What a small kitchen room or area means is understood differently by different people. While for some small means that it is a small or narrow space, for others it means little work space. Because even in a narrow room, a large work surface can be created without having to do anything else. In principle it is purely a matter of opinion. In this article we would like to prove to you that the room in which you cook and possibly eat does not have to be any less attractive. We have put together a few examples of both types of small kitchens, but they are still real gems. Be inspired and guided by our interior design tips to find the perfect kitchen design for your needs and space!
What options to consider for a small kitchen?
The trick with thisSetting up small kitchensis to make the best possible use of the available space and not only accommodate all the important devices, but also create enough storage space without the whole thing appearing too cluttered and overwhelming. This becomes even more difficult if a dining table is also to be accommodated. However, in order to design a small kitchen cleverly, you can consider some tips and tricks that can prove to be more than just helpful. All in all, it all depends on the size, shape and your needs. For this reason, you should be clear about what you value when planning.
- Are you willing to give up storage space or workspace to accommodate other pieces of furniture, or is space to store dishes and other items the be-all and end-all for you?
- Corner kitchens are undoubtedly attractive, but in some cases they are simply unsuitable. Make compromises!
- Your needs determine the choice of household appliances and thus also the arrangement of the kitchen cabinets.
- The kitchen island is a luxury that many dream of. Think carefully about whether this is appropriate for your room.
- Space-saving furniture and solutions can be very helpful when setting up.
These are just a few points that play an important role in kitchen planning. And so that nothing goes wrong and you are ultimately completely satisfied with your cooking and work area, we would now like to introduce you to a few things that you can pay attention to and that you should consider when planning before you decide on a specific one Decide design. After all, you don't want to think about new cabinets after just a few years, but rather invest in the long term.
The household appliances
While some household appliances, such as ovens and stoves, refrigerators and possibly even microwaves, are essential, others such as toasters or kettles make everyday life more comfortable, but can also be missing if necessary. And since the small kitchen doesn't have a lot of space and you ultimately want to have space on the worktop to prepare the meal, it's worth considering which of the appliances you could leave out if necessary. As already mentioned, this is also part of the planning. If you have enough cupboards available, many of these smaller devices can easily be stowed away to keep the top free. After all, not every kitchen appliance is used every day.
Choose the right shape
The right shape obviously plays a big role in a spacious-looking small kitchen and depends on various things. On the one hand, these are of course the size and, above all, the shape of the room. But other elements such as windows and doors that cannot simply be adjusted also influence the decision about the right kitchen shape. So you certainly don't want a closet to be in your way when you enter. Instead, ensure undisturbed traffic. Additionally, perhaps you would like one of the kitchenettes to be by the window or would you prefer a small dining area by the window?
Design a small L-shaped kitchen
Now you have the choice between different shapes. On the one hand, there is the classic L-shape, i.e. a friendly corner kitchen, which is well suited in many cases and offers space for appliances such as a refrigerator or dining table.Design these in small kitchensalong a window or opposite the window. The cupboards can also be located to the left and right of the door. If there is space, you can play with different ideas and create an individual design.
One or more separate kitchenettes
If the room is wide enough and you want as many worktops as possible, as well as storage space for microwaves, kettles, toasters and the like, a design with two parallel kitchen units is very suitable. It is important to ensure that there is enough space between the two lines. A distance of 1.20 meters is considered optimal. The cupboard doors can then be open on both sides at the same time if necessary.
If the variant with parallel rows is not for you, then you also have the option of building a single small kitchen unit. Then you have the option to play with the length to suit your needs. And in the event that the pipes have not yet been laid, you can also choose the wall that is better for you. But open kitchens are also often set up in this way. Then there is space for a kitchen island, for example. And even very narrow one-room apartments benefit from the space-saving benefits of the individual row. You can compensate for the lack of storage space due to fewer base cabinets with upper cabinets. In general, it is an advantage to use the space upstairs in small rooms.
The framing U-shape
You can undoubtedly guarantee plenty of storage space with a U-shaped kitchen design. Square rooms in particular can be furnished in this way. But consider the distance here too. This should not be chosen any differently than for the parallel variant. The two rows of cabinets facing each other require a distance of at least 1.20 meters. But you have to decide for yourself whether you like such a short length for the third kitchen unit, which connects the other two. Otherwise, the small U-shaped kitchen is a practical thing. A small table or island can possibly be placed in the middle.
