If you are like the majority of people, you probably believe that you are unable to have a wonderful kitchen unless you have a very large kitchen. Don't be so sure about that! There are a variety of design tricks that can make even the tiniest kitchen appear as luxurious as a palace. If the current state of your kitchen leaves much to be desired, then continue reading for some advice on how to improve it.
The kitchen, in whatever form it takes and regardless of its size, is the heart of the home; therefore, it is essential to design the room so that you enjoy spending time there. Our suggestions for small kitchens are exactly what you need to maximise the potential of even the most constrained cooking space.
Finding inventive solutions for a kitchen with a smaller footprint is especially satisfying, despite the fact that we enjoy investigating a wide variety of concepts for kitchens.
You can transform an idea for a small kitchen into one that fulfils all of your wants and needs by making the most of every spare inch of space, reorganising areas that aren't working as hard as they should be, and adding different solutions wherever necessary. Kitchen design is increasingly benefiting from having as little clutter as possible while maintaining maximum efficiency.
FAQs About Home Design
Light colours are more reflective than dark colours, and they will make your kitchen appear bigger and more open and airy. Light blues, greens, or pale yellows are other great colours to make your space look larger than life.
Consider U-shape solutions. If you have to cram a lot of units into a very small space, a U-shape layout is often the best bet. For example, the downside of two corners is compensated by extra cupboard space on the end wall.
Colours such as creams and beiges can make a kitchen look elegant and expensive. If your kitchen is modern, you can use dark colours, such as blacks and greys, making it look extravagant. White reflects light and makes the space look bigger, complementing white with some wood and metallic highlights.
No rule states that cabinets need to be lighter or darker than walls or have to match it, but it depends more on what effect or mood you're going for. Light colours can make a space feel bright, clean, and timeless, while darker colours can make a strong statement that instantly grabs attention.
Slate blue is a colour combination between light grey and a muted blue or periwinkle tone. This shade is often washed out and leans toward the cooler end of the colour spectrum. Gentle and serene, this hue offers a sense of tranquillity to the home.
Small Kitchen Ideas
To keep your tasks organised, use partitions.
Choose a glass half partition if you want the space to feel open while also allowing light to move freely through the room. Maintain the appearance of one area as though it were a separate prep kitchen, and conceal the larger cooking appliances and utensils from plain sight.
Keep Some Storage Open
Storage is without a doubt one of the most important aspects to consider in any kitchen, but it is without a doubt one of the most important aspects to consider in a kitchen that is small.
After you have determined where all of this storage will be located, it's time to start thinking about light. Wall-to-wall cabinetry will block light in smaller kitchens, making the space seem even smaller and more claustrophobic than it already is. Include some open storage as well as shelving as a solution to this problem. It will help give the impression that the room is taller if you apply this to the upper half of the wall.
Zone With Flooring
In contrast to what most people believe, even modestly sized kitchens can accommodate diners. By effectively zoning the area, you can create the impression of having two separate rooms in the same building without sacrificing usable square footage.
Choose two completely different kinds of flooring and instal them so that it appears as though there are two separate rooms. The best choice for the kitchen is a patterned option because it is livelier and helps disguise any spills that may occur. Meanwhile, styles that are less busy and more neutral work really well for a laid-back dining area.
Break The Plan
The open floor plan has given way to the more contemporary broken plan, which is ideal for use in kitchens with limited space. By utilising half partitions to create the impression of distinct areas within the room, you are effectively zoning the space. It gives you the ability to separate the cooking, dining, and living areas of the space while still allowing the space to feel like it has an open floor plan.
Consider utilising Crittall doors, freestanding furniture, or slatted screens as alternatives to traditional partitions.
Incorporate A Slim Breakfast Bar
They are an excellent choice if you don't need a lot of cupboard storage space, despite the fact that it may seem like a challenging fit for the space. However, breakfast bars can serve not only as a place to prepare food but also as a place to eat, creating a multifunctional approach to the design of your kitchen.
When looking for ways to save even more space, look for options that are narrow and can be built onto peninsulas or islands.
Save Space With A Sliding Door.
If you have a compact kitchen with limited floor space, you might be tempted to do away with the door in order to alleviate any feelings of claustrophobia. However, the door that leads into the kitchen can be a useful tool in preventing the aromas of food preparation from spreading throughout the rest of the house.
