Just because you don’t have a lot of space to play with, it doesn’t mean that you can design a gorgeous and practical kitchen that works for you and your family. Simply follow these smart, space-saving tips for designing compact kitchens…
1. Hang shelves and racks from the ceiling.
If you’re short on wall space, why not make use of the ceiling? You can fit shelving units for glasses (like you’ll find in bars) and hang pots and pans off ceiling racks using S-hooks.
2. Minimise your appliances.
Unless you need big appliances, consider mini versions of everything, from slim-line fridges and 45cm dishwashers to tiny microwaves and combi ovens.
3. Keep your surfaces clear.
In a small kitchen, worktop space can be limited. Maximise it by keeping worktops clear, with solutions such as magnetic knife racks on the wall.
4. Be logical with your layout.
A logical layout is even more important in a tiny kitchen, or the lack of ordered space will end up driving you mad. Think carefully about how you will use the space, ensuring that things like the sink, fridge and oven are close to each other in what is known in good kitchen design as the ‘work triangle’.
5. Increase your worktop space with clever tricks.
There are lots of things you can do to maximise worktop space, the lack of which can be a problem in small kitchens. For example, your kitchen fitters can install flip-down worktops, which drop down from the wall or pull out from underneath existing worktops to be used as extra work space or even a dining table. You can also get sinks which can be multi-functional, where you can fit chopping boards or drainers over the top.
6. Increase the feeling of space with good lighting and reflective surfaces.
A carefully planned lighting scheme, along with glass in cupboard doors and reflective worktops, can make a small kitchen feel a lot lighter, brighter and more spacious.
7. Go neutral.
Along the same lines as the previous point, embrace neutral colours and light-reflecting materials to make a small kitchen feel bigger. White and glossy is a good way to go, but don’t be afraid to integrate splashes of colour to stop your kitchen feeling a little too clinical.
8. Double the space inside cupboards and drawers.
There are lots of inexpensive accessories you can buy to maximise the usable space inside drawers and cupboards, and in other places around your kitchen. For example, spice racks that fit inside cupboard doors, drawer dividers and drawers that fit inside other drawers, plus in-cupboard shelf inserts which allow you to use the full height of your cupboards. There are pull-out storage baskets, swing-out bins and many, many other clever kitchen accessories to enable you to make the best use of space in your kitchen.
A&J Kitchens are experts in all things kitchen-related, with many years’ experience fitting kitchens and helping people to design kitchens of all kinds and sizes. If you need expert advice, look no further than the A&J Kitchens team.
1. Hang shelves and racks from the ceiling.
If you’re short on wall space, why not make use of the ceiling? You can fit shelving units for glasses (like you’ll find in bars) and hang pots and pans off ceiling racks using S-hooks.
2. Minimise your appliances.
Unless you need big appliances, consider mini versions of everything, from slim-line fridges and 45cm dishwashers to tiny microwaves and combi ovens.
3. Keep your surfaces clear.
In a small kitchen, worktop space can be limited. Maximise it by keeping worktops clear, with solutions such as magnetic knife racks on the wall.
4. Be logical with your layout.
A logical layout is even more important in a tiny kitchen, or the lack of ordered space will end up driving you mad. Think carefully about how you will use the space, ensuring that things like the sink, fridge and oven are close to each other in what is known in good kitchen design as the ‘work triangle’.
5. Increase your worktop space with clever tricks.
There are lots of things you can do to maximise worktop space, the lack of which can be a problem in small kitchens. For example, your kitchen fitters can install flip-down worktops, which drop down from the wall or pull out from underneath existing worktops to be used as extra work space or even a dining table. You can also get sinks which can be multi-functional, where you can fit chopping boards or drainers over the top.
6. Increase the feeling of space with good lighting and reflective surfaces.
A carefully planned lighting scheme, along with glass in cupboard doors and reflective worktops, can make a small kitchen feel a lot lighter, brighter and more spacious.
7. Go neutral.
Along the same lines as the previous point, embrace neutral colours and light-reflecting materials to make a small kitchen feel bigger. White and glossy is a good way to go, but don’t be afraid to integrate splashes of colour to stop your kitchen feeling a little too clinical.
8. Double the space inside cupboards and drawers.
There are lots of inexpensive accessories you can buy to maximise the usable space inside drawers and cupboards, and in other places around your kitchen. For example, spice racks that fit inside cupboard doors, drawer dividers and drawers that fit inside other drawers, plus in-cupboard shelf inserts which allow you to use the full height of your cupboards. There are pull-out storage baskets, swing-out bins and many, many other clever kitchen accessories to enable you to make the best use of space in your kitchen.
A&J Kitchens are experts in all things kitchen-related, with many years’ experience fitting kitchens and helping people to design kitchens of all kinds and sizes. If you need expert advice, look no further than the A&J Kitchens team.
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