What is the best way to maximize the look and function of a small kitchen?
Beauty and power are elements to strive for when designing a small kitchen. Just because your space is pint-sized doesn’t mean you have to be modest with the details, function or style. Here are a few tips for creating a tiny but mighty space:
» Focus on function first. Maximizing storage and flow should be priority No. 1 when remodeling a small kitchen.
» Little details go a long way. Pick one or two impactful design elements to focus on, and keep the rest quiet so they can shine.
» Since small kitchens have less square footage, you can splurge!
» Just because your kitchen is small doesn’t mean it has to be cramped. Think about the areas you use most, and allow space for people to move.
» Here is a favorite small kitchen design trick: Shallow pantries are better than deep ones. They allow you to store food in one layer so you don’t have to dig behind boxes or cans, and they increase traffic flow.
» If you are unsure how to proceed, hire a space planning expert to help you think through all the possibilities. What you spend on brain power will come back to you as an investment in your family’s enjoyment of the new space.
— jenny rausch, owner, karr bick kitch & bath
On occasion, I meet with a potential client who has a beautiful home with a small kitchen. Sometimes opening the space up is just not possible, so I get creative with several suggestions:
» Cabinet accessories: If more cabinetry cannot be added, make the existing cabinets store as much as possible through built-in cabinet accessories like attached spice racks, roll trays for pantries or base cabinets, and cutlery dividers in drawers. Good organization keeps everything in its place, allowing you to store more.
»Vertical storage: Install new cabinetry that takes advantage of unused vertical space. Also, use every inch of open wall space. Install shelves on walls for quick access to frequently used items.
» Lose the table: If you have a dining room, make that where you sit down for meals. By losing the breakfast table, you can create space for an island with additional storage and seating.
» Fun colors: If your kitchen cannot be as grand as you would like, why not give it a personality all its own? Small kitchens are the perfect spaces to think outside the box on look and style. Fun, bold colors really add a sense of whimsy and attitude.
» Tone on tone: Another way to make your space seem larger is to keep design choices in a similar tone range. Using lots of white creates an airy space where the floor, walls, cabinets, countertops and backsplash all blend together.
— jake spurgeon, designer and home consultant, mosby building arts
Photos courtesy of Karr Bick Kitchen & Bath and Mosby Building Arts
