How to Design a Little Kitchen
- 1). Focus on function over floor space. Providing ample storage and work space, even if it encroaches on floor space, will make a little kitchen functional and a happy place to cook.
- 2). Design with the kitchen work triangle in mind. The stove, sink and refrigerator should all be located close together. Violate this rule in the hopes of better using space in a small kitchen, and you'll find that your kitchen is a miserable place for day-to-day cooking. Keep the kitchen work triangle intact for ease of use and efficient cooking.
- 3). Don't try to turn a little kitchen into a dining room. If you can manage an eat-in kitchen, then your kitchen is not small. A truly small kitchen, can't accommodate a table and chairs, not without creating a serious tripping hazard. Accepting the limitations of a little kitchen is part of the design process. Don't try to make your kitchen be something it isn't.
- 4). Eliminate interior doors that swing open and either don't have a door or use a bifold door which uses less space. Also, be sure that design elements allow enough clearance for doors to open. There's nothing worse than hitting the fridge every day with the door.
- 5). Make the counters deeper. This gives you extra space for counter top appliances and cooking. The exact depth will vary based on your needs and the size of the little kitchen, but even a few extra inches are an excellent way to optimize working space. However, carefully measure dimensions out before making any permanent decisions.
- 6). Install high cabinets. Remove soffits and install cabinets all the way up to the ceiling. You'll need a step stool to reach the upper shelves, but this will maximize storage space. The higher shelves are a great place to store items that are not used regularly.
- 7). Paint a little kitchen in light colors as dark colors make rooms appear smaller.
- 8). Use light fixtures and ceiling fans that match the little kitchen in scale. For example, a large chandelier is ungainly and discordant in a small kitchen.
- 9). Keep clutter off the counters. Just like a camera adds ten pounds, clutter looks worse than it actually is. Organization is key in a little kitchen. Install kitchen counter appliances under the cupboard or store them out of sight when not in use. Also, instead of an electric can opener, consider using a manual can opener to reduce clutter. Magnetic bamboo file boxes can be used on the side of a refrigerator to hold mail and coupons (see resources for a link). If cupboard space is in short supply, a food pantry in the basement can provide food storage and keep items not immediately required out of the way.
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Avoid over-sized or large appliances. Measure available space and buy appliances that fit your small kitchen.A garage or basement refrigerator or chest freezer can provide extra space--notice they are in a separate room! - 11
Use cupboard doors with glass to create the illusion of more space. Glass doors allow the eye to keep traveling and gives the impression of a little kitchen being bigger than it really is. It's also a great way to show off pretty dishes.
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