Great Tips for Designing Stunning Small Kitchens!
Are you wondering where to start with designs for small kitchens?
You can start here and consider these design tips to help you plan your beautiful new kitchen in even a very
compact area!
Keep the windows as big as possible, as you need a light, airy feel to open up the space.
Use recessed lighting
, and strong halogen task lights over workspaces - small kitchens can be dark areas.
Have a skylight built into the ceiling to give more natural light and improve ventilation of fresh air.
Incorporate an undermount, or slide-out rangehood, as a large one will tend to dominate
the kitchen. (See image below)
You may consider using mirror in your backsplash
, or under wall cabinets above the backsplash. This will reflect
the other side of the room and give an illusion of a pass-through into the next room. Mirror tiles open up the
space visually.
Consider an 'integrated'
look where the cabinets conceal the fridge and dishwasher -
this makes things more streamlined and the eye isn't interrupted in its sweep of space.
Have a wall oven, and drawers under your cooktop to maximize space.
Open or glass-fronted shelving and cabinetry gives a feel of open-ness.
Extend wall cabinets
all the way to the ceiling to increase storage space.
If you want to have an island bench, see that it isn't in the way of traffic flow.
Remove all unecessary items and declutter your countertops and storage spaces
Extend wall cabinets all the way to the ceiling to increase storage space.
Build in the trash unit to leave more floor space
Opt for drawers instead of doors in your kitchen - this can increase storage by 30%
Use a monochromatic color scheme
that uses similar colors for countertops, cabinets, walls and flooring
Choose smaller than standard appliances.
A pull-out countertop will give you more space.
Keep finishes on cupboards,
cabinets, countertops and
backsplash understated so that there is less 'crowding' for the eye, and less busy-ness.
Keep your countertops clutter-free! This means putting all small appliances such as the toaster and
kettle away in cupboards.
Place the microwave on a shoulder-height shelf so as to free up bench space.
Gloss finishes on benchtops and cabinets give an illusion of space through their reflective qualities.
If remodeling, consider refacing
your dark cabinets, or painting them a lighter color
to lift the ambience and give a lighter feel.
Use diagonal tiles or a glass backsplash for an illusion of a bigger space in small kitchens.
Have a single bowl sink
, if possible. This will give more workspace.
Try to keep your cooktop away from your fridge in your kitchen, so that the heat doesn't affect
its efficiency. If you have to have them side by side, place an insulating panel between them.
Extend the same flooring into the kitchen from the living space to give continuity. If you have wooden flooring,
run the boards perpendicular to the cabinets to give a feeling of more width to the kitchen floor. If you
are using tiles, have tiles without a pattern and use the same color grout to keep the eye 'moving'.
Small kitchens will benefit from incorporating some of these tips...and you can make the most of
your available space so that you create a wonderfully fresh, functional and well designed space, that will
be a joy in which to cook, eat and entertain!
Go to Small Kitchen Layout for your options in an inner-city apartment
Learn about how to maximize your storage space
Galley style - the perfect layout in a small kitchen
Lots more about the advantages of a galley style in your smaller space
Return from small kitchens to Home Page Clever Kitchen Designs
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