If you’re frustrated with your small kitchen, our handy space saving kitchen ideas are just what you need to give it a new lease of life and make it feel a lot bigger.
Whilst many of us dream of a large open kitchen that offers plenty of room for an island, a grand two door fridge and an Aga, due to restricted budgets and limited space, it’s not possible for everyone. However, there are plenty of ways to make the most of a small kitchen space and turn it into a dream kitchen without having to move house or knock down any walls.
At KNB we specialise in fitting the perfect kitchen, and provide bespoke solutions to clients wanting something unique to maximise space in their small kitchen. Our 20 years of experience have taught us the best tips and tricks to make a small kitchen appear bigger. Here’s a roundup of our top 5:
Space Saving Kitchen Ideas from KNB
1. Replace Cabinet Doors with Glass
Cabinets are an essential feature of kitchen design, but too many in a small kitchen can make it appear cramped. If you’re stretched for storage space, removing cabinets may not be the best option, but replacing the doors with glass fronts will make a huge difference.
Glass will not only add aesthetic value, it will lighten the look of your cabinetry and will guide the eye so it travels to the back. This makes a kitchen seem instantly bigger and more spacious.
2. Create Zones
Having an organised kitchen is key to saving space, and one way to do this is by creating zones. These are areas of your kitchen designated for certain activities – allowing you to keep certain tools and appliances in one area to maximise efficiency without having to use up much space.
Depending on the layout of your kitchen, you can create a zone for:
- Food preparation – tools such as mixing bowls, chopping boards and scales can be located near one workspace.
- Washing dishes – The dishwasher, sink, towels, bin and sponges will work best in this zone.
- Cooking – A space for pots, pans, serving supplies and utensils.
To find out more about making zones in your kitchen, contact an expert at KNB today to discuss your options.
3. Choose the Best Lighting
Many people forget the magic of lighting for making a room look and feel bigger – not just brighter! There are a range of lighting options that can be fitted in a kitchen to save space, optimise functionality and improve the overall design. Task lighting and under cabinet lighting are really effective for making small, gloomy spaces appear larger, whilst accent lighting (over cabinet lights, strip lights and recessed lighting) can illuminate specific zones or areas in the kitchen to create the illusion of more space.
4. Opt for Minimalist Hardware
It may seem insignificant, but door handles, bulky knobs and cabinet doors can make a small kitchen appear more cramped than it actually is. Streamlined, high gloss cabinet doors with built in lines or minimalist pulls are highly effective for enhancing a small kitchen space. These are a more modern style of kitchen and are commonly installed in homes where space and layout is less flexible.
5. Widen the Floor Space
Your choice of flooring can make a huge difference to how big your kitchen looks and feels. Patterned floor designs and small tiles can add visual clutter and make your kitchen appear smaller. Oversized diamonds or wooden chevrons can help to widen the floor space and draw the eye from one end of the room to the other. Large, plain tiles can also have a widening effect.
Find out more on our kitchen tiling page.
Other tips for maximising space in the kitchen:
- Keep counter space clear – If you have a small kitchen, clutter will make it feel even more cramped and claustrophobic. It can help to keep the counter space as clear as possible, by avoiding ornaments and storing utensils in drawers or hanging them on the walls.
- Lighten up – The lighter your décor and kitchen design, the brighter and larger your small kitchen will appear. White may be simple, but it’s the most effective colour for reflecting light and creating a sense of space. You can use several shades and combine different textures to mix things up a little.
- Avoid chunky furniture – Choosing bulky, large items of furniture will make your kitchen more cramped, so opt for slim chairs, a narrow table and streamlined stools that won’t take up valuable space.
Get in touch if you’d like further advice on saving space, and how our experts at KNB can help you design your dream kitchen.