Small kitchens don’t have to mean you miss out on the benefits of a larger kitchen but prior planning is key to making sure you aren’t disappointed.
Here are our top three tips for planning and designing a kitchen in a modest space:
Anyone who’s ever moved out of a house with standard corner kitchen cupboards will have experienced the game of kitchen cupboard roulette, you slowly push your hand into the dark region of the base unit, the area that hasn’t seen daylight since it was installed years before, only to retrieve anything from a decade-old can of tuna to the small roasting dish that you lost many years ago.
The point is that standard corner cupboards leave you with dead space that rarely gets used and is nothing more than a gap for things to fall into and be forgotten about. And that’s fine if you have a large kitchen with plenty of space and excess storage, but if like many you don’t have that luxury dead space like this is a total waste.
Nowadays there are plenty of options to make sure you get the most for your money, these range from the simple carousel to the elaborate sunken wine racks that rise from the worktop. The possibilities are endless, speak to your kitchen designer and find a solution that both makes the most of the space and suits your lifestyle.
Most people when they design a kitchen don’t think beyond where the cooker, fridge, and sink will be, with a smaller space though it’s vital to consider each cupboard and what will be stored where. Doing this before you begin will let you use specialist storage designed to hold exactly what you want and nothing more.
Specialist spice drawers, wine racks, pan racks, and tray stores are designed to fit exactly what you want and nothing more freeing up space for other items. There’s also nothing to stop you from adding additional shelves into cupboards at minimal expense to really maximise the storage capability.
Smaller kitchens like any small room can be in danger of becoming dark and dull without careful consideration as to where the light will come from. Windows are great for natural light but be mindful of where shadows will be cast and light won’t always reach.
Consider spotlights for the ceiling that won’t invade on the space of the room in place of chandeliers and pendant lights and think about strip lighting underneath wall units. If done properly this can create ambiance in a room and evenly spread light to prevent dark corners.
If you’re undertaking any project it’s important to discuss these things with your contractor. Any experienced Kitchen fitter should know everything you need to consider to make sure that you’re happy with your new kitchen for years to come.
