Perfecting a Tiny Kitchen: Design Tips for Smaller Apartments

 

By Alexander Fishback





Plenty of Americans spend their time not residing in fancy sprawling mansions, but rather, trying to make things work in more compact locales. And a lot of the time, these locales end up being home for longer than some might want them to. After all, apartment dwelling is becoming more commonplace for those who aren't just in college. With bills high and wages low, it makes sense to find a way to save money, and renting something a bit more compact is often the better bargain. Even for those who are in the middle of a bustling city, where all housing is expensive, understand that opting for something smaller means saving a big chunk of cash.

For those who are trying to make a tiny apartment work, sometimes figuring out how to spruce things up and keep life feeling interesting is as simple as picking a single room of the house, and then maximizing productivity as far as layout and looks are both concerned. For those working with a small kitchen, there are plenty of simple tricks that will have renters or owners feeling as though their space provides all that it needs to, rather than stressing out about the limitations of being cramped. Here are some simple design tips for smaller apartments and the best ways to handle working within a kitchen space that is a bit lacking in size.

Shelving is the absolute most important priority for anyone who is considering some home renovations in a cramped kitchen space, and should be the first starting point, even for those who don't spend hours cooking. With the proper kind of shelving and storage, things can feel organized without getting cramped, and can even show off items that are cute without giving the impression that everything is cluttered. Those who are serious about the country kitchen feel should stick to cabinets, but anyone else who has the opportunity to build up might be a lot happier with the world of shelving, as it makes it possible to go even higher up on the wall space, and without being concerned about whether or not there is going to be too much overhang into the general area, making for a more claustrophobic feel.

A few words of caution and advice on shelving and storage in a tiny kitchen: it always makes more sense to consider the below space, i.e. cabinets underneath the sink and drawers, rather than simply thinking of going up first. And those going up will find that the more simple the shelves, the easier it is to actually locate the items being used for cooking. Consider how nice it will be for glassware and vintage items to actually be out on display, rather than stuck collecting dust in the back of some pantry.

Choosing the proper colors is also another simple way to keep things feeling bigger, rather than enclosed, in a tinier kitchen. If hanging up a mirror is out of the question, as mirrors can make a space feel considerably larger, then picking white or another color that opens up a room, rather than making it feel tiny, is the best way to go. After all, this makes it far more plausible for those who don't have much to spend on giving the impression of a larger space to pull off one of the simplest yet most effective design moves out there.

Sometimes all it takes to find the best deals out there for switching up what one's home space looks like is a single CLICK. With homeproimprovement, there's no wondering how to best handle sprucing up one's kitchen, no matter how large or small.

Small Kitchen Design - Kitchen Design Ideas 1

Small Kitchen Design - Kitchen Design Photos

Small Kitchens can be a real challenge for the new home owner but with a bit kitchen inspiration and ideas you can transform a small kitchen space into a fully functional and beautiful kitchen which can rival any large, spacious kitchen.



Kitchen tap photos 1 - Kitchen Accessories

Kitchen Tap Photos 1

Looking for ideas for those perfect kitchen taps for your new kitchen remodel?

Kitchen Remodel Solutions - Resolving Kitchen Design Problems

Kitchen Remodel Solution

Choosing to remodel your kitchen is the first step toward introducing a more creative and stress-free environment for cooking and socializing. The optimal kitchen design is functional, efficient and aesthetically pleasing. Incorporating these qualities into your kitchen design requires a work triangle, optimal cupboard and pantry space, a proper kitchen lighting design, and space for socializing.

Problem: Cramped or spread out work space.
Solution: Create a work triangle.

As the name suggests, your work triangle should incorporate food storage, a cooking zone and a cleanup area as the three points of a triangle. When developing your new kitchen design, it is important to know the details of each area included in your work triangle. Is the storage area in each zone sufficient for housing all of the area-specific items? For instance, does your cooking station offer convenient storage within arms' reach for pots and pans, cooking utensils, and spices? Are obstructions keeping your work triangle from being a triangle? How much space do you have, or need, between each zone? Do you have adequate counter space?

