Hi, please can you post a pick of the living/dining area or plan of current furniture layout as that may open up some other ideas. cheers

Janet

Also, is the main problem aesthetics, lack of bench space or lack or storage - what are the priorities? I think it might be good to get the fridge to the back wall (in the picture) to stop it from dominating so much visually in the living area, but that may not be good for the usability of the kitchen space.

just a quick idea if you can get power to the other side and make sure you can open your fridge not sure what size it is, most likely best if it can swing back towards the sink. Keep sink in current place but reverse the drain and tub.

But the simple way would be to reverse what I have drawn thus keeping the cooktop in the same position, saves money as well. Over head cupboards for crockery , you could even have a single F&P dish drawer with pot draw underneath this would help to keep the kitchen clear. The narrow shelves/ pantry could be recessed back into the wall for extra depth to store food stuff The sliding door photo below reminds me of your new apartment, looks lovely cheers

Emma

Congratulations on your new home. Have fun creating a nest for yourself.

Would you consider changing the fridge for an under bench model It would mean more frequent trips to the supermarket, but it would free up some much- needed bench space.

A breakfast bar extending 600mm into the dining space (parallel with the sink wall, & beside the refrigerator) could give you an eating space as well as extra bench space-also storage underneath! Then you wouldn't necessarily need a table&chairs setting, & all the space could then be living space.

Some shelves above the sink would be a lovely display area to look at as you enter your home.

A built-in wall of storage on the lefthand side of the living space would allow you to keep possessions tidy & maybe place the TV. Then you only need a chair or two!!

Hope this gives you some ideas to think about.

Julia

Even add a sliding door that can close across for both bedroom and kitchen

Congratulations Emma! Great work getting your foot into the property market.

Take your time. This is an inoffensive kitchen. Assuming it all 'works'. I'd leave it till I can afford an architect or interior designer to come in and look at the whole apartment. Due to the size, I think it is impossible to consider 1 space without looking at adjoining spaces. All cabinetry in a kitchen like this will likely need to be custom-made anyway to maximize the space, this will increase costs.

The other issue is the Strata. You may need their approval to move plumbing, remove tiles or move electrical.

Don't give up your Pinterest dreams!, but know the reality behind those dreams is often teams of professionals and $$$.

the biggest drawback with the existing kitchen would be using a standard upright fridge and being right handed: for a right handed user consider a reversed L shaped counter with drop in sink, cooktop and separate under bench fridge and oven placed to allow for a 90cm corner cabinet, wall cabinets all round and bookshelves (IKEA Billy?) across the end wall of the living area for combined kitchen dining and living storage,..

Hi Ladies,

Thank you so much for taking the time to write with your incredible ideas.

There are some brilliant thoughts in there, which I have never considered and I have been thinking about this non-stop since I moved in in August (waking up in sweats at 2am and frantically google imaging "tiny kitchens")!

It is so amazing to think that there is such a generous community of people out there who are willing to help you with your design conundrums!

Initially I had planned to put the fridge into the back wall and extend out from there very like siriuskey's plan (picture attached). But because the apartment was built in 1986, the amount of rewiring for putting power into a concrete wall on the right was prohibitive. So I think I need to stay in the same basic footprint.

My next thought was to divide the kitchen into two (because there is a big dead space in the left hand corner). And have a wall oven and breakfast bar with an under counter fridge (terrible drawing attached). This way the living space isn't eaten away. But I just heard back from the electrician and even this small move will require new circuits being added. Hmmmmm. WHY GOD WHY?!

So I am back to the drawing board, I was hoping to keep the cost around 7k as it is such a small space. But I didn't realise (which is totally a baby renovator mistake) just how much plumbers / electricians / builders would be (i'm a naive idiot... but trying to learn fast!).

Thanks again for all your suggestions... you ladies are rockstars!

