We say so many times that the kitchen is the heart of the house. But sometimes, we seem to think only of those incredible kitchens from movies and series. Those that give us the impression of being larger than a complete apartment, which also seems to have more storage space than our closets and is only complete if they have those central islands in which it is even sad to break an egg so as not to make a mess.
We know that this reality is not that of most of us. Our kitchens are tunnel type, with countertops on one or both sides, and in some cases, they are integrated into the living room. If you have a small kitchen, do not be discouraged, you see that there are many options to take advantage of it! Maybe a table fits with some chairs, or maybe not. And it’s not the end of the world either!
“That kitchen, your kitchen, is also the heart of your home.”
Small Kitchen Islands… They Exist!
The first thing is to know how to land our expectations, being realistic with the meters we have. And with that, start organizing the kitchen of our dreams, taking advantage of every meter and every empty space.
If you plan to make a reform, consider the option of sliding doors. Those meters that are lost with the opening angle of the ordinary door can be very useful. Bet on light kitchen furniture, with smooth doors (without mouldings). Include a glass door, like a showcase, and prefer them with subtle handles or, even better, without them.
Keep Order
Order is essential in small kitchens, and chaos takes up a lot of visual space! Try to keep the counters clear and take advantage of the walls to store.
One of my infallible tips to keep everything in order in the kitchen is to take food out of its packages and put it in jars that you can stack and organize by height. Flour, sugar, rice, legumes, pasta, spices, breadcrumbs … If you leave them in their containers, they end up piled up and wrinkled in the pantry. Take the time to organize glass jars, which are easier to group and keep the contents in perfect condition.
Shelving From Floor to Sky
Cabinets with doors have two advantages for me: the first is that they protect food and utensils from grease and dirt; the second is that they help hide micro-disorders. However, they take up much more space than shelves or open furniture. If you have a small kitchen, I recommend that you combine the two strategically. If you have furniture already installed, change the door to one of them for a cabinet type or directly remove it to expose some shelves.
Take advantage of the lower part of the furniture or the dead spots in the wall to install shelves. Having many things insight will help you to reduce yourself to the essentials and, above all, to maintain order.
Rails, Grids and Bars
For utensils and small pans or pots, rails and bars are a great idea. You will have everything at hand and your kitchen will also look like a Master Chef. If you prefer to use grates, you can also include a small pot, with aromatic herbs, to get the touch of aroma and colour.
Bet on White
The greatest virtue of white is its ability to expand spaces and bounce light. That feeling will go a long way if you’re looking to make your kitchen feel less crowded and congested. Don’t give up on colour. You can dab on stools, utensils, or placemats. My favourite combination for white in small kitchens is accented in wood and other natural materials, such as wicker or burlap.
Take Care of the Lighting
Surely the kitchen is the point of the house where we least worry about lighting: the ceiling, the extractor hood and that’s it. But well-lit kitchens earn a lot, especially if they are small. There are very nice options to achieve magical environments in your kitchen, from light garlands on the shelves to led strips under the cabinets that are on the counter. In particular, I really like the option of putting a table lamp somewhere in the kitchen. It’s like taking it out of its usual context and placing it in a spot in which it gains an unexpected prominence.