Consider installing sliding doors, which are the most effective room dividers in terms of saving space.
The homeowner of this home came up with a clever solution for their cramped dining area by installing a sliding door that doesn't take up any room but still separates the dining area from the kitchen. The design of the reinforced glass means that it does not function as a solid barrier between the two different areas, even when it is pulled closed.
Be Mindful Of Dimensions.
One metre of clear floor space should be left around any countertop, island, or peninsula in the room. It is essential to keep in mind that the effectiveness of this dimension can be measured on both a functional and an aesthetic level.
Make More Space With Collapsible Furniture.
Pick out furniture that can be folded up or unfolded for added versatility in using the space. For instance, this contemporary kitchen features an extendable table that acts in a similar capacity to an island when extended. Then, when mealtimes roll around, it transforms into a sizable dining table that can accommodate everyone.
Even more useful would be the desk space provided by the table for those who work from home. The requirement for a table does not result in a reduction in available space when the furniture in question is of the collapsible variety. Instead, it is a highly effective method for maximising the use of the available space in the building.
Get Creative With Corners.
Even the most fundamental aspects of food preparation and service must be accommodated in a small kitchen, which necessitates the presence of a significant quantity of "stuff." As a result, it is essential to make effective use of every last bit of available space by being creative with the solutions to design challenges.
To give the impression that the room is longer, it is important to make the storage units as tall as is practically possible. Utilizing space-saving strategies such as magic corners and other ingenious mechanisms, like this under-cabinet glass rack, can help you make the most of every millimetre of available room.
One clever solution for storage in the kitchen is to suspend glasses from the area beneath the cabinets. Not only does it make use of space that would have been wasted otherwise, but more importantly, it makes room for additional storage within the cabinetry.
Use Fresh Mint Green To Promote Calm.
Kitchens of any size can have a disorganised feel, but due to the nature of their size, smaller kitchens are especially susceptible to this feeling. Paint your cramped kitchen in a colour that encourages relaxation so that you can take on this challenge head on. Because of its predominance in the natural world, the colour green has a powerful effect on our ability to maintain composure and serenity.
Cabinetry, walls, and accessories can all have a variety of colours applied to them, just like in the kitchen shown above. This layering will exaggerate the effect by creating what looks like the green of a garden, clearing in the woods, or woodland.
Create An Optical Illusion Using Colour
Painting kitchen cabinets rather than undertaking the more expensive project of replacing them is becoming an increasingly popular option for homeowners who are searching for more cost-effective ways to update their existing kitchens.
With just a little bit of colour and a little bit of elbow grease, you can completely transform the look of your kitchen on a shoestring budget with this brilliant idea. Changing the colour scheme in a small room can do wonders for making the room seem larger, which is especially helpful in cramped quarters.
Opt For A Crisp Colour Scheme
By going with a colour scheme that is more neutral, you can make a cramped kitchen appear more open and spacious. But a kitchen doesn't have to be beige or cream colour to be considered neutral. A clean colour scheme that will reflect light and make the kitchen appear larger can be achieved by combining white patterned tiles, marble worktops, and duck egg blue kitchen cabinets.
Invest In Flexible Storage
Having adequate storage space is essential in a kitchen with limited space. This wire panel shelving from string is an excellent alternative to purchasing standard shelves because it maximises storage space by conforming to the requirements of the kitchen.
Alter the number of shelves, hang glasses in the opposite direction, and consider installing a wine rack. When there is a limited amount of room, it is essential to make every inch of that room count.
Distract The Eye With Bold Flooring
Go all out with visually striking tiling in a kitchen with limited space. A bold pattern on the floor draws the eye away and gives the impression that the space is larger than it actually is. From the space-saving appliances to the planter that is suspended from the ceiling, this kitchen has been meticulously planned to maximise the efficiency of the limited floor plan.
The copper planter can be hung from the ceiling, which is an excellent way to bring life and decoration into the kitchen without causing clutter on the work surfaces.
Hide Appliances In A Breakfast Cupboard
By storing the toaster, kettle, and coffee maker in a breakfast cupboard, you can prevent the surfaces from appearing cluttered and maintain a clean appearance. The moment you open the cabinet, your go-to appliance is already prepared for its next turn in the spotlight. It is a clever method for making use of awkward corners and ensuring that none of your kitchen gadgets are misplaced in the far reaches of a cabinet.