Em. x

Don't worry Em, I think we all made that mistake! :(

Hi Em, there's always a hic cup but with the right tradies these can be sorted. My first thought was to run everything along the R/H wall but the second and best thought would be to run along the L/H as the power for the oven cook top is already available and much cheaper to keep it in that position, that would mean you would also have a power at the end of that bench.

The power point on the back wall could be used for a full sized fridge (which I think is important it doesn't have to be the biggest on you can fit) and dishwasher. Your sparky should be able to run power from this power point connection via an electrical conduit below the cabinets, in the kick board space or other to power these appliances . I think that perhaps he didn't want the job, too small and not enough money in it, call another sparky or two, don't mention what the first has said you might be pleasantly surprised, look forward to the outcome cheers

As we can see by the photo or plan there's no getting away from it,
it's a very small kitchen,, if the return is on the right wall as per my
rough sketch the plumbing would remain in that corner( with possibly a
corner sink) in a corner base unit (no dead space), the power for both
cook top and oven would have to be via a conduit via a small channel
chiseled across the floor, like we had to do.

If the kitchen
return was to run along the left wall likewise the plumbing can be run
along the back of the cupboards, a plumber can explain how this is done.

The
freestanding oven would be removed and moved along replaced with a cook
top and under bench oven still using the same power out let.Both
ideas would have overhead cupboards with corner return units including a
small re circulating extraction unit built in above the cooktop.

Your new kitchen could have lovely simple lines like this photo to make it feel more spacious

Love your suggestion above siriuskey.

We live in a reasonably tight space also, and what we've learned is that you can make them 'work hard' for you, if you rethink them as multi-use spaces. It also means making some tough decisions/compromises. In your case, I'd be looking at potentially pulling the kitchen out of the little niche and running it galley-style along the entry wall. In the 'niche'/sink wall perhaps a double commercial under-bench fridge (glass fronted??), may give you better storage and still benchtop for prepping

The benchtop would run as an L-shape kitchen. I'd then try and integrate a part of the galley-kitchen into a little bench area to eat at, to do away with the need for a table and chairs. You can get under-cabinet pull down TV's for when you have your breakfast in the morning. It would free up the living area for a decent sofa.

Looking at this space I think you obviously need to maximise function, but also try to create a sense-of-space.

Hi Emma & Mel, the space is small, I liken it to a Studio apartment. Emma I know your budget is approx $7, which is also small but you could work on getting an overall plan and do it in stages, leaving wall cupboards as stage two, the fridge would be built in so that when the door is opened you would see the end panel. I have made a suggestion to make a large opening between the living bedroom spaces divided by large sliding door/doors this would give a much better use and allow the bedroom window to be seen and see through. It's a very rough drawing and measurements to be confirmed. Your apartment has lovely high ceilings to work with as well, are you in Australia? Photo ideas following

This one for Mel

Another idea keeping sink and cook top/oven in the same position, with wall cabinets above, the fridge is built in and could a intergrated panel to match the kitchen cabinets

hi Emma just wondering where you are at with your new home cheers

Hi, I know this is a long time after your first notes but I can't help but comment.

I love the idea of the shallow wall that goes to the ceiling with a ladder. We lived in a home where the refrigerator was outside on the porch due to lack of space. With very few cupboards, I did a couple shelving units built between studs like that. I measured the height of each shelf away from the one above it with my canned foods. Turned out great and it is amazing how much those 2 little shelves could hold.

I also want to say that I don't know building codes in your country but I agree that you should get at least 3 other quotes. With a concrete wall you can put electrical in that area. You can just have them use metal, electrical conduit. It does show (toe kick works, too!) but it is very non-invasive and should be cheaper.

I really love the kitchen that Edith Martins posted. It is such a little gem. I can just picture myself working in that lovely place.

Go slowly with your renovations. Listen to all thoughts and suggestions. In the end, this is your money you are spending and your home, so be sure to do what makes you happy.

Lastly, there is NO box that you have to work within. Look online, watch Tiny House shows, go to architectural websites for ideas. Do YOUR thing. And, please post pictures when you are done! Best.