Small Kitchen Design

By: H. Iacobacci-Miller

While most of us long for a larger kitchen, we don't all have the budget to just build a new one. It's important to make the most of your small kitchen space. With the right planning, you might actually grow to love your small kitchen!

The first thing to do is create an illusion of space. This can be done with light colored, long, full-height cabinets, the use of glass front cabinets, recessed and under cabinet lighting, minimal window treatments and the use of tiles set on the diagonal. Use the tiles on your backsplash or your floor.

Flooring patterns can also help create a sense of space in a small kitchen. Try placing tiles on a diagonal or running your hardwood flooring the length of the kitchen, especially if it is a galley style kitchen.

Next, tackle the problem of storage. Try using hanging pot and wine racks. Not only do they free up cabinet space, they add a decorative appeal to any kitchen décor. Use a lazy Susan and tiered spice racks to organize your tight cabinet space. Try hanging utensils and oven mitts on the insides of your cabinet doors. Wire baskets hung from the insides of the doors are great for storing plastic sacks, sponges and other miscellaneous items.

For more counter space, find a large cutting board that can be placed across your sink to give more space for food preparation (it can even hide your dirty dishes stacked in the sink…). Most importantly, keep your counters clutter free. Purchase appliances that can be hung underneath your cabinets. Use decorative canisters to hide any appliance cords. They act as both storage and accessories.

Try to think positively. A small kitchen doesn't have to be a bad thing. There's less to mop/sweep and less counter space to scrub down.