Make the switch from a traditional extractor hood to a combined extractor and induction stove.
This combined induction extractor hob is perfect for a kitchen with limited counter space because of the way it eliminates the need for two separate appliances. You can make room for additional storage above the stove by removing the cumbersome extractor hood that is currently there. If you don't need an additional cabinet or set of shelves, you might want to consider leaving the space above the stove empty to create the impression that your kitchen is larger than it actually is.
Swap A Table For A Kitchen Island
In a kitchen with limited space, installing an island might not seem like the best idea. However, a well-thought-out kitchen island idea can be the perfect way to add extra storage and surface space while still keeping the kitchen a pleasant space in a long, thin kitchen. This is because an island can accommodate a variety of uses simultaneously.
Pick an island like the one shown above, which has a lot of storage space underneath it, so that you can easily store things like linens and vegetables. In addition, the countertop has a small overhang, which ensures that the four bar stools will easily fit under the island, removing any potential trip hazards.
Paint Kitchen Cupboards To Match The Walls
When you paint the cabinets in a small kitchen the same colour as the walls, it gives the impression that there is more space than there actually is. The best white kitchen design creates a bright and airy space in which the cabinets and countertops seamlessly blend into the surrounding walls.
This country kitchen makes use of every available square inch of space for storage, but the walls are painted in a consistent white wash that gives the impression that the room is more open than it actually is.
Turn An Awkward Corner Into Clever Storage.
Having a small kitchen forces you to make the most of the storage space you have. Instead of cramming all of your pots and pans into a deep cupboard that will become a nightmare when you need to find a separate frying pan, consider exchanging a cupboard for a drawer if you have a small boxy kitchen. This will give you more space and make it easier to find what you need.
This ingenious pullout drawer makes the most efficient use of space and makes it simple to locate your prefered frying pan.
Consider Compact Containers
You can put a windowsill, shelf, or recess to good use by installing a variety of sturdy baskets on them and then using them to store bottles, packets, or even fresh herbs in pots. You can take all of the condiments to the dining table in one trip if you store them in baskets, which is another advantage of using baskets.
Supersize The Sink
It is tempting to make an investment in the best dishwasher, but it is possible that your kitchen is too small to accommodate one. Therefore, it is important to locate additional space in order to instal a double sink. Maintain two bowls: one for washing, and the other for holding dirty dishes. Then, you will have a place to stack dirty preparation kits and plates out of sight, which will keep the work surface clear of unnecessary clutter.
Turn Every Corner Into A Storage Space.
If you do not have the funds to extend your kitchen, you should instead focus on making the most of the space you already have. Find areas in the house that could use some extra storage, such as the spaces between the shelves, the backs of the cabinets, the area below the sink, unused corners, and windowsills. Stack whatever you can wherever you can, and get rid of any items in the kitchen that are used infrequently or serve only one function. This will allow you to store fewer things overall.
Consider moving things around in your home that you don't use frequently but don't want to get rid of because you don't want to throw them away. The next thing you should do is consider the space on your walls and doors. You might find it helpful to instal a rack that hangs over a door, hooks on the side of your cabinets, a magnetic knife board, or a utensil rail. It is also a good idea to instal extra shelves in any corners or alcoves that you have.
Add Storage Helpers
It's likely that your cupboards and drawers, which are your most valuable resource for storage, aren't being utilised to their full potential. Internal storage solutions will allow you to make the most of them, so you should consider retrofitting wire racks that pull out corners or slim cupboards, some plinth drawers, or drawer dividers for utensils, spices, pans, or plates. These modifications will maximise the space that is available.
The idea for a colourful kitchen wall displayed above makes use of open shelving to both display and store crockery. A mobile solution, such as a trolley or butcher's block on castors, can help you increase the amount of space you have available for storage. Alternatively, you might consider placing baskets or containers on top of your wall cabinets. Just keep a stable stool close by so you can get to them when you need to.
Clear Away The Clutter In Small Kitchens
Wall cabinets have the potential to take up too much room; therefore, you should think about removing them. Open shelving in the kitchen has the potential to transform the appearance of a cramped space into one that is more open and airy. Simply reduce the number of shelves that you use and the amount of stuff that you keep on those shelves.
