Kitchen design with limited space

Whilst a small kitchen can be compact and practical, it can be poky and unpleasant to work in with insufficient planning too. Renovations may alleviate the problem - or they can simply add to the feeling of lack of space if not thought out thoroughly. It is important to consider colours, types of appliances needed, door opening directions, and other vital factors, before beginning renovations, in order to maximise the space you have.

Kitchen design style: Colours and patterns

Older kitchens tend to use dark colours or busy patterns, which can make the room feel more closed in - even fussy, or poky - and almost certainly smaller.
Using bright, light colours such as whites, tints, silvers, and natural wood surfaces can open up the kitchen considerably, and in the process add a sense of space. Avoid fussy patterns and stick with simple, clear designs for tiles, bench tops and appliances. Keeping to a colour scheme will also avoid a feeling of clutter.
Keep flooring to the same material as the rest of the house where possible, and run wooden flooring perpendicular to benches to add to the feeling of space between them.

Kitchen lighting: Bright ideas

Ambient lighting provides a background glow that enables easy, free use of the kitchen. Ensure that any accent lighting emphasizes the most attractive areas of your kitchen; choose warm accent lighting to bring out a particular feature. Furthermore, recessed lighting can make the ceiling appear higher (spotlights can eat into the room by contrast).

Kitchen storage: Making best use of space

Use the storage basics, (such as drawers) fully in order to maximise the space you have. Some things to think about:

• You might want to use tall shelving units rather than deep ones - and glass doors can add to the feeling of space
• Utilising wall and ceiling space efficiently can be the difference between a claustrophobic kitchen and a good sense of open space. Wall racks (or even pegboards) can be attached to walls to offer practical storage, and you could consider hanging pots from ceiling racks too
• Corners - consider carousel units to maximise space and useability
• Stackable containers and trendy kitchen drawers can dramatically improve horizontal counter and floor space
• It's a good idea to store objects close to where they're needed in order to maximise working efficiency
• Consider rollout shelves to improve working space

For the vital features, a big part of applying sensible kitchen design stems from how kitchen cupboards are implemented.

Kitchen cupboards: Essential storage space

Kitchen cupboards (or 'kitchen cabinets', or 'kitchen units', if preferred ) are a standard requirement for every kitchen and therefore might not seem in need of careful consideration in terms of design. However storage flexibility can be a crucial part of using and maintaining your kitchen, so there are a few things you may wish to bear in mind.

• Choose tall rather than deep cupboards - this applies to shelving also
• Ensure that doors open in a practical direction for the space you have, and use the inside of doors for more storage space - have racks or shelves installed
• Rounded edges and clean, bright colours enhance a feeling of space

Sometimes even the most conventional item in the kitchen can be made to work hard and justify every square inch. Then there are the items that sit on the work surfaces, of course...

Sensible storage: Kitchen appliances

It may seem unnecessary to consider storage options too seriously for items you use every day, but sensible storage of kitchen appliances can win you back surprising amounts of space.

• Store seldom used appliances, and buy future appliances with care and planning. Avoid cluttering the kitchen with unneeded small appliances purchased on a whim. Clear out any unneeded old ones - be brutal!
• Ensure doors open in a practical direction; upward opening oven doors can help, fridges with reversible doors are a more flexible option
• Discuss your needs with the retailer when purchasing appliances; there are a range of ovens and other appliances designed with the smaller space in mind

Obviously you can use any combination of these ideas - some may not apply to your kitchen, but even implementing one or two small changes can offer a feeling of space and the impression of an economical, compact kitchen. Do as much research and planning as possible - then you can set about reclaiming your kitchen from clutter and impractical design.