Having a small kitchen to work with is always a challenge. Whether there’s not enough storage for your utensils or the room is too tall, you’ll need custom units. Clutter can become difficult to manage when there’s no space available.
Luckily, with some investments and proper planning, your kitchen can become functional and visually pleasing. And while sometimes structural changes and renovation are inevitable, doing as much as possible to avoid them is doable with a design through which you can take advantage of every corner in the room.
Here are our insights into improving a small kitchen space.
Maximise space with the right cabinets
Introducing cabinets and units appropriately is essential to avoid clutter while providing adequate storage. A small kitchen remodelling includes layout planning, with a work triangle design that remains functional regardless of the space. This concept focuses on ensuring the cooking, cleaning, and prep areas are accessible, and the triangle will look different in a parallel kitchen than in a G-shaped one.
In these situations, you must develop a plan to maximise vertical space in the kitchen layout, so you can install wall-mounted cabinets close to the ceiling for light, infrequently used items. Always place heavier machinery and tools at the bottom of the unit to prevent them from falling off the wall and damaging the furniture.
Top-box units, tall wall units, and shaker style kitchen units are always available with the right measurements, so don’t hesitate to take advantage of any free wall space.
Consider a seamless colour theme
A proper colour scheme will ensure the space is bright and seems wider than it is. Compact spaces can look a tad depressing with very dark shades, especially in spaces with no natural lighting. However, a colour scheme can include your favourite shades while also taking advantage of the natural resources.
Thus, you could try the following combinations:
- Navy blue and brown should be used as a centrepiece for white walls and a backsplash;
- Off-white and wood are the best tones for a natural kitchen with a lot of plants;
- Grey and subtle greens balance each other efficiently;
- Olive green and wood are an interesting contrast;
- Black, white, and metallic is a more straightforward option but works every time;
- Ambient lighting is the primary source for the foundation;
- Task lighting is directed towards used spaces like the kitchen countertops;
- Accent lighting has the purpose of highlighting artwork or architectural details;
- Eliminating useless products that you would use once a year, such as a kitchen aid mixer or excessive pots and pans;
- Using special disposable plateware for guests, but keeping fewer plates, glasses, and bowls;
- Getting rid of multiples and having one of each item;
- Improving your shopping habits by resisting the temptation of buying more than necessary;
- The pull-out garage is ideal for narrow spaces;
- The roll-up vertical sliding door in units is best for near prep stations;
- Corner garages are best for bulky appliances;
- Open-shelf hybrids are a mix between hidden and open storage;
The colour of fixtures, such as the faucet, also matters, so look into copper products and other tones to integrate into the kitchen design.
Trust in light layering
A single lighting source in the kitchen can make it seem smaller, but multiple sources scattered around will highlight every hidden corner and brighten the space. There are three essential types of lighting that convey balance and depth:
Light layering becomes more interesting when you spice up the fixtures with different styles, materials, and placement choices. A minimalist kitchen will look better with sophisticated light fixtures, but you can also choose these products in complementary tones that match the room’s design. The size also matters, and you can alternate it to create a visual harmony across spaces and appliances. You can pair a grand chandelier with a smaller piece, such as wall sconces or floor lamps, to balance functionality with aesthetics.
Keep the kitchen clutter-free
In smaller spaces where clutter can quickly accumulate, keeping everything neat and clean is essential. Learning how to manage the number of appliances, tools, and cutlery might be required in a smaller space, despite the endless storage solutions. Thus, you may need to implement a new strategy that includes:
In most cases, you’ll find that you can comfortably live with fewer items. This will also help clean the space faster and more efficiently, and you will save money in the long run by investing in high-quality items.
Introduce the appliance garage
The visual clutter also comes from appliances left out in the open. While you may be a fan of open shelving for glassware, having appliances on countertops adds to the mess. The solution stands in an appliance garage, a small space that’s enough to fit bigger items like the coffee machine or the toaster you use once a day, and it also acts as a closet, so you can put the lid on and hide the appliances.
The garage is also an ideal solution for keeping countertops clutter-free, so you can prepare meals in an organised way. It’s also helpful for creating spaces for every kitchen activity, such as making coffee, so they take place in a limited area rather than spread out across the kitchen.
The appliance garage is also beneficial for protecting them, since they’re not at risk of falling or getting scratched, as the doors enclose the space while you’re doing other things. Therefore, it improves workflow and makes every day easier in a stylish way. Moreover, you can choose between various options, such as the following:
Conclusion
A small kitchen doesn’t mean you have to limit the design or improvements; it’s an opportunity to create a functional and pretty space. Thus, planning the layout is essential, as you will choose a model that enables a fast, easy workflow. The right colours and lighting also matter and have the power to make the kitchen bigger, but the most important aspect in a small kitchen is keeping it clutter-free and organised.
