Industry Insights

Transforming a small space into a standout kitchen

Written by Staff Writer | Jun 19, 2013 6:44:31 AM

Transforming a very limited area into a functional and comfortable kitchen is challenging. With all the important things to fit into the kitchen, including the sink, oven, stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, storage cabinets, counters, and other small appliances, every centimetre of space can make a difference.

If you’re renovating your kitchen to make it appear more roomy, consider the following tips:

1. Keep it simple

The kitchen is mainly a place for preparing and eating meals, so try to avoid using it for other non-related functions. A laundry room or bathroom that is adjacent to the kitchen can block spaces that can still be used to improve the kitchen. Try looking around your place for a spare closet where you can relocate your washer or move the bathroom into a better spot, so you can free up space for a much-needed counter space or dining area.

2. Break down walls

Kitchens that are surrounded by walls can feel very cramped. Instead of a solid wall, consider using a half wall to separate the kitchen from the living room or a peninsula counter to divide the kitchen and dining area. Even replacing the kitchen door with a large archway can work wonders when it comes to opening up the kitchen.

3. Avoid heavy traffic

An already small kitchen can seem way smaller if it’s always busy. If people are always passing through the kitchen to go from the living room to the backyard or any other part of the house, then the layout of the house should definitely be changed. When redesigning your space, make sure to steer foot traffic away from the kitchen as much as possible.

4. Use natural light

Adding a couple of windows to bring in more natural light into the kitchen doesn’t just brighten up the room; it also “extends” the space by giving it a nice view of the outdoors. An oriel window behind the sink, a gorgeous French door,  or some wide glass panels can really make a kitchen seem so much bigger.

5. Open up the view

Opening up your kitchen doesn’t just make it feel less constricted; it also makes preparing your meal so much more enjoyable. With a kitchen that opens to the dining room or living room, preparing your meal can become a social activity. Although your small kitchen doesn’t have room for more people, you can still have a conversation with those on the other side of the room. A counter that doubles as a prep area and an informal dining table is a smart way to divide the two areas and encourage social interaction during meal preparation.

Ready to push through with your kitchen renovation? Compare quotes from kitchen renovators now!