The kitchen is the heart of the home. It is a gathering place where memories and meals are made with our loved ones. Most homeowners may dream of sprawling countertops and spacious cabinetry, but the reality is that most American homes possess a kitchen that is 161 to 169 square feet or less.
If you face cluttered countertops, tight walkways, disorderly cabinets, or your kitchen measures under 150 square feet, your kitchen may fall into the “small” category. Optimizing every square inch is vital when working with limited space.
Work With the Space You Have.
Your kitchen’s layout will dramatically change how you approach the design process. Designing for a galley kitchen and an open kitchen require different considerations, so it is important to discuss with your consultant what design choices will be best for your space.
Cabinetry
As the base of your kitchen’s layout, your cabinetry serves as your primary source of storage and workspace. It is important when selecting cabinetry for your small kitchen to prioritize your storage space. Maximizing your organizational space can be done in a variety of ways!
Storage Solutions
Utilizing innovative pull outs, drawers, and built-in bins and dividers can help you optimize your storage space, personalizing your cabinetry to your specific storage needs. Integrated utensil storage can relieve your countertops of undesired clutter, appliance garages store and hide small countertop appliances, and handy side cabinets can maximize storage in unconventional places.
Think Vertically
Designing with your vertical line in mind can help give your kitchen the appearance of being larger than it is. Take your cabinetry to the ceiling to maximize storage space and keep your vertical lines unbroken. Using narrow, vertical cabinet doors can aid in this heightening illusion.
Kitchen Islands
If your kitchen has the open floorspace for the inclusion of an island, consider integrating one into your kitchen’s design. Kitchen islands are a great source of additional storage, counter prep space, and seating for entertaining.
Open Shelving
Though it is recommended to hold on to as much closed cabinetry as possible for storage purposes, open shelving can be used as an accent to your kitchen cabinetry to add personality and openness to your kitchen’s design. Consider implementing open shelving in cramped corners, at the ends of your kitchen cabinets, and around windows to visually open your space and allow for as much natural light to brighten your space as possible.
Tip:
Small kitchens require less cabinetry to cover the limited square footage. Consider splurging and upgrading your cabinetry to include custom storage solutions and high-end finishes to ensure that your kitchen cabinets will look and function great for a long time.
Sinks
When planning and designing your small kitchen, it is important to consider all your fixtures and finishes, including the kitchen sink!
Farmhouse Sinks
Farmhouse sinks are known for their deep, spacious basins, giving you the soaking, scrubbing, and rinsing space you need without taking up prime countertop real estate. Select a farmhouse sink that is around 30” to 33” in length for the ideal depth to length ratio.
Integrated Drying Rack
Save valuable counterspace with an integrated in-sink drying rack. These sink racks offer you the ability to rinse and dry your dishes in the same space and protect your sink’s surface from scrapes and scratches in the process.
Prep Accessories
Selecting a sink with included preparation accessories such as cutting boards, strainers, colanders, and scrubber caddies maximizes the function of your kitchen sink. These sinks often come with a lip or edge for accessories to rest on, so they can be conveniently stored within your sink when not in use.
Thinking Colors
The colors you select for your kitchen will dramatically affect how bright and how busy your space appears. Selecting the right colors for your fixtures and finishes will ensure that your kitchen feels harmonious and spacious.
Light and Bright
Though moody, richly saturated hues have been trending for kitchens big and small, consider how these colors affect the way light reflects within your space. Using lighter toned colors will brighten your space, making it feel more open and airier.
Monochromatic
Selecting various values of the same hue or color family can create a cohesive look that avoids visually breaking up the space with color blocking.
A Pop of Color
If you prefer a more colorful approach when it comes to your kitchen, think about using color to draw the eye to the focal point of your kitchen. A colorful sink, stylish metallic faucet, or accent color island can add visual interest to your space without overwhelming your palette.
Lighting
When working in a small space, ensuring that you are making the most of your light sources, natural and artificial, is of the utmost importance.
Layered Lighting
Layering different forms of lighting will help create depth and brighten your space. Mixing various forms of ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting creates visual interest and ensures that your space is sufficiently lit.
Clear Glass Light Fixtures
Select light fixtures with unobstructed, undiffused lighting to maximize the amount of light your kitchen is receiving. Clear glass pendant lights and sconces offer ideal light transmittance to guarantee your kitchen is receiving the greatest level of light possible.
With the help of our showroom and professional consultants, use these tips and tricks to make the most of your small kitchen!