Planning a small kitchen
There’s no denying that size matters but in a small kitchen, performance is all. With some serious planning, ingenious fittings and a design that’s as chic as you like, your new kitchen can be super successful and, as you won’t need many units, you can splash out on quality finishes.
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Could you make more space?
Before you get carried away by the breathtaking designs in brochures or showrooms, work out the shortcomings of your current kitchen and decide what you can change for the better.
Could you reconfigure the space, ditch or remove bulky items to another area, double up with a washer dryer instead of two separate appliances, or move the sink to a better position?
How about removing a wall to open up the kitchen into an adjacent room, or adding an extension to double your space?
On a micro level, simply junking any non-essentials such as that fondue set that’s never seen the light of day will work marvels for storage capacity.
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Create a clever layout
On a floor plan of squared paper mark power points, pipes, windows, doors then plan in units.
You’ll need food prep, serving, cooking and washing up zones, each ideally with their own bit of worktop.
The work triangle is an imaginary triangle to get the optimum distance between cooker, sink and fridge – not usually a problem in a small room. Keep the oven and sink 40cm from the corners, and don’t site them behind a door.
If you’re including tall units, put them at the end of a run. A corner sink looks neat and can free up worktop space elsewhere.
It’s easy to mark out units on a dinky little plan, but the people using the room are just as important - the cook not only takes up quite a bit of space but also needs room to maneuver and to open doors and drawers.
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Make it look good
Wall units are a must for storage but they do cramp your style, encroaching on the space, so try not to fit them on every wall - narrow shelves can be just as handy and are less obtrusive.
Consider extra tall wall units to maximise storage without taking up valuable space.
Clever storage
Bend and stretch no more, as interior fittings for cabinets are designed to pull-out, extend, and swivel for you.
Look out for base cabinets with separate slide-out drawers, or a narrow unit filled with wire baskets that glide out as you pull on the door. Corner units now have pull-out fittings to bring the stuff at the back forward. You’ll find these in every showroom, from top-end companies to the DIY stores.
Designers at Blum excel at corner ideas – they make the fittings not the cabinets, but you can find kitchen companies that use them via their website. Plinth drawers are a handy use of space that would otherwise be wasted. For food storage, a tall, narrow larder unit that pulls out then swivels 90 degrees is invaluable in a limited space.
Find the right appliances
Flashy, streamlined and efficient, the latest built in appliances are too cool for their own good. Hobs come in single row designs, or designs which consist of separate units, so you can just order the ones you need. Double up on appliances if you can. Opt for a washer dryer instead of washing machine and tumble dryer, a combi microwave oven.
Get gorgeous finishes
Shiny is the only way to go. Gorgeous high gloss or lacquered units, glazed doors, glass splashbacks and worktop will do the trick. White will open up the space but don’t use it for every surface or your kitchen could look like an operating theatre. For flooring, go for plain colours. Rubber, vinyl or pale coloured tiles are a good bet. Bigger tiles will enhance space. If wood’s your preference, a pale shade without an obvious grain will enhance the smooth appearance.