FOR SMALL SPACES
Clever storage and design ideas will help your kitchen feel bigger and make the most of every available inch. Limited room makes careful planning at the outset even more important, especially when it comes to large appliances. Start by thinking about the classic kitchen work triangle, which means keeping optimal space between cooker, sink and fridge. Cupboards and other appliances can then be designed around this.
If the ceiling height allows, think vertically, by installing wall cupboards that extend all the way up to the ceiling. This will draw the eye upwards, creating the illusion of space, and means you can store less-frequently used items on the top shelves.
Custom-built cupboards can be designed to maximise space: a mix of closed units with open shelving and peg-rail storage creates a more relaxed, informal look and avoids everything feeling
cramped. Older homes often have a built-in larder but, if not, think about designating an area nearby, such as a utility room or understairs space, for storing dry goods, bottles and foodstuffs, making room in the kitchen for appliances and other essentials.
Modern kitchen designers have come up with space-saving ideas for small kitchens such as deep, easy-access pan drawers and base units with additional storage concealed behind plinth boards, as well as clever ways to avoid clutter, such as drawer organisers, cutlery dividers and carousels for corner cupboards.
Sourcing smaller appliances such as slimline range cookers will also help save space. Many manufacturers now make narrower models and the classic Aga comes in a 60cm width that’s ideal for a compact kitchen. Also consider an inset oven, a small-capacity drawer dishwasher and a single sink rather than a double version.
When it comes to style, clean-lined carpentry such as classic Shaker panels or practical tongue-and-groove boarding will bring a touch of traditional design to a tiny area. Include decorative storage ideas, too: a simple hanging rail for pans and utensils, a wall-mounted plate rack, industrial-look, wire-mesh pigeon-holes or a sturdy straw bag on the back of a door for holding vegetables. Mounting chopping boards and cooking utensils on the wall creates an interesting display and saves valuable drawer space.