Making
the Most of a Small Kitchen Space
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Even though
the kitchen has become more than a food preparation
area in today's home, it still remains one of
the smaller rooms in the house. But having a small
kitchen, generally defined as 150 sq. ft. or smaller,
doesn't mean you can't make it look more spacious
with some big ideas. Here are some ideas for giving
the illusion of space in your kitchen.
1) Use
unique storage solutions.
Install high pantry cabinets to eliminate extra
small cabinets. Add pullout shelves, rotating
inserts and tilt-out bins to increase accessibility
and storage within the cabinets. Light colored
cabinets, open shelves, wire organizers and glass-front
doors can help lighten the space. Also, adding
open display shelves or cabinets, help the room
will look larger. Too many cabinets, especially
made of dark materials, will give the illusion
that the room is much smaller.
2) Maintain
a mix of natural and ambient lighting.
A skylight will open the ceiling to more light
and raise a portion of the ceiling, visually expanding
the space. Bay or greenhouse windows also create
an open feel. Natural light should be complemented
by ambient and task lighting to provide an open
feel at night.
3) Choose
appliances wisely. There
are numerous high efficiency, sleek appliances
that allow individuals with small kitchens to
have the same luxuries as those with large kitchens.
Try to keep your cooktop and oven in the same
area. This saves valuable counter space. Have
microwaves built into a cabinet to increase counter
space. Keep all small appliances stored in either
an appliance garage or pantry to maintain a clutter-free
workspace.
4) Add
a personal touch. Display small,
simple items that add a personal touch without
adding clutter. Too many displays will cause the
kitchen to look smaller, but the right amount
can add warmth and provide an illusion of more
space.
All of these ideas
can give your small kitchen that large kitchen
feel.
Courtesy of ARA
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