Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Redesigning A Tiny Kitchen

By Paulina Kertz


When you have a small kitchen, you might think that there is no way to make it really sleek, attractive and functional. But there are many design elements and organizational tricks which you can use to make your small kitchen a huge success.

Before you begin this project, you need to really assess your needs and the existing space that you have in the kitchen. You might consider moving the location of appliances around to increase counter space and improve the flow of the room. In addition, it is wise to maximize the amount of cabinets in your kitchen, as the more you store, the less cluttered your kitchen will look. Many kitchens have high ceilings, but the cabinets end several feet below the ceiling. Instead of letting that area collect dust, put it to good use and have your kitchen design team install custom cabinetry that runs all the way to the top of the ceiling. You can place items you rarely use in the top shelves and keep lower shelves for items that are used day to day.

The interior of your cabinets can be nearly as important as the exterior look. While you want custom cabinets that are well-made, ask your cabinet maker if they can also install plenty of helpful organizational elements inside the cabinets. This can include drawers that roll out and shelves with slots to keep cookie sheets organized. If room permits, consider installing a pot rack above the stovetop or some other convenient area, as this is helpful storage and attractive, as well.

When it comes to countertop selection, it is probably best to avoid tile, which can be difficult to clean and select an even heat-resistant surface such as granite. While granite can be expensive, this item is not only beautiful, it also holds its value if you decide to sell your house. One way to provide the illusion of space is to use a mirror as your backsplash instead of continuing the granite or tile.

The color you decide to use for all of the elements, including paint, countertops, appliances and cabinetry makes a big impact. Choosing white as your main color can really make a smaller kitchen appear larger. You could add one non-white element, such as a beautiful stainless steel oven/stove combination, but keeping everything a single color in general provides the illusion of a generous shape.

Don't forget about installing enough lighting. Even if you do have great natural light in your kitchen, a lot of your cooking will be done at night, and poor lighting not only makes the room less appealing, it is hard to work in. So be sure that every inch is illuminated, including the space by the cook top and the preparation areas, where you need extra light.




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