Tidy Your Work Surface
If there are an excessive number of items that are causing the work surfaces to become cluttered, you may want to instal magnetic knife strips on the walls as well as rails to hang utensils, mugs, spice, jars, pans, and cutlery bins. In addition, you may want to consider installing magnetic knife strips on the ceiling.
Think about what you'll need right away, like wooden spoons, chopping boards, and dishwashing liquid, and what can wait until you actually need it.
Keep Your Kitchen Scheme Simple.
There is nothing that makes a room seem larger than plain white walls. If you want to take this one step further, why not add some sleek and contemporary details that open up the space?
Consider installing white or frosted glass cabinet doors, white stone or composite countertops, stainless steel worktops, and white splashback tiling if your kitchen is on the smaller side. Light, reflective materials and minimal designs are your allies in a space like this.
Look To Portable Storage.
Consider purchasing a kitchen trolley with casters because it can serve as an additional preparation surface when necessary, be stored out of the way when it is not, and provide additional space for storing cooking books, pots, and pans. When you have guests over, you can even put your food and drinks on the handy cart that it provides.
Don't Let Space Go To Waste.
If you have your heart set on having an island or peninsula in your kitchen, but your kitchen does not have enough space for one, consider a kitchen that has a slimline design. The central workstation that is shown here may be on the smaller side, but it offers additional storage space as well as a practical worktop for preparing food.
Neaten Up A Compact Kitchen
There aren't huge open-concept kitchens in every house, but even if yours is on the more compact side, there are still plenty of reasons to be cheerful about the space. To begin, it is simple to keep everything within reach, and you will find a wealth of storage ideas to make the very best use of your space; this kitchen design features a significant number of cabinets. Additionally, it is easy to keep everything in its proper place.
Choose designs that lack handles to achieve a more streamlined and sophisticated look. In a constrained area, you shouldn't stuff too many different things into it. This space-saving U-shaped kitchen design utilises no more than three distinct materials, all of which are rendered in subdued colour palettes.
Conclusion
The kitchen is the hub of the home no matter what shape it takes or how big it is, regardless of how much food is prepared there. Even the smallest kitchen can be made to look as opulent and lavish as a royal palace by employing a number of different design techniques. Our advice for kitchens with limited space is exactly what you require to make the most of the potential of even the tiniest amount of space devoted to food preparation. Choose two types of flooring that couldn't be more dissimilar from one another, and then instal them in such a way that it gives the impression that there are two distinct rooms. Patterned options are the best option for the kitchen because they are more lively and help disguise any spills that may occur.
If you have a small kitchen with restricted space, you might be tempted to get rid of the door in order to alleviate any feelings of claustrophobia that might be associated with cooking in such a confined space. Around any countertop, island, or peninsula in the room, there ought to be clear floor space that is one metre in circumference. Being inventive in your approach to finding solutions to design challenges will allow you to make efficient use of every last bit of available space. You can make the most of every millimetre of available space by utilising space-saving strategies such as magic corners and other ingenious mechanisms, such as an under-cabinet glass rack, which can help you maximise the use of available space. You can completely change the appearance of your kitchen on a tight budget by using a little bit of paint and putting in a little bit of extra effort.
Changing the colour scheme of a small room can do wonders for making the room seem larger, which is especially helpful in closed quarters where space is limited. In a kitchen that is cramped for space, you should either go for a colour scheme that is unobtrusive or go all out with tiling that is visually striking. Having a kitchen that is on the smaller side forces you to maximise the storage space that is available to you. The following are some of the most helpful suggestions for enhancing the amount of storage and working space in your kitchen. By removing the cumbersome extractor hood from above the stove, you can create space for additional storage there.
To give the appearance that there is more space in the kitchen than there actually is, paint the cabinetry the same colour as the walls. Instead of focusing on expanding your kitchen if you don't have the financial means to do so, you should concentrate on optimising the space you already have. Put whatever you can wherever you can, and get rid of anything in the kitchen that is used infrequently or has only one purpose. Stack whatever you can wherever you can. Installing a number of different sturdy baskets on a windowsill, shelf, or recess is a great way to put these spaces to good use. It is recommended that magnetic knife strips and rails for hanging utensils, mugs, spice jars, jars, pans, and cutlery bins be mounted on the walls of the kitchen.
