being intentional about what you keep on them you can avoid this. Also, a quick tidy once a week will mean that you can keep the shelves looking as you want them.
choose integrated appliances
Integrated appliances take up much less room than their free-standing counterparts. And since they’re built into cabinets, they’re not visible which again reduces visual clutter in a small kitchen.
use clever storage tricks
There are many ways to maximise storage inside cabinets and on worktops. You can get things like pull-out inserts, shelf risers, plate racks and cabinet carousels, to name a few. And to maximise space on a worktop, you can get draining boards that are designed to sit inside the sink, wooden boards that go over the sink, giving you an extra bit of workspace. There are so many clever space-enhancing solutions for kitchens which are worth considering.
avoid surface clutter
Keeping your kitchen counters clutter-free will go a long way to making a small kitchen look bigger. While this can feel tricky to do since storage is going to be limited in a small kitchen, it’s worth doing. Try and stick to no more than one or two small appliances on display, while putting the rest inside the cabinets. You can also opt for rails and hooks which will help keep surfaces clear.
image credits: 1, 3 & 5 – nordiska kok | 2 – source unknown | 4 – fantastic frank
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