How to Design for a Small Kitchen Space

The prospect of finally getting to start on that home renovation is exciting, to say the least. And if you currently only have the resources to model one room, let it be your kitchen! It’s a space where people come to congregate, cook, and share delicious meals. When it comes to a kitchen remodel, it’s a matter of blending form and function. You might think that this is harder to achieve if you have a smaller kitchen, but with some strategic planning, it could be a fun challenge in exercising your creativity.

Be careful with color

While landscapes and nature are beautiful features in the Pacific Northwest, these, when coupled with the common sight of gray skies, can cast gloominess indoors as well. This is something you should take into consideration when coming up with a color palette. Opting for brighter and lighter tones will emphasize whatever natural light comes in from the outdoors. Lighter colors also make smaller spaces look much bigger. You could go for a full monochrome look on your floors, tiles, cabinets, walls, and counters for a more elegant aesthetic, and then accessorize with fun memorabilia like magnets or art for pops of color throughout.

Choose appliances wisely

Purging your kitchen cabinets is a must for making space. Get rid of old things you don’t need and invest in appliances that are multipurpose, or those that you use every day. These daily items can be anything from toaster ovens and blenders to rice cookers. For example, there are blenders that double as food processors, and toaster ovens that have coffee makers on the side. Rice cookers are another important aspect of any kitchen that often gets overlooked. This humble appliance has also evolved to be more versatile, with review site weknowrice.com listing a range of models that not only cook rice, but also come with cooking plates or steamers. You'll even find that certain models are sleek enough to match your new kitchen. Knowing which of your appliances can function similarly to others will help you get rid of unnecessary clutter and bulky old equipment, and you will finally get to enjoy more counter space.

Explore storage options

Storage is everything for small kitchens, and it is the most efficient way of keeping everything organized. However, sometimes increasing your storage space will decrease your workspace. To address the issue, thespruce.com recommends thinking about less-traditional cabinet options like filler cabinets with sliders that you can store smaller items like utensils and spices in. Consider putting more cabinets on the upper part of your walls, and since these are harder to reach, you can store more seasonal items that you don’t use as often. Roll-out shelves also work well for making the most out of the depth of spaces that may be taken for granted. Think of your storage options as an actual, real-life application of playing Tetris.

Embarking on design projects for smaller spaces doesn’t have to be intimidating. You can use these tips as well as others on pathwaydc.com as a template, and customize everything else to your liking. Once you’ve got the basics of your small kitchen renovation covered, you can start to include other personal projects. You can add in composting bins to make the most out of your food waste, or choose new coordinated dish towels or other kitchen accessories to liven up the space. The opportunities for making your kitchen uniquely your own are endless.