Small Kitchen Solutions
Check out these useful tips from HGTV.ca!
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A small, cluttered kitchen can be a dark place indeed – but it doesn't have to be! Turn your tiny kitchen into the domestic haven it was meant to be with these small space solutions.
Think Vertically
When you're dealing with a limited amount of space, you must make the most of the space you do have – which means going up, says Carolyn Bignell, senior kitchen designer at Paris Kitchens near Toronto. "Stack your cabinetry higher if you don't have a lot of space. One pantry is worth about five regular cabinets, and a 3 x 2 foot 'chef's pantry' can even be disguised as an armoire or another piece of furniture, which looks gorgeous." If you're not tall enough to reach your new high cupboards, also invest in a small stepstool or foldable ladder. And be sure to store items you use often in lower cabinets and less used items up high.
Store Creatively
A really tiny kitchen probably isn't going to fit all your stuff. So after you pare down, which is a must when living in a small space, think about storing dishes and other items you don't use every day in furniture pieces outside of the kitchen. Armoires, cabinets, sideboards and shelving units can all be used to store dishes, extra cutlery, serving ware, placemats and other items that just won't fit in your small kitchen.
Size Matters
Some people cook and dine in a great deal, which means regular or large sized kitchen appliances make sense. But if you've got a small kitchen, chances are you live in a condo or apartment. And many condo and apartment dwellers – especially those who live downtown – tend to eat out quite a bit. "Get a European-style fridge, like a Liebherr," says Bignell. "The cubic footage is small – some European fridges are only two feet wide, which means they can even fit into a pantry. But if you dine out a lot, your grocery orders are small, too!" If cooking isn't a top priority, Bignell also recommends getting a compact oven and dishwasher. And whenever you buy a new appliance, think small. These days, even barista-grade coffee machines are available in miniature form.
In This Corner
Wire pull-outs, also called "magic corners" make the most out of tricky corner spaces in a small kitchen. They're made using silver or chrome baskets that pull out or rotate and can be used to store a variety of items. Larder pull-outs for pantries, drawers and low cabinets are also a good idea for small kitchens. These can be used to store bottled drinks, oils, spices, canned foods, pots, lids, and more. More space saving solutions that can be tucked into a corner, high or low: wine rack inserts, vegetable baskets and wire drawers.
Raise the Bar
Since renovations aren't always an option, think carefully about layout when you're choosing a small space to live in – especially if your place hasn't been built yet and you're able to customize the layout. Definitely choose a breakfast bar if possible, says Bignell. "A one-level breakfast/eating bar is an amazing space solution. Prep can be done on both sides without crowding the kitchen or eating area."
Waste Management
Garbage and recycling can contribute to a great deal of clutter in a small kitchen. A pull out garbage and recycling centre is the answer. Sliding trash and recycling systems fit into the narrowest of drawers or cabinets. Many of these systems have colour coded sections for garbage, recycling and compost materials. "Getting one of these means you won't waste space tripping over your garbage. And the fact that you don't have to keep your garbage under the sink means you can use that space to store cleaning products," says Bignell.
Small Kitchen Solutions
By: Marissa Ponikowski
A small, cluttered kitchen can be a dark place indeed – but it doesn't have to be! Turn your tiny kitchen into the domestic haven it was meant to be with these small space solutions.
Think Vertically
When you're dealing with a limited amount of space, you must make the most of the space you do have – which means going up, says Carolyn Bignell, senior kitchen designer at Paris Kitchens near Toronto. "Stack your cabinetry higher if you don't have a lot of space. One pantry is worth about five regular cabinets, and a 3 x 2 foot 'chef's pantry' can even be disguised as an armoire or another piece of furniture, which looks gorgeous." If you're not tall enough to reach your new high cupboards, also invest in a small stepstool or foldable ladder. And be sure to store items you use often in lower cabinets and less used items up high.
Store Creatively
A really tiny kitchen probably isn't going to fit all your stuff. So after you pare down, which is a must when living in a small space, think about storing dishes and other items you don't use every day in furniture pieces outside of the kitchen. Armoires, cabinets, sideboards and shelving units can all be used to store dishes, extra cutlery, serving ware, placemats and other items that just won't fit in your small kitchen.
Size Matters
Some people cook and dine in a great deal, which means regular or large sized kitchen appliances make sense. But if you've got a small kitchen, chances are you live in a condo or apartment. And many condo and apartment dwellers – especially those who live downtown – tend to eat out quite a bit. "Get a European-style fridge, like a Liebherr," says Bignell. "The cubic footage is small – some European fridges are only two feet wide, which means they can even fit into a pantry. But if you dine out a lot, your grocery orders are small, too!" If cooking isn't a top priority, Bignell also recommends getting a compact oven and dishwasher. And whenever you buy a new appliance, think small. These days, even barista-grade coffee machines are available in miniature form.
In This Corner
Wire pull-outs, also called "magic corners" make the most out of tricky corner spaces in a small kitchen. They're made using silver or chrome baskets that pull out or rotate and can be used to store a variety of items. Larder pull-outs for pantries, drawers and low cabinets are also a good idea for small kitchens. These can be used to store bottled drinks, oils, spices, canned foods, pots, lids, and more. More space saving solutions that can be tucked into a corner, high or low: wine rack inserts, vegetable baskets and wire drawers.
Raise the Bar
Since renovations aren't always an option, think carefully about layout when you're choosing a small space to live in – especially if your place hasn't been built yet and you're able to customize the layout. Definitely choose a breakfast bar if possible, says Bignell. "A one-level breakfast/eating bar is an amazing space solution. Prep can be done on both sides without crowding the kitchen or eating area."
Waste Management
Garbage and recycling can contribute to a great deal of clutter in a small kitchen. A pull out garbage and recycling centre is the answer. Sliding trash and recycling systems fit into the narrowest of drawers or cabinets. Many of these systems have colour coded sections for garbage, recycling and compost materials. "Getting one of these means you won't waste space tripping over your garbage. And the fact that you don't have to keep your garbage under the sink means you can use that space to store cleaning products," says Bignell.