Nine Kitchen Design Ideas for Small Kitchens
Upgrading your property can be a lot cheaper and easier than you think. Instead of investing in renovations and rebuilding, why not invest some money in upgrading your kitchen and bathrooms? Anyone will tell you that a well-planned, well-designed kitchen and a new bathroom will undoubtedly increase the value of your property, and if it is just an upgrade you require for yourself in your home, this is also the way to go. While bathrooms are easy to upgrade, kitchens can be trickier, especially if they are small. Here we provide you with some great ideas for kitchen designs for small kitchens that may help you in your quest for a kitchen upgrade:
- Use the height: If your ceiling is high, you can use the available height for above-counter storage. Build storage racks and cupboards almost up to the ceiling and use a roller ladder (like the ones in libraries). Of course, it makes sense to store the items that you regularly use on lower shelves, but for the tea set, crystal glasses, or crockery only used on occasion, storage at a high level is quite acceptable. The ladder can be made to fold or stow away easily, and you will still have ample storage space in your small kitchen.
- Light: To create the illusion of more space and light, stick to light colours in the kitchen – white if possible. Nothing says, “small and dingy” like a dark space, and keeping the window dressing to a minimum and as light as possible will admit more light and emphasise the light colours in the kitchen, creating a perception of space. Lighting is also crucial – place lights in a way that emphasises different areas in the kitchen to make it look more spacious. Place them under overhead cupboards to focus on the counters – this will light up spaces that are potentially dark and that can make the kitchen look small.
- A pot rack: Pots and pans can take up a lot of space, and easily clutter small kitchens. Get a pot rack to hang from the ceiling and use this for all your pots, pans, ladles, and other cooking utensils that you would normally store in a drawer or cupboard. A pot rack also makes it easier to access the pots, pans, and utensils you need while you cook.
- Light counters: Darkly coloured counters can make the kitchen look even smaller than it is. To create the perception of space, keep kitchen counters light and interesting.
- Folding doors: For tiny apartments, such as bachelor pads, a small kitchen can be obscured from the rest of the living space by folding doors, yet the kitchen can be expanded when in use by folding away the doors to create more space.
- An island: If space allows, get an island to go in the middle of the floor space. This will give you an extra work surface and provide additional storage for other items. If possible, get a moveable island that you can move around according to your needs. Just ensure that it has wheel locks to immobilise it in the location you choose.
- Mirrors: Experts who do kitchen designs for small kitchens recommend that you reflect the available light with mirrored cabinet doors to create a more spacious feel. The mirrors will also reflect the opposite wall or space, and create more depth in a small kitchen. You can also use a mirrored backsplash to create more depth.
- Electric stovetop: Because modern electric stovetops have smooth, glassy surfaces, they can also act as additional work surfaces. The sleek look of a glass stovetop also creates cleaner lines and looks less cluttered than a gas stove.
- Overhanging island counter: If you have an island, create a top that overhangs the one side of the island. This can create the ideal space to enjoy meals. Use simple, backless chairs in a light colour that can fit under the overhang for seating. Backless chairs make for uncluttered lines that create better flow throughout the kitchen.
If you need more kitchen designs for small kitchens, speak to our team of experts at GEZA today – we have all the design knowledge and innovative ideas to make your kitchen look wonderful.
