10 Things You Really Can Fit in a Small Kitchen (No, Seriously)
Don’t let a small cook space cramp your style, and instead follow these clever tips to make the most of your kitchen
Want to maximise your small kitchen? Check out these storage, seating and cooking ideas and find out how to include those extra features you thought would only fit into a large space.
2. Create an extra work surface
One of the most challenging aspects of designing a small kitchen is ensuring there’s a large enough surface for cooking. A neat solution is a pull-out benchtop.
There are various models on the market, some of which consist of a runner system fitted below the existing work surface. This one is actually tucked inside the benchtop and can be pulled out by the handle when needed.
One of the most challenging aspects of designing a small kitchen is ensuring there’s a large enough surface for cooking. A neat solution is a pull-out benchtop.
There are various models on the market, some of which consist of a runner system fitted below the existing work surface. This one is actually tucked inside the benchtop and can be pulled out by the handle when needed.
3. Put up some shelves
Make room for plenty of shelving by using the full height of your room. Here, the owners have fitted shelves either side of the door and above it, too. There’s lots of extra storage here, and the recessed design prevents it from protruding into the room.
Check out more compact kitchens on Houzz
Make room for plenty of shelving by using the full height of your room. Here, the owners have fitted shelves either side of the door and above it, too. There’s lots of extra storage here, and the recessed design prevents it from protruding into the room.
Check out more compact kitchens on Houzz
4. Pull out a pantry
Pantries aren’t just for big kitchens – you might be able to fit one into a small room too. In this narrow space, the designer has made use of the wall by creating a tall recess. A slimline cupboard has been installed inside, which maximises the space with its internal pull-out pantry.
The door is flush to the wall to create a streamlined finish, but when it emerges from the alcove, it reveals masses of storage.
Pantries aren’t just for big kitchens – you might be able to fit one into a small room too. In this narrow space, the designer has made use of the wall by creating a tall recess. A slimline cupboard has been installed inside, which maximises the space with its internal pull-out pantry.
The door is flush to the wall to create a streamlined finish, but when it emerges from the alcove, it reveals masses of storage.
5. Fill up on fridge space
Sometimes, the last thing you want in your bijou kitchen is an overbearing refrigerator. However, the alternative could prove awkward, as it can be tricky to bend down to reach the back of an under-bench fridge. The solution is a drawer version that tucks in under the work surface and pulls out to provide easy access.
Sometimes, the last thing you want in your bijou kitchen is an overbearing refrigerator. However, the alternative could prove awkward, as it can be tricky to bend down to reach the back of an under-bench fridge. The solution is a drawer version that tucks in under the work surface and pulls out to provide easy access.
6. Fit in a breakfast bar
Just because your kitchen is tiny doesn’t mean it can’t be sociable. With some clever planning, you can fit in a breakfast bar where people can perch.
In this small cook space, the owners have forgone an extra cupboard to create some room beneath the benchtop. Two backless stools can be tucked in out of the way, and pulled out for morning coffee or for friends to enjoy a glass of wine while chatting to the cook.
Cafe-style kitchens
Just because your kitchen is tiny doesn’t mean it can’t be sociable. With some clever planning, you can fit in a breakfast bar where people can perch.
In this small cook space, the owners have forgone an extra cupboard to create some room beneath the benchtop. Two backless stools can be tucked in out of the way, and pulled out for morning coffee or for friends to enjoy a glass of wine while chatting to the cook.
Cafe-style kitchens
7. Tuck in a table
Make room for convivial dining in your compact kitchen by popping in a table. A circular design is ideal, as the curved edges don’t poke into the room. Round designs are also more flexible, as the seats can be moved to fit.
Alternatively, opt for a drop-leaf design that can be opened out when you need more dining space.
Make room for convivial dining in your compact kitchen by popping in a table. A circular design is ideal, as the curved edges don’t poke into the room. Round designs are also more flexible, as the seats can be moved to fit.
Alternatively, opt for a drop-leaf design that can be opened out when you need more dining space.
8. Max out your units
Believe it or not, it is possible to have lots of cupboard space in your small kitchen. This stylish cook space shows how it’s done by making the most of every bit of wall space. The bottoms of the wall units sit quite close to the benchtop and the cupboards go all the way to the ceiling.
Split your wall units into two sections, with the lower space for frequently used items and higher storage for those things that aren’t needed so often.
Believe it or not, it is possible to have lots of cupboard space in your small kitchen. This stylish cook space shows how it’s done by making the most of every bit of wall space. The bottoms of the wall units sit quite close to the benchtop and the cupboards go all the way to the ceiling.
Split your wall units into two sections, with the lower space for frequently used items and higher storage for those things that aren’t needed so often.
9. Grow some plants
Bring the outdoors into your miniature cook space by growing small pot plants. Think you haven’t got room? Here’s your solution. Two curtain poles have been positioned across this window to provide a handy place to hang pots. The plants get plenty of sunlight and the benchtop remains clear. Genius.
Yep, you can grow a plant in that
Bring the outdoors into your miniature cook space by growing small pot plants. Think you haven’t got room? Here’s your solution. Two curtain poles have been positioned across this window to provide a handy place to hang pots. The plants get plenty of sunlight and the benchtop remains clear. Genius.
Yep, you can grow a plant in that
10. Double up your sink
Make room for a larger sink area by using the space in the corner of a benchtop. The angled spot here has provided enough room to fit in a double sink, and has freed up space on the benchtop either side.
The back of a corner base unit is an awkward shape for storage, so it’s a good place to put water pipes instead.
TELL US
How have you maximised your small kitchen? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
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Read more small-kitchen stories
Make room for a larger sink area by using the space in the corner of a benchtop. The angled spot here has provided enough room to fit in a double sink, and has freed up space on the benchtop either side.
The back of a corner base unit is an awkward shape for storage, so it’s a good place to put water pipes instead.
TELL US
How have you maximised your small kitchen? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
MORE
Read more small-kitchen stories
Don’t want to clutter up limited bench space with small appliances? How about tucking them underneath instead? This neat space has just one benchtop area, so the designers have fitted a microwave into the base unit. The work surface is kept clear and the owners have a handy oven for quick cooks and defrosting.