If your kitchen is on the larger end of the spectrum, you might want to think about installing cabinet doors that are white or frosted glass, countertops that are white stone or composite, stainless steel worktops, and white splashback tiling. There are a lot of reasons to be happy about the place you live, even though your kitchen is on the more compact end of the spectrum. You might want to look into purchasing a kitchen trolley that has wheels so that it can be moved out of the way when it is not being used as an additional surface for preparing food but moved back when it is needed. There are no more than three distinct materials used in the construction of this space-saving U-shaped kitchen design, and they are all rendered in muted colour palettes.
Content Summary
- Choose a glass half partition if you want the space to feel open while also allowing light to move freely through the room.
- Include some open storage as well as shelving as a solution to this problem.
- The open floor plan has given way to the more contemporary broken plan, which is ideal for use in kitchens with limited space.
- By utilising half partitions to create the impression of distinct areas within the room, you are effectively zoning the space.
- It gives you the ability to separate the cooking, dining, and living areas of the space while still allowing the space to feel like it has an open floor plan.
- However, breakfast bars can serve not only as a place to prepare food but also as a place to eat, creating a multifunctional approach to the design of your kitchen.
- Consider installing sliding doors, which are the most effective room dividers in terms of saving space.
- The homeowner of this home came up with a clever solution for their cramped dining area by installing a sliding door that doesn't take up any room but still separates the dining area from the kitchen.
- Pick out furniture that can be folded up or unfolded for added versatility in using the space.
- As a result, it is essential to make effective use of every last bit of available space by being creative with the solutions to design challenges.
- To give the impression that the room is longer, it is important to make the storage units as tall as is practically possible.
- One clever solution for storage in the kitchen is to suspend glasses from the area beneath the cabinets.
- Paint your cramped kitchen in a colour that encourages relaxation so that you can take on this challenge head on.
- Changing the colour scheme in a small room can do wonders for making the room seem larger, which is especially helpful in cramped quarters.
- By going with a colour scheme that is more neutral, you can make a cramped kitchen appear more open and spacious.
- Having adequate storage space is essential in a kitchen with limited space.
- From the space-saving appliances to the planter that is suspended from the ceiling, this kitchen has been meticulously planned to maximise the efficiency of the limited floor plan.
- By storing the toaster, kettle, and coffee maker in a breakfast cupboard, you can prevent the surfaces from appearing cluttered and maintain a clean appearance.
- This combined induction extractor hob is perfect for a kitchen with limited counter space because of the way it eliminates the need for two separate appliances.
- You can make room for additional storage above the stove by removing the cumbersome extractor hood that is currently there.
- In a kitchen with limited space, installing an island might not seem like the best idea.
- Having a small kitchen forces you to make the most of the storage space you have.
- Instead of cramming all of your pots and pans into a deep cupboard that will become a nightmare when you need to find a separate frying pan, consider exchanging a cupboard for a drawer if you have a small boxy kitchen.
- Therefore, it is important to locate additional space in order to instal a double sink.
- If you do not have the funds to extend your kitchen, you should instead focus on making the most of the space you already have.
- Find areas in the house that could use some extra storage, such as the spaces between the shelves, the backs of the cabinets, the area below the sink, unused corners, and windowsills.
- The next thing you should do is consider the space on your walls and doors.
- The idea for a colourful kitchen wall displayed above makes use of open shelving to both display and store crockery.
- A mobile solution, such as a trolley or butcher's block on castors, can help you increase the amount of space you have available for storage.
- Alternatively, you might consider placing baskets or containers on top of your wall cabinets.
- Open shelving in the kitchen has the potential to transform the appearance of a cramped space into one that is more open and airy.
- Light, reflective materials and minimal designs are your allies in a space like this.
- Consider purchasing a kitchen trolley with casters because it can serve as an additional preparation surface when necessary, be stored out of the way when it is not, and provide additional space for storing cooking books, pots, and pans.
- If you have your heart set on having an island or peninsula in your kitchen, but your kitchen does not have enough space for one, consider a kitchen that has a slimline design.
- The central workstation that is shown here may be on the smaller side, but it offers additional storage space as well as a practical worktop for preparing food.
- Choose designs that lack handles to achieve a more streamlined and sophisticated look.