Ideas For Small Kitchens

I'm going to make the assumption that if you're dealing with a small kitchen, you're in an apartment-sized dwelling and you don't have to worry about entertaining very often - or entertaining large crowds.

It's a challenge, but here are a few ideas that will help.  If you have a rectangular space with a minimum of 7 ft in the shorter dimension, the most efficient layout is that of a “galley kitchen”. 

That's where 2 runs of cabinets face each other and there are no corner cabinets.

If your overall width is 7 feet, this will leave a 3 foot wide work space between the cabinets.

Obviously, use as much height as you can and use light colors so that the space won't seem as small as it is.  One run of wall cabinets (the one without the cook top) should have glass doors instead of solid ones.  This means the stuff inside those cabinets will have to be kept pretty neat.

You could use open shelving (without any doors) as well, but then you have a lot of extra dusting to do. Use compact appliances (mini refrigerator, compact dishwasher).  Since there are only 1 or 2 people living in your home, you don’t need anything bigger. 

Get a drop-in cook top instead of a range; and get a microwave/convection combination - forget about a standard oven.  When will you need it?  Retain a decent size sink however.  Small sinks create stress.

If you have a layout that allows you to have a table in the room, use a glass top.  You can also find chairs that are minimal in size - many have open backs.  This combination will help in making the room seem larger than it really is.

Another option is a drop leaf table that you can fold away.  Mirrors, or other reflective materials, on the backsplashes will give added depth.  But don't put mirrors directly behind the cook top or you'll be cleaning it every day.  Use counter top racks for spices and large utensils so you don't have to use valuable storage space for these items.

Use a combination of general lighting and task lighting (lighting that aims directly where you'll be working).  Under cabinet lighting will give you the task lighting you need without taking up space.  Don't overdo it (too much glare), but don't under light either.  The idea is to make the space comfortable for you.

If there is a nearby door to a closet or basement, you can attach a rack to the inside of the door, upon which you can hang pots, pans and other small utensils.  This will effectively expand your kitchen beyond it's walls when you're not using it.

If you're putting a new floor down, use a tile pattern (or real tiles if you wish) and lay them in a diagonal pattern.  This makes the room seem larger. 

Similarly, running the grain of the cabinets horizontally instead of vertically will also fool the eye into thinking the space is larger.  However, this assumes you're using custom cabinets, and you want a wood grain instead of a color.  If you use a solid color, make it light - and nothing that creates glare.  You're ready.  Have a great time remodeling your kitchen.