Making the most out of your small kitchen

Lily Cichanowicz Lily Cichanowicz
The Bromptons: Chelsea, Roselind Wilson Design Roselind Wilson Design Cocinas de estilo clásico
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With space becoming an increasingly expensive commodity, it is not uncommon to move into a home or apartment with a kitchen that could be described as petit. Though this may not be an ideal arrangement, there’s no need to fret. There are many tips and tricks available to help you maximise every inch of space in your kitchen. There are lots of things to consider in terms of creating an efficient kitchen. You need enough counter space for preparing meals, adequate storage for a collection of kitchen supplies that seems to grow continuously, and in many cases, a place in the kitchen to eat. This may seem like an impossible list to complete in a small space. Yet, with a few mindful choices, you’d be surprised at how functional even the littlest of kitchens can actually be.

Built-in shelves

When we are faced with the challenge of constrained space, it’s time to assess all nooks and crannies for potential. You may have noticed that there are small alcoves or empty areas in between cupboards existing in your kitchen. These spots might have seemed awkward before, but with the need to maximise space in mind, it may become clear that these areas are practically meant to house some built-in shelves! For instance, this shallow alcove in between cupboards in a modular kitchen is ideal for holding some shelves. Floating shelves will give you sufficient shelf space without any excess that will clutter the small kitchen. In general, installing shelves is an excellent means of using vertical space to the fullest. Perhaps the shelves were already built-in when you moved to the home or apartment. In this case, utilising built-in shelves is a no-brainer!

Handleless front panels

Another option for maximising the space in your small kitchen is to go minimal. Subduing details that might distract the eye will create the illusion of space. One way to do this is to choose handleless front panels. In fact, installing handleless front panels is a common technique that designers use to make a small kitchen look larger. Plus, cupboards like the ones featured in this kitchen by Roselind Wilson Design create a sleek, modern, and stylish look as well. If you choose neutral colours or front panels that match the rest of the kitchen, they will blend in with the walls, thus giving the illusion of yet more space.

Corner cupboard

Going with a modular kitchen setup is an effective way to utilise all every bit of the kitchen. Additionally, modular kitchens tend to include a corner cupboard. If you don’t currently have one in your kitchen, getting a corner cupboard is a sure fire way to ensure that you’re maximising the storage space in the kitchen. Corner cupboards are excellent for storing pots and pans because they are generally quite wide and deep in dimension. Alternatively, the corner cupboard could hold items you use less often like baking supplies. If you’re worried about the awkward angle of the corner cupboard, no need to fear. They often fold out for easy access.

Hidden extractor hood

Another bulky, though seemingly unavoidable item in the kitchen is the extractor hood. These are necessary parts of most stoves so simply removing them can definitely be out of the question. You can, however, mask their appearance. By disguising your stove’s extractor hood as a cupboard, you will see a significant improvement in the overall appearance of spaciousness in your kitchen. For example, the extractor hood looks almost completely unnoticeable save for the metal edge. Because the cupboards are white against a white wall, additional space is added to this kitchen. Generally, subtle, subdued, and neutral toned are good concepts to keep in mind when making your small kitchen look larger.

Foldable table

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If you have a small kitchen, it might be likely that your abode as a whole is not so large to begin with. Therefore, a full-on dining room might be out of the question. Contrarily, perhaps you do have a dining room but prefer to reserve it for special occasions. Whatever your reasoning is, many of us take our meals in the kitchen. If your kitchen is small, however, it can be tricky to incorporate a table and chairs into the kitchen. That is why a foldout table like the one featured here is so useful. Like the hidden extractor hood, you can mask the folded in table as a set of cupboards while you’re not using it. Then, once you’re ready you can simply set up the dining table in a matter of seconds. Another option for seating a small kitchen is to set up some bar stools at the counter.

Light colours

We’ve touched on it a bit already, but we really cannot stress it enough. The key to making your kitchen appear large in size is to stick to a light colour scheme. Whites generally have a way of creating the illusion of space. Coupling white walls with white cupboards and backsplashes will help these bulky storage containers to blend in. Even a white floor is worth considering in the kitchen. On a practical level, white will make clean up easier because messes won’t be able to blend in as well. White kitchens inherently look crisp and clean, too. To take this line of thought to the next level, choosing reflective materials like the marble in this kitchen will enhance the perceived expansiveness even more.

If you found this Ideabook helpful and would like to learn even more about how you can make the most of your small kitchen check out these tips for making the kitchen look bigger. Happy decorating! 

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