It is important to keep the phrase, ‘all great things come in small packages’ in mind when designing a kitchen, as you can still create a functional and stylish kitchen in a smaller space, just by using clever planning and smart measures to make it more organised. The ideas for smaller kitchens will help get the most of all available space, whether that is within an existing interior or for a completely new kitchen design.
If you’re looking for kitchen design inspiration, our guide features some of the greatest kitchen designs, all created for real homes by undeniably encapsulating contemporary style.
Stick to simple shades, and opt for a crisp colour scheme
Simplicity is key, and by incorporating simple shades such as grey or stone, it offers a cooler take on ivory and cream and is also pale enough to bounce natural light around a room. It has also massively grown in popularity over the past few years, making it a trendy choice for your kitchens. You could also incorporate a colour scheme to your kitchen, for example by pairing white patterned tiles and marble worktops with duck egg blue cabinets for a fresh-looking appearance that will bounce light around, making the kitchen feel spacious.
Boost the sense of light in your kitchens
Most homeowners’ wish lists include making the most of their kitchen space, but this may be difficult in compact areas. If you have high ceilings, for example, stacking two runs of shorter, medium-height wall cabinets on top of each other will help you maximise the vertical space.
Always leave a gap between the cabinets and the ceiling in smaller kitchens, since this allows you to see the entire area and avoids confining it. Increase the amount of light in the room by installing floor to ceiling windows and, if possible, a skylight.
Get creative with space
Even if your kitchen is limited, it should be able to accommodate even the most basic food prep, which takes a lot of equipment. This means that it’s essential to maximise available space through creative design ideas. Making the most of magic corners in a kitchen could make or break your preparation, so clever mechanisms will also help use every millimetre of space, such as an under cupboard glass rack, for example.
This is a clever kitchen storage idea, and not only uses up space that is otherwise redundant, but more importantly it frees up storage space inside the actual cabinets. This way, you are being more creative with the way you are organising your area and end up having a lot more space than anticipated!
Shed light on shadows
Shadowy areas within a room can give a confined impression, so use lights to make the space appear larger. You could even get inventive with adding lights beneath base units or underneath cupboards, which will ultimately draw attention to the floor and wall space, making it appear bigger and brighter.
Declutter cutlery
A small cutlery tray is one of the best things you could have in a kitchen. It’s small and compact and stores up to a huge variety of cooking utensils, from potato peelers to cocktail stirrers. It also frees up surface space by limiting distractions by unsightly utensils being on display, making it highly efficient in several different ways.
Go handleless!
More and more kitchens are utilising cabinets and gadgets with push-to-open capabilities with the advent of more contemporary kitchens owing to the changing world of the twenty-first century. They’re utilised to clear out extra clutter and make a place look less untidy while also making cabinet contents more accessible!
Designing kitchens can be quite stressful, especially so in a world where trends are forever changing. Hopefully with our guide featuring designs from handless cupboards to tips on how to create more space, you will design a kitchen best suited to your needs and desires.
If you have any questions about kitchen designs or need further information about the variety of kitchen products we sell at Howarth, you can call our customer services on the number 01472 907051, or you can visit your local showroom for more information.