G-shaped kitchen-living room
The G-shape is particularly popular for open living rooms and kitchens. However, a little more space needs to be planned here. In principle, this refers to U-designs that also have a “half” row or a counter that visually separates the kitchen from the rest of the room and replaces the fourth wall, so to speak. A separate room for the kitchen can also be set up in this way, provided there is enough space. Then the remaining area can be considered to create a seating area or a dining area.
TIPP: If you can't just imagine all of this, you can also cut squares and rectangles out of cardboard that are the standard width for kitchens. Simply spread them on the floor where you imagine the kitchen cabinets will be. You'll get a better overview of how much space you still have left. After all, the distance mentioned is only a minimum value that might seem too small for you.
Ideas for space-saving furniture
Upper cabinets are certainly perfect for creating more storage space. However, in small rooms they are not always ideal when it comes to creating a feeling of spaciousness despite being tight. This is often the case, especially in very narrow areas. Open shelves are a wonderful alternative. These can both replace the upper cabinets and be combined with them to make use of the free space on the walls, but at the same time create a more spacious look. In addition, the shelves quickly become an eye-catcher and make your small kitchen look much more interesting. Display your favorite tableware particularly well in this way.
If you don't want to or can't do without wall units entirely, you can also consider ones with sliding doors. These save a lot of space when open. So if you have the habit of always leaving the spice or other cupboards open when cooking (which can be quite annoying in small kitchens), sliding doors will hit the jackpot. And apart from that, they also look particularly modern, especially if they are made of glass.
High shelves and wall niches
You can not only use the areas above the base cabinets for shelves to create more storage space. Other free walls are also suitable for using high shelves, but also narrow tall cabinets. They are again the better choice for narrow rooms as they are much narrower than classic kitchen cabinets and therefore take up much less space. This way you get a lot more free floor space, which is more than just practical for a small kitchen.
Any wall niches can be used in the same way. You can adapt the parts of the kitchen to this niche and thus regain floor space. A dining table can be easily integrated into a small room or you can store the folding table there. This again depends on the shape you choose for the small kitchen.
Folding tables
Instead of an entire dining table, which either can no longer be accommodated in the kitchen or would simply clutter up the room too much, you can consider a folding table. This is only folded up when it is time to eat. During the rest of the time it is hardly noticeable and not only guarantees more freedom of movement, but also prevents the feeling of cramped living. Incidentally, such a folding table is also wonderfully suitable as a counter. Whether it's a table or a counter, this additional surface can also be used wonderfully as additional storage space while you work, expanding your worktop if necessary.
Idea for the kitchen island
We have already mentioned that the kitchen island is often not ideal in small, separate kitchens. But maybe you still have room for another variant that can be chosen as an alternative? Serving tables on wheels can prove to be very useful. Depending on the model, they are quite compact in size and therefore do not take up as much space as entire islands. And thanks to the wheels, you can move it wherever you need it if necessary. However, if it is not needed, it can simply be used as a temporary storage space on the wall.
Visually enlarge limited kitchen space
With the right colors you can achieve a lot. The small kitchen should be designed and furnished as brightly as possible. This is even more important the less natural light there is. Of course, that doesn't mean that you have to forego your favorite color, which may be a little darker, or cozy-looking dark wood. Just use it more sparingly. For example, choose a white kitchen with a dark countertop or floor, or use a darker wall color on just one wall.
kitchen surfaces
Glossy cabinets or other surfaces that reflect light and also mirror the room create an optical illusion that convinces us that the room is much larger despite the many cabinets and furniture. This also applies to various metals. Of course, just because the kitchen cabinets and shelves are high-gloss doesn't mean that you now have the freedom to clutter up all the walls. You can, but even then you should use it sparingly. Just because the room seems bigger doesn't mean it's biggeris. This means that you would end up being annoyed that you can't move around as freely as you would like.
In addition, the cabinet surfaces do not necessarily have to be the reflective element in the room. You can also use the kitchen back wall and the worktop for this purpose or play with other pieces of furniture. Or how about hanging a mirror on one of the free walls? Then the room not only looks much more spacious, but you also get elegant wall decoration for your small kitchen.
In principle, all in all, you should just take your time when planning your small kitchen and don't rush anything.Check out various examplesAnd always remember that while storage space is very important in the kitchen, having enough space to move around in order to work comfortably is just as important. It's best to make a list of the things you don't want to do without and the things you would compromise on. Then you will quickly find the perfect kitchen design for your needs and circumstances!