There are several kitchen remodeling design schemes that allow for a convenient work triangle. Here are a couple of examples:

Equilateral. An equilateral work triangle that positions the sink as the top point of the triangle, with the stove and refrigerator as the two bottom points, is useful for maximizing speed and efficiency.

Isosceles. An isosceles work triangle that arranges the sink and stove adjacent to each other as the bottom points, with the refrigerator at the top point on the opposing wall, is a great kitchen design for maximizing counter space.

Problem: Not enough cabinet space.
Solution: Install a pantry.

Your kitchen remodeling efforts will be in vain if you do not consolidate as much countertop and storage space as possible. To give your work triangle the breathing room it needs, consider a more efficient storage solution, such as a pantry for storing canned and dry food. The pantry should be located close to the food preparation area, as well as near the refrigerator to save time unpacking groceries. Some kitchen remodeling ideas for modest-size kitchens include: installing a shelf in a small space on an open wall; expanding established cabinets and incorporating shelves; or buying a separate pantry that can be placed off to the side in a corner.

Problem: Dull lighting.
Solution: Incorporate task and accent lighting.

The kitchen lighting design has both practical and aesthetic value. Without decent lighting, a kitchen design can become dull and uninspiring. There are several types of kitchen lighting to alleviate this problem:

Task lighting. Task lighting goes directly above the area where you prep and cook your meals. Adequate task lighting allows you to more closely inspect your food and wield your knife as accurately as possible.

Accent lighting. Accent lighting provides the aesthetic element of your kitchen lighting design. It gives the room a lucid glow and provides a comforting atmosphere conducive to creativity.

Problem: Kitchen feels crowded or isolated.
Solution: Designate space for socializing.

The kitchen is often referred to as the most social area of the home, and a functional kitchen design should include built-in space for socializing. The kitchen's social space should be removed from the work triangle, so as not to impede the cooking process, and preferably situated around it. An encompassing social space allows for the cook to be involved and sociable instead of cramped in a corner facing a wall. To this end, bar stools or a table can be used to allow seating near the work triangle, allowing the chef to engage in conversation. Keep in mind to match the decor of the kitchen design so as to create an aesthetically pleasing social space.

These are just a few kitchen remodeling ideas to get you started with your new kitchen design. A work triangle, ample storage, task and accent lighting, and social space are key components to any functional kitchen. Keep these ideas in mind to make your remodeled kitchen more functional, tasteful and sociable than ever.

Ben Anton

Small Kitchen Design

The Secrets of a Good Small Kitchen Design

The small kitchen layout is the curse of many cooks, apartment dwellers and home owners around the world. Most people give up in defeat and naturally assume that the best solution for the tiny or kitchen layout is to move out! But this is not necessarily the true in all cases. In fact many cramped cookeries can be reformed with a good kitchen layout.

Small Kitchen Layouts Are Unique To Remodel

Small kitchens (with 126 square feet of floor space or less) have always been considered to be troublesome when you need to remodel them. This is mainly because you just don't have the flexibility as you do when working with larger kitchen design layout spaces. This is why you must learn to be very creative when planning your small kitchen design.

Yet kitchens can be very expensive to remodel and if you use a solidly prepared small kitchen layout, you can save yourself lots of money since the cabinetry and appliances for kitchens are often under-sized.

The 3 Popular Small Kitchen Designs

The most common kitchen layout is the "One Wall" or "cluster". In this layout as the name implies all the appliances and sink are pushed up against a single wall in a line. The advantage of this design is that you fit in any appliance; in any order you desire as long as the wall is at least 8 feet in length. And if the wall is less than 8 ft. you can still use smaller size equipment such as a 20-inch cooking range instead of the standard 30 inch. You save on space and money in one purchase.

The next kitchen layout you should consider is the "corridor" or "galley" kitchen. A galley was originally designed as the cooking area onboard a boat or ship and the concept quickly caught on in cramped city apartments and townhouses.

The corridor kitchen is basically the workstations are divided into two parts, with the sections placed along parallel walls with a narrow walkway or corridor between them. This is like having two "one wall" pieces instead of one. And like it cousin the single wall, the corridor kitchen is very flexible and versatile in appliance and storage placement.

