Having a small kitchen can make life frustrating, because the kitchen is a room where you want maximum storage and optimal functionality. But if you’re stuck with a small space, there are plenty of ways you can increase the usability of your kitchen.
Custom Cabinets
The best choice you can make is to spring for custom cabinets. Home contractors like Alair Homes South Etobicoke can help you figure out which cabinet size and shape is best for your kitchen and then build them for you. Consider switches like extending the cabinets all the way to the ceiling to increase storage space. Decreasing the height between the top of the counter and the bottom of the upper cabinet is also an option, but remember that this decreases your space for food prep or storing every day appliances (like coffee makers or stand mixers). Depending on the configuration of your space, you may also want shallower or narrower cabinets so that you can fit your appliances in convenient locations.
Innovative Storage
Sometimes you need to get creative to make the best use of your space. For example, a small kitchen may look too cluttered or closed off if every wall is covered in cabinets. Consider having shelves installed in a few places instead. You can also make the most of odd bits of space with items like rails and hooks. Remember, though, if you’re going to be hanging heavy and expensive utensils and dishes on those hooks, you might want a professional to make sure they’re secured properly.
Switch to Drawers
One of the worst parts of having a small kitchen is the lack of storage space, and it means that the shelves in your cabinets are probably stuffed with food and cookware and dishes. Talk to a contractor about making the switch to drawers. It’s much easier to get things out of the back of the cabinet when you can simply pull out a drawer than when you have to remove everything that sits in front.
Don’t Forget the Details
Small details can really make or break the design of your kitchen. For example, consider installing under-cabinet lights. This gives you a bright work space for cooking and food prep, but you don’t have to devote any of your precious square footage to lights. Another thing to think about is how busy your kitchen looks. In a small space, even something as inconsequential as drawer hardware can start to look overwhelming. Think about looking for cabinets or drawers that have a groove at the top of drawer to make opening easy without a handle.
Design Your Space for You
Since everyone’s kitchen is different, it doesn’t make sense to design your kitchen the same way as your friend. Think about your needs in particular. If you want to ditch the dining table, think about sacrificing a few cabinets for a small eat-on bar. If you really need space to sit down and organize your menus, talk to a contractor like Alair about installing a small desk or command center. Make your kitchen work for how you want to use it.