Small kitchen design: assessing your space

Written by R. Ann Sipper

Establishing a work triangle is a great way to determine a layout when size is a factor in your small kitchen design. Creating a good flow in your kitchen is a great way to keep your kitchen functional when working with a limited amount of space.

Establishing the work triangle

Start with the sink when establishing your work triangle. Determine where the sink needs to be placed based on your existing plumbing. Allow for counter space to be added on either one or both sides of the sink. This will allow for ease of use while preparing food.

The second step is to determine where your stove and oven will be placed. To save space in a small kitchen design, try working with an oven and stove combination unit. If it’s not possible, there are still ways to work around your current appliances. Start by facing your sink head on. Then look to each side and choose an open wall space that’s a comfortable distance from the sink (generally they will be three to five steps apart).

Finding a spot for your refrigerator is the final step in establishing the work triangle. Place the refrigerator so it’s opposite either the stovetop or the sink to complete the triangle.

Vertical space considerations

Once your work triangle is complete, you can take a few additional steps to create a great layout in your small kitchen design. Your wall space layout is almost as important as establishing your work triangle.

Installing a dual-purpose microwave hood combo above the stovetop is a great space saver. Using the open vertical space above the stove frees up valuable counter space and allows you to get the most potential out of your kitchen counters.

Expanding cabinet vertical space

Since cabinet space fills up much of your kitchen’s vertical space, there are a number of steps you can take to increase storage potential:

• Corner cabinets with “lazy Susan” shelves add a large amount of storage and function to a small kitchen design. They allow you to use every inch of space in the cabinet and still easily access items placed in the back.
• Installing teacup hooks, wall baskets, stainless steel bars, and S hooks are all easy ways to use open wall space in your kitchen. Teacup hooks can be installed directly to the cabinets’ underside which creates additional storage for necessary items like mugs and teacups.
• Stainless steel bars can help make the most out of open wall space. Hang S hooks along the bars. Smaller items like measuring cups, cooking utensils, and wire baskets can hang from these to create vertical storage on the wall. This frees up drawer space and allows for easy access to the items used most frequently in the kitchen.
• Multi-purpose lighting is a great way to add storage in a small kitchen design. Look for overhead lighting that can double as a pot rack, wine rack, or utensil holder. This way, the light shines freely through the kitchen items while clearing up storage space.

The best way to get started on your small kitchen design project is to work with an experienced professional who will get you the desired result. By using BuyerZone’s free request for kitchen remodeling price quotes service, you can get in touch with several different professionals to make the most informed decision.