9 Small Kitchen Ideas - Part 1
Planning for a small kitchen may seem like a challenge at first. Yet having a compact footprint can make things a whole lot easier in many ways. To help inspire you, here is part one of my big guide to turning your small kitchen into a culinary masterpiece.
1. FLOOR TO CEILING CABINETS
When it comes to cabinetry, the default setting for most kitchens is a mix of base and wall units. And while this is certainly a winning combination, taking the units all the way up to the ceiling not only provides valuable extra storage, but it can also give the illusion of more space, maximises storage and makes the most of high ceilings. What’s more, you can use them for taller items that wouldn’t otherwise fit into standard cabinets. Think ironing boards, mops, brooms or even a stacked washing machine and tumble dryer set-up. They are also ideal for housing a larder fridge and freezer, concealed from view behind cabinet doors, or they can be filled with shelves and pull-outs for an all-in-one larder for dried ingredients [look for height-adjustable baskets or boxes as well as soft-close runners]. You don’t have to go floor-to-ceiling for all the furniture, and we wouldn’t advise it. Instead, use a combination that includes full height, wall, and base cabinets.
2. HANDLELESS DOORS AND DRAWERs
Instead of handles for cabinet doors and drawers, choose a handleless design instead. While there are many attractive handles available in all sorts of styles and finishes, a handleless door is perfect for smaller kitchens. This is because push-to-open units or recessed handles are fuss-free and simple, with no lines or protrusions to detract from the ergonomic flow. This in turn creates a sleek, seamless effect that suits both classic and contemporary schemes, though it’s used more often in modern kitchen designs.
3. SPACE-SAVING BANQUETTE SEATING
Built-in banquettes are great for small kitchen dining. When there’s not enough room for an island, breakfast bar or large dining table and chairs, a banquette can fit snugly into the corner with plenty of space for the family. You can also double up by making it multifunctional and asking your carpenter or designer to include bench seating with storage hidden underneath. This could be accessed either with lift-up lids or even easier, as drawers. If there is space for an island [cue our Chelsea modern townhouse project], consider building banquette seating on one side with a little table for family dining and entertaining. Just make sure there’s ample space on the other side of the island for food prep and cooking.
4. GLASS-FRONTED WALL CABINETS
When all the cupboards in a kitchen have solid fronts, it can sometimes feel a little imposing. To break up the monotony – as well as lighten the overall look of the kitchen – we specify glass-fronted panels for wall cabinets. There are various options available – transparent, ribbed, or antiqued – and each one brings its own qualities and styling to the scheme.
Transparent glazing is the most popular and as well as injecting a feeling of light and space, it also allows you to display favourite ceramics, cookware or glasses within the cabinet or dresser. This worked particularly well in our Notting Hill kitchen project where wall units with transparent glass fronts reveal the beautiful, ribbed panelling at the back of the cupboards. Styling note: keep in mind that whatever is on display will need to look pretty, so be prepared to do some styling when specifying transparent glass-fronted cabinets.
If clients prefer not to have the contents of their cupboards on display, I recommend ribbed or smoked glass. Ribbed glass is becoming increasingly sought after and it’s a look that will enhance an industrial kitchen design. Antiqued glazing on the other hand is great for a vintage or more traditional feel.
5. OPEN SHELVING AND HANGING RAILS
Compact kitchens are often designed with open shelving or hanging rails rather than wall units. This is a wonderful way of providing plenty of practical storage without making the room feel closed in. The key to its success is to plan carefully when it comes to the base cabinets. Use deep pan drawers, pull-outs, corner carousels and interior fittings and dividers to ensure every pot, pan, piece of cookware and cutlery has its own place. And make sure it’s easily accessible too. Then, you can use open shelving and hanging rails for items that need to be easily accessible as well as utensils and all those personal touches that will make your kitchen feel homely and welcoming. So think pots of fresh herbs, favourite mugs and glasses, condiments and chopping boards.
6. POCKET DOORS ON TALL UNITS
Space is at a premium in a small kitchen so consider having pocket doors on tall units. Instead of swinging outwards like a traditional door, pocket versions are sliding doors that neatly tuck away as they open, so you don’t need the same floor space, making them ideal for smaller rooms. Pocket doors are particularly great for concealing the items inside a breakfast cupboard from view, so you can hide away small appliances such as the toaster, kettle, and coffee machine in an instant and when space is really limited, replace a standard kitchen entrance door with a pocket version that will neatly tuck into the wall or separator as it opens.
7. COMPACT OR MULTIFUNCTIONAL APPLIANCES
In a small kitchen, every inch counts. So wherever possible, choose compact versions of large appliances as well as multifunctional designs. So instead of a standard 60cm built-in oven, go for a compact 45cm model. And instead of a large 90cm, 100cm or 110cm range cooker, a 60cm wide freestanding cooker will free up more space and can provide just as many features and functions but in a smaller appliance. You can also find slimline dishwashers, fridges, and fridge freezers too. Another idea is to swap a separate washing machine and tumble dryer for a single washer dryer instead. Alternatively, stack one on top of the other with a stacking kit or move laundry appliances into a utility room where you have the option. You can also find multifunctional appliances such as ventilation hobs that have extraction built in, so there’s no need for a separate extractor hood above.
8. SEMI AND FULLY INTEGRATED APPLIANCES
To make a small kitchen feel more streamlined and spacious, choose semi or fully-integrated appliances where possible rather than freestanding models. Integrated means that the appliance is concealed behind matching cabinet doors, so you can’t see it. This creates a flowing effect of the furniture with nothing to detract from or break up the look. It works even better with handleless doors, too.
Fully integrated is when everything is hidden from view, even the control panel on dishwashers for example, which can be found on the top edge of the door. Semi-integrated on the other hand, will have the control panel exposed by the door either on the top or on the front of the unit.
9. PENINSULA BREAKFAST BARS
Instead of an island or freestanding unit in the centre of the kitchen, consider a peninsula. This works especially well in small L or U-shaped layouts and allows you to create extra prep space as well as storage below and if the worksurface overhangs, it provides the perfect spot for a breakfast bar if you add a couple of stools underneath. It’s a great way of turning a small kitchen into a practical kitchen-diner when there’s not enough room for a separate dining table and you can always add a mobile trolley or butcher’s block beneath if you need more storage.
For more big ideas for small kitchens, check our part two.