The last type of kitchen layout is the "L-Shape". In this design you can group the sink and appliances in the corner of the "L" or set them on one leg or the other based on your plumbing or power outlet requirements. Ideally you want to keep your sink, stove and refrigerator close together in order to cut down on wasted movement while preparing and cooking meals.

Other Items to Consider in a Small Kitchen Layout

Other things you need to think while planning your small kitchen design, is the kitchen cabinet layout and furniture. Many small kitchens can be overwhelmed or appear crowded due to the fact that people typically install as many standard cabinets against the walls as they can.

Renovating a kitchen is the perfect opportunity to try out recessed cabinets (which fit between 16 inch studs and are great for those weird spots behind doors or other nooks and crannies); using floor-to-ceiling cabinets or pantries for more storage space. You can also consider moving space hogs like nearby washer, dryers and water heaters to other locations in the home to increase space.

Now that you understand a little more about which kitchen layouts may work best in your home you can start work on a kitchen design that fits your budget.

By Zelda Du Plessis

Kitchen Design - 10 Top Tips

Kitchen Design - 10 Top Tips

After 25 years in the fitted kitchen / bedroom business I have overseen the design, sale, and installation of thousands of fitted kitchens and bedrooms. ...

Kitchen Design Tip 1. Before you start designing your new fitted kitchen it makes sense to formulate your idea's and note them down on to a wish list. It is worth remembering that your new kitchen plan should incorporate the things you do like about your existing kitchen, as well as the things you don't.

Kitchen Design Tip 2. Again, before starting your new kitchen plan you will find choosing your kitchen appliances (or type of appliances) is worthwhile. Your new fitted kitchen will require designing differently depending on your choice of appliances. ("Built In" Appliances are planned differently to "Built Under").

Kitchen Design Tip 3. Keeping the new position of the sink relatively close to it's existing position will simplify your kitchen installation. It is not so much a problem getting hot and cold feeds to your sink - it is the running of the waste from it that can cause problems. (As a rule of thumb "Right Handed" people prefer "Left Handed" draining boards - The "Lefty's" that lurk amongst us generally don't care.)

Kitchen Design Tip 4. Work your design out from any corners. Good access into corner cabinets is crucial for utalising storage space. If your measurements allow, try and plan corner cabinets in this order of preference... "L shape" Bi-Fold, "Le-Mans" Cantilever Tray, "Magic Corner", "Syncromotion Corner Drawers", Diagonal Cross Corner, and lastly the Blind Corner.

Kitchen Design Tip 5. Using "Hi-Line" base cabinets in place of "Drawer Line", will generally provide a more ergonomic kitchen. Instead of drawers everywhere (some working, some false) it is more practical, and often less expensive, to position an optimal size nest of drawers (500, or 600mm) where they are required.

Kitchen Design Tip 6. Try to design your kitchen economically. A 300mm wide cabinet may be half the size of a 600mm cabinet - but it is 3/4 of the cost. Try to plan your kitchen layout using large cabinets instead of loads of small ones, this will reduce the kitchen furniture cost dramatically (And, as part of your fitting cost is calculated by the number of cabinets to be installed you will achieve a saving here as well)

Kitchen Design Tip 7. Position your new kitchen hob (or Range Cooker) reasonably adjacent to the new sink position. This will avoid the need to walk any distance to drain pans full of boiling water. (If you are Right Handed consider positioning the sink to the right of the Hob)

Kitchen Design Tip 8. Allow for an uncluttered area of worktop space
immediately next to your oven. This will provide a safe area to remove hot trays from the oven and place on too.

Kitchen Design Tip 9. Avoid the classic error of designing an American Fridge Freezer into a corner as they need a minimum clearance of 300mm each side for the doors to open fully... (check yours before buying)

Kitchen Design Tip 10. When designing in a Kitchen Island make sure there is plenty of walk-around space (preferably 1100mm, but minimum 900mm) to all sides. Avoid the temptation of including an island with less clearance space than this - it will dominate the room, making it look cluttered.

We hope you found these tips useful and provided you with a brief introduction to the world of kitchen planning.

By Peter Earthy

Italian Kitchens - Kitchen Photos 2

Italian Kitchens

Italian kitchens are renowned globally for their beauty, style and quality.