Small spaces can be a canvas for big ideas. Make no limits when it comes to your limited space in the kitchen. A small kitchen can function just as well as a sprawling space and is arguably more practical. Kitchens should be large enough to move around in, but having everything around your cooking space within arms’ length is a benefit many overlook when all they see is small. Here are a few hints on how to make your small space work in big ways for you and your loved ones. You may not be inspired to offer to cook the next holiday meal, but nightly family dinners can be problem free.
Table of Contents
The Benefits of a Small Kitchen
Look Up
Flexible Seating
Lacquered Cabinetry
Corner Banquettes
Peninsulas
Use a Lighter Color Palette
Islands
Full-Wall Backsplash
Built-In Storage
Open Shelving
Final Thoughts
The Benefits of a Small Kitchen
Small kitchens, are, well, small. There’s room for the chef to move around and prepare the meal and potentially one other person – who is often in the way. A small kitchen is easier to clean and maintain, simply because there’s not as much space to keep clean. There may not be a lot of counter space, or the counter is cut awkwardly to accommodate for the stove and sink, but there’s not a lot of countertop to clean and maintain.
The smaller space helps you eliminate clutter from countertops, add efficient storage, and look up for other answers.
Look Up
A small footprint for a kitchen or any room means utilizing all possible space. Small spaces usually are cause for storage concerns, so nip your storage woes in the bud and plan for upper cabinets that reach all the way to the ceiling. The space between the top of the cabinets and the ceiling is valuable real estate when it comes to small kitchens. Rather than piling less frequently used items and storage containers on top of the cabinets to get dusty, extend the cabinets up and store those items on the upper shelves inside the cabinets.
Tall windows draw the eye up and distract the viewer from the limited space down low. Interesting lighting like pendent lights or even an ornate chandelier draw the eye up to take in the whole space.
Flexible Seating
Having a small dining table may not be enough. Dining tables typically don’t add utility like prep or counter space. There are pieces available that combine seating and utility. A movable bar or island offers prep space and in some cases extra seating.
Lacquered Cabinetry
Choose high-gloss, lacquered cabinetry with a flat-front design for your cabinet doors. The style amplifies light, including natural light, for an open and airy feel. If you can add a large window for natural light, the brightness takes over and allows you to forget about the lack of space.
Corner Banquettes
The versatile space adds many benefits to a small kitchen. Banquette benches can be designed with or without storage beneath. The extra storage can be for anything you need, too, not just kitchen necessities. A banquette also allows for a variety of table choices. A cute round cafe table or something square or rectangular that offers seating for a family of four or more may be options depending on the size of the banquette you plan.
Peninsulas
Peninsulas are for more than the shape of the state of Michigan. Peninsulas can do a lot for a small kitchen. Extra counter space, extra prep space, extra storage space, and even extra seating can all be accomplished by a peninsula. Peninsulas can be designed with waterfall edges that allow for extra seating or seating for a casual meal. Peninsulas can also be designed with cabinetry or drawer spaces to compliment the other storage solutions in the room.
Use a Lighter Color Palette
Your favorite color may be blue, red, purple, or something else, but those aren’t the favorite colors of your small kitchen. Your small kitchen’s favorite colors include whites, grays, tans, and other light neutral colors. The lighter colors and a good natural light source add size without adding square footage.
Islands
You may think an island in the kitchen isn’t possible in a small kitchen. Depending on your layout, it can be the answer to your small space woes. Islands come in all shapes and sizes, and offer flexibility to accommodate just about any need. Islands give a home to cooktops, stoves, dishwashers, and storage while typically offering some extra counter space and potentially seating options. By clearing away the cooktop or sink from your larger counter space, you gain that square footage back for added cabinetry below or just uninterrupted counter space.
Full-Wall Backsplash
Consult your designer for the best tiles to use in your space. A small space with a focal point like a whole-wall tiled backsplash to draw the eye will undoubtedly take away from the overall size of the kitchen.
Built-In Storage
Storage space in invaluable in a small kitchen. If there’s a place for it, make sure there’s storage. Pantries, islands, peninsulas, upper cabinetry, open shelves, whatever it may be, storage is paramount in a small kitchen.
Open Shelving
The airiness of open shelving can add space that closed cabinets take away. Open shelves are also a chance to add décor to a small space that may not otherwise offer room. However, open shelving may increase the need for cleaning space, and keeping everything neatly styled and looking like a magazine spread. Open shelving is not the place to display your children’s plastic cups and plates or your collection of NFL cups from the school fundraiser, and may actually take away from your storage options.
Final Thoughts
We at Acipe Design know there’s a dream house and dream kitchen for every client. We design your dream and bring it to fruition with thoughtful design that puts the needs and preferences of the client first. Some of our clients dream big while others may be downsizing while looking for their forever home. No matter which one you are, we can help you build your dream.
Contact us today!