At KH Kitchens, customers come to us with kitchens of all shapes and sizes, ranging from bijou and compact, to long galley style and large, more spacious areas.
With a small kitchen, the key is to plan the space carefully and incorporate savvy design solutions that utilise every last square inch. In this post, we provide tips for designing a layout, choosing the right cabinets and materials, maximising storage space and using colour and style to make your small kitchen work for you.
Functionality
We are all interested in the aesthetics of our kitchen, however, as the most dynamic room in the home, functionality is just as important as the look. It’s important to think about how you use your kitchen on a day to day basis and what works and doesn’t work. Identifying any awkward or underused areas, including odd corners and gaps between cupboards, will help your kitchen designer to retain the most useful features and reconfigure wasted spaces.
Cabinetry and Materials
A streamlined design is important, and opting for simple cabinetry with clean, unfussy lines, integrated appliances, and minimalist hardware will create a sleek look which draws the eye along the space.
Wall cabinets which extend to the ceiling can be useful, as long as you store those items that you don’t use very often on the top shelves. Cupboard doors that lift open are also a great option where space is limited, as they require less clearance space (see Blum Aventos).
Your choice of materials and finishes can make a big difference in a small kitchen. Using shiny, reflective materials can help to reflect the light further and make the space feel more open. High gloss cabinet doors, shiny worktops and reflective splashbacks or floor tiles really maximise the light.
Right: In a small kitchen, a combination of simple cabinets and slimline integrated appliances can improve the visual flow and create a sense of spaciousness
Smart Storage Solutions
In a small kitchen, having the right storage is essential. Incorporating some smart storage solutions will help to keep worktops and floors free of clutter, which in turn will make the kitchen look and feel bigger. Kesseböhmer, Blum and Hafele offer a range of clever storage features which are designed to use space to its full potential. We often build in integrated pull out pantry cupboards, pull out waste bins and Le Mans corner cabinet solutions to our designs – so everyday essential items can be stored close to hand but neatly out of sight.
Right: Le Mans Corner units (by Kesseböhmer) are precisely shaped to allow their trays to glide smoothly around a corner and fully extend outwards, vastly increasing the use of existing space within a deep cabinet that would be otherwise unreachable.
Compact Appliances
White goods and other appliances can take up a lot of valuable space in a small kitchen. We recommend using integrated appliances with cabinet doors, to keep the space looking streamlined. Combined washer-dryers and slimline dishwashers also help to save space.
Keeping worktops clear and uncluttered gives a sense of space, whilst also optimising the area for food preparation. Think about installing a hot water tap such as the Quooker to replace a kettle, or maybe an undermount sink to maintain a sleek look.
Colour and Materials
Your choice of colour scheme and materials can have a big impact on how spacious your kitchen looks and feels. A neutral colour palette of lighter shades such as whites, beiges, pale greys and soft pastels throughout the kitchen can help reflect the light, making it appear more spacious.
While a light colour scheme opens up a small kitchen, introducing some darker colour elements or patterns can add a sense of depth and space in a small kitchen: An increasingly popular choice is to add depth by featuring a combination of darker base cabinets and paler wall units. A light wood tone, light grey, or white floor will also reflect light and make the room feel more open.
Choosing high gloss cabinets and reflective materials such as quartz or chrome can also help to reflect the light around a small kitchen.
Lighting
Take advantage of natural light. It can instantly make a small kitchen feel brighter and more spacious. Make sure the window area is clear and unobstructed, and keep any window coverings to a minimum.
Lighting is a crucial element in any kitchen design, but especially in small kitchens. Fixtures such as flush-mount ceiling lights or LED panels, are popular choices for ambient lighting. They distribute light evenly across the room, reducing shadows and dark corners, which can make the space appear larger and more open. Under-cabinet down lighting will illuminate the worktops, providing practical task lighting and emphasising the wider space. LED strip lights are a great option—they’re energy-efficient and can add a warm, inviting glow to your kitchen.
Top tips
- Prior to your new kitchen installation, have a big clear out! Having an organised kitchen brings a sense of calm and is especially important in a smaller space:
- Clear out those extra baking dishes, crockery or small appliances that are never used and collecting dust.
- Check the expiry dates of your dry foods and throw anything that is well past the best before date.
- Opt for a handleless kitchen style – there is more room for movement, and it creates a streamlined look. If the handleless style isn’t for you, select a neat and unobtrusive handle that won’t take up too much space and impede use of your kitchen.
- Consider deep drawers instead of cupboards. Easy to access, these oversized pull-out drawers can even be wide and deep for storing pans and big items away from counter surfaces.
- Decorate with light colours – the right paint colour can make all the difference in a small kitchen. Light, cool shades such as cream, light grey, or pale pink can create a fresh feel. A satin or silk finish will help reflect light, making the space feel bigger and brighter.
Get in touch
Your kitchen might be compact, but it can still offer the look and all the functionality you’re after!
Visit our showroom to chat with one of our designers and explore the options available to you.