GREAT IDEAS FOR SMALL KITCHENS
Compact spaces can still be mighty, they just need some clever design ideas to make them practical and stylish
Stylish yet practical solutions to max out bijou spaces
Pay attention to detail
The use of materials is key when designing a small kitchen. Light is the greatest tool to help a space feel bigger, so a staple for compact rooms is pure brilliant white. It’s devoid of all pigment which means it reflects back nearly all the light that hits it and lifts the room, while dark colours will absorb light.
Install floor-toceiling cabinets
Think vertically and continue your cabinets up to the ceiling, but plan your design carefully to ensure that the room still feels as open as possible. Store less frequently used items in high cupboards.
Hide appliances in a cupboard
Free up surfaces by tucking the toaster, kettle and coffee machine away in a dedicated breakfast cupboard. As soon as you open up, your favourite morning gadgets are good to go. This is a nifty trick for making use of awkward corners and means none of your kitchen tech gets lost at the back of a cabinet.
Get creative with corners
Put the wall space in an awkward corner to good use by installing a rail for hanging storage containers to hold utensils and washing-up kit. This makes extra room on the worksurface and looks smart, too.
‘TACKLE EVERYDAY CLUTTER TO KEEP SURFACES IN A SMALL KITCHEN AS CLEAR AS POSSIBLE TO ENHANCE THE FEELING OF SPACE’
Ensure no space is wasted
If your heart is set on having an island or peninsula unit in your compact kitchen, consider a slimline design. The central workstation shown here may be small, but cupboards on the other side provide extra storage space and the worktop is useful for food prep
Open up the space with glass
Wall cupboards with standard wooden doors can feel oppressive in a small space, so go for glass instead. Create a more open feel and show off your crockery too.
Use an awkward corner for storage
To use every millimetre of space, consider swapping a cupboard for a magic corner. This clever pullout system makes finding your favourite frying pan easy-peasy, rather than rummaging around at the back of a deep cupboard.
‘WHEN DESIGNING YOUR LAYOUT ALWAYS LEAVE A METRE OF WALKWAY BETWEEN YOUR WORKTOP AND ISLAND UNIT’
Use flooring as a focal point
In a small kitchen go all-out with bold tiling underfoot. A strong pattern on the floor distracts the eye and makes the room feel bigger. Every inch of this kitchen has been designed to make the most of the small space, from the slimline appliances to the hanging pot plant.
‘ALTHOUGH NOT CHEAP, A BOILING WATER TAP MEANS YOUR WORKTOP WON’T BE CLUTTERED WITH A KETTLE’
Make use of nooks
Identify places where there’s wasted space, such as the gaps between shelves, at the back of cupboards, below the sink, in unused corners and on windowsills. Stack wherever you can and have a clear-out of kitchenware that’s infrequently used so you have less to store. Extra shelves in corners or across alcoves will also come in handy.
Go slimline
Think clever with your appliances. Maximise the cupboard space available for storage by opting for a slimline dishwasher. And custom set-up domino hobs are ideal for compact spaces or islands where a full-size hob is